DECORATE item - 3D model

[Galaxy_Stranger]

I'm trying to get an .md2 to display on a map. I appear to have gotten the DECORATE and MODELDEF formats correct, but it won't render for some reason.

I created an actor and gave it a number which DoomBuilder sees and I can place on the map. The model path is relative to the root of my game directory. I presume this is correct. This is a model that was a Quake2 player model with animations. All I'm trying to do at the moment is get it rendering as a static object. It only shows me the brown sign in place of the graphic - and it's not impassable. I'm worrying about monster and player use later.

---

Code: Select all

actor Vf1atest 32100
{
    Height 50
    Radius 50
    +SOLID
    States
    {
    Spawn:
        VF1A A 0 
        Loop
    }
}

---

Code: Select all

Model Vf1atest
{
   Path "models/vf1a"
   Model 0 "tris.md2"
   Skin 0 "vf1a_standard.png"     //  Original skin was a .pcx, but I converted it to see if that was the problem.
   Scale 1.0 1.0 1.0

   FrameIndex VF1A A 0 98 

}

TIA.

[Blox]

Everything is alright, except for..

Code: Select all

Spawn:
        VF1A A 0 <--
        Loop

Try making it -1 instead, as a frame lenght of -1 is the same as infinite. Which is exactly what you want by the looks of it.

[Galaxy_Stranger]

I made the change and that didn't work.

The model doesn't have to be in a .pk3, does it?

[NeuralStunner]

Code: Select all

Spawn:
        VF1A A 0 <--
        Loop

At least make that a 1. An unmitigated loop of a 0-tic frame is begging for a freeze.

The model doesn't have to be in a .pk3, does it?

Probably does.

Also, if the object is showing as an Unknown Thing, make sure the placeholder sprite actually exists!

[Xaser]

That's the trouble -- models are .pk3/zip only (can't remember the specifics of why, but there's a reason for it). Interestingly, that was one of the main motivations for .pk3/zip support to begin with. ;P

[NeuralStunner]

That's the trouble -- models are .pk3/zip only (can't remember the specifics of why, but there's a reason for it).

Graf has mentioned that trying to make them work for the WAD structure is hell, so he chose to skip it.

I was remarking that HD paths are unlikely to work. (Not to mention, it wouldn't be very distribution-friendly. )

[Galaxy_Stranger]

Thanks for the help, guys.

I got everything into a .pk3 and drop it onto the skulltag.exe and it runs the map - but still doesn't render the model as before.

In the .pk3, I have:
/maps
/models
decorate.txt
modeldef.txt

The model and skin

DECORATE:

---

Code: Select all

actor Vf1atest 32100 
{
    Height 50
    Radius 50
    +SOLID
    States
    {
    Spawn:
        VF1A A 1
        Loop
    }
}

MODELDEF:

---

Code: Select all

Model Vf1atest
{
   Path "models/vf1a"
   Model 0 "tris.md2"
   Skin 0 "vf1a_standard.png"
   Scale 1.0 1.0 1.0
   
   FrameIndex VF1A A 0 98 

}

I assume the model should be placed in the /models directory, right? I'm starting to believe it has something to do with the frames.

Also, if the object is showing as an Unknown Thing, make sure the placeholder sprite actually exists!

What is this placeholder sprite of which you speak?

[NeuralStunner]

What is this placeholder sprite of which you speak?

VF1A, as indicated in your Decorate code.

[Galaxy_Stranger]

Well, if this is a model, I still need a lump in the .wad?

I placed an image called "VF1A.png" in the sprites subdirectory.

I don't know what else I need to do. And I can't find anything in the wiki about it.

[NeuralStunner]

I placed an image called "VF1A.png" in the sprites subdirectory.

Try "VF1AA0.png". It needs an index and angle to be a valid sprite.

[Galaxy_Stranger]

Is there something I'm missing from the wiki?

Now it displays the sprite graphic and the actor is solid, but it's not rendering the 3D model at all.

I don't understand what I'm missing.

[Enjay]

Check the console. If GZdoom can't find something, you may get an error message there.

I notice that you said in your pk3 you have the path

models

but your modeldef has

models/vf1a

I assume that the sub directory does exist in your pk3 and that both the model and the skin are in there?

I also notice you are using frame 98 in the model - does that exist?

If you still can't get it sorted, why not upload the pk3 with just the required elements (decorate, modeldef, model, skin) and I'm sure someone will be able to fix it up.

[Galaxy_Stranger]

Cripes.

I have no idea why it wasn't rendering. I shut off my desktop last night and saw Enjay's post today. I noticed I hadn't bothered to check it using GZDoom. Lo and behold - it worked!

So then I looked at Skulltag again - and it worked too!!!!

---

In case anyone's interested, here's the .pk3: http://robodoom.net/can/md2test.pk3

Thanks for all your help guys.

[Ryan Cordell]

I noticed I hadn't bothered to check it using GZDoom.

*Looks at thread then at quote*

.. Well there's your problem!

[Galaxy_Stranger]

Well, I think it was the reboot that did it. I hadn't changed anything and it miraculously decided to work.