[Post Merge: July 07, 2012, 04:27:10 PM]

marvel models aren't really high poly..

anyway I recorded a video last night but my MIC is like on its way out.. the audio is just torn up. I hope to get more video's up during the weekend. of course they will follow in order with the guideline in the opening post

also N64 is a bit too lowpoly.. I was thinking something from PSP or PS2.. there in that mid poly range.. N64 is like a square stacked on a few other squares..
Post Merge: July 07, 2012, 04:27:10 PM*Bump

here's the max intro video, I'll record the lowpoly porting video after I come back from dinner

<a href="http://youtu.be/D_E85xwngTc" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://youtu.be/D_E85xwngTc</a>

^ link is fresh, so if your reading it, it'll likely still be in processing.

..I may also make a separate video just addressing where to get models... kinda weird how people think models fall off trees <_<

recorded the first video, but might redo it.. is rather long for what it was suppose to get across.. but ohwell I'll redo it later on if need be

>explains playing brawl on PC

01 Brawl Dolphin EDITED

I'll compile a model to do a practice on what I want to accomplish in the video. then I'll start the actual recording

I'm planning to demonstrate two models;
1. High Polygon
2. Low Polygon

a high polygon is something from xbox360 which otherwise wouldnt work in brawl.
and lowpoly is something from an older generation game which doesnt have many polygons

if someone can supply me with the models, I'll use them in my video..

was sitting on it so get more feedback.. whatever.. I'll start recording the videos

I'm forming a list of topics I want to cover in a series of video tutorials

others have said before that there is no need for anymore tutorials.
However clearly people are always asking questions here on a daily basis.

So I would like to offer my own spin on things and offer my guidance on porting models to brawl


But before I do that I would like to compile a list of topics that I can discuss in the video. so that no question is left unanswered. Bare in mind, I know nothing about animation, just 3D editing.. such as porting

anyways here's my current outline, feel free to critiqued it and add in anything you want covered.

Porting WalkThrough

1. Overview
   Discuss what will be covered, and the various softwares required.
   Discuss the Scene, example where to get models

2. Playing SSBB On PC
   Walkthrough the process of installing the Dolphin Emulator and running SSBB
   Demostrate how to install a mod to the virtrual SDcard

3. 3DSMAX
   Warning Advisory about Max2012 and Max2013 (Buggy)
   Introduction to using 3dsmax and its enviroment.

4. Models
   Where to get models
   How to get the textures to show
   Fixing Common Mesh/Texture Problems
   Fixing Smoothing Issues
   How to handle double sided polygons (DDF Script)

5. Rigging (Basic)
   DAE/Collada Plugins and the Correct Versions
   Use DAE<=>FBX Converter, if Using Max2009 or lower
   Using a Ripped model on a pre-exsisting brawl skeleton
   Tips on how to get your model to fit that skeleton
   Importing a model from brawlbox and demostrating how SKIN works.
   Adding SKIN to your model and assigning vertex weights
   How to use "Paint" and the "Weight Tool" to assign vertex weights
   Tips on weighting, such as Blending and Mirroring
   Using the Animation Slider to test your Weights

6. Rigging (Advanced)
   How to ProOptimize if your model is too large
   Remap UV Layout to get the most out of your texture resolution
   Planning Ahead for Face Expressions etc
   How to Bake Shadows and Lighting into your Model
   How to UVwrap if your model

7. Exporting
   Cut your model by Texture group (Detachby ID Script)
   Set Vertex Normals (-90)

8. Compiling
   Export from 3DSmAX to BrawlBox
   Getting Textures to BrawlBox
   Make sure all textures have dimensions multiple of 2
   Set Desired Material Effects
   Using Shaders
   Set Attachments for Face Expressions
   Testing in Dolphin

9. Brawl Vault
   Introduction to using Brawl Vault
   How to Make a Rad Render of your Import in 3DSmax
   How to Replace your Character Select Picture (CSP)
   How to Publish your Work

I wanted to get the models from this game, and figured I would store my progress here.. others can follow and help or learn whatever.

