An idea: Point-by-point definitions/meaning of the MDL format and more...

Hi everyone.

I know one of the things if not THE thing that the modding community really wants is a complete MDL exporting script for 3dsMax/gmax that makes it possible to create a warcraft unit in it's entirety, not just the model, or model/animations, but the full deal, like particles, lights, events, etc..

I large task, but quite a few members here already have detailed knowledge of at least the basics. I think if we all pooled our information into a kind growing FAQ or thread detailing what is already known to be in the MDL format and how it relates to the model/animations, etc we could have a complete and stable working MDL exporter much sooner than from anyone one person working alone through trial and error.

I think a good start would be a compilation of terms and their meaning in the MDL format thus far known and what the structure in the MDL format means.

In fact, maybe this should be it's own sub-forum in the Developers Forum with a sticky thread in it being an ongoing compilation of confirmed definitions and information regarding the MDL format that only moderators only have access to change and modify and the rest of the forum will be open to people discussing, practicing new ideas, and generally conversing and discovering what different aspects of the MDL format mean. And once new information that works is presented, the moderators t hen add that to the sticky thread.

We really need to pull together on this because it doesn't look like blizzard is going to do anything about it and it's inefficient to wait for someone to figure it all out on their own through trial and error.

I think if we do this we will best be serving not only ourselves interested in creating a complete MDL exporter script for 3dsMax/gmax but the entire modding community!

Yes it should! A 3d modleing fourm not like the one we have on the site now that Just shows off models we need to put all the mdl information i one big sticky and help post on modling in 3dmax and exporting mdl editing.

i agrea with you i would love to help with this but sadly i have no clue how:( there should be a section for this where other people could also learn meaning more people mean a better chance of finding away to make a script to export as mdl cause i used to try modeling but since i am not a rich man i could only use gmax and u cant export as mdx or mdl. and if anone is interested in it could somone help me learn the mdl format and the structure format is?

Go into the "modeling and animation" forum. We have two posts stickied explaining much of the syntax of lights and particle emitters. Ribbon emitters use much the same syntax as particle emitters (and are much simpler).