request for resources regarding beginner level model creation

[Lionsmane]

Hey guys, I've recently started looking into model creation to help contribute to the ff7 modifications around here.

I have already acquired Blender, LGP/UNLGP, Gimp, and Biturn

But I have found that I need to do more reading before I am fully aware of how to successfully manipulate/revamp the models I extract from ff7.

For example, I have no clue what uv maps are, or how to alter color of models in blender. Even how to sculpt.

And I don't know if texturing has to be done solely in gimp or what. Whenever I try to apply a texture brush in blender nothing happens. haha shoot, any kind of tool.

So I'm asking for people to point me toward resources they used to learn how to properly manipulate ff7 models in blender, and how to properly convert textures and those models between programs and such.

It'd make things a lot more smooth because Im completely new to this kind of thing. Also, college is in full swing for me now so the less searching the better hahah.

Any help, tips or links are greatly appreciated guys!

[Furzball]

Similar boat to you. However I first suggest that you look at your schedule and what you want to do. Consider the fact that you don't seem to want to put in the time to do research, let alone having the time to do the modeling. I don't mean to be rude, just pointing out something I myself have done in the past and learned from. Anyways use google to search for modeling tutorials throughout qhimm.

[Lionsmane]

Yeah, Im just trying to cut out as much time spent getting things together as  possible. I've found a few things looking around, I was just curious what some of the successful model creators found helpful when they started out.

Thanks for the advice!

[Prince Lex]

There used to be a ton of tutorials floating around (I think these all sprung up around 2008-ish) so using the search function is your friend. I would be more helpful and do it myself, but I'm using my phone to write this and I already have enough hatred for the site search function.

[dkma841]

I have already acquired Blender, LGP/UNLGP, Gimp, and Biturn

You don't have Kimera and Pcreator?

[Lionsmane]

I think I might have gotten pcreator, I'm on my phone right now. Doesn't it take the 3ds files and reconvert them?

And I never got kimera because I thought its features were very limited?

 

[Lionsmane]

There used to be a ton of tutorials floating around (I think these all sprung up around 2008-ish) so using the search function is your friend. I would be more helpful and do it myself, but I'm using my phone to write this and I already have enough hatred for the site search function.

Yeah, I ran it last night and found a tutorial vid from timu right off the bat

I guess I just assumed there weren't any out there because i didn't ever notice any in my other model related searches!

[dkma841]

I got no experience in modelling yet im in the same shoes as you im keen to learn, i thought Kimera was an essential tool for modelling? Anyways here are some tuts i use

Conversion Tutorials.7z    How to Convert Battle Models     
http://www.mediafire.com/?gmqmyaomdnh
Tutorials by Mike Part 1: Detach, Fill holes Video on Model Editing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmXnEwFy_kQ
Tutorials by Mike Part 2: How to use FF7 Tools  Video on FF7 Tools                           
Tutorials by Mike Part 3: Convert to Battle Video on Converting Field Models       
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcMLMZY_Xtw
Tutorials by Mike Part 4: Convert to World  Video on Converting Models to World 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeiRo-LLGTQ

here are tutorials from all over this forum i had bookmarked    (i lost some sorry):
Cbudd's battle to field simple tut somewhere below in this thread
http://forums.qhimm.com/index.php?topic=12344.0

Timu Sumisu's moddeling tuts:
http://forums.qhimm.com/index.php?topic=8778.0

Millenia's video texture/uv tuts:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4N3tWB9Bq0&context=C3378641ADOEgsToPDskIZ2IxTPhDoc-8JPo7Eue0h

