Modeling for halflife2

[pimplife2]

hi guys i want to model for halflife2 (just edit them to start with)
but i cant open the vtx files or the mdl files how can i open them and model it????

thnx

 

[mrkab00m]

If you don't know how to find a program to open them, maybe you shouldn't start editing things... do you know C++? A lot of the things you may want to edit is coded in C++.

 

[Sourcerer]

I too am having a little trouble with figuring this out.
So far, I know that you need XSI modtool and the valve addon file
and I have managed to import models in to XSI using the Valve source menu. Can't get the textures to display and haven't yet figured out how to put the model back in the game so I can see it.

If I could find a beginners tutorial which would show how to load up a model (say Alex) and then export that model after modifying it, then things would be a lot easier. But I think XSI's polygon limit will scupper that idea.

I think it is not really necessary to know C++ to do modeling.

Sourcerer.

 

[pimplife2]

k yeah i dont think c++ has much to do with modeling :S

 

[Cyanide]

...But I think XSI's polygon limit will scupper that idea.

The XSI modtool has no polygon limit. Only the EXP for HL2 had a polygon limit.

 

[rIKmAN]

AFAIK the XSI modtool has a limit of 7500 polys, XSI EXP has a 4000poly limit.

 

[Cyanide]

edit:
Yeah, I guess there is one for exported models. That's gay. What's the point of that. You can save and load models without a limit. Why limit the exporter? That makes no sense.

 

[thereisaspoon]

ur export limit is 7500

 

[Sourcerer]

So, unless I am misunderstanding something, Valve have given us a tool which can't even be used for something as basic as editing the in-game characters ? This doesn't seem terribly useful.
Surely I must got have this wrong ?

 

[Ti133700N]

7500 poly is enough. If your model is over that limit then you have to optimise it. Second, they give us a professionnal modeling software for free so its kind of nice. If you really need to build model with more than 7500 poly then youèll have to buy another version of Softimage or another modeling package.

 

[Sourcerer]

I agree, it is very nice of them to do this.
I am not experienced enough, (or just too damned lazy) to develop my own characters from scratch and don't want to have to deal with rigging, animations and lip syncing and all that and was hoping that I could take an existing character and modify the model and materials to suit, thereby saving a lot of work.
I am not complaining though, I think what Valve have done is great.