Yeah that was one of my first experiments into SURs. That method definitely works (thats why I wrote that tut), I've done 80+ surs that way, but this method (Op's) has the potential to save ALOT of time and is generally less painful.
The Custom SUR
- mknote
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There are 39 replies in this Thread. The last Post () by Fire_Wolf_br.
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As posted by Startracker
QuoteDisplay MoreThe secret is that each sur part must have the same name as a part (group) of your ship, and add '_lod1' on the end of the name. Then export the sur groups making sure that each sur group has the name of an existing ship group with this '_lod1' on the end. Ensure that you delete the ship groups and any hardpoints, so that you have only sur groups in your work file, and export them, there should be the same number of sur groups as your ship has. BUT - NOT one group only, unless your ship is a sphere!
When you have exported your multi-part sur, SAVE a master copy and make a work copy!
Then load up your sur into FL Model Tool (the resizer) and load up your ship's .cmp file too. Then resize the sur as SCENERY, scale all by = 1, UNCHECK "make all components part of the hull".
SAVE it.
Reload it and resize again with "Automatic", as Ship/Station, check "make all components part of the hull". Save it. Mine usually work doing it this way. BUT - don't resize to other than scale of 1 because it may mess up.
I am still farting about and havent got this far yet.
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i am sure that i have never done this before
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how you did it?
maybe including the missing steps would solve the final probs -
OK read this
http://forums.seriouszone.com/showthread.php?t=53423then read this
http://discoverygc.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=15539&st=0ignore the splicing ,but the settings seem important in sur exporter.
sur exporter 1.1 may work far better,i have it if u needIf u have 7 groups then u must add 1 = 8 for the root in the number of groups box
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i tried all possible settings with the exporter already but i am sure that i used only the first setting before
and it never required such groups.... but i also never wanted to build multipart surs due to gameplay reaons
Edit: ok i finally can say that a made a mistake while modeling
this might be the final problem... Ill recreate the sur model as soon im back homeEdit2: u know what?.... i got it WORKING
damn im good
Ill post a tutorial later this evening -
as base for this tutorial i take firewolfs amazonian battleship
1. create a sur model based on convex objects (boxes, cylinders, spheres)
the object does not have to fit the original ship 100% ... make it as simple as possible... it does not matter if the shapes do not fit 100% since in case of fighters the ships are too small to notice a difference between sur and cmp
also make sure that the objects dont get regrouped in ms3d
dont use materials
if you create concave objects the sur wont work
2. rename all groups (Group01, Group02, Group03, ...) -> I actually do this for a better reference
3. select all groups
4. use "weld together"
5. export the model as .3ds
6. open the .3ds model in lithunrap
7. "optimize the model" -> under tools (full optimization)
8. save it back to .3ds
9. open a "new" ms3d file
10. import the .3ds (now you will notice that the model is displayed black -> depends on your ms3d version)
(the steps with the unweld and the 3ds are needed in order to remove all unneccessary info from the sur model (such as texture information or double vertices) since the sur has to be 100% clean before it can get exportet
11. not its time to export the sur (i used the sur exporter 1.1 for this example but 1.2 should also work)
make sure you export with size 1 (and if i remember right make sure it has a shield bubble -> i dont have ms3d installed atm but i remember that this is important)
in this pic you can see which settings ive used:
12. now you can view the sur in hardcmp (press S) and can check if it really fits to your ship including the shield bubble
13. the ship has now a sur but ingame it wont work yet
open flmodeltool , open the cmp and open the sur
14. now resize the sur matching the size of the cmp (do that 2 times -> in some cases the resize does not work with the 1st try)
ATTENTION: when you resize it then select "scenery"
(this step does not only resize the sur, it does also rename vmesh groups and that is required to make the sur work)
15. save the sur and play - coz now it is workingand finally the battleship sur for firewolf
http://www.swat-portal.com/por…ges/tut/am_battleship.sur -
Nice:)
I have been playing with Rag and it seems that the sur is almost below the ship,its like the rag is sitting on an egg.
Is there a reason why it is like that? -
no the sur fits perfect on that ship
the only thing below the ship is the hpmount -
All right, that's helped. I get full hit detection everywhere on the ship. Two problems, though:
1. My shield bubble seems to remain even if my shield isn't attached
This is... annoying, because the shield bubble is so freaking huge that, when I try to exit the docking bay, I bump into it. The shield bubble doesn't seem to exist on wrecks though, meaning it's probably an INI deal, rather than a problem with the SUR.2. This, however, is definitely a SUR problem. I know, OP, that you don't like multiple components (for admittedly valid reasons). I, however, do, yet the SUR doesn't seem to destroy itself when the part goes. Granted, I've been exporting the SUR as a single group, but when I export it as multiple groups, I don't get hit detection everywhere.
So, I'm looking for ways to get around/solve these two problems. Any help would be appreciated.
MK
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1. never had this problem
2. i dont have that much experience with sur creation of multiple parts but it should work similar to single part ships... when you have exported it with the various groups you need to play around with flmodeltool
very likely you need to uncheck the "make all components part of the hull" or you could try to resize it as weapon (since those have to have seperated sur groups in order to be able to move -> turrets) -
Have u tried what I quoted from startrader ?
A link to a tutorial from Startrader
http://forums.seriouszone.com/showthread.php?t=54343 -
indeed that could work
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Oh man, this is Argh's method of making SURs using Lithium Unwrap. Yeah this works and is less tedious than the SURsplicer method.
@ OP -
Have you tried using the Shrink Wrap exporter option? I could of swore it works (its been some time since Ive used this method). If I get time tonite Ill give it a shot.QuoteOriginally posted by mknote
1. My shield bubble seems to remain even if my shield isn't attached This is... annoying, because the shield bubble is so freaking huge that, when I try to exit the docking bay, I bump into it. The shield bubble doesn't seem to exist on wrecks though, meaning it's probably an INI deal, rather than a problem with the SUR.
Aye, this is an issue with using the Shield Bubble exporter option. I cant recall offhand if Argh's method works using Shrinkwrap, hence my previous comment to OP. I've however used shrinkwrap with good success using other methods (like that tutorial I wrote, which was posted on the discovery forums). All of the other SUR's I made didnt use the a shield bubble b/c FL by default will use the hull sur as the shield bubble if there isnt a shield_link entry in the shiparch.ini or a big shield bubble on your SUR. I have a few examples for you to look at if you want... PM me if you want my MSN addy. -
it is similar to arghs method but different at some points
(it requires less work)the shield size can be changed via hex edit if i remember right
if you use shrink wrap you might end up with absolutly no shield -
ty m8 for my sur
and, b4 someone starts arguing here, the b-ship is from XTS and I have the needed permissions. that's it
