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FPSC Classic Models and Media / [LOCKED] Need some advice please about better animating models

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Cosmic Prophet
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Posted: 4th Apr 2011 19:58 Edited at: 4th Apr 2011 20:17
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Hi there my friends. This question goes out to those who are familiar with 3D Studio max.

I want to find a better program for animation (Milkshape is OK, but it's kinda buggy sometimes).

I have a full version of 3Ds that was given to me by my old boss years ago, after he did upgrades to his equiptment in the Art dept.

Here's the thing though, It's really old!!! like me, "ver.4"

I never got around to learning how to use it, and before I waste my time trying, I wanted to pick your brains to see if it would even work with the current FPSC workflow.

Would the files available on the FPSC website even be compatable with such an old version?

There's no way I can afford the latest available version, so I was wondering if mine would still work for FPSC.

Or would I be better off using Blender or something else. I'd like something with a small learning curve, as I'd like to learn how to use it before I turn to dust.

If you have any knowlege of this, and can help me out, please let me know. Thanks guys!

PS: I've already searched for info, and it seems this ver. is not supported anymore, and there's not a whole lot of info on it at all.

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Cosmic Prophet
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Posted: 4th Apr 2011 20:20
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And "thank you" to whoever is modding today, for clarifying the thread title.

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BlackFox
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Posted: 4th Apr 2011 20:37 Edited at: 4th Apr 2011 20:38
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Although an older version, it still will be sufficient to model for FPSC. We have an older version and have used it for making some smaller models that are needed. Cathy is using the newer version we have, and I tend to use my older version on my old laptop and then send her the files, since the newer version almost causes my laptop to huff and puff, plus she has the X-exporter on hers and I do not. You may need to hunt for the X-exporter for that version, unless the newer one works with your version. I could not get it to work on my laptop, hence me making the core model in mine and sending to her.

I did notice that some features she has were not available on my older version (I won't begin to list the specifics), but I have been able to take something I started in an older version and continue it in a newer version.

If you decide that you want to use your "ver.4", Cathy would be more than happy to work with you to make them available for FPSC if you are having issues. She knows the application almost better than I do, since she is on it every day. Considering she has made models for not just FPSC, but other engines as well. All you have to do is e-mail her and she will set time aside for her favorite "wizard"

- BlackFox

The function of good software is to make the complex appear to be simple.
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Nickydude
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Posted: 4th Apr 2011 20:38
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Quote: "And "thank you" to whoever is modding today, for clarifying the thread title."




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Cosmic Prophet
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Posted: 4th Apr 2011 20:44 Edited at: 4th Apr 2011 20:48
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Hi Mike, Thanks to you guys, Do you know if the .bip files would work with such an old version? It seems to be a pretty easy app to figure out, and I have the ragity manual that came with it, and since everyone seems to praise it so highly, I thought about going that route.

Nickydude: Ha! Should have known. Thanks again buddy.

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BlackFox
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Posted: 4th Apr 2011 20:53 Edited at: 4th Apr 2011 21:09
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To be honest, Dale, I am not sure. I have yet to actually make a character, let alone use the .bip file that is required. I'm still trying to understand how to use the .bip file, since we have sent a few e-mails to people and have not had a response on how to use it.

All you can do is try it and see. You don't have much to lose- if it does not work, then you may not want to use that version. Same theory as my AutoMap series. One version did a key function, but the older one did not, so I stuck with the newer. In your case, if you are using your version for characters and the .bip will not work properly, then that version will not be good for characters.

Sorry if I am not much help. I doubt you will find many here that will know about ver4.0, let alone even seen it except a few of us from that era

ADDITIONAL: Check your e-mail- message sent to you.

ADDITIONAL 2: IIRC, there was a character studio plugin for ver4 which allowed the animation of characters. It is now integrated in the core. So your .bip should work if you have that plugin for the version you have.

- BlackFox

The function of good software is to make the complex appear to be simple.
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Cosmic Prophet
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Posted: 4th Apr 2011 21:16 Edited at: 4th Apr 2011 21:20
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Thanks Mike. I was just sitting around today playing with some of Bond1's new monsters, and errentAI's new characters and got to wondering about rigging my own characters to they're bipeds, and knowing they use 3Dstudio, figured that would be what I needed to use.

I've heard folks like our friend Seth Black talk about Fragmotion. I'd like to find out if that would enable me to do everything I want.

PS. Just checked , and nothing has come through yet Mike, you may need to send it again.

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BlackFox
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Posted: 4th Apr 2011 21:19
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Fragmotion would probably be a better choice than ver4 of Max IMO. Like I said, unless you have the plugin for your version, animating your characters will not work.

We're old, Dale. Not many would know this version, let alone DOS Any time we can be of help, you know how to reach us.

