Importing/converting downloaded models into DarkRadiant

[DeTeEff]

I guess this is basic stuff for you talented model-boys but now I've trudged for several hours without results and from what I have read in several forums/threads, it's even not that trivial. Therefore I dare to start a thread... 

I've download some models from the web but these come in some new and fancy format; (FBX, USD etc) not exactly the old and brittle format that we use in TDM So to import these into DarkRadiant I need to convert these to lwo or ASE, right? How do people go about this?

I have tried to:

- install Blender 5.0 and added an ASE-exporter plugin. Blender actually puts out an ASE-file but as I try to open it in DR, the model is only showed as that checkerboard error-box. Do I need to tinker with the model in a text editor first? I read something about changing something about a BITMAP-line...

- use an ancient version (7.0) version of Lightwave but that program cannot even open the files (Not surprising)...

 

[Frost_Salamander]

You can do it in DR.  Just go File -> Import/Convert model.

It definitely works with FBX - I haven't tried any other formats.

[Wellingtoncrab]

5 hours ago, DeTeEff said:

- install Blender 5.0 and added an ASE-exporter plugin.

Are you using orbweaver’s ASE plugins? https://gitlab.com/orbweaver/darkblender

These work well for me in Blender 4.2. 

You’ll also need to check things like that the model is getting triangulated and that the material names in blender match the tdm material name/path specified in your material def.

[Arcturus]

@DeTeEff Scripts that worked with previous versions could be broken in 5.0. If the file is suspiciously small then the geometry probably wasn't exported at all.

Edit: I just checked and 5.0.1 exports .ase properly. Make sure to select "triangulate" when exporting.

[DeTeEff]

Ahh, thanks for the answers, boys!

I now have managed to both import models in DarkRadiant and export models from Blender so I'm a bit on the road.

I tried to add a copper vase and lo and behold, I succeeded, I even managed to add the correct material definition and changing it in the model file via a text editor. Yay! Now I have a small vase consisting of more polys and triangles and white lines than there are stomach acid in my belly...

I thought this would be fairly easy but I guess I'll have to learn some basic Blender to be able to convert these models to lower polycounts so they are more ugly than their original quality but not so ugly they look bashed to pieces, in game...

I have high hopes even an old and brittle man like me can follow Blender tutorials and be able to perform these easy tasks, and perhaps I'll get the hang of creating some basic loot and junk myself