First LuxRay, then Octane... Would be rather neat if someone tried their hand at an Indigo Exporter.
Is pretty popular with Sketchup users and is faster than LuxRay (Trade-off is it's not as good at complex water caustics)

OK, so this is what I'm trying to do:

I want to re-do the textures for a specific building on a Dystopian City Block. My understanding is that all the texturing on these models is tiled similar to procedural textures. This is limiting for what I'm trying to accomplish as I'd like to make a surface for the windows that has random lights lit-up (created in Photoshop). Since I only need the one building on the block for what I'm doing, I edited the out all the other structures in the .obj using Sketchup. This simplified the problem of multiple buildings sharing textures.

Now, I'm at the point where my lack of modeling skills are preventing me from moving forward. I assume at this point I need to create new UV maps so that specific polygons are assigned to specific texture groups but I can't figure out how to make this happen. I have Hexagon & Sketchup (mostly for converting formats and, hopefully, for texturing eventually) but don't use either much as my primary focus isn't on modeling. Sketchup's texturing tools feel very limited and in-flexible while Hexagon's interface seems like it has a fairly steep learning curve. I'm sure eventually I could learn Hexagon from scratch and figure out how to do it but I'm really not interested in putting my current project on hold for several weeks while learning all the ins and outs of a modeling program when I won't be using it for that so much.

My question, then, is this: is there an easy way to create a new texture map (template, I guess) that I can work with in Photoshop using Hexagon or Sketchup or possibly some other cheap/free program? BTW, the goal is to use the newly textured model in D|S if that makes a difference - I wouldn't assume it does, but then what do I know...

Thanks in advance for any help!

-Damon

google sketchup has a free trial download. so i get the model from google3d then convert to 3ds the obj format. only do that becuase they come out the best.

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/

it is stated in google3d that all models when placed on website are public domain so now sharing problems

ok just playin around a model from google sketchup. who will be the first to geuss were the ship is from

A sampling of Sue's collection of 1940 Ford's.

The first pic shows an overall view of all the different 40 Ford's I have in my collection, some were freebies, some were not, in the second pic you see a closeup of the 40 Ford pickup gasser, this one was a download from the 3D Warehouse, is made for Sketchup 8, while there are other 40 Ford trucks on the sketchup site, this is one of the newer ones, and is a pretty decent mesh to work with, I used the drag slicks off the back of the Big Daddy dragster by Digimation, and the front wheels are the mags and tires from Music 2 4 u, the hood scoop was another sketchup download.

The next car, the 40 Ford Deluxe Coupe, is a gta download, so is also a freebie, if you know how to convert the .dff files to a .obj, I call this one, "Her Black Beauty", and a beauty it is, very well done mesh, very detailed model, the only changes I made to it was to change the tires, since I don't use the normal program for converting the .dff files, the actual materials that come with the model don't work in DAZ Studio, so I depend on shaders, the tires are from the 1959 Cadillac that is on the 3D Warehouse.

The next one is put out by Nationale 7, this is a fairly decent mesh, it does represent a nice "Standard" coupe, not the deluxe model, this would have been the base model of the 1940 Ford coupe, the gasser sitting next to is also the same mesh, I used the Digimation drag slicks on the back, and ADR Speedworks Crager mags on the front, this model is sold at Rendo for around $18, while a decent mesh, it isn't as well detailed as it should be for a model in that price range.

The last one is the Digimation 40 Ford pickup, and is an obvious model of a model, to be exact, a 1/24 scale model put out by Monogram in the early 1960's, the model has had many re-releases over the years, and may even be available today, the 3D model is a very nice, well detailed mesh, is available at Rendo for $13, no engind detail, but the front wheels steer and the doors and tailgate open.

