Zeno Clash 3D Max exporter and model compiler, RELEASED ...and documented in the wiki Options

[Carlos Bordeu]

Both the 3D Studio Max model exporter and the model compiler have been released.

Exporter & Model Compiler

I've added some documentation on how activities and events for attacks are handled for a ZC character. I've still got some more stuff to document, but if anyone is planning on creating NPC's or exporting static props with lightmaps and needs a hand, this is the place to ask... so please keep this thread's conversations related to the exporter and compiler.

[Carlos Bordeu]

I have also documented how to add custom lightmaps to static props...

[Gentleman]

Nice work Carlos! Is this what you've been "busy with" in the past few days?

[Shakur]

Make this thread pinned , that mean it should be informative, so this post will be useless.

[Shakur]

You should add info about overwriting the "information.txt" file, I renamed it to information2...
Where can I download 3D Max exporter, and do I need it to convert models?

[Gentleman]

I'm a little confused as to where the qc. files are.

[Carlos Bordeu]

You should add info about overwriting the "information.txt" file, I renamed it to information2...

What information.txt?

Where can I download 3D Max exporter, and do I need it to convert models?

It's right there, at the wiki. First topic about the exporter and model compiler.

The exporter exports models that you have in 3DStudio Max.

[Carlos Bordeu]

I'm a little confused as to where the qc. files are.

.qc files are not distributed with the game.

They are necessary to compile models for Source. Our qc's are mostly the same as regular Half-Life qc's, but with new activities and events (those which I am documenting in the wiki).

You can learn about qc's and model compiling for the Source Engine in the regular Valve SDK wiki.

[Shakur]

I meant Instructions, I think the SDK, had a "Instuctions.txt" file in it too, you should rename one of them or something...

Also I recently found the directory 3dmax_exporter hehehehehe....
You should tell that it is located IN the ZC directory, both me and Gentleman misunderstood that.
(1 - Open 3dmax_exporter folder.)

[tschumann]

You mentioned creating new npcs in the first post. Is it possible to create a new npc_ entity without the need for programming?

[Gentleman]

You mentioned creating new npcs in the first post. Is it possible to create a new npc_ entity without the need for programming?

Probably, maybe just how the npc works could effect how complicated it is to create.

[Andres Bordeu]

You mentioned creating new npcs in the first post. Is it possible to create a new npc_ entity without the need for programming?

You can change an existing NPC so it is completely different. If you change the info in the manifest you can even change the name and the display icon. You'd only require code to add an extra NPC or change the game logic. If you need more help post the specific questions and we can guide you.

[tschumann]

I was thinking of changing some of their appearances. I'll keep it simple and just modfiy their assets I think.

[Carlos Bordeu]

I was thinking of changing some of their appearances. I'll keep it simple and just modfiy their assets I think.

Well, for that I think you'd need to compile a character with the correct .qc scripts and all... if you get to that, let us know because you're probably going to need some help there.

[tschumann]

I wasn't planning on doing any modelling myself (because I don't have the software and I know how).
I might try using some of the human models from the Source SDK for what I'm doing. Did you change the .smd format in any way?

[tschumann]

I've managed to compile a Half-Life 2 .mdl from the Source SDK with only a small change.
Are the basic npc activities and sequences for Zeno Clash the same as Half-Life 2 e.g. ACT_WALK etc?

[Carlos Bordeu]

I've managed to compile a Half-Life 2 .mdl from the Source SDK with only a small change.
Are the basic npc activities and sequences for Zeno Clash the same as Half-Life 2 e.g. ACT_WALK etc?

A few are, but many are not. For a description of ZC attack activities look at the wiki. (Here)

...now that I think of it... you need many activities that character models of HL will not have (such as close combat walk animations and standing up from the floor). You will not be able to replace a character with a HL one unless you have those animations... and for that you need the HL model rigged to our base skeleton.

All this is if by 'basic npc' you mean a character with whome you can fight.

[tschumann]

Tha basic npc I'm doing won't be doing any fighting, probably just walking around.

[Gentleman]

Tha basic npc I'm doing won't be doing any fighting, probably just walking around.

Like say the HL2 citizen?

[tschumann]

Precisely.