create objects?

I'm fairly new to the forum, but I've searched through the previous threads and didn't find an explanation on how to create objects (or classes). I understand how to add (instantiate) an object. But I want to know how to create a new type of object. I've seen the cool objects that are being shared, like the lego darth vader, guns, etc.

But what are the ways to go about making those. I read that they can be imported from other objects or formats. How does that work? What format or type do they have to be to begin with and how do you covert them to a2c files. Also how would you go about creating a 3d object from scratch? Do I need another 3d program to create them, or can I do it in Alice? Not including the he/she builders etc.

Any links to previous threads that explain this, or other programs that can be used, etc. Would be appreciated. Even if you can just tell me what I am looking for.

Thanks.

[x2495iiii]

I was considering making a sort of how-to thread which explained EXACTLY what I did from start to finish (since most of those objects you're referring to were imported by me).

Here's what I did:

-First, download three (free) programs: Blender, Biturn, and Sketchup (regular, not Pro) from these sites (respectively)
+http://www.blender.org/download/get-blender/
+http://mirex.mypage.sk/index.php?selected=1
+http://sketchup.google.com/download/

-Second, find a 3d model online. A good 3d model should have a low polygon count, under 10,000. If the model doesn't list the polygon count, you can check it later, but this basically means that the model can't be TOO fancy (Alice just can't handle it). A good model should also NOT be in .max format, (unless you have 3D Max Software) since nothing can read it but 3D Max. I recommend NOT importing objects that require complex animation, like people, animals or robots. Good sites to try, due to wide selections and lots of free stuff:
+http://www.the3dstudio.com
+http://www.amazing3d.com/free/free.shtml
+http://artist-3d.com/index.htm
+http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/

-Third, you need to convert the model from whatever format it's in to .ase format. If the model is in .3ds or .obj format, all you need to do is use Biturn to convert it. If it's in .dae format, you need to open Blender and use the plugin I've posted below (copy it and paste it into the Blender Foundation>Blender folder under program files) to import the model into Blender. Then, export that model as a .obj model. Then, you can use Biturn to convert it to .ase format.

-Fourth, you need to make some finishing touches. Open up the .ase model file in Notepad and use Ctrl+F "name" to find all the names in the file. If there are any empty names (double quotes "" or spaces " "), replace it with a dummy name. If there are any periods in the names ("body.leg.foot" or "mesh1.cylinder1"), delete them. It shouldn't take more than 5 minutes after you've done it a few times. When that's done, make sure you have a texture file ready (if the model came with one, that is). It should be a picture in either .jpeg or .png format.

-Finally, import the .ase file into Alice, clicking Cancel for every error that may pop-up (sometimes, a bunch will pop-up, sometimes none will, it all depends). The model probably be VERY large and may have a strange axis of orientation, but that can be fixed by shrinking the object and inserting a dummy object as a pivot for the model. Import the texture map (there's a button under the textures property for the model that lets you import the texture into the same file as the model) for the model and apply it. You may need to change the colors or emissive properties of the subparts to make it look right. When that's done, save the object and pat yourself on the back, it's done!

thanks for the explination, and the links to the applicable programs. But I didn't find anything close to what I wanted. But thankfully SketchUp is close enough to SolidWorks that I can create the models I want and import them.

[x2495iiii]

Glad I could help.

What exactly did you want?

so it wasn't what all about what I wanted to use in Alice, as much as what I wanted to learn. I wanted to be able to create a model from scratch if necessary.

The next part is how do I convert a sketchup file to .ase?

I was saving it instead of exporting it. thanks.

Uuuum, how do you texture a blender model; I can't figure it out.

[Dameria]

I found something on another forum where you can export the object directly from sketchup into .ase

I found and downloaded it here: http://sketchuptips.blogspot.com/200...ii-format.html

The only problem is that when I put it into .ase format, I import it into my world and there are no textures. There was a texture on the sketchup model, but none when I import it into Alice, why is this? If you tell me that I need a texture image in a certain format, I have already looked and I have no idea what you are talking about because all there is is the object, no texture image anywhere (you will have to explain to me in greater detail).

ALSO: Please explain to me how to make it so that there are less polygons, I have NO idea how to do this, and I have some models with nearly 45,000 faces, and I don't want to import 10 mb objects into Alice. Also if you know how to, please tell me how to assign vertexes so that they are not messed up.

I would appreciate it if I could do all of this just on sketchup, but if it requires other programs then thats fine.

Originally Posted by AA3nut

Uuuum, how do you texture a blender model; I can't figure it out.

Still waiting...

[x2495iiii]

AA3Nut, I've explored Blender's capabilities only minimally, so all I know is that there is an option where you can switch to a face-painting mode so you can make textures, but I'm not sure how to do it. I recommend searching the Blender homepage or simply googling it.

Dameria, check around where you kept your model and see if there's a folder of the same name as the .skp file. Inside it should be any textures the model had.