What character model formats does SFM support?

[meneleik]

Being completly new I was a bit awe struck by the number o f formats 3d models come in. What are the best or (only)supported formats. Especially models that are fully lip syncable

[Pte Jack]

SFM only supports the proprietory Valve Model Format If you look in your steam\steamapps\common\sourcefilmmaker\game\tf\models folder you'll find that there are 3 files that make a model set... the .mdl, .dx90.vtx and .vvd files. These are models that have been compiled using the applicable Valve studiomdl.exe model compiler. There are various flavours of the compiler for each of the Valve games (ie HL2, TF2, L4D and L4D2, etc. ) The compilers compile special Valve Source Files which can be created and exported from the popular 3D editors like Blender, Maya, 3ds Max, etc via plug in importer/exporters.

You can find out more about modeling here...

https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Category:Modeling

and here

https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SFM/Character_Creation

[EmperorFaiz.wav]

Jack, should you show him your guide about this stuff?

[Pte Jack]

What, this one??

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=245723825

This is more or less Blender only. I don't know if he/she's going this deep or what 3D editor they'll be using.

Beside, Mr. Emperor sir, I thought you told me to "Hit the Road!" in another discussion... LOL!!!

[EmperorFaiz.wav]

shhh.....
no tears....
only dreams now....

[Pte Jack]

Speaking of which... Nitey - Nite!!!

[Zappy]

Pte Jack forgot to mention something really important.

SMD (StudioModel Data) mesh files, DMX mesh files, and VTA flex files can be used to compile an MDL model. SMD can contain the base geometry of a model (with weight-mapping) and their bones, while VTA can contain vertice points for flexes.

Flexes can be used for smiling, blinking, opening a mouth, basically any modification of the base geometry, however it can't add nor remove geometry completely.

DMX is a combination of the two, allowing both the base geometry and flexes to be saved together, and also allows some more advanced editing of flexes that can't be done with VTA.

[meneleik]

thanks again you all rock!

[CraftyMaelyss]

Hey, I've just spent about 5 hours making my first properly rigged model and I wanna try it out in SFM but what file type do I export it as that SFM will accept?

[EmperorFaiz.wav]

Why asking the same question as OP did where you should read the whole thread for answer instead? Also, necro much?

[CraftyMaelyss]

Originally posted by EmperorFaiz.ogg:

Why asking the same question as OP did where you should read the whole thread for answer instead? Also, necro much?

I did but I still couldn't find a helpful answer, otherwise if I did I wouldn't have asked P: And what do you mean by necro?

I just asked a question because I needed help and even after reading through this thread(as well as several others online) non have provided the help I need and I've spent a good few hours looking this stuff up as I vitally need this for a major project of mine.

[EmperorFaiz.wav]

If you look closely at the date of the thread, you know why I called you that.

Let's make it simple, export the model as SMD or DMX. Then, create the QC file for compiling. Finally, compile the QC with Crowbar and you wil get the SMD, dx90 and vvd files. Want to learn more, read the guide Jack showed. Don't expect doing these stuff as easy as pie.

[CraftyMaelyss]

Originally posted by EmperorFaiz.ogg:

If you look closely at the date of the thread, you know why I called you that.

Let's make it simple, export the model as SMD or DMX. Then, create the QC file for compiling. Finally, compile the QC with Crowbar and you wil get the SMD, dx90 and vvd files. Want to learn more, read the guide Jack showed. Don't expect doing these stuff as easy as pie.

I know it's not easy and I never said it was. Why the heck are you being so rude from someone asking a question? -_-; Anyway he gave me a link to the playlist on YouTube so hopefully it helps.

[Pte Jack]

I don't think his eminence is trying to be rude. Had you asked the question in a new discussion it may have been entertained in a different light. I think the point he's trying to get across is that threads should go dead after a certain amount of time if there has been no activity on them. Reopening (necromancing) them is not good internet protocol. If there is a routine for wiping threads after a year or 3 and one like this is reopened after 1 and a half of no activity, then it's another 3 before it even looked at again to be deleted.

[EmperorFaiz.wav]

There's no need to be offended when I tell the truth. Anyway, good luck.

[CraftyMaelyss]

Originally posted by Pte Jack:

I don't think his eminence is trying to be rude. Had you asked the question in a new discussion it may have been entertained in a different light. I think the point he's trying to get across is that threads should go dead after a certain amount of time if there has been no activity on them. Reopening (necromancing) them is not good internet protocol. If there is a routine for wiping threads after a year or 3 and one like this is reopened after 1 and a half of no activity, then it's another 3 before it even looked at again to be deleted.

Okay, I don't use forums very often so I missed why he had such a reaction. Since I am working on a video game I really need to be able to make custom models and that's why this is extremely important that I'm able to do this as if I were to commission someone for so many models I'd be broke in no time flat :(

I also need the models to work in SFM so I can make the cutscenes and the animation for them as well, so this is why I'm asking around so much.