3ds max...

[PinkFloyd1965]

I've read through some of the posts and I realize I can't convert a .p model (and, just to be specific, the battle models) into .3ds format and import it into 3DS Max (I have 5.1...). But, is there anyway that I can use a freeware/shareware program or something to make the .p model show up correctly in 3DS? I can get the mesh to work out, but the materials won't show up (because there are too many). So, is there some way I can open it in another program, extract the materials as a texture or something, import the mesh into 3DS, and wrap the texture around it?

I know that most plugins that work for .p models revolve around LightWave, but I want it to work for 3DS because the only Morrowind exporter is for 3DS.

[Alhexx]

Well, I think we had this discussion several times before.
The point is that the FF7 .p format mainly uses vertex colors for the materials, and only a few textures. Textures are usually only used for eyes, mouths and tattoos (e.g. Barrets' tattoo).
However, 3DS CAN handle vertex colors, but there is no tool that can generate files with vertex coloration from ff7 files...
Ultima, my FF7 .p tool, is able to export files to 3df format, a format invented my mirex.

Well, let's wait until mirex joins this discussion, he has been working longer on the format than I...

Generatin textures *should* be possible, however, I doubt that the results would be useful
...and there is no tool that is able to do this yet...

 - Alhexx

[mirex]

Main problem is with MAX and its file formats; .3DS cannot handle vertex colors, .MAX can but no one can read/write it, .ASE (max text format) can have vertex colors, but there is no MAX importer for it;
If anyone would know about ASE importer for max i think case would be solved.

Also i must admit mine .3DS writer is buggy, im trying to fix it to make ok with 3DS MAX, but even than models will look "flat", because .3DS does not support vertex colors.

[Alhexx]

So the sad point is that there is no working tool for our problem...
I'm currently going to work for the next few weeks, so I don't have too much time right now. After that, I'll start studying, so there will be a lot of work to do, too. So I'm not sure when I will be able to continue my work on our FF7 tools...

So you'll have to wait...

 - Alhexx

[PinkFloyd1965]

ASE Import Plug-in for 3DS Max

There's a good ASE importer. It works for vertex colors (you have to right-click on the imported file and turn them on each time, but it definitely works).

Edit:
To explain better for non-Max users... Right-click on the imported object, click on Properties, and click the checkbox for Vertex Colors, click Shaded, and press OK...

Hot diggity dog!

And the URL I gave is in Japanese... click on the V1.0 next to HALLUCINO (in the "Daunrohdo" section ). I think the only file you need to copy to the Plugins directory is "asciiimp.dli".

[mirex]

I'll do some testing now ... it might all be working soon, thanks for the link PinkFloyd. Right now i can write geometry and material info into ASE, i'll look if some bones/skelet is possible.. i'll post when its done.

btw http://babelfish.altavista.com can translate web pages really good

[PinkFloyd1965]

Just in case you haven't checked yet... You can export bones to .ASE.