Milkshape & Plugins - Latest/Best versions and where to get them
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This thread aims to have an overview of all the necessary and/or convenient plugins to use MilkShape for creating and modifying Freelancer models.
@ Sushi: Thanks for moving this thread to the appropriate subforum!
Quoting StarTrader from this post:
I’m using the latest MilkShape 1.8.5 beta.
It is working fine in XP with all these plugins -
CMP Importer v3 and the new ones from adoxa and P1p3r
CMP Exporter v3
SUR Importer v1.2.0
SUR Exporter v1.1 (don’t use 1.2, it’s more buggy).
MAT Exporter V1
3DB Exporter (no version mentioned)and also ConVex Tool and ConVexTool1 which are used to make convex sur parts manually.
No crashes.
Quarks wrote, in the 6th post in this thread:
I use (on Vista):
MS3d 1.8.2
CMP Importer 2.7
CMP Exporter 0.3
MAT Exporter 0.1
SUR Exporter 1.1Now, let’s get all these neatly into one thread. I’ll update this post when/if necessary. Please provide info if there are newer/better versions, if certain versions are to be avoided etc.
Milkshape
Milkshape can, of course, be downloaded (and purchased) at its creator’s site Chumbalum.SwissQuake.ch
NB Any additional info, what Milkshape versions work under what wIndows versions, and compatibility of the plugins can also be posted into this thread
CMP Importer
Milkshape 3D CMP Importer v2.7, dating from September 07, 2008, can be downloaded from the TSP download section
I cannot find a newer version. Anyone?
EDIT: I just (18th of december, 2016) found out that, under Windows 10, 2.7 doesn’t work (tested on Milkshape 1.8.4 but I presume Win10, not MS3D, is the problem) . It makes Milkshape crash as soon as the file to import is selected.
SUR Importer
SUR Importer 1.2.0 can be downloaded from Adoxa’s site
CMP Exporter
Version 0.3 is the one we need, and it can be found
on the EAO web site, and in the download section of The StarportAs StarTrader points out in post #7 in this thread, it might be necessary to correct some hardpoints in the exported model with HardCMP, of which version 1.0.0.23 can be found in the download section of The Starport; there are other versions as well but I assume 1.0.0.23 is the latest and recommended release.
SUR Exporter
SUR Exporter 1.1 can be downloaded from the TSP download section
SUR Exporter 1.3 can be downloaded from Adoxa’s site
MAT Exporter
MAT Exporter v0.1, released on February 23, 2004, can be downloaded from the EOA web site. Is there a newer version is this one just fine?
EDIT: the EOA site seems down… Let us hope this is a temporary issue. Meanwhile, the .MAT exporter can be found here3DB Exporter
3DB Exporter v1.0.0.1, released on October 22, 2005, can be downloaded from the EOA web site. Is there a newer version is this one just fine?
While EOA remain down, the 3DB exporter here!, thanks to Thaddeus.ConVex Tool
Some info by its creator and a download link for
ConVex Tool can be found here. I assume ConVexTool1 is an updated version but I can’t find anything on it (Google renders 4 hits, one of them leading to StarTrader’s post I quoted above, and three false ones).Please note that many of the necessary plugins mentioned in this post, can also be found at LancerSolurus’s site Digital Brilliance
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There are also a max2ms3d_v110 and a max2ms3d_v112 in the download section. There is no info on these downloads, but Gisteron explains these plugins are for 3DS Max to export ms3d files.
Which version is recommended?
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Gisteron wrote:
milkshape can import 3ds files (buggy?). these plugins are for max to export ms3d files.Thanks, I’ve updated the subscription.
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moved to appropriate forum
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I use (on Vista):
MS3d 1.8.2
CMP Importer 2.7
CMP Exporter 0.3
MAT Exporter 0.1
SUR Exporter 1.1 -
Good post Moonhead.
CMP Exporter
Yes it is v0.3, however the dll is named msCMPExporterv3.dll
Here is the file:-
http://the-starport.net/freelancer/download/singlefile.php?cid=5&lid=1652There are several others but if I remember they are not final versions, and have bugs. This one is not causing me any problems.
Note:- you have to fix the hardpoint orientations because although the exporter aligns them with the surface plane quite nicely, when you view them in HardCMP they appear squashed instead of a cube - just click the Edit button and then retype one of the orientation values and click Validate. If its correct, fine, or you can move it easily. Remember also that HardCMP sometimes makes duplicate hardpoints! So recheck your cmp file in HardCMP after saving it.
ConVexTool
Yes there are two versions.
One of them has no dialog, it just creates the convex shape.
The other one opens a small dialog window where you can put a number. This version allows you to specify how far away from the original shape’s surface you want the new convex shape to be.
Since we want a tight-fitting one, this is not needed and is an extra click I didn’t want. Decide which one you want to use, both produce the same shape.
