MDL Animation

Hello, I'm working on some Warcraft 3 models. I think it would be good to have custom hero models similiar to player models in the Quake series.

I can make static models no problem - I'll enclose one if you want to see it.

I have one big problem. I can't figure out how to make limbs in the .MDL code. If I could I could technically make animated models very easily. I'm sure this is a problem some others have come upon and I hope you can help.
The modeller I use, Anim8or, might not be able to do bones properly. I can export 3ds figures but I do not think that they convert properly to MDX.

Please help I really want to make animated models. I have a Quake2 model up on polycount.com, it's called Buu. I'm trying to see if I can convert it or another model to MDX, but I can only do static frame. It's fine for one of my models, the Enterprise, though, as it is not animated, but I do need to add in projectile graphics.

I think it would be really good if somebody made a converter from MD2 to MDX I know they're very different formats with little in common apart from the name but MD2 is a widely available format. I'm sick of 3dsmax plugins. They all seem to be of a very high quality, but that's no good to people like me who can't afford something that incredibly expensive.

MD2s can be made from free using a modeler such as Anim8or and Quake 2 modeller - Which I used to texture I enterprise model for WC3 anyway.
It would be quite hard as MD2s use a wonderful Vertex based animation system, while MDXs use limb based. It's a pity MD2 is one the best formats I've seen. Nonetheless It's probably possible somehow.

Failing that, the .X format is also available to most people for free through older versions of 3d Canvas.
Obviously the best would be a proper WarCraft exclusive animator.

I think people should concentrate on more available model formats.


Please think of the people who can't afford hugely expensive graphics packages =/

You can get many importers for 3dsmax for almost every format, especially the afforementioned MD2. Maybe the people who have 3Dsmax could provide a service/favour for people who don't and convert the odd model? I'd do it. I'm going to be doing a Computer Systems course in college next year (Hopefully) that involves Computer Graphics so I may be able to get a student copy of 3dsmax which are usually <E120 from what I've heard.

It can't take that long to import it and export it, it would be really nice of the people to do it. If anyone wants to help me with my Dragon Ball and Star Trek mods, and various other models, I'd be really grateful. I'm not expecting much a response, I guess I'll have to wait till I go to college. By which time there'll probably be an animator anyway =( Dammit.

You can export the mesh but it will not have bones or aniamtions.
There is currently NO Animation support tool for MDX files.

There's a couple of people working on it, but nothing concrete at the moment.

BTW, vertex aniamtion was a system that allowed for much less in-game interaction of figures.. they couldn't move their head to look at objects, couldn't turn their torsos to fight a different opponent... couldn't adjust their legs for stairs and other surfaces.... none of that.

I fail to see how that is better

Yes you could rotate with MD2. You could still technically use limbs if you wanted. I'm pretty sure that's what MD3 is - MD2 that can do all the things you've listed. It could still be done, it would just be awkward.
Although I see your point it would be difficult to adjust the feet to different floors with vertex based animation. But it's very easy.

Also, are there are unit/spell editors that allow you to create your own units/spells? I mean create totally new spells with new graphics.

Oh and it doesn't matter about custom animations I need a way to export static models with limbs that I can paste onto another object. I can get multiple geosets, but no limbs. The the 3ds->Mdx converter convert 3ds Figures? I mean with limbs and everything. It converts multiple meshes so I guess it's worth a try. It'd be really handy if it did, I could finally make animated models.

Is there any way to make limbs in the MDL file?

Actually, an MD3 is a suped-up MD2 that still uses vertex aniamtion, but has other things ike more complex skinning capabilities, "Tags", and some more stuff.

But it doesn't have a built-in skeleton, nor IK feelers.

Exceptions to this are the modified md3 formats used in games like Voyager: Elite Force, JK2: Jedi Outcast, and RTCW, all of which have added skeletal animation support to the MD3 format.

Off topic, but do you know of a converter from the Elite Force to Quake 3 format?