hello, I have some good ideas...and I dont know how to model so I need some help...anyone?

wrong place wrong forum....

This section is for a on-going polycount environment collaboration not a request to do work for you.

Stache batman does not approve



rlly

In all seriousness, my advice to you is to either:

1. Share your ideas in the TF2 thread and maybe draw or mock up some pictures to show us what you mean. Then ask if anyone wants to make it but only if they credit.

2. Read tutorials on how to model, texture etc. As for finding them, I suggest a few vids on YouTube and perhaps a How to Model basics in 3DS Max / Maya book.

Originally Posted by pogothemunty

So you want to make models for TF2? Well here is a list of things you'll need to do, and guides on how to do them!

Things you will need:
1. A 3D Modelling Program
- Common examples are 3DS Max, Maya, XSI, Blender
- Some cost more than others, XSI mod tool is free, Autodesk software (including maya and max) is available for free on a 3 year licence to students (http://students.autodesk.com/)

2. A 2D Art program (and the means to create .vtf files)
- Photoshop plugin (http://nemesis.thewavelength.net/index.php?c=154)
- Paint.net plugin (http://nemesis.thewavelength.net/index.php?p=50)
- VTFEdit (http://nemesis.thewavelength.net/index.php?c=178)

3. Source SDK
- studiomdl is a program which compiles smd files
- it may be useful to use a program like GUI Studiomdl (http://www.wunderboy.org/apps/guistudiomdl2.php) to help find errors when compiling
- http://wallworm.com/projects/utilities/docs/ - Streamlined exporting and compiling with 3ds Max

Useful links/resources

"Beginners Guide to Custom Hat Models" by Mnemo:
http://forums.steampowered.com/forum....php?t=1109465

3DS Max Beginner tutorials:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwRkkGzA98k

BenHenry's The complete view model tutorial
http://cg.tutsplus.com/tag/ben-henry/

Superaldo's custom animation tutorial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoBAWUoYr0o

Jigglebones by Sparkwire (3ds max):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmfK-xlNn88

UV unwrapping by Skizot:
http://www.gamebanana.com/tuts/9053

Smoothing Groups:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Iswm1xKtGs

AO in 3DS Max (recommended: Used Method 2):
http://www.laurenscorijn.com/article...clusion-baking

Blender tutorials
http://www.blender.org/education-help/tutorials/

HellJumper's "Complete Modelling Tutorial for TF2" On SPUF
http://forums.steampowered.com/forum....php?t=1536668

Blender modelling Tutorial - Fedora
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuFHE_yG33k

Procedures for Exporting Working SMDs from Blender by misterdevious
http://forums.steampowered.com/forum....php?t=1592389

Ambient Occlusion in Blender
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8YL2qKe1R8

XSI Beginner Tutorial (from Valve)
http://developer.valvesoftware.com/w...inner_Tutorial

XSI Ambient Occlusion (using rendermap)
http://www.game-artist.net/forums/su...html#post53333

Decompiling/Recompiling source .smd files
http://www.moddb.com/games/team-fort...-model-file-na

Recompiling TF2 Models (including team colours)
http://www.gamebanana.com/tuts/7316

Swizzle's Texturing for TF2 Guide
http://www.polycount.com/forum/showthread.php?t=73559

Swizzle's Brush stroke guide:
http://www.polycount.com/forum/showp...7&postcount=15

Making Kill icons by NeoDement
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cB4qNfmwyvQ

Making Backpack Icons by Shugo
http://tf2b.com/blog/?p=192

How to Hex Hats by Blaholtzen
http://www.gamebanana.com/tuts/10307

Valve SDK docs (for all documentation):
http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Main_Page

TF2 Style Guidelines:
http://www.teamfortress.com/contribute/tips.php

Using testitem in game to test your items
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7DzFHOCVP0

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FAQs

My model exported and compiled fine but I can't see it in game or Model viewer
If you have exported and compiled correctly and there is geometry data (select wireframe from the dropdown box in HLMV) then your polys are probably inverted. This is more common in blender. Select the faces you can't see and invert normals

Pink/Black checker pattern on my compiled model
The engine can't find your vmt and or vtf files. Check that your smd exported from your modelling package is assigned to the correct texture name, your vmt and vtf are named and located correctly, your qc points to the correct directory, and your vmt points to your vtf.

My Jigglebones are funky
Play with the numbers, test and play with the numbers some more. Use pitch/yaw/roll constraints and damping to stop your model from "spazzing out".

Common Compiling Errors

Error opening cprogram files\...\model_name.mdl! (Check for write enable)
The compiler can't create folders for you, so make sure all the folders and subfolders exist and are spelled correctly in the qc.

ERROR: cannot find bone ValveBiped.Bip01_L_Toe0 for bbox (or hbox)
If you're making a weapon or hat this isn't a problem, hbox and bbox are used for bullet collisions and simple npc navigation, and really aren't needed. Just remove any $hbox lines from your qc.

ERROR: c...\model.qc(1): - could not load file 'C:blah\blah/model.smd'
WARNING: Leaking 1 elements
As it says, could not load the spicified file - make sure that the file is in the correct location and has the correct name


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A few miscellaneous tips:
Have model viewer open when you compile - this will ensure that the content and dll's are up to date.

List of resources aimed at beginners for doing pretty much everything to get your model in game, using blender, 3ds max or xsi
for the current version: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18271121/TF2/tf2guide.html

Thread closed. Troll elsewhere.