General Modelling Questions

[Kiddeh]

How do you add colors to your model?  It doesn't matter what program I need to use, just how to do it.  I'm a beginner at this stuff, but I have a basic understanding of modelling.

Thanks.

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[TheKhoz]

It depends on what program you are using, but it always involves adding a texture, generally solid, and made with a color pallet.

[Kiddeh]

I use Wings 3D to model, then I export to .obj, then I import to Milkshape or Blender.

Milkshape or Blender is fine, whichever one is better for you.

PS: How do I flat shade a model?

[TheKhoz]

Milkshape:

Edit > Select All

Vertex > Unweld

Go to the groups tab, and uncheck auto smooth

Vertex > Weld Together

Recheck Auto Smooth

[Kiddeh]

Is that flat shading or colors?

If it's flat shading just go on to coloring please.  Thank you, also.

[TheKhoz]

Milkshape colors:

Start up. Look to the top right corner for this:


Press the Materials tab:

 
Click New:


Click Ambient (I usually select my color or black):


Click Diffuse (This is your main color):


Select the group you want to be that color:


Press Assign:


And you're done!

[Kiddeh]

I love you.

Edit: What if I want to make a transparent part?
Edit2: Since I model in Wings 3D, then export to Milkshape, won't the model be one whole shape?  Wouldn't that make it harder to color? (my model has several parts)

[alex dude]

For separating parts in Wings 3D;
Select the part you want separate, right click and click extract; then move it to a temp location.
Delete the old part which is connected to the rest of the model and move your temp part back and done :D

[TheKhoz]

Edit: What if I want to make a transparent part?

See the slide under "Emmisive" in the last picture? Move it to make it trans.

To export it trans...
This is my texture:

It is dual cyan (Ambient and Diffuse) and it has a trans of about half, and it is applied to this cube.

Export it:


File > Export > Torque DTS Plus

This will pop up:


Click on "Glass" (or whatever your texture is named), then click "Edit". This will pop up: (Top)

See translucent? Check it. (Bottom) Then close, and export.

[Zoslis]

Alright, I have a question to add. I too use Wings to model.

How do we keep some parts the color they are, and make it so that other parts are colored via Painting IG, or by checking the little box that makes the vehicle the same color as the vehicle brick?

[Kiddeh]

I'm not really used to Milkshape 3D, so I'm having trouble selecting faces to assign.  Can anyone lend a hand?

[The Corporation]

Milkshape and Wings 3D Megathreads anyone?

[Kiddeh]

Milkshape and Wings 3D Megathreads anyone?

yes

Edit: How do you get the materials you used for a model, out of the model?  I'm trying to package this here sword I made, but I don't know how to get the materials I used for it out of the model itself.

Can anyone help?

[Demian]

The model itself only holds the names of the materials and where they are assigned. Simply put 16x16 .pngs with the names of the materials to the same folder with the model and it will work in game.

[Kiddeh]

I figured it out earlier, but thanks anyway.