Editing MESH files - HELP!!!

Don't you have to convert them with one of the tools in the mod pack? I'm not into modeling yet, but I'm pretty sure one of them is the converter for meshes... Can someone with modeling knowledge confirm this?

There is a very suspicious looking tool called ConvertXSI.exe . From what I garner you open the xsi file with that and it produces the txt file.

To Uzii and Mexxa,
That's the problem, the files that are provided with the mod pack include the ConvertXSI.exe program, but does not tell you how it works. The other thing is that I think you need XSI files, which you feed into it to get the text file (mesh) for the mod. The problem with this is, from what I have run into so far (someone help please!)is that all the original files are MESH files, not XSI files. The program provided works the other way. I need to be able to edit the original MESH ship files that came with the Mod pack, so that I can change them slightly, not totally reinvent the wheel. I need to find a way to edit those original MESH files, or convert them to XSI. Then I can load them into the 3D modeling program and go to work. Until then, I'm stuck.

By the way, Uzii, that Ocean planet rocks with my Atlantean race theme. I just wish I could edit those darn ships to make them look more Atlantean. So far, I can edit the stats just like everybody else, and I have used Photoshop CS3 to edit the textures, in which I just gave the ships more user color lights and stripes. So far, very cool, but I want to change it just a little bit more to make it worth downloading for players. Thanks again for all your help.

DANMAN

Mmmm... The .MESH files in the mod package can be opened in a text editor. So for basic things like changing the texture the mesh loads, there fine. As for 3D modeling, I'm not sure. I think I saw somewhere you have to use the 'Run...' command on the Start menu, but don't quote me on that. Good luck anyway.

There's a little schpeel in the mod tutorial PDF about mesh files and the ConvertXSI proggy/usage, did you check it out?

Beyond that, 'fraid I can't help you, my talents only go as far as code monkeying

As i am aware (noting that i use 3ds Max not XSI) there is no Mesh->XSI facility only XSI->Mesh, which would be the ConvertXSI commandline obviously. so for the time being you are out of luck.

To All,
That's what I thought. I have DAZ3d, 3DMAX, and the SoftImage that Ironclad tells you to use, but to no avail. I guess I have to wait unti the final mod tools comes out....hopefully. However, if anyone knows how to do this, please post!

Thanks,

DANMAN

If you have 3ds Max then there is an importer\exporter script lurking somewhere on this forum, which works perfectly for me.

I've also used 3d max 9 and the import/export script to change existing models, not had any problems with it yet.

EDIT: The script is in this thread: https://forums.sinsofasolarempire.com/?forumid=443&aid=176051

Terraziel and Tenk:
Thank you very much for the info! Hopefully this will work. I still find it frustrating though that the 3D editor that Ironclad suggests to use or claims that they have used in creating the original files does not even seem to support the MESH format, or have a converter that turns MESH files into XSI files. If someone knows of this, please let me know. Thank you all for your help. Please keep posting suggestions and comments!

DANMAN

An update:
I DO NOT have 3Dmax. I can't afford a $3500 program for a hobby. I thought I had this already, but apparently I got my programs mixed up. I just have DAZ3d and the SoftImage program. That custom 3dMax script won't work for me. I am still looking for a way though!

DANMAN

I don't think that autodesk really expects hobby modelers to buy 3ds max for £3500. I think there there is an educational license aswell

I hope there is, because I can't find any modeler that will use the MESH files yet.

DANMAN

I still need help on this if anyone is interested.

DANMAN

http://web.axelero.hu/karpo/

Check the Formats page to see if it can convert to the format you need.

Thank you Saikou, I will check this out!

DANMAN

Just to help my fellow idiots because it took me at least 6 tries to get the right commands here is an easy to follow xsi to mesh conversion tutorial...

First click Start/Run/and type cmd

a command line prompt window will open and display with this

C:\Documents and Settings\whaterelseitwillsay\blaghblaghblagh>

then change thedirectory path by typing cd

C:\Documents and Settings\whaterelseitwillsay\blaghblaghblagh>cd

followed by the desired path in this case it was

C:\Documents and Settings\whaterelseitwillsay\blaghblaghblagh>cd C:\sinsofasolarempire\ConvertXSI

this is the format to use for converting your xsi file

C:\sinsofasolarempire\ConvertXSI>convertxsi.exe <"nameofyourxsifile".xsi> <"nameyouwantthemeshtohave.mesh> <--nooptimize>

example below...

C:\sinsofasolarempire\ConvertXSI>convertxsi.exe ball.xsi ball.mesh --nooptimize

this will convert the file

in my example the xsi file was moved to this folder for ease of use and i highly recomend it.



ds

Diresaint,
Thank you very much for the instruction. This is VERY helpful. Unfortunatley I am trying to do the reverse, convert the MESH files into XSI so that I can edit the original ship files. I want to use the original ships as a starting point, and come up with modified versions first, then move on to brand new models. If you now how to do this, or anyone who does, please post! Thank you for your help!!!

DANMAN

We posted a huge PDF file on how to create your own XSI model and get it into Sins. Check it out in the downloads section.

Blair,
First off, thank you for elping to bring about one of the best space strategy games of all time. I am a hard core MOO2 and 3, Star Control, and Master of Orion gamer and fan, and this game brings all those joys into one great package.

Now on to your post, does this PDF how to convert the MESH files into XSI format too?
I want to be able to use your awesome ships as a base. The modding community is screaming for "updated" versions of the current ships, and that is what I want to create. But I don't want to start from scratch. I can't 3D model very well, and using what already exists as a starting point would help out big time. Please let me know if this can happen. Thanks,

DANMAN

Blair,
I just read through the PDF's, and thank you. Thank you for giving a tutorial on how to use the Soft Image XSI software! Now I can make my own models from scratch. However, is there any way I can use the original ship MESH files as a starting point. I tried to us XSI to open the MESH files, but they don't reconize them. Any more help would be greatly appreciated. You guys are the best!

DANMAN

I only referenced the pdfs w/r to your comment about making them from scratch. I know of now way to go from .mesh format to .xsi though I will discuss releasing the original source xsi files. Its doubtful but I do promise to at least start a discussion on it.

You could ask someone to import the mesh you have in mind into 3DSmax then export it as a .3ds file because XSI can import .3ds files, long winded but it is possible.

Blair,
Thank you! I know you guys are probalby worried about copyright laws and people ripping off your work, but we in th modding community only have the game and the gamers interests at heart, plus its not like we are going to make money off the mods, they're all free. Thank you very much for the XSI instruction, and thank you for starting a dicsussion about releasing the source XSI files. With your instruction, plus those files, we modders could create tons of new content for the game, all without expense to Stardock or Ironclad.
By the way, here is an idea:
Is there any way to incorporate (or make as a separate modding application) a ship creator such as in Galactic Civ 2? That creator was a major reason why I purchased Galactic Civ 2, and I was wondering is something like that could be done for Sins. That would be awesome if so. Thank you!

TFL BigBANGtheory,
That would be awesome. That was kind of the purpose of this forum, to grab someone's attention that has 3DMAX that could do this for me if Ironclad can't release the original XSI files. Thank you very much for posting this!

DANMAN

I don't think converting the original XSI files and giving them to someone else is legal without the consent of Ironclad and/or Stardock.