Definitely looks like the atioglxx.dll open gl driver is the culprit, when I have had similar problems with other software, sketchup to name one, after installing "updated graphics card drivers" I have sometimes had to drop back to a version that worked in the first place, trouble is, making certain that all the stuff has been properly un-installed first, although I think the catylist drivers have that option.
It might pay to contact AMD, I have had feedback quite quickly in the past. It might be that you will have to set Hexagon to boot with certain settings in the catylist control centre.
Thing is if it was working before the update then it should, by rights have worked as normal after only a month or so as long as there were no updates in between, some computers are set to do automatic updates,

Edit : have a look at this

[Solved] Hexagon is not loading anymore

kiwi_gg said:

Found this one if its of any use, sketch-up file I think. Bristol Blenheim, appears to be a free d/load of 7MB.
http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=a8c98625178137f698b8c800ae001b66

Cheers
GG

Found this one if its of any use, sketch-up file I think. Bristol Blenheim, appears to be a free d/load of 7MB.
http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=a8c98625178137f698b8c800ae001b66

Cheers
GG

lordvicore said:

Two things about SketchUp:

1- You can DL the Pro Version... It remains "Pro" for an 8 hour trial period.... But... That is for Eight hour of USE... So if you use it for 10 minutes this year, next year you'll still have 7 hour 50 minutes left! Great if you use it ONLY as an exporter...
What you can do is download Version 8 pro and install it AND then install Version 7 Basic, to do any work in. With the Pro version you get Native OBJ and 3DS export.

2- As of Version 8 SketchUp (free-Basic version) can export DAE (Collada) files with textures (7 and below required Pro version for that).
so you don't actually need the Pro version trial if you prefer DAE files.

3- About two years ago a very talented plugin creator named TIG created an excellent free OBJ exporter.
You can find it here:
http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=323&t=33448&sid=6a552f065174c0f6a77a8fedb0eff52c
or here:
http://rhin.crai.archi.fr/rld/plugin_details.php?id=790
The First site requires registration to Download from, but it is worth it because the Plugins there are always the latest versions.

4- SketchUp is no longer owned by Google, it now belongs to Trimble, but as far as I know the "part 1" of what I just wrote is still accurate and they should have kept the pro version trial the same.

Separate from that... I down loaded the model of the Blenheim from 3D warehouse and examined it... It has a lot of reversed normals... correctable with some work- best done within SketchUp... You can see for yourself by Selecting: View> Face Style> Monochrome

Front faces appear White, Back faces appear light Purple or Grey (depending on version or user settings).... this model has quite a few reversed face... they can be reverse by clicking on the offending face and selecting Edit> Face> Reverse Face.

This sort of reversed face thing is very common in models that are imported into SketchUp from elsewhere.

I hope this is helpful and not written higgly piggly, I'm quite distracted at the moment, as there is a huge vehicle making a huge hole in my yard and a problem just developed... sorry but I gotta run... bye.
Thank you for the tips and your time! Much appreciated and really helpful! All I've ever done in SketchUp is to convert a couple of models using a trial pro version and that was years ago... I'm going to look at that model anyway as flipping the normals doesn't *sound* too overwhelming task :)

You'll need the pro version to export to any model format other than Collada, which the free version exports to.
good luck with the search. I develop for the FS community and tried a couple of other methods to convert the CFS aircraft, no luck though.
For $12.50 though, you might be able to convert this one for personal use.
http://www.fspilotshop.com/virtavia-bristol-blenheim-p-2848.html

Thank you for pointing this out!

Edit: Plus it works with FS2004 too - which I do have -, so I think it's a win-win situation :)

Jaderail said:

Note to KK, who EVER installed your Win7 OS to the new PC is to blame for your issues. The install was not DONE properly and thus has locked the Admin as a standard user account.
All Programs should and do install on a proper Win7 to one of two locations unless the user points the installer to a different folder
Program Files, which is the Default 64 bit location or
Program Files (x86), which is the Default 32 bit location.
My Documents has been the catch all folder for most programs for a long time. SketchUp defaulted to it, Wings 3D defaulted to it and many others I use as well. Just because you think it is not supposed to be that way does not mean it's not supposed to be that way. My Documents is the Documented MS proper folder to store any user content for a MS compliant program.
If I was in your position I would have the Win7 OS installed by a PC repair shop and EXPLAIN the reason WHY.

Second, it means having to find someone with a vehicle as I do not drive to lug the main box to a repair shop (which are all on the outskirts of town and which I have no idea of how reputable they are).

