converting a creature model to a placeable

[Legacy_azaz1234]

               

hi

 

is there an easy way to convert a creature model so it can be used as a placeable ?

easy enough so you don't have to know how to use 3ds-max to do it ?

 

i'd like to create a dead wemic placeable. spawning in a wemic creature dead won't work because i need it to be clickable.

 

thanks !

 

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Pstemarie]

               

Nope, you either need GMax or 3dsMax to do it. Basically you run through the anim until you get to the dead animation, delete all the animation keys to lock it in position, attach a pwk to it, then export it as a placeable.

 

To make a placeable from a creature, do this...

1. Load the creature in 3DS Max that you want to convert into a statue or corpse (in this case, I'll be making a corpse).

   
2. If the animations aren't attached to the creature, you'll have to import those as well:
      
   1. Select the AuroraBase of the creature.
   
         
   2. On the NWMax Import Rollout, check the bullet that says "Animation Only."
   
         
   3. Select the .mdl file that contains the animations for the creature and click import.
   
         
   4. NWMax will then import the animations and rebuild the animation data as it attaches them to the creature.
   
      

   
3. Run the animation slider upto the pose you want the statue/corpse to have.

   
4. Select ALL of the objects in the model - I use the "Select All" function in the Edit Menu.

   
5. In the Animation Menu, click "Delete Selected Animation" - at the bottom of the menu. Now your creature model is "locked" into the pose you have chosen for it.

   
6. Since we're making a placeable, delete all the nodes except the "rootdummy" and the visible geometry of the creature. You can keep any shadow boxes, but these usually aren't necessary as 3DS/NWMax will reconstruct the shadow geometry on export.

   
7. Temporarily "Hide" the creature and rootdummy. At this point I import a "placeable template" that has all the standard nodes and animations preloaded.

   
8. "Unhide" the creature and rootdummy.

   
9. Attach the rootdummy to the "damage" node - this will link the creature to the animation.

   
10. Name the model and export it - you're DONE!!

Note: This is a quick and dirty tutorial that assumes you have a working knowledge of 3DS and NWMax, along with placeables and creature models. It might work in GMax too.

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_meaglyn]

               

You could spawn the wemic dead and also spawn an invisible placeable at the same location that would be clickable.

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Proleric]

               True, and


http://www.nwnlexico...etIsDestroyable


lets you make the corpse itself visible but unselectable.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Pstemarie]

               

No no no no - modelers are a in too short a supply around here. Every chance we get, we need to bring them over to the dark side...er...um...convince them modeling isn't that hard. Stop coming up with scripting solutions - geesh.... '>

 

@ OP - dropbox me a copy of the model you want to make dead and whatever supermodel its mated to and I'll whip the placeable up for you. I need the supermodel so that I have the animations.

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_meaglyn]

               

If all you have is a hammer...  everything looks like a scripting problem '>

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_azaz1234]

               

hey you guys, thanks for all the great ideas. '>

as i'm so lucky, it turns out that the wemic i want to make a corpse of is a dynamic character model... '> so doesn't seem to correspond at all to what pstemarie mentioned above. i did want to make a corpse of a centaur too, so i tried following the instructions for that model, but couldn't find any supermodel [well, except this one but i don't think that's what you're looking for, right ? ], so got stuck there too. '>

 

i think i will try hitting this one w/the hammer i know how to use, even though it isn't as cool. i like the idea of using an invisible placeable, i'll try a few variants of that.

 

thanks much for your help !