- BlackFox

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Bootlicker
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Posted: 4th Apr 2011 21:20
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Quote: "Thanks Mike. I was just sitting around today playing with some of Bond1's new monsters, and errentAI's new characters and got to wondering about rigging my own characters to they're bipeds, and knowing they use 3Dstudio, figured that would be what I needed to use.

I've heard folks like our friend Seth Black talk about Fragmotion. I'd like to find out if that would enable me to do everything I want.
"


If you want to actually animate I would suggest using that copy of 3ds that you have as it's a step up from fragmotion and milkshape in my world. But I can't actually animate myself.

However, if your looking for just rigging milkshape and fragmotion together work great for me. So it really depends on what your looking for, but I suppose you could use all of the programs for everything really, just a matter of what your comfortable with


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Cosmic Prophet
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Posted: 4th Apr 2011 21:24 Edited at: 4th Apr 2011 21:26
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Bootlicker: Hi buddy. Have you had sucsess rigging and exporting any of the new characters with fragmotion? For me, $50.00
is far better than what they're asking for the latest 3ds max!

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Bootlicker
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Posted: 4th Apr 2011 21:27
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Quote: "Bootlicker: Hi buddy. Have you had sucsess rigging and exporting any of the new characters with fragmotion?"


unfortunately the latest pack that I have is model pack 48. So i dont own any of the latest packs with all the fancy characters, i just cant afford them.

why? you having problems? is anyone having problems too?


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Cosmic Prophet
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Posted: 4th Apr 2011 21:31 Edited at: 4th Apr 2011 21:34
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Well no, I just wanted to know the best app to use for rigging, Say some really nasty zombies to Bonds Mob zombie rigs, or some new characters to Errents new pack, etc. As well as improve the overall ability for animating my own stuff.

As these bipeds where created using 3ds, there are no Milkshape rigs available for them that I know of.

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Bootlicker
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Posted: 4th Apr 2011 21:35
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Quote: "Well no, I just wanted to know the best app to use for rigging, Say some really nasty zombies to Bonds Mob zombie rigs, or some new characters to Errents new pack, etc. As well as improve the overall ability for animating my own stuff.
"


well, try checking out the trial version of fragmotion and playing around with it. Or if your up for a challenge try and follow my tut on rigging weapons as the same principle applies for rigging characters just takes a bit longer, although this means having to decipher my crappy intructions.

FragMotion Trial (1st Download): http://www.fragmosoft.com/downloads/index.php


Rigging Tutorial:



Good luck mate.


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Daniel wright 2311
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Posted: 4th Apr 2011 22:12
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@Cosmic Prophet

Hello old friend, long time no speak, Honestly, you should go download the new version of 3ds max,You can get it free if you apply to be a student of 3ds max.3dsmax 2011 is well, the best tools any where. There is even a new feture you can paint you modles within the editor, I love it, here is some more info on the view port canvas in 3dsmax 2011. The animtions are easy to do also.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shEl4iMebxM

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Cosmic Prophet
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Posted: 4th Apr 2011 22:50
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Hey Daniel, Good to hear from you buddy. Really? Is it a full featured vesion ( Export, saving, etc.)? That might be something worth looking in to. Thanks my friend!

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Daniel wright 2311
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Posted: 4th Apr 2011 23:05
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Its is the full version with a borrowed licence from 3ds max them selves that I have herd, I upgraded mine my self but I do know they offer classes and if you sign up to them you can download the full version for free. Also if you can prove you are a student learning some thing somewhere you also can apply for this same version.Even if its just a college class or two you are a student.

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rolfy
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Posted: 5th Apr 2011 05:49 Edited at: 5th Apr 2011 05:54
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You cant release anything commercially with a student license though.
It may also depend on your course of study, as far as I remember your not gonna be a student anyhow lol
So its all moot.

There is no real difference between Max versions when it comes to using .bip files though as stated you may need character studio for older versions, cant remember which version it was integrated into.
There is a Panda exporter available for Max ver4.

http://www.maxplugins.de/
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BlackFox
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Posted: 5th Apr 2011 05:56
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Quote: "You cant release anything commercially with a student license though.
It may also depend on your course of study, as far as I remember your not gonna be a student anyhow lol
So its all moot."


Exactly. Why some of us would do that is beyond me...

Quote: "There is no real difference between Max versions when it comes to using .bip files.There is a Panda exporter available for Max ver4."


Thanks for that Rolfy. I forgot that link.

In any event, we got Dale all squared away. I'm certain he'll be underway in no time.

- BlackFox

The function of good software is to make the complex appear to be simple.
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Cosmic Prophet
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Posted: 5th Apr 2011 05:56 Edited at: 5th Apr 2011 05:57
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Thanks Rolfy That's all I needed to know. Time to get busy then.

Mods, please go ahead and lock this, My question has been answered.

Thanks to all who helped. Cheers! Your pal Cosmic.

2.5ghz QuadCore,4gb ram,1gb ATI graphics. Dual OS. WinXP, Win7.
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