So far I've got the files extracted and have just been looking over the file formats.. I usually start by finding my target file.. a file that contains model data. Then I write a quick tool to import vertices from the file, that lets me take pokes at the data. Then I can make a determination on if I have targeted the right file or not...

If everythings cool, I further inspect the file, trying to search for patterns. Once the patterns are found you can start to form an idea of how the file is written. And further from that you'll be able to find adderss tables or counts that you'll need to help you automate reading of the file...

Now if your interested in how to get data files off your game disc, this is what I did last night;
- Download imgBurn (www.imgburn.com) use that to make a copy of your disc into a ISO file
- Use CUE's ISO extractor on your ISO file (http://www.romhacking.net/forum/index.php?topic=7790.15)
> I had to compile it, here download my exe, compiled on win7 64bit (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/86746436/StarOcean3_dumptools.7z) requires 7zip to unpack
> the tool is command line here is an example of what to type "triAce-PS2.exe starocean3.iso C:\starocean3\"

and thats about it, your files spit out, but they'll be alot of different file types. SLZ files are compressed and should be uncompressed using either the BMS script or CUE's slz.exe program.. which you can just drag and drop files to

As far as the file cracking, heres a pic of the FPS format, which I believe to be the mesh file.



That pattern near the end is a repeating pattern, so infact they are the vertices that makeup the model. for every 3 vertices a face is formed between them.. so its pretty simple. the start of the file contains information on how to make a program read these vertices automatically for us..

Anyway just wanted to post this, it'll likely be well into the weekend before I get time to do anything

you just build polygons around the hipoly.. its not to hard. I either create a cylinder and extrude from there, or a box like on the shoe. Then just move the verts close to your hipolys surface..

I tried to put more polys on my face, cause I wanted to retain my EPIC nose features

So this makes the textures for you?

yes, CATCH uses parts of your images to create textures for you.

You can have a look at the texture it generated from my night shift nurse figure

RAW Photo's Taken with my camera:
http://www.mediafire.com/?0hlhae5mqsk8oam

CATCH Output:
http://www.mediafire.com/?gadyqfgun5dub64

you use photos taken around an object, CATCH turns them into a model. it then creates a texture map for you generated from those xx amount of photos

I got distracted trying to make a nude mod for Lollipop Chainsaw..
I remodelled, retextured, and rebaked after creating a new HiPoly layer in mudbox...

Sadly when I tried to get it working just now it lockedup the game.. surely has to do with the file being compressed.. and I uncompressed it. I have no Idea how to recompress it

(NSFW)

The status on my "ME" project is pretty near to ready. I had to remodel a lowpoly and project the textures onto it.. I'm going to copy Marth's arm over to my lowpoly and reshape it as little as possible.. that way I don't have to worry about modeling fingers, and aligning them to the bones..

In the below screenshots you can see to the left is the CATCH capture.. WAY TOO MANY POLYGONs..
To the right is the lowpoly mesh I've been modeling and projecting the textures to.. pretty close..

personally its not more less then sharing a screenshots of the guys work at that point lol

cause technically its just a mesh blob with a screenshot as its texture

hm..  I tried on this video and it worked.. but strange cause theres really no background to act as a landmark

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ej3mF4466DM" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ej3mF4466DM</a>

it wont work if there isn't any landmarks for the program to use to orientate itself.
I tried using some images from page3(dot)com (NSFW) and they don't work.. most likely because the background is all white

CATCH was designed in respects to a 3MP camera.. so any cell phone camera will do...

so does texture baking reduce the hassle of uv editing so that u can use the textures of one object to another?

UV editing is important.. I could get into the topic but it would be a lengthy discussion.
bottom-line, UV space in important it is in direct relation to your texture resolution and the quality and balance of the port into said platform.

texture baking should be used to trasnfer your textures over to a new and better designed UV layout suited best for your target platform

example
2048x2048 texture = OK for xbox360
2048x2048 texture = FAIL for wii

to resolve, shrink the 2048x2048 down... !!problem of resolution, solution, dice your textures.
:: UV Editing Required <- {Important} = Baking is the Tool in this process