User blog:C3PO the Dragon Slayer/Avian Hunt: November 7, 2007

November 7, 2007
The poll has shown that a majority would prefer the models to be of more immediate importance. I have been working very hard to find good ways to produce dozens of models in a short time. I am currently working on a Game Maker engine that can make models the way I prefer, without the diverse functionality that other modelers, like Wings 3D, SMART POLY, or Wavefront have that actually make simple modeling harder. I'm calling the modeler Orthographer, because it uses a top-down view to place points on a grid, then place a series of vertexes on a list that is designated a Z-value. I prefer this method because over 30% of my models are taken from LEGO designs (most of which I created customly). There are notable exceptions; I can't do this with most capital ships, corvettes, or frigates, but those aren't my focus at the moment.

Once the LEGO designs are converted into a digital 3D model that Game Maker can read and draw, I will use other modelers to create the remaining ships. On the current timeline, they will be finished by the end of the year.

Here's a list of everything that plays a part in the complex system of 3D modeling:


 * Game Maker: The engine used to draw the models in-game. Also used to create Orthographer.
 * Orthographer: A custom-built modeler using Game Maker that makes modeling specifically with the methods C3PO the Dragon Slayer uses to make the models in mind.
 * Model Painter: A program found in Yoyogames.com that paints directly on models. Makes it much easier to make models colorful and detailed than texture mapping.
 * SMART POLY: A modeler that is able to create scenes and animated models specifically for Game Maker. Also found on Yoyogames.com, this program has much of the functionality of Wings 3D, and is useful for animated models (like the legs of an AT-AT).
 * Wings 3D: Is slightly more easy to use than SMART POLY, and is less quirky. This engine can be better to make larger ships, and is able to make more wacky shapes than what Game Maker usually handles.
 * Marzipan: A converter that can transfer mainstream file extensions, like .obj, .3d, and others, into a file format Game Maker reads (.d3d). This will be used to turn Wings 3D files and Wavefront into Game Maker models.
 * Wavefront: This is only shareware, and will be used sparingly. Only the 14-day trial version will be used, which will be sufficient for the hardest models to create. For trivia, the actual Star Wars digital models for the movies were created with Wavefront.
 * LEGO: Of course, a varied building blocks company with specific measurements that endorses Star Wars in invaluable to a project that requires the specific dimensions of Star Wars spaceships.