I want to mod, gosh dernit.

[neozero]

To start I'm not going to ask ANYONE to do ANYTHING, for me until I can get some work done (I.E models, renders, art etc.)

I'm just wondering how do most people start mods?

I'm also curious about XSI.
I've learned how to use MAX (GMAX, but I'll get my hands on 3ds MAX soon enough), and MAYA, but I've never really heard of XSI?

Should I learn how to work with it, or is it neccessary.

The reason I ask is that I saw the Alyx, and G-man videos, and was really impressed with the tools they used to create facial expressions. They just seemed like things specific to XSI, so if I wanted to make a story driven mod (which I DO, hence the reason I'm not asking for hellp...now), I'd have to utilize it somehow. We all know that, even in the latest games, facial expressions were really lacking (thinks about aida from Unreal 2, but no one was staring at her face).

 

[Brian Damage]

I want to mod, too, gosh dernit. I'm using GMax at the moment, porting all models to XSI as soon as I get the version that comes with Half Life 2.

I started my mod (which is about 0.1% done, heh heh) by just posting some of my concept art and ideas here.

You should probably also learn to code and so on, unless you're going to get someone else to do that bit...

 

[neozero]

Well I'm an AP Java student, so coding is right up my alley.

Hmm if I learn the scripts for Half-life 1, will it do me any good with HL2?

 

[Faravid]

Originally posted by neozero
Well I'm an AP Java student, so coding is right up my alley.

Hmm if I learn the scripts for Half-life 1, will it do me any good with HL2?

I believe it has similar coding style, but I'm also sure it will differ alot.
Remember that it is C++, not just some weird scripting language, C++ that uses the information that the engine provides.

 

[Brian Damage]

Java will help, now just get one of those learn-to-code-C++-in-24-hours books.

I'm a Java student too, moving to C++ (which I already know a little of) next year.

 

[king John I]

i dont have time to mod, school

 

[Javert]

We have plenty of tutorials in our editing forums, so have fun and good luck!

 

[ComradeBadger]

Java is bad for modding

Yeah, good on ya... when I read the thread title, I misread it as 'I want to be a mod, goshdarnit' and was all ready to say 'no' ;( awww now I can't

Anyway, yeah, I lead a mod team and we are getting a lot of work done at the moment... so don't worry, most people on these forums have ambition to mod :cheers:

 

[Faravid]

I want to be a mod!

 

[Uplink]

On topic in a funny kind of way: I want to mod for HL2 but have never done any modding before in my life. Well, not really anyway. What should I do? Do i need to learn any programming languages or anything? If so, what's the best way too. If not, what do I need to learn?
When I say mod, I mean really just create new single player levels for it.

 

[neozero]

hmmm learn the level editor, methinks.

Originally posted by Javert
We have plenty of tutorials in our editing forums, so have fun and good luck!

I'm wondering then why is unreal script based off Java. are you saying JAVA is bad or just OOP in general?

Anyway before I took JAVA I learned C++, so its not new to me in any way. Can I get a confirmation that its true C++, not just really similiar? (again ala Unrealscript).

 

[ComradeBadger]

HL2, to the best of our knowledge(s) is done in C++, not some crazy scripting language (I really hate them, they just serve to irritate me :flame: )

I was saying that Java is bad for modding because:
1. HL2's code is, to the best of my knowledge pure C++
2. It's rather different to C++

But if you're a C++ programmer anyway then theres no problem \o/

 

[Brian Damage]

Java is interpretory, whereas C++ is compiled. Java is a good language to learn OOP on, though.

 

[ComradeBadger]

Yeah, but it's pants for 3D objects my friend

Basically, I steered clear of C, C# and Java, and went straight into C++, but my learning of it has stalled at the moment (due to AS Levels)

 

[neozero]

Speaking of whiche, how does one get their grubbby paws on the SDK?

 

[Varg|Hund]

Originally posted by neozero
Speaking of whiche, how does one get their grubbby paws on the SDK?

