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Turbo Squid / 3dsm questions
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These pages are a copy of the official truespace forums prior to their removal somewhere around 2011.
They are retained here for archive purposes only.
Turbo Squid / 3dsm questions // Business
Post by slang // Dec 18, 2007, 11:26pm
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slang
Total Posts: 23
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There are a few people here that have suggested Turbo Squid for tutorials and models.
I've looked at the 3d models and most of them are not in Truespace format. Paging through the list of models there were several items that I'm in process of modeling now but are far from complete.
If a listing, a model, is available in the 3d studio max format alone, can it be easily translated into the .cob format?
Would it be a complete waste of time to model and upload for sale models for truespace? Would the artists of existing works be able to just translate any given model into .cob and make my work worthless?
Along the same thoughts, is it unethical to take the ortho shots from the files in 3dsm and use them as a guide for my TS models? Getting a good TFR view of the subject is often half the battle. If those files have good reference images but no TS file available for purchase, is using those images fair game to use in making a TS model? Not posting them as my own, using as reference in making the features of a new model.
It seems to me that the TS program is surely useful for a variety of graphic and animation tasks. It also seems as though there are not all that many people making good models for sale.
This must be because there is not a large market for TS models? Because it's more for a hobby application or that people create and build their own model collections?
What's your opinion? |
Post by Nez // Dec 19, 2007, 1:59am
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Nez
Total Posts: 1102
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You'll probably find there's some strong feeling here (and on other forums) about whether TS is a 'hobby' package - this is something that has caused some dispute previously.
Despite the enthusiasm of TS fans it doesn't have a very strong position in the wider 3d community and certainly not in terms of models for sale. I'm not going to go into that further - there's plenty of other threads on the forum with people's opinions on that...
In terms of your questions - you cannot import a 3dmax .max file into ts unless you have a version of Max that will let you save the file in another format. You probably can import .3ds files (with varying degrees of success), .lwo files (depending on version) and certainly .obj files (if you use the free Luuv plug-in) - these are all quite common file formats for Turbosquid and elsewhere and can typically be poened by a range of software. Max files are very popular on Turbosquid etc but virtually useless for anyone with different software... seems Max owners have a superiority complex...?!
I wouldn't bother going to a lot of effort to make any of your models available ONLY in .cob format - for maximum sale potential you would want to make more popular formats available, .obj probably being a sensible choice, but this isn't something I've ever really considered. There are a few folks onhere who do have objects for sale onTurbosquid (MadMouse I believe has a few, check out the link in his signature to see what format he used)
Can't see any problem with you using the pictures you describe as image reference material - pretty much any image available on the net is fair game for that.
Good luck! |
Post by slang // Dec 19, 2007, 4:07pm
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slang
Total Posts: 23
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there's plenty of other threads on the forum with people's opinions on that...
I don't know how I missed the thread on turbosquid and suggestions on how to get started. It was simple to find with the right key words. That previous search must have been for "models for sale" or some variation instead of "TurboSquid".
Thanks Nez for your reply even though this has been covered before. It's a bit embarassing to get zero replies. :D
Reading your reply made me think that maybe I've insulted the TS program by asking about the market for models for sale. That's not my intent. It just seems that there are no big collections of .cob models that one can search through to find items for a given project. There are collections just not where I was looking.
Truespace has always seemed to be a great value with all it's features for the small cost of the program. Last I checked the 3dsm was over $3k
If you would like to make a variety of realistic models and scenes, game characters and animations without spending a lot of cash, TS is a great choice. What has been missing was the availability of models to make all those cool things.
I believe that I'll just go ahead and keep making models not with the expectation to make loads of money, but to add those to a relatively small collection of items available so that more people can use TS for projects that they would like. Not having to model so many things themselves.
There are many things that I see on TurboSquid that I'd love to have in .cob for making scenes! A little bit at a time we can submit more cool stuff to work with. |
Post by Nez // Dec 19, 2007, 11:39pm
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Nez
Total Posts: 1102
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Don't worry - I don't think anyone here would taking what you said as an insult to TS - most of us are fans of the program anyway or we wouldn't be here.
I quite agree that there's not a huge number of cob files available to use - but there are a few interesting ones, plus many more models in other formats that can be imported with a bit of effort or adjustment - plenty of .3ds .lwo and .obj files around the internet which can be taken advantage of.
I've collected more than 50 car models for example, mostly as .lwo files from the excellent site: http://dmi.chez-alice.fr/models1.html - tend to have to adjust the material settings but otherwise brilliant. There are quite a few other sources of free models too - we can probably list some more if you're interested...
Most of us here will also agree on the potential of TS, particularly in terms of value for money! But we do seem to end up doing most of the work ourselves rather than using pre-made models. I agree that there are some cool looking models on Turbosquid, but I for one don't have the money to be buying models made by others as I only do this for fun anyway. If I was using TS commercially, I guess that would be different.
So you keep on producing and have a look around some more threads here too - there's a good one in the 'the Garage' section of the forum that contains some free objects made by forum members - you can always add anything you'd like to share with the community there too. |
Post by TomG // Dec 20, 2007, 2:50am
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TomG
Total Posts: 3397
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Hi all,
It's a shame more folks don't make their objects available as COB. Anyway, as noted, Max format files are not good, 3DS will import though, but best of all for import is the OBJ format.
If you do make models for sale, making them available as OBJ is a good choice to go with the COB, as then folks using other apps can buy it and use it and you'll see extra sales.
Not saying you can make a lot of money, but my ship for sale on Turbosquid has had steady sales for the last 3 or 4 years, not frequent, but it brings in a little extra now and then, which is nice. So while you can't make a lot of money, you can make some money (and the more models you have, the more likely you are to make more money).
HTH!
Tom |
Post by slang // Dec 21, 2007, 4:18am
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slang
Total Posts: 23
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If you do make models for sale, making them available as OBJ is a good choice to go with the COB, as then folks using other apps can buy it and use it and you'll see extra sales.
How is this possible? With a plug in to create .obj files? |
Post by parva // Dec 21, 2007, 4:39am
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parva
Total Posts: 822
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How is this possible? With a plug in to create .obj files?
luuv plugin -> save as OBJ object.
It creates also mtl file so you don't loose your attached material-faces and storing groups is also possible. |
Post by TomG // Dec 21, 2007, 7:44am
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TomG
Total Posts: 3397
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LUUV is a plugin, included for free with versions of tS6 and upward. Just load it up like any other plugin (on the Model side if you are using tS7) and you can import and export to OBJ.
HTH!
Tom |
Post by slang // Dec 21, 2007, 8:59pm
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slang
Total Posts: 23
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Thanks guys. I found it.
Yes, having the .obj format models seems like a serious increase in marketability.
There were some other plugins that had completely slipped my mind too. At some point Caligari had a package deal on the models and gamepak with some plugins.
Plugins make life much easier. :) |
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