Using gmax to import and export SMDsWhen creating mods for Mount and Blade, you will often want to modify, or even create whole new sets of armour, mounts for players to use, or even monsters for players to fight. These meshes are slightly more complex than your standard weapon or scene props, in that they are "rigged" to a
Highelfwarrior has a
tutorial on rigging, however this tutorial will cover the step by step details for using gmax. For more details on performing the actual rigging, see
his thread.
In this tutorial, we will import an SMD (that has been exported from BRFEdit) into gmax, then export it back out. This may seem completely pointless, and it is! However you should of course do any modifications you wish to make to the mesh before exporting it, or if you prefer, create a whole new mesh and bind it to the imported skeleton.
If you do not already have gmax and the required plugins, you can get them from the
BRFEdit thread. You will require:
gmax (you need to register to download it)
SMD Importer (gmax / 3ds Max)SMD Exporter (gmax)Place these plugins in Gmax\scripts\startup
Part 1: Getting an animated mesh from BRFEdit, into gmaxStep 1: Open a file in BRF that contains an animated mesh, such as armour in item_meshes1.brf. Select an item that has the "Skeletal Animation" checkbox ticked, then select export, and export it as an SMD.
Step 2: Open gmax, and select the utilities tab from the right hand menu.
Then click the MAXScript button, and it should then display a section with a dropdown box containing the plugins you have placed in the startup folder.
Select the Half-Life SMD Import option.
You should then see a new panel similar to this:
Click the Import SMD button, then select the SMD you wish to import.
You should now have the SMD in gmax, which you can modify all you like.
Wasn't that easy?
Part 2: Getting an animated mesh from gmax, into BRFEditStep 1: Open up the utilities tab again, and this time select the SMD Exporter option.
Click the Pick Model button, then select your mesh
The button should now have the name of your mesh.
Now click the Export SMD button. You will not see anything happen: this is to be expected so don't worry
Right click in the text box in the bottom left corner of the screen, and then select open listener window.
Now run GMaxSLGRAB.exe (included with the SMD exporter plugin) and click Grab.
Save as a filename, ending in .SMD, such as armor.smd.
Then open up notepad, and drag this file you just saved into it.
Remove the top and bottom sections highlighted below:
Then save it, and open it with BRFEdit.
You should now see your mesh in the mesh resource list, and should be able to select and view it.
If you still have any problems let me know