You don't. Unless you're a part of the CS team.
Or you could actually get your un-washed hands on the SDK, but that would involve illegal stuff that it's best not to talk about here. And, if people found out that you were using the stolen SDK, I think that the popularity for your mod would drop somewhat .

So, just don't do it, and wait for the release of HL2 instead =)

 

[Brian Damage]

Originally posted by mrBadger
Yeah, but it's pants for 3D objects my friend

That it is, MrB, that it is.

 

[neozero]

Originally posted by [CoHn]FuSeD
You don't. Unless you're a part of the CS team.
Or you could actually get your un-washed hands on the SDK, but that would involve illegal stuff that it's best not to talk about here. And, if people found out that you were using the stolen SDK, I think that the popularity for your mod would drop somewhat .

So, just don't do it, and wait for the release of HL2 instead =)

That's what I mean, though. I don't care if I have to wait until the release, I just want to know how available the development tools are, or will be.

 

[Neutrino]

Originally posted by [CoHn]FuSeD
You don't. Unless you're a part of the CS team.
Or you could actually get your un-washed hands on the SDK, but that would involve illegal stuff that it's best not to talk about here. And, if people found out that you were using the stolen SDK, I think that the popularity for your mod would drop somewhat .

So, just don't do it, and wait for the release of HL2 instead =)

Um....there is no stolen SDK.

 

[Letters]

Originally posted by Neutrino
Um....there is no stolen SDK.

That's why you have to... ya know... steal it... that's why it would invovle 'illegal stuff', as Mr. Fused said...

 

[neozero]

So are you saying there is NO way I could EVER get
ANY editing tools, through legal meanS?

That wouldn't make sense, though. Half the point of the game is that its easily moddable, and so many other games are offering more and more. (UT2k3 for example).

 

[Letters]

Originally posted by neozero
So are you saying there is NO way I could EVER get
ANY editing tools, through legal meanS?

That wouldn't make sense, though. Half the point of the game is that its easily moddable, and so many other games are offering more and more. (UT2k3 for example).

You just have to wait until the game is released... then the SDK will most likely be released shortly thereafter...

 

[neozero]

all right, so how easy would it be to get then?

 

[Letters]

Originally posted by neozero
all right, so how easy would it be to get then?

VERY easy... like... clicking a link... :cheese:

 

[neozero]

Really?! my friend says it'll be about 50,000$

 

[The Dark Elf]

Originally posted by neozero
Really?! my friend says it'll be about 50,000$

Sounds like your friend is talking about licening the engine and source code. The SDK that people like us will be using will be free, just a large download

 

[neozero]

OH I get it.

As long as we odn't use any of our work for profit it's okay, or something of the like.

 

[Neutrino]

Originally posted by neozero
OH I get it.

As long as we odn't use any of our work for profit it's okay, or something of the like.

Source Code = $100,000 dollars more or less
SDK = Free

The source code would be used to make a completely new game.
The SDK would be used to make a MOD.

 

[neozero]

I guess all that needs to be done now is making the mod, aye?

Hhhmmm I'm befuddled on this one.

I definately don't want to be one of those kids that tries to suggtest an Idea and get someone else to do it.

But in general how do succesful mods get done?

I'm not talking in terms of actual work (I won't even begin thinking asking for help or even telling you my Idea until I Prove to you people that I'm capable of contributing).

I'm inquiring about project management, collaboration, synergy, Etc.

 

[wirrexx]

Hi!
im new to this mod thing!
so if someone could pls help me to answer some questions i would be pleaseeeed!

1.What Application should i use for I.E Modeling and that stuff!
2. what kind of application should i use if i want to program!
3. what kind of APP* Is best to make skins!

Im going to start a team for a new mod for HL2.. so would be better if i know something !

 

[ComradeBadger]

Ok, if you know nothing, then it's best to join a team, and see how they work together... and then go off on your own

1. Softimage XSI
2. Microsoft Visual C++ .NET Pro
3. Adobe Photoshop