By the way - you can edit the ConVexTool .dll file and replace the word “_convex” with “_lod1” so your sur parts are named correctly and automatically right away. Just replace the extra letters with whatever code comes after the letter “x” in the original file.
SURExporter
Be sure to use v1.1 and NOT v1.2, because v1.2 is a test version using a different formula and creates more bad surs than v1.2.
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@about cmp exporter 3:
It’s the “Y” orientation the one that has problems. If value is 0, then np. But for other values, plus is minus and minus is plus. Just delete the “-” if it’s negative or add a minus if it’s positive.
Also the size multiplier doesn’t work fine (actually, I think it doesn’t work :P)
If you import a model and you don’t resize it 100 times bigger (or 92, not sure), instead of a model you’ll have a spot.And coordinates names are different as in MS3D. X, Y, and Z are Y, Z, and X.
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Hash - do you need a memory rehash? I think you are referring to HardCMP for the X Y and Z axes?
MilkShape and the exporter use the same axes as FL.
And the cmp importer scale is correct.
But there is one bug in CMP Exporter v0.3 that everyone should know about already. It is the scaling (Scale Down).
If you set it to anything other than the default (92), it will not save the new scale, but always exports at 1/92 scale.
To “fix” this you must Save Settings or Load Settings after you change the scale.
In any case, Scale Down = 1 is the same size as FL scale.
In other words 1 MilkShape unit = 1 FL Metre so set Scale Down = 1 and Save Settings before exporting.
Don’t believe me? Import the pilot model and check its size in MS units. Export it with scale Down = 1 as a new model and re-import it.
Also, always export Back-to-Front, not Upside Down.
Note: when you import from 3DS Max and some other modellers the model may be facing into the ground! Easy to correct
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Thanks for the additions everyone. I’ve updated the main post where necessary and/or possible.
If anyone has anything relevant about Milkshape and its plugins or related tools, please post it in this thread. It might help newbies to get started.
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Here’s a MAT exporter for 3ds max 9. The source is on the forge if anyone wants to recompile it for another version of max. It should recompile with no problems as far as I know.
http://www.gamefront.com/files/20309717/maxMATExporter.rar
I’ve not really tested it all that much so I don’t know if there’s any problems.
Right now it will do:
the default textures.
Glass opacity and diffuse.
Light Maps <- done by adding the self-illum texture to the self-illum texture slot in max.
and Two Sided textures by clicking the 2 sided texture box int the mat editor.
All should work without having to edit the mat file after.
You may need vcredist_x86 to use it.
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Well i’ve just had a quick blast with this. I can’t get the sur to register hits from guns. Collision detection seems to be working, i can bump into stuff etc, but if i just sit there and let ships shoot me, they get as far as taking the shields down but no hull damage.
Then tried a sur made with LS’s sur builder and that worked. Either i’m doing something wrong or it’s not quite right yet.
If someone can talk me through how to add hardpoints to the sur using the 1.3 exporter, mucho appreciated
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Adoxa - what do you mean, too quick? I’ve downloaded it again anyway
What have you added in 1.3 please?
You really are terrible on giving out info, aren’t you! lol
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Gibbon wrote:
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If someone can talk me through how to add hardpoints to the sur using the 1.3 exporter, mucho appreciatedThis is for anyone who needs this info, Gibbon already knows much of this.
I don’t know about 1.3 but as it is a progressed 1.1 it should be the same.
NOTE: I am including many hardpoint types for adding to a .cmp, but some are not needed in the .sur file, so be aware that the SUR exporter will ignore the ones it does not need.
