Need Help with Meshes

[AriDiamond]

Hi there! This is my first ever forum post here, so please bear with me if this is the wrong category or a misleading title.

I decided that I was going to work on a little project, making a mane item for Feral Heart. Although I have been having trouble.

I need help with creating meshes for FH (in blender), then exporting, and importing them into FH.
I know there are a few tutorials, but none of them are updated enough for me to be able to follow. This is quite strange to me, given there are a lot of people that actually make meshes & stuff for FH. Unless I am looking in the wrong place? To be more clear, the two that I found are these:

https://feral-heart.com/smf/index.php?topic=11025.0 and https://feral-heart.com/smf/index.php?topic=49368.0

They both seem outdated, and I would rather use Blender 2.78. Is it possible for me to use the newest blender? I would prefer to, since I am already comfortable with the UI and controls.

I have also heard that the newest version of Blender comes with Python as well, so no need to install it manually? I have actually gone into the files and found the Python exe and ran it, it gave me a version, so I am guessing it is already installed. Although before, I really couldn't find out what python version my blender matches, so I am guessing that it's true that it comes pre-installed.

Another thing I am greatly confused on, all about the ogre stuff. The site for the tools now looks like this:

https://imgur.com/WytOWW6

And since the tutorial is outdated, the website no longer bears the miscellaneous section, meaning there is no link to the OgreXMLConverter. Is it included with the Blender exporter now, or is it still seperate? If so, where can I get it? I have seen it on the Ogre wiki, but I am a bit scared since anyone can edit the wiki (from what it seems, feel free to tell me if I am wrong).

I guess what I am mainly asking is, can someone link me to an updated guide, or maybe create one/quickly run me through the process?

So sorry for all the questions. I am just quite confused :c I hope someone will be willing to help me, and thank you for your time.

Operating System: Windows 10
Blender Vers. : 2.78c
Browsing Program (Just in case): I use Opera


P. S. Bonus questions. I don't need an answer, but if you want to help some more, feel free to answer them.


   1. Is there any way to add, say, "new" things to the game in the form of a mod? Like for example, a new tail, mane, or ears? As an option in the character creation, sort of like markings packs? Sorry if this sounds dumb.

   2. I would also in the future like to make animations for FH. I have seen a few tutorials, and am planning to follow them. So are these steps (Installing OGRE stuff) needed for them as well? If so, that would be great.

   3. I have Mudbox. Would it be possible to use it in correspondence with FH meshing? Or would it be harder compared to if I used blender?


Thanks again!

[Kynvuu]

Hi there! I don't specifically have much experience with blender as I use other programs to do mesh work, but I may be able to link you to a few helpful things.

If you're not already too attached to Blender, then I may recommend using a different program to convert the meshes you make rather than downloading all the plugins and scripts for blender. I export the mesh as a .obj out of my modeling program, Sculptris, and then I convert it for FH use using the 3D program DelED. You can find Bloo's tutorial on how to convert .obj meshes to ogre meshes using DelED here --> https://feral-heart.com/smf/index.php?topic=61246.msg845762#msg845762. DelED is really handy because they have the OGRE importer and exporter as a plugin that you can easily download from their website, so you don't even have to worry about Python and the OgreXMLconverter.

Just incase you need it however, here is a link to the updated OgreXMLConverter bundled in the Command Line Tools: http://wiki.ogre3d.org/OgreXmlConverter . I know you are weary of the wiki, but I myself have downloaded these and don't seem to have a problem with them, or one that I am aware of. I can't vouch 100% for its safety, but I haven't experienced issues thus far.

As for your other questions, I can provide some helpful links and tutorials:

1.  Yes, you are able to change certain meshes of the FH models. Here's a video tutorial of someone changing the ears of the feline, though it is possible to change other body parts with the same method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hfOJlkdKe4

2. A handy tutorial from GoldChocobo on making custom animations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy29SRCFgjo

3. As a mentioned above, you don't have to use blender for modeling if you are not familiar with it or do not like it. As long as you have a 3D modeling program that can export files to .obj (which most do, I'm not too familiar with Mudbox) you can use the program I provided above to covert the meshes.

[AriDiamond]

Hi there! I don't specifically have much experience with blender as I use other programs to do mesh work, but I may be able to link you to a few helpful things.

If you're not already too attached to Blender, then I may recommend using a different program to convert the meshes you make rather than downloading all the plugins and scripts for blender. I export the mesh as a .obj out of my modeling program, Sculptris, and then I convert it for FH use using the 3D program DelED. You can find Bloo's tutorial on how to convert .obj meshes to ogre meshes using DelED here --> https://feral-heart.com/smf/index.php?topic=61246.msg845762#msg845762. DelED is really handy because they have the OGRE importer and exporter as a plugin that you can easily download from their website, so you don't even have to worry about Python and the OgreXMLconverter.

Just incase you need it however, here is a link to the updated OgreXMLConverter bundled in the Command Line Tools: http://wiki.ogre3d.org/OgreXmlConverter . I know you are weary of the wiki, but I myself have downloaded these and don't seem to have a problem with them, or one that I am aware of. I can't vouch 100% for its safety, but I haven't experienced issues thus far.

As for your other questions, I can provide some helpful links and tutorials:

1.  Yes, you are able to change certain meshes of the FH models. Here's a video tutorial of someone changing the ears of the feline, though it is possible to change other body parts with the same method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hfOJlkdKe4

2. A handy tutorial from GoldChocobo on making custom animations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy29SRCFgjo

3. As a mentioned above, you don't have to use blender for modeling if you are not familiar with it or do not like it. As long as you have a 3D modeling program that can export files to .obj (which most do, I'm not too familiar with Mudbox) you can use the program I provided above to covert the meshes.

Oh my goodness :o Thank you so much! This was very helpful! I saw that tutorial before, but didn't really look at it much because I thought it was specific for WoW. I would actually much rather use Mudbox than Blender! I'm way more familiar with it, and it does export to .obj! I just thought that it might've been easier to use Blender since everyone seems to use that, so I could get more help with it. This is amazing though! Thank you again :D

[Kynvuu]

No problem! I'll go ahead and lock this topic up since you seem satisfied with the answer, though if you have any questions you can feel free to send me a PM and I'll be happy to help you! c: