Modeling for Zoo Tycoon 2 in SketchUp
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Hi there!
I'm an avid Zoo Tycoon 2 player and I would like to get into modding for that game, while also learning Google SketchUp.
The game used NetImmerse files for the models, and I'm wondering if it's possible to use SketchUp to make the models and then export them or convert them somehow into .nif.
This would also require doing some UV unwrapping to skin the models, something that I'm not sure is possible in SketchUp.
If anyone could enlighten me, it would be appreciated. Let me know if you need more info on the types of files Zoo Tycoon 2 uses. Thanks very much!
-Gebo
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Hi,
Organic modeling is possible in SU (many thanks to Whaat for his plugin: http://artisan4sketchup.com/)But when it comes to rigging, UV mapping, animations - and if I am not totally mistaken, you don´t really want a bunch of static models in-game, it seems like Blender would be a better choice (with a little help from Blender Nif scripts)
I think you already know that it is used by many modelers in Zoo Tycoon 2 modding.
Nice tutorial here:
http://z14.invisionfree.com/ZT2_Designing_Center/index.php?showtopic=2977 -
Oh, I'm sorry; I should have clarified. I'm speaking of modding objects such as benches and fences. Things that don't require animation or (I think) rigging.
So again, UV mapping and getting the files into a usable .nif format are my only limitations.
I have tried acquainting myself with Blender on numerous occasions, but we don't seem to get along very well. SketchUp's way of doing things is much more natural to me.
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No hassle
Whaat has provided us with another great plugin http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=323&t=23725&hilit=plugin to help with UV mapping.
It is a bit of fussing around, but apart from Blender, I am really not aware of any other (freeware) possibility of converting a .skp file into a .nif file.
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