Does a 3D dev need to know anything before developing?

[dpatt711]

Im currently in the process of hiring a 3D designer to model, rig, and texture a plane for DCS. Does he need to know anything specific to DCS before starting?

[Cobra847]

Depends on how much work he will be doing for you. Just modelling, rigging and texturing; not much (and if, a day of learning is enough).

 

If more than that, for example damage model, decals, clickable data, etc; then yes.

[dpatt711]

what about texture resolutions and format?

[VincentLaw]

If you look in the beginners guide, it says DCS supports .bmp, .tga, and .dds files, but I have been using .png and it works just fine. .png will do lossless compression more efficiently than .tga, so it is a better choice for saving hard drive space.

Edited April 30, 2014 by VincentLaw

[Moa]

Why build when you can buy?

 

Check out TurboSquid, and you can often pay for royalty-free licenses for external models, which you then need to convert into ED's proprietary format. There is still lots of work to do, but you get a head-start at least.

 

http://www.turbosquid.com/

[Silver_Dragon]

For Guidance ED "request model" Theat:

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=104115

[Cobra847]

If you look in the beginners guide, it says DCS supports .bmp, .tga, and .dds files, but I have been using .png and it works just fine. .png will do lossless compression more efficiently than .tga, so it is a better choice for saving hard drive space.

 

Going into specifics on texture resolution and formats is nothing that is really specific to the DCS engine.

A 3D artist must know how to properly UV and distribute texel density and number of textures efficiently himself.

 

As for formats; .dds is the most efficient format due to the way modern GPUs handle texture memory.

HDD Space should not be a factor when choosing format.

 

Turbosquid;

Meshes tend to be incorrect.

[NineLine]

Why build when you can buy?

 

Check out TurboSquid, and you can often pay for royalty-free licenses for external models, which you then need to convert into ED's proprietary format. There is still lots of work to do, but you get a head-start at least.

 

http://www.turbosquid.com/

 

SOmetimes I think its easier to build one from scratch with DCS in mind, I am finding that out with a B-17 model ;)

[Ells228]

Yeah agree with you guys on TurboSquid models.

 

Once you understand how the animations, damage model, collision model and arguments system works for DCS, it's easier to model from scratch rather than convert a "bought" model.

 

It can of course be done, but will take a longer process.

 

B-17, now who's the one teasing Sith???

[NineLine]

Yeah agree with you guys on TurboSquid models.

 

Once you understand how the animations, damage model, collision model and arguments system works for DCS, it's easier to model from scratch rather than convert a "bought" model.

 

It can of course be done, but will take a longer process.

 

B-17, now who's the one teasing Sith???

 

Ha, at the speed I am going/learning its nothing to get that excited about :) Now my Storch, that one maybe worth getting more excited about :P

[Ells228]

Give me a shout if you need a hand with anything mate :)

[NineLine]

Give me a shout if you need a hand with anything mate :)

 

Thanks I appreciate the offer :)

[SkateZilla]

Why build when you can buy?

 

Check out TurboSquid, and you can often pay for royalty-free licenses for external models, which you then need to convert into ED's proprietary format. There is still lots of work to do, but you get a head-start at least.

 

http://www.turbosquid.com/

 

A. not all of those models are 100% Accurate, and people will nit pick them.

B. they still require extensive work and adjustments to work in DCS.

 

It's not a simple, Add to cart, pay, download, export to DCS, as users make it out to be.

[Pman]

A. not all of those models are 100% Accurate, and people will nit pick them.

B. they still require extensive work and adjustments to work in DCS.

 

It's not a simple, Add to cart, pay, download, export to DCS, as users make it out to be.

 

No it certainly isnt :)

[NineLine]

A. not all of those models are 100% Accurate, and people will nit pick them.

 

 

Not to totally derail this thread, but that is the scariest part of putting my stuff out there... this community is unforgiving :)

 

Although, I guess that is partly on topic... realize how demanding this community is on people creating stuff :)

[wasserfall]

Might jump in here, but who is familiar with Strata 3D?

And is it any good for DCS models, compared to Max or Maya?

 

http://www.strata.com/products/strata_3d_cx_suite/strata_design_3d_cx/

 

Thanks in advance

 

Wasserfall

[NineLine]

Plugins are only good for Max, so if you use anything else you will eventually have to transfer it to Max for output.