Which Programs?

Ok, so I'm "in the market", so to speak, for modelling programs. However, due to a short window of circumstance in which I can download things, I need to make sure I know exactly what I'm getting. Thus, my question.

Which programs should I download? Mainly this is question between Oinkerwinkles and Magos Model Editor (if you need a focus), but it's broader than that.

I have vanilla World Editor, Wc3Viewer, and 3dsmax 9 (no add-ons). I'd prefer not to add something like UMSWE (?) or NewGen (whatever that is). I have little-to-no modelling ability, but I've seen the things that can be made with in-game textures and geomerging, and am interesting in something akin to that.

Oh, and I have some kind of art-editing program, but it's something lame, like "Photosuite 2000" or something. Bleh.


Finally, I need (or so I'm told) a file converter, especially for .mdx <-> .mdl <-> .max. I've heard of both the "MDLX Converter", and "yobgul's converter", but am unsure which one (and where, for the latter) to get them. Thoughts?


So basically, all this stuff about "ripping animations", and "baking IK sheets", and "unwrapping", and "no custom textures", etc etc... Which programs? (Oh, and I'm hoping for a relatively quick answer(s), if possible; I need to make a decision within ~2+ days)

You should have both Oinkerwinkles and Magos since Magos can't add/remove vertices (if I remember correctly). As for the WE I suggest you go with the NewGen/UMSWE pack (you'll see why).

Well wait, if Oinkerwinkle can do something Magos can't, is the opposite true? Otherwise, why would I need both?

Oh, and I won't "see why", Could you tell me why?

Finally, what kind of file converter should I get?

Well, for modelling you'd want to use the 3dsmax 5 and Warcraft 3 Art Tools combo (which is needed to export models to war3 format and only works with 3dsmax 5)
But if you're just geo-merging you shouldn't need that.
Magos and Oinkerwinkle's tool can do different things so you'd want both.
As for the converter MDLX Converter is preferable because it gives better error descriptions if the model has an error.
Most of the mentioned tools can be downloaded from our resource database.

You can read about NewGen here: http://wc3campaigns.net/showthread.php?t=90999
It's definitely worth a try. If you don't like it you can always switch back to vanilla WE.

Ok, so the "consensus" is both Magos and Oinkerwinkle, as well as the Wc3C "MDLX" Converter. (Besides, I don't have max5, only max8 or 9. And I won't bootleg, so I'm out of luck unless there's some program for those.)

And I don't get it (excuse my newbishness); NewGen seems to be an upgrade that really helps JASS triggerers... But I only use GUI, and I see nothing about modelling or skinning in there... Am I missing something?

EDIT: Oh, and I looked through the tools, and I couldn't find Magos. Can someone provide a link?

Hi, http://home.magosx.com/index.php?topic=6.0

Woah! Magos himself!? I didn't know it was made by a "Magos"; I thought that was just a random name!

Well, thanks. My hopes are to be making greatness of great!

It doesn't help you in creating models, no.