Columbia42
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Does anyone know of a good 3D editing software that imports and exports meshes while maintaining their textures and without the need to save anything as a 3ds and then convert it? Thanks!
General Question 3D Software for Editing Meshes
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RacerX
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have you tried this? http://www.orbiter-forum.com/showthread.php?t=18661&highlight=blender
wehaveaproblem
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I use AC3D for my orbiter meshwork.
It's a fairly entry level program compared to some, but has all the features I need for my work, and I find it intuitive to use and easy to learn. It has a built in UV mapper, which is pretty capable as well as all the modelling tools you need for spaceships and the like. It can import all relevant file formats, like OBJ and 3DS, plus most importantly there is a plugin for the orbiter mesh format! So no 3rd party conversion or UV programs needed. It's pretty much a one-stop shop.
The orbiter mesh plugin does limit to only one material per mesh object, but this is easily worked around with more objects. It also requires a small manual edit of the textures entry at the end of the file to set the formats to dds. But all-in-all it's a fairly painless process.
I don't know if I'd recommend it for organic/biological modelling, as it is a little clunky I find and cannot do skeleton animation etc, but for geometric based modelling, which Orbiter is really, I find it great.
Best of all, it has a $90 price tag, which is very competitive.
check it out, there is a free trial.
http://www.inivis.com/
my2c
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It's a fairly entry level program compared to some, but has all the features I need for my work, and I find it intuitive to use and easy to learn. It has a built in UV mapper, which is pretty capable as well as all the modelling tools you need for spaceships and the like. It can import all relevant file formats, like OBJ and 3DS, plus most importantly there is a plugin for the orbiter mesh format! So no 3rd party conversion or UV programs needed. It's pretty much a one-stop shop.
The orbiter mesh plugin does limit to only one material per mesh object, but this is easily worked around with more objects. It also requires a small manual edit of the textures entry at the end of the file to set the formats to dds. But all-in-all it's a fairly painless process.
I don't know if I'd recommend it for organic/biological modelling, as it is a little clunky I find and cannot do skeleton animation etc, but for geometric based modelling, which Orbiter is really, I find it great.
Best of all, it has a $90 price tag, which is very competitive.
check it out, there is a free trial.
http://www.inivis.com/
my2c
WHAP
Kotrun
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Blender with MSH plugin.
RacerX :thumbup:
RacerX :thumbup:
Columbia42
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I currently use ac3d but the problem is that when I import meshes, their textures are not retained. This is turning out to be a big problem because I would have to retexture a complex model.
Just put the msh file in the Textures folder and everything should load OK.
Columbia42
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Thanks, I was not aware of that plugin for Blender, I'll try it.
---------- Post added at 05:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:32 PM ----------
It says that it cannot load dds files, perhaps I have an older version of ac3d.
wehaveaproblem
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If they are orbiter meshes, this will be because they are calling for a dds texture, which AC3D does not support. So all you need to do is import the mesh, then set a new texture file, either a bmp or png version of the dds texture. All UV maps should have been maintained.
edit: seems this is your problem from your previous reply. Get DXTBMP and convert the dds back to a bmp.
This only gets a bit complicated if the mesh is made of many objects which each having their own texture. In which case you need to make sure you select the appropriate groups to apply each appropriate texture to.
I don't have this problem as I always work from my own AC3D format originals, which I export into msh... which I assume you are not? Are you working on someone else's mesh? or in collaboration with someone who doesn't have AC3D? or?
Columbia42
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I usually work with ac3d originals as well but I am trying to work with someone else's mesh now which is why I have encountered this problem. I have tried renaming the textures at the end of the mesh to .jpg instead of dds and putting the mesh into a folder with all of the textures converted to .jpg but I still get the message that ac3d cannot import .jpg. I know this is not the case, however, since I can import 3ds models that maintain their jpg textures.
This is not correct. AC3D supports and loads dds textures just fine.
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Interesting... mine doesn't seem to like them. It will technically load them, but it does not display them. I have 6.8.14... you the same DaveS?
Columbia42,
Have you tried just reassigning the texture from the Object>Texture>Load texture menu inside AC3D?
Columbia42
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That is possible but would be a monumentally enormous task because the mesh is so large and every single piece is a different object with a different texture so I'm looking for an alternative to that.
Yes. No issues at all loading textures and displaying them.
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That's curious. I've never really explored this before as haven't had the need, but playing with it now, my AC3D really doesn't like dds formats... If I import a .msh it will load the dds texture if it is present, but simply won't display it on the model... mayhaps something I need to investigate.
Although, that's vaguely encouraging for you Columbia, as even my odd AC3D is importing the mesh with it's UV and texture... I just can't see them. But it means it should load for you and hopefully you will be able to see it.
Columbia42
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My AC3D just doesn't like meshes, it seems. It will load dds, jpg, bmp or whatever kind of texture as long as it's for a 3ds model but won't load or display any textures, no matter what format, for a mesh.
Try this for example:
Open mesh with notepad and scroll to end where are texture,
then if you see something like this:
TEXTURES 2
Atlantis/cargobay.dds
Atlantis/MGAtlantis.dds
Delete Atlantis,let only stay texture name.dds
like this:
TEXTURES 2
cargobay.dds
MGAtlantis.dds
and of course put mesh in folder where are the textures.
Maybe this help.
Columbia42
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I already tried that and it said it cannot load dds textures but I know this is not the case because AC3D loads dds textures just fine when they are on a 3ds.
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Sorry to hear you haven't solved the problem, Columbia. I wonder if it could be a problem with the mesh plugin... but then DaveS says he has no problems, so perhaps you and I are unlucky, or have some graphics card issue or some such...
What happens if you import the mesh, then export it as an OBJ or 3DS or something, then reimport it? I know it's a pain, but that might get your textures in... ?
What happens if you import the mesh, then export it as an OBJ or 3DS or something, then reimport it? I know it's a pain, but that might get your textures in... ?
Columbia42
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The textures are lost as soon as the file is imported so an export would have no textures. Thanks for all of your help, I guess it could just be a graphics card issue or something.
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