Hey all, I''m using linux and I was looking for a modeler with the ability to export qiake 2 models, with animation. I can''t seem to find one, and help would be greatly appreciated. On another note, must .md2 files use the PCX image format? I prefer to use bitmaps, just because I''m very comfortable with working with that format. Makes Cool effects easier for myself. Thanks for the help in advance! P.S. Please don''t suggest Blender. I''ve used it and I can''t comprehend what must have been going through the designers'' minds when they made it. It is impossible to use! "Donkey, if it were me, you''d be dead." I cna ytpe 300 wrods pre mniute.

Well, that's too bad that you don't want to use blender because :
1- it's not that hard to understand. Just read the tutorials and in less than 1 hour you can learn how to navigate through the software.
2- you probably won't find better 3D modeling software in Linux, at least free software.

You can use the Maya Learning Edition (free edition of Maya, for learning purposes) but you won't be able to export your models unless you spend some money.

Or you can use custom freeware modeling softwares but I haven't seen any that is at least 10% as good as Blender. Anyway instead of babbling, an useful link is the applications list at www.opengl.org : www.opengl.org/users/apps_hardware/applications
What's nice with that list is that :
1- it explicitly separates Win32 / Linux / etc softwares.
2- before clicking on each software page you can know if it is either freeware of commercial.

Good luck !

[edited by - vincoof on November 11, 2003 9:02:31 AM]

OpenFX runs pretty well under WINE.
OpenFX
WINE

[edited by - Vikato on November 11, 2003 9:21:03 AM]

I have yet to try Milkshape under wine, perhaps I will later today..

If you want a good *free* 3D modeller, I believe that Wings3D is cross platform.

[edited by - James Trotter on November 11, 2003 3:20:39 PM]

I havn''t been able to get milkshape running under Wine or WineX, but maybe you''d have better luck.

I''ve been using Wings3d with good results, but I don''t think it''s quite right for what the original poster is looking for.

I guess I find Blender the VI of the 3D modeling tools out there. You have specific modes you work in, and all actions are grouped together in a logical fashion. It may be that Blender is really the only 3D modeler I have used besides TruSpace.

As for other choices, check out (pulled from Debian''s apt cache):

vertex
AC3D (I found this one more confusing than Blender!)
Giram (last time I looked at it, it wasn''t finished)
mg^2 (I remember this as a TruSpace clone, not completed, not maintained anymore, I would pass it).
SCED (SCene EDitor, a neat little program, never took the time to learn it.)

I have touched all of these at least once, some a couple of times and I still fall back to Blender. If you want help with Blender, www.elysiun.com is your best bet. Hit the forums, the help forum has a huge link list of tutorials. Also, look at some of the finished works, you may be amazed. I know you said you didn''t want to hear(read?) a recommendation for Blender, but with its Python interface, you can easily have it output to a format that works for you. Maybe I will have to see if I can write an md3 exporter for it, that would be the real trick.

Clutch

Thanks for all the replies, everyone. I downloaded the newest version of Blender and it is a bit more organized. I guess I''ll use Blender, then. I''ve already written my own animated model format, so I guess that I could write a simple exporter. I''ve also used AC3D before, and it actually reminds me a lot of Milkshape. The only problem I find with Blender is that my computer is kind of slow, so using it is a slightly painful experience. Well, thanks for the replies, looks like I''m going to make the switch!

"Donkey, if it were me, you''d be dead."
I cna ytpe 300 wrods pre mniute.

Arrgggghhhhh! Blender is impossible to run on my computer! I don''t have a good computer or graphics card, thus, BLENDER SUCKS ON MY COMPUTER! I''m sorry, I just can''t use it at 3 frames per second! I''ll stick to AC3D and write some exporters for it. Thanks for the help, though.

"Donkey, if it were me, you''d be dead."
I cna ytpe 300 wrods pre mniute.

Well that sucks about it being so slow. Wish I could help you out a little more.

Are you running in software mode? If you are, have you considered trying to get it into hardware mode? I am just way off base and I should just leave you alone? How does that make you feel?

Clutch

Hardware mode? I thought Blender could only be run in software mode on Linux. Hmm, might be worth checking out.

"Donkey, if it were me, you''d be dead."
I cna ytpe 300 wrods pre mniute.