Programs Needed For HL Modding

[hokai]

Could anyone post a list of the essential progs needed for HL Modding please?
The ones I am most after are progs for character modelling, and level mapping... but any other essentials would help too.
All help greatly appreciated! :thumbs:

 

[Imrahil]

http://collective.valve-erc.com/index.php?go=hammer
Valve's Hammer Editor for making maps.

 

[hokai]

Is this "Hammer Editor" like the SDK?
P.S. Thanks again Imrahil

 

[simmo]

Moved ...

 

[Imrahil]

The Hammer Editor is where you would make maps for a Half Life MOD. The SDK is where you make coding changes to change the dynamic of the game. So say you wanted to make the crowbar instantly kill anything it hits, you would make this change in the SDK. The SDK is just all the code for the game. But you still need the actual Half Life game to be able to play a MOD you made.

Imrahil

 

[hokai]

So the visual stuff is done with the Hammer Editor, and the back end coding is done using the SDK.
I better d/l both lol.

 

[Jmechy]

modeling and animation:
http://www.milkshape3d.com/

 

[neozero]

UGh milkshape is horrible,
try blender instead.

I would suggest GMAX, but it doesn't support HL.

Of course if you want to mod for HL2, you should definately learn XSI

 

[hokai]

Well i'd really like to be able to program... looks really impressive! However, I i'm more of a artistic kinda guy so i think i'll take up character/weapon modelling.
I've started learning BASIC also (d/led DarkBASIC) just so that I know a "simple" programming language in case I ever need it.
How long does it take to become real good at modelling (like "HL2 or Doom3 Modeller" status)? Because i'd really like to get into that line of work when I finish at college in 2005...

 

[Stitch]

Give the MayaPLE a shot. It comes with tutorial videos so you can quickly learn the fundamentals of the interface and basic functions such as rotate, scale and pan. http://www.alias.com/eng/index.shtml

 

[hokai]

MayaPLE sounds good. I'll d/l it ASAP then.

 

[hokai]

Well, i've always wanted a games industry career - it's only latley that i've considered 3D art. I took GCSE (UK) Art and passed well, and am now studying ICT as part of my college course. Essex (UK) Uni has some good 3D art courses, which I am looking at at the moment.

Isn't it "Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori"?

 

[Rincewind]

no it isnt.