In Milkshape make a small pointed triangle (the smaller the better) as a hardpoint, place it where you want it, point it in the direction you want, and name it:
Hp\Fixed\HpMount (NOT HpMount01)
Hp\Fixed\HpEngine01
Hp\Fixed\HpTractor_source (NOT HpTractor_source01)
(note: HpScanner is NOT needed)
Hp\Fixed\HpPilot (NOT HpPilot01)
Hp\Fixed\HpCockpit (NOT HpCockpit01)
Hp\Fixed\HpCockpitEx (NOT HpCockpitEx01)
Hp\Fixed\HpThruster01
Hp\Fixed\HpCM01
Hp\Fixed\HpShield01
Hp\Fixed\HpMine01
Hp\Fixed\HpTorpedo01
Hp\Fixed\HpWeapon01
Hp\Fixed\HpEngineGlow01
Hp\Fixed\HpDockLight01
Hp\Fixed\HpHeadLight or Hp\Fixed\HpHeadLight01, Hp\Fixed\HpHeadLight02, if you have more than 1
Hp\Fixed\HpRunningLight01
Hp\Fixed\HpBayDoor01 (baydoor closed position)
Hp\Fixed\HpBayDoor02 (baydoor open position & cargo ejection point - No more baydoors? I don’t know)
or - cargo ejection trajectory?or
Hp\Revolute\HpTurret01
Hp\Revolute\HpTorpedo01
Hp\Revolute\HpWeapon01Also note the battleship turret naming is special and dependent on size (the exporter will put in a sur part of different size):
Bretonia:
Hp\Revolute\HpTurret_B1_01
Hp\Revolute\HpTurret_B2_01
Hp\Revolute\HpTurret_B3_01
Hp\Revolute\HpTurret_B4_01
Hp\Revolute\HpTurret_BM_01Kusari:
Hp\Revolute\HpTurret_K1_01
Hp\Revolute\HpTurret_K2_01
Hp\Revolute\HpTurret_K3_01
Hp\Revolute\HpTurret_K4_01
Hp\Revolute\HpTurret_K5_01
Hp\Revolute\HpTurret_KM_01Liberty:
Hp\Revolute\HpTurret_L1_01
Hp\Revolute\HpTurret_L2_01
Hp\Revolute\HpTurret_L3_01
Hp\Revolute\HpTurret_L4_01
Hp\Revolute\HpTurret_L5_01
Hp\Revolute\HpTurret_LM_01
Hp\Revolute\HpTurret_LT_01Rheinland:
Hp\Revolute\HpTurret_R1_01
Hp\Revolute\HpTurret_R2_01
Hp\Revolute\HpTurret_R3_01
Hp\Revolute\HpTurret_R4_01
Hp\Revolute\HpTurret_RM_01Order:
Hp\Revolute\HpTurret_O1_01
Hp\Revolute\HpTurret_O2_01
Hp\Revolute\HpTurret_O3_01
Hp\Revolute\HpTurret_O4_01
Hp\Revolute\HpTurret_OM_01Nomad:
Hp\Revolute\Hp_1_01Utility ships:
Hp\Revolute\HpTurret_U1_01
Hp\Revolute\HpTurret_U2_01
Hp\Revolute\HpTurret_U3_01Liners:
Hp\Revolute\HpTurret_Liner_01Prisons:
Hp\Revolute\HpTurret_Prison_01Stations:
Hp\Revolute\HpTurret_S1_01
Hp\Revolute\HpTurret_S2_01For all hardpoints the 01 can be 02 for the second of that type, and so on.
Choose Fixed/Revolute as appropriate, or as you prefer.
You can use the “|” (pipe) character instead of the “”, as you prefer.
Put them all at the end of the Groups tab list, after the ship groups.
Don’t include them in the Groups count when you export.
Note that the 1.1 (and I think also 1.2) exporters used to align the hardpoint’s axes parallel to the ship’s nearest surface, and add it to the nearest ship model group.
Also note:
- HpPilot is where the model pilot mesh will be placed in the ship if it is in the shiparch.ini. - put it out on a wing and see!
- HpCockpit is where the cockpit model and its viewcamera for the cockpit view will be placed in the ship. I’ve not put this out on a wing! I will do some testing and report.
- HpCockpitEx - in vanilla it is placed high and back, but I’ve not been able to see any changes by moving this so I don’t know what it does ior what it mounts. It looks like it should be controlling the external camera view but it does not seem to have any effect. The external camera view is controlled in shiparch.ini
For dockables you can add:
HpDockMountA,
HpDockMountB
etc,HpDockPointA01, HpDockPointA02
HpDockPointB01, HpDockPointB02
etc,
(dock path is from HpDockPointA02 to HpDockPointA01 to HpDockMountA, and ship takes its orientation from the orientation of the hardpoint it is heading to, so if it is going backwards…)HpDockCamA,
HpDockCamB,
etc,HpLaunchCamA,
HpLaunchCamB,
etc.There are also HpFx1, HpFx01, HpExhaust01, many others, and also a lot of Dp hardpoints (Damage points) - too many to mention here.
Please add if you know more.
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From what Adoxa was telling me, the 1.3 was based on the 1.1 code as he now has that as well.
My understanding of the HpCockpit hardpoint is a bit vague. I’ve never added one from day one as all the information for the cockpit is in the relevant cockpit.ini file. You need HpPilot as that affects the viewpoint from the ship. Maybe if you have a custom cockpit then put one on but i’ve never used one and they’ve always showed up.
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Not sure but isnt HpCockpitEx used for the cut scenes in single player. Only certain ships have it.
HpEngineGlow is a strange one, EngineGlows are described in lights.ini but they dont do very much, unused effects I suppose
HpBaydoor01 - HpBaydoor02 is the path taken by ejected cargo. Note they cannot be in the same place or it will cause a CTD. Nothing actually to do with the bay doors and their animation
HpCockpit is the point from which cockpit view is taken, if its not set Freelancer defaults to the absolute 0,0,0 center position. you can see this in the old Hogosha CSV mod where the HpCockpit is angled wrongly. Like trying to fly looking out the top of your head. Not easy