File extensions should go like this:
TEX - textures, pictures
P - 3d models, parts of the bodies
RSD - 3d body part description, points to P files and TEX files
HRC - model skeleton description, points to the RSD
A - animation files

http://forums.qhimm.com/index.php?topic=4774.msg62916#msg62916

Locate the files in ***.lgp: https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AniNoDVsrYhVdG0zZERUT0tsOF91eHE2WHo4ZWRseWc&gid=3

http://rapidshare.com/files/321557934/How_to_build_models_for_FF7PC.pdf
http://q-gears.sourceforge.net/gears.pdf
http://forums.qhimm.com/index.php?topic=9261.0
http://forums.qhimm.com/index.php?topic=9696.0
Hope it helps 
Also some important tools

LGP/unLGP (decodes the packed lgp files, eg. battle.lgp, char.lgp, magic.lgp,...)
Kimera (for models from field/battle/world .p .a .rsd .hrc , ... )
ProudClod (scene.bin)
Image2TEX (for .tex)
TouphScript (conversations editor flevel.lgp + world_us.lgp)
Cosmo (sounds, ...)
Zangan (Battle Scenes in battle.lgp)
HRC Resizer (change model sizes)
Timviewer (.tim images)
WallMarket (kernel.bin, kernel2.bin,scene.bin)
Palmer (flevel.lgp images conversion)
Aali's Driver (mod which enables most of this things)

[Lionsmane]

Ohhhh wow, thanks a lot man! That's plenty to look over tonight.
Uhm I just thought kimera was a small tool because I read somewhere in a description
"Simple model editor" but I mightve taken it the wrong way.

Wow thanks again for the links haha. Hopefully they help you out too and maybe we can bounce questions off each other later on

[Prince Lex]

Yeah, I ran it last night and found a tutorial vid from timu right off the bat

I guess I just assumed there weren't any out there because i didn't ever notice any in my other model related searches!

The whole model creation/ importing thing had a massive vogue here years ago because of the release of Crisis Core and DoC. But then around the time the first Dissidia was released, it was decided that importing excellent looking models was evil to avoid a C & D from Square.

It's really a shame they're not a bit more like Capcom, who love it when people rip their models

[Lionsmane]

Ah yeah I've read in threads about all of that, so I guess I can see why readily available tutorials that could be used for "evil" would be hard to come by haha 

I definitely don't intend on ripping any models or anything. Well, the original battle models from the pcff7 yeah, but I don't believe that is a problem.

I only intend on altering those models or possibly making my own from scratch to import into the game. Nothing borrowed from other games because I'd like for the community to be able to enjoy whatever I create!

[Livesey]

Great thread and thanks a lot for the links e1sunz I'l definately be watching when I get some spare time, same boat as OP I got in contact with Timu and he was helpful in pointing a few programs out to me, he reccomended Blender (free) 3dsmax and maya if I don't mind shelling out some cash. so I chose blender and have been fooling around with it for some time to get used to the program.

I understand the sculpting to a degree but importing I am clueless about. Hope to find something when I return to this thread, anyway thanks again. and good luck with the modelling Lionsmane.

[Lionsmane]

Thanks and same to you! I figured I wasn't the only person having trouble getting the ball rolling

[Tempus]

I'd suggest visiting a Blender forum for questions regarding Blender. Certainly you'll need to convert models for later on, but if you don't know how to actually use your 3D app of choice that's only going to hinder you. Basically, like any skill certain things are higher priority than others when you're first learning. You'll want to know how to create a basic model before UV mapping, for example.

The 'Blender Noob to Pro' tutorial (just Google it) is decent enough for teaching you the basics of the interface and rudimentary principles of modelling. The tutorial is very long winded and boring so I wouldn't recommend it for anything but the basics. The best way learn things beyond the basics is searching for them yourself. Of course, having a contact online or a friend where you live who also uses Blender is always helpful. I learned a lot of my early modelling stuff from a guy I was working with on a mod.

[FeliX Leonhart]

Also a good way of learnin blender:
1) you see an option
2) save
3) try that option on your model
4) mess up everything
5) learned what that option does
6) load the save

You have to figure out yourself most of the things, that way you won't be chained by common presents and methods, and you'll be able to do something on your own