Now for something totally different: Blender

[Kyth]

Hi,

About Blender.

As you may know, I'm not referring to the kitchen appliance. Instead, I'm talking about the free 3D Graphics software that you could (potentially) use to create new objects, vehicles, trees, bushes etc.

I've been working on a new exporter to x-format, which could solve a big issue with the standard export script. I've already got one working for Blender 2.49 (the last version before the big change in the Blender Python API). So if you're still persisting with the older version, let me know if you're interested!

[Kyth]

Hi,

I hope some folks are interested in using Blender for their 3D modelling, 

On the other hand, I'm off the hook if no one's interested in a new export script, 

[Donken]

what is the issue with the "old" exporter for blender?

[Kyth]

The existing exporter causes a gross inflation of the number of vertices.

For instance, for a cube mesh, which has 12 triangles, the vertice count goes up to (12 x 3) = 36 vertices.

A more realistic vertice count for a cube mesh would be 24, taking into account multiple normals and uv coordinates. The problem becomes even more severe for larger meshes with more triangles,

[Kyth]

If anyone's still interested, I've done up a proper x-exporter for Blender 2.5 (it should work for versions 2.57 to 2.59 at least )
Next up, something for Blender 2.6, which is another barrel of monkeys,

[Kyth]

Maybe you all haven't grasped the significance of this. 

The existing preferred method of importing vehicles and objects is to create them first in 3DS Max, then export them to x format. I've been informed, copies of this program are rather pricey, even the 'student' versions. 

Now, you have the possibility of creating your models on Blender (cost: zero) and using an exporter that gives you equivalent results! This puts 3D modding capability within everyone's reach! I'd stop short of calling this revolutionary, but it's pretty close! 

[whukid]

sorry kyth 3d modelling is wayy to over my head. It may be more fruitful to go directly to yl966, Donken, and Aces, since they seem to be the only ones with any interest in doing 3d work