Blender to MDX conversion?

[LurkerAspect]

This is something I plan to pursue until I get it solved, but I'm looking for either: A program to convert .blend models (from blender) into .mdx/.mdl models (for warcraft 3); or a python script writer willing to write a script that does the conversion, that can be used by blender.

Although I don't expect ANY response at all, I'm still going to keep on asking this question until eventually I come across someone who can help.

 

[OneBadPsycho]

Have you tried this: http://projects.blender.org/projects/warblender/ ?

 

[LurkerAspect]

Yeah, but it was designed for an old version of blender, and has since lost it's functionality. I'm sure the script could be altered or fixed, but I know nothing of converting 3d models, or about python for that matter.
Thanks for the input anyway.

EDIT: I found this site which seems to summarise the contents or buildup of a mdx/mdl, which might help create a script for it:
http://projects.blender.org/docman/view.php/67/20/mdlxdata.txt

 

[LurkerAspect]

bump

 

[Sooda]

A fellow Blender user, it is been my secret dream to create such importer/ exporter for Blender. Like you I don't know a dim about Python scripting nor insights of model formats.

Now that you gave these interesting links I have to examine them.

There is user named BlinkBoy on wc3c.net who is behind Gmax and Max exporter modifications. He knows much about *.mdx and *.mdl file formats.

IF we could find Python programmer who is WILLING to code exporter/importer by BlinkBoy instructions it would be crazy.
Then there is Magos (Maggos?) who knows much about *.mdx/ *.mdl formats.

My so far plan was to do it all by myself -- learn modelling in Blender and texturing in the Gimp, learn Python (somewhat), learn *.mdx/ *.mdl formats (somewhat) and write exporter/ importer.
It takes ages to finish, though it is hoby for me.

When I have learned all that SC2 is big and WC3 is outdated. So I aim for SC2.
What are your modeling skills?

 

[LurkerAspect]

I can model quite well, given enough time, my skinning is not great, but I'm working on it, and I'm still inexperienced with animation, although I understand the principles and how to do it (in blender that is.)

I also use the gimp, although I'm not very experienced.

Here's a few of my finished projects:

And this is the one I use as my test model when I experiment in converting and importing:

I've played around with gmax before as well, although I can't stand it because it's so confusing. Blender is by far the best for creating meshes, and it's easy to skin and animate with it as well, which is why I will fight for an export script!

 

[Sooda]

Your tank looks impressive, person also looks good. Textures especially on tank are nicely done.
I can model (simple things -- I have done Blender modeling tutorials and experimented on my own). I know how to create UV Map, though creating good looking texture in the Gimp is still hard for me. Not to mention I get confused which UV Map face in the end I am painting.
I don't know how to animate.

You model and texture well (I guess animate decently too). Though I have no better solution how to create Blender to *.mdx format exporter/ importer than I already suggested.

Learning modeling and texturing (creating images) is in its own a game. It takes time and people to push it (develop) then there maybe will be exporter someday.

EDIT:

If you want you can see one of my first public modeling progress from this thread:
http://www.thehelper.net/forums/showthread.php?p=1138776

 

[LurkerAspect]

I suppose if I can find magos' or one of the other people you mentioned's email addresses, I could ask them directly, although I'm probably going to be ignored. But it's worth a shot, anyway.

It would be amazing if someone could make an exporter that also remembers UV coordinates for texturing, and even bone movement, and that uses empties as attachment points.

 

[LurkerAspect]

Lets see if anyone knows anything about this yet.

 

[CrapHeap]

still working on this?

I have been looking for some way to import warcraft 3 models in blender some time now (about 10 minutes ) and I would be happy to help you make something like that.
I have no skills whatsoever in modelling, animating or texturing, but I have a little knowledge about python (although I switched to c++ last year) and I think I could be able to write an importer when given enough time and encouragement.
If you are still working on this, please let me know.

ps: sorry if I made some grammatical errors, English is not my primary language

 

[LurkerAspect]

Hi there I'm still alive on these forums. I havn't been working on this project, but if you think you can help, that would be great unfortunately, I don't really know how to start or anything, so if you have any suggestions, I'll listen intently.

And don'y worry about your english, it's very good

 

[Sooda]

And me too, I have made progress, next task is to get texture show up. After two weeks from now I can work on it again. Link http://www.hiveworkshop.com/forums/modeling-animation-276/blender-2-55-teaser-194502/

EDIT:
Link to my latest progress (Blender 2.57 exporter [robust]): http://www.hiveworkshop.com/forums/modeling-animation-276/blender-2-57-static-mesh-exporter-robust-196385/