Converting a 3DCANVAS project to Blender

[pwillard]

Load model in 3D Canvas/3DCrafter and Export as a DAE
Bring your textures with you to blender
Open Blender, Import the DAE, attach the textures to the MSTS materials
Use the shading nodes to rename UVS. UVnames need to be renamed to UVMAP for the exporter to work, so every object needs to be renamed... :-( ...which is a bit of drudge work...

Note: I have a SCRIPT to fix this the easy way.

Rework, remodel as needed, update and fix UV's with UV Editor...
RENAME PARTS as needed by the exporter.
Export...

And bam... you have a conversion.



It sounds simple, but it's not. At least not to me.

My progress so far is in the GIF link below... I just need to finish the brake rigging and air-line and do up a WAG file. (and sure, it needs some tweaks here an there as well)

http://i.imgur.com/5uzhy2q.gifv

[MsSheare]

wow, that is so nice Pete!

[pwillard]

Thank you. This comes after a year of messing with Blender off and on until it finally started to become easier than 3DCANVAS. I can't even consider going back to Canvas now. I'm "all-in" on Blender.

I think I've had an image of this model from 3d Canvas up on my Railsimstuff.com website for 10 years now.

This version, however, uses a set of Trucks made by Erick Cantu, unlike the original

[MsSheare]

well, you are way more skilled than me. I can see the idea in my mind but when I tried to do something I couldn't make it happen in 3d.

[pwillard]

HaHa... I didn't notice that the colors on the LOGO are backwards now fixed with an attempt at road grime. I must live in an alternate reality.

[MsSheare]

when is it ready for use!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[pwillard]

I would say... I have a little ways to go. Finish the Brake Wheel, Chains, and brake rigging are still in the works. I need to see if I can remember how to do WAG file stuff and it should be good to go. I'll stick with default sounds for now.



I know, I know, teaser shots... and this is NOT intended for MSTS, I no longer use it.

Note: I'm not super pleased with the Air Reservoir... it may need a re-do.

[pwillard]

YAY. We have new ORTS topic categories!

[SD40-2]

Looking very nice. Will you do a bit of AO baking?

It'd be a nice touch on the model.

[jbtower]

Pete that's a badass tank I can't wait to see the finished project