Bridge Commander Universe

TopGun · **Posted**: 04-01-2006 02:00 PM

Appart from Blender, what other free 3D programs are there?

M@DM@X · Commander Joined: 04 Dec 2003 Posts: 797

well. there is a peronal learning edition of maya that is free. but im not sure about any others. ill see if i can find anything for you

MLeo · **Posted**: 04-01-2006 02:36 PM

Anim8or(.com) is one.

Dele3d (forgot the link, a google will find it though).

TopGun · **Posted**: 04-01-2006 04:00 PM

Thanks guys

blaXXer · **Posted**: 04-02-2006 10:53 AM

don't forget about gmx...it's a great start for people who want to learn 3dsmax's interface.
www.turbosquid.com/gmax

TopGun · **Posted**: 04-03-2006 09:57 PM

I forgot about Gmax, which is great as I've used 3S Max

Thanks

blaXXer · **Posted**: 04-03-2006 10:01 PM

no problemo...

**Armondikov** · **Posted**: 04-04-2006 12:21 PM

Though I think Gmax has the drawback of not being able to render.

blaXXer · **Posted**: 04-04-2006 12:44 PM

I recently heard that there's a rendersuite out for it...try googeling...

MLeo · **Posted**: 04-04-2006 02:57 PM

I thought GMax was discontinued?

blaXXer · **Posted**: 04-04-2006 06:23 PM

you might be right, but, as I said earlier someone recently said that there was a rendersuite out for it...

**Armondikov** · **Posted**: 04-05-2006 01:25 PM

Even if it was discontinued, it was shareware so it should still be legal to download it from a downloading program that we normally don't allow to be mentioned.

blaXXer · **Posted**: 04-05-2006 05:16 PM

well, if you read closely I already posted valid link to it...

Commibstrd · Cadet 4th Class Joined: 03 Apr 2006 Posts: 7

I've gotta ask, what program do most BC modders use when creating brand spankin new ships? I find it hard to believe that everybody can afford to fork out 3,500 dollars for the two main 3D editing programs out there.

Are any of these free 3D modeling programs mentioned in this thread capable of creating ships that can be used in Bridge Commander?

I've heard that the Maya PLE has certain things preventing it from being used commercially but does that include modding for games like BC? I've always wanted to try making some models for BC but I have no clue where to start without forking out 3,500 dollars to buy 3DS Max or Maya Complete.

That Blender program looks pretty cool but can you export the models so that they can be used in Bridge Commander? I really would love to at least try and make some models for BC but I really can't afford to buy any program right now, so freeware is my only option.

So if there's any free program out there that can create models that can be used in Bridge Commander, I'd be happy to hear it.

blaXXer · **Posted**: 04-07-2006 11:04 AM

try Gmax..it has most of the functions that 3dsmax has..but it lacks the ability to render.
ayhoo it is definately a nice start.

Commibstrd · Cadet 4th Class Joined: 03 Apr 2006 Posts: 7

I've used Gmax before, and I think it's a really cool free program but I thought it was only compatible with a handful of games. Luckily I had one of the games Gmax was compatible with (C&C Renegade) so I managed to tinker around with it for a while.

Is there a plugin that I'm not aware of that allows Gmax to be compatible with Bridge Commander?

blaXXer · **Posted**: 04-08-2006 01:19 AM

you can always export to milkshape...or try finding someone who still has 3dsmax 3.1

DJ Curtis · Admiral Joined: 09 Feb 2006 Posts: 2381 Location: Canada

ugh, milkshape is a nightmare imo.

blaXXer · **Posted**: 04-08-2006 10:16 AM

yah, but if there's no other way...you gotta deal with it...
it were better if it was free, tbh.
I mean, look at blender...it's way more powerful and it's free...well, and MS is kinda crappy...

Commibstrd · Cadet 4th Class Joined: 03 Apr 2006 Posts: 7

Speaking of Blender, I just downloaded that right now and did some searching.

Now correct me if I'm wrong, but BC models are in the .nif format right? I just found a script for Blender that supposably exports to .nif format, so theoredically with this script I could produce models that can be used in BC? Or is there something else I'm missing that I need to be aware of?

MLeo · **Posted**: 04-08-2006 10:02 PM

It needs to be the nif 3 format, as outputted by 3ds Max R3 or Milkshape, which is a mostly complete reverse engineering of the original plugin as provided by the SDK (which is a, slight, modification of the "official" nif format).

But I would say, feel free to try.
It won't harm your BC in a way you can't fix by removing the faulty model(s).

M@DM@X · Commander Joined: 04 Dec 2003 Posts: 797

MLeo · **Posted**: 04-15-2006 12:08 PM

But it isn't compatible with BC, you need the nif2nif converter program as well.

Cube · **Posted**: 04-15-2006 12:27 PM

Also, doesnt max 5 work with max 4 plugins?

MLeo · **Posted**: 04-15-2006 12:39 PM

Try it.

I know the plugin interface can change through the versions.

M@DM@X · Commander Joined: 04 Dec 2003 Posts: 797