New SdkFz251 model WIP - I've got as far as I can

[Aces]

Hi chaps,

I've gotten as far as I can with my new 251 model and texture. I'm well outside of my comfort zone here however I have the model as a .obj along with the finished texture. It is allm texture mapped etc. but I cannot dot the "dummy" fragments. If anyone is interested in making it playable them please PM me an e-mail addy that I can send the files to.

Best regards

Aces

[Aces]

A closer view of the new dash and radio and I added two Mg-34 ammo boxes and a stick grenade as well

Hope somone can get it playable as, after all this work and trying I'd really love to see it in the GAME.

Regards

Aces

[Aces]

Thanks chaps,

I'm going to switch my PC off to cool down a bit before it explodes, been working very hard and long on this one

Cheers

Aces

[bidounegger]

what a very nice work , you're making !!!
we will be more "in" whtih it !!!
thanks !

[Aces]

Hi chaps,

I've made a bit more progress with the model thanks to help from the community, Kyth and Donken. It is slow and painful works but I'm getting there, bit by bit, quite literally .

Cheers

Aces

[Aces]

Hi folks,

A small update on my current progress:

I have finished the re-modelling including the p_fragments and the s_fragments and linked them all into db_hull as well as doing the wheels and doors pivots as well as completing a number of new skin variations with new normal mapping. I still have a few things to do but I'm getting there slowly. This really is painstakingly agonising and frustrating work but worth it in the end I hope.

Cheers

Aces

[Donken]

Ah, so you decided to remodel everything?

[Aces]

More or less, yes, I used my previous model work but found that re-creating the s_fragment "dummies" easier than getting everything to align by copying and pasting them.

Regards

Aces

[whukid]

More or less, yes, I used my previous model work but found that re-creating the s_fragment "dummies" easier than getting everything to align by copying and pasting them.

Regards

Aces

We're all silently watching and holding our breath. Don't give up yet man!

[Aces]

Hi mate,

Oh no!, I haven't given up, I'm pretty tenatious and my patience is long but I've been pushing it to the absolute limit on this project. If I had a pound for every time I've loaded the model, saved it, tweeked it and tested it I could retire tomorrow. Right now I have a pretty "finished" model that looks good in 3ds max, look fine in model editor but won't load in the game although the game itself does load. I'm a bit baffled by this as everything looks fne. If I could just see it in-game or mission editor I'd get an idea what might be the problem. Anyone have any ideas for things to check please let me know, all the d,p and s fragments are in and linked. I've hidden the p_fragments and it looks great in the model editor. The only thing that crossed my mind is the poly count as it has increased a bit from the orginal which, being a stock model, is already at the 20k mark. Maybe the game has a limit, I don't know, I could try a polygon reduction tool that I have on trial and see if this might be the reason else, I'm completely at a loss to explain why it doesn't work. I haven't done the LODs yet, I'd just like to see a 1 LOD version in-game first after all these days of working on it and various versions of the associated skin file.

Kind regards

Aces

Edit: Actually I just re-read the model import tutorial again and noticed that the stock pzIV has about 37,000 polygons so it cannot be a polgon count issue as I'm well short of that.

[Donken]

And the max poly count is 655xx something for all lods together, or if you want 655xx for lod1. So no, thats not the problem

Have you replaced the old model only or have you scripted and placed a new one?

Does it load the game to 100%? if not at what percent does it CTD. It can give you a hint of whats wrong, but not all errors are in the list im afraid, it havent helped me so much yet but maybe it does for you?

1. 0-5% - smth. wrong with mission script, unit name is not compatible with trigger parameters.
2. 1-4% - polygon is absent
3. 7% 7% - no track in common_res
4. 9% - errors *.engcfg, connected with places and cocpit
5. 10% - there's no caterpillar in the common_unit file
6. 17% - variable of tank in the common_units is wrong, look for the mistake in the file ***.engcfg, i.e. kv1b()
7. 18-19% - no *.go file
8. 20-21% - smth. wrong with ***zones.engcfg
9. 92% - don't use a big letters in the name of units, i.e. ? USR, TNK etc.
10. 97% - cockpit file is absent
11. 98% - common units/res out
12. 99% - smth. wrong with weather, check was it correctly written in the file ***.level
13. "" in the editor, check {} in the name of units, file ***.text, mistake is ()

Credits go to lockie for that one, Atleast it was from him i got it

[Aces]

Thanks mate,

The game loads completely as does the same mission which features the vehicle model in the same mission in the mission editor. The game and mission editor hang as soon as the vehicle is in view but before I can see it. I have used the stock model as my base model and not had to touch the config files, it is about 23K polys in total.

I have all the same s,p and d fragment names and linking as the original model as all my changes and additions are to db_hull fragment so no new d fragments neccessary. Also, all the fragments are linked in identically to the original. I can't test the pivots for the wheels, doors and gun until I can see them in the game although the wheels and doors at least should be set correctly. If these were wrong them I'd expect things to rotate in the wrong direction but not prevent the model from being displayed or am I wrong?.

That info from lockie is helpful but the game is loading 100%.

Cheers and thanks

Aces

[Donken]

Oh oki, I had the same problem with the Panzer 4 H first, but i dont remember what i did wrong or how i fixed it haha. Let me think a little about it and see if i can refresh my own memory!

[Aces]

Thank you, your help very much appreciated.

Cheers

Aces

[Kyth]

Take a quick look at the config file in the tech_config folder - there should be a line stating the number of lod's in the model.

If it's a single-lod model, you'll need to change the number to '1'.

[Aces]

Genius!!!, I never thought of that I'll check as soon as I get in tonight!.

Cheers mate.

Leigh

Edit, I can add LODs after I get the 1 LOD model working as intended.

Oh and another sneek peek:

[Donken]

Oh yes Kyth, that was one of the problems i had I based the pz4h on the stock pz4 we already have igm, i only changed mesh name in the techcfg when i tested the first times

And great Aces. So hopefully this means we are gonna see more halftracks on the maps ^^ German army loved them afterall and used them in huge numbers everywhere

[Aces]

Thanks chaps, I love 'em too they've always been one of my favourite German vehicles. I'll post back tonight with my news.

cheers

Aces

[Aces]

BINGO!!!, that did it

Still got a few tweeks and checks to go but time for a few celebration in-game screenies:

















I'm well on my way now, got some more to check and test and the LODs to do and re-test but I'm really pleased so far.

Cheers

Aces

[norm]

Looks great, really wish there were a way to select skins in game...