Third in order to do this, it would mean wiping everything from the drives to have Win7 reinstalled. This means nearly another two months installing everything and setting up my runtimes and libraries all over again, and having to rebuild all my characters from scratch (as well as losing all the scenes I am currently working on).

...that is making this look like a lost cause.

Porsimo said:

lordvicore said:

Sorry about that...
I found this at 3d Warehouse:

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=a8c98625178137f698b8c800ae001b66&prevstart=0

You can download & install SketchUp and then export the model in COLLADA to Blender to clean it up and tweak it... If you have any issues I could help, most of my models are made in SketchUp and exported to Blender, so I am familiar with the process.

No reason to be sorry! CFS series is quite far from FSX so the result was actually expected. :)

That's the same model I found, but I haven't had time to try the conversion yet. Is SketchUp Pro still needed to export models? It's been a while since I've fiddled with it (I think the version was 6 back then)...
Thanks for the offer! I'll see what I can get done. If I have to work in Blender, I will need your help, lol! But if I can export the model right away from Blender to another program, I think I can handle it. :)

You'll need the pro version to export to any model format other than Collada, which the free version exports to.
good luck with the search. I develop for the FS community and tried a couple of other methods to convert the CFS aircraft, no luck though.
For $12.50 though, you might be able to convert this one for personal use.
http://www.fspilotshop.com/virtavia-bristol-blenheim-p-2848.html

Porsimo said:

lordvicore said:

Sorry about that...
I found this at 3d Warehouse:

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=a8c98625178137f698b8c800ae001b66&prevstart=0

You can download & install SketchUp and then export the model in COLLADA to Blender to clean it up and tweak it... If you have any issues I could help, most of my models are made in SketchUp and exported to Blender, so I am familiar with the process.

No reason to be sorry! CFS series is quite far from FSX so the result was actually expected. :)

That's the same model I found, but I haven't had time to try the conversion yet. Is SketchUp Pro still needed to export models? It's been a while since I've fiddled with it (I think the version was 6 back then)...
Thanks for the offer! I'll see what I can get done. If I have to work in Blender, I will need your help, lol! But if I can export the model right away from Blender to another program, I think I can handle it. :)

Two things about SketchUp:

1- You can DL the Pro Version... It remains "Pro" for an 8 hour trial period.... But... That is for Eight hour of USE... So if you use it for 10 minutes this year, next year you'll still have 7 hour 50 minutes left! Great if you use it ONLY as an exporter...
What you can do is download Version 8 pro and install it AND then install Version 7 Basic, to do any work in. With the Pro version you get Native OBJ and 3DS export.

2- As of Version 8 SketchUp (free-Basic version) can export DAE (Collada) files with textures (7 and below required Pro version for that).
so you don't actually need the Pro version trial if you prefer DAE files.

3- About two years ago a very talented plugin creator named TIG created an excellent free OBJ exporter.
You can find it here:
http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=323&t=33448&sid=6a552f065174c0f6a77a8fedb0eff52c
or here:
http://rhin.crai.archi.fr/rld/plugin_details.php?id=790
The First site requires registration to Download from, but it is worth it because the Plugins there are always the latest versions.

4- SketchUp is no longer owned by Google, it now belongs to Trimble, but as far as I know the "part 1" of what I just wrote is still accurate and they should have kept the pro version trial the same.

Separate from that... I down loaded the model of the Blenheim from 3D warehouse and examined it... It has a lot of reversed normals... correctable with some work- best done within SketchUp... You can see for yourself by Selecting: View> Face Style> Monochrome

Front faces appear White, Back faces appear light Purple or Grey (depending on version or user settings).... this model has quite a few reversed face... they can be reverse by clicking on the offending face and selecting Edit> Face> Reverse Face.

This sort of reversed face thing is very common in models that are imported into SketchUp from elsewhere.

I hope this is helpful and not written higgly piggly, I'm quite distracted at the moment, as there is a huge vehicle making a huge hole in my yard and a problem just developed... sorry but I gotta run... bye.

Note to KK, who EVER installed your Win7 OS to the new PC is to blame for your issues. The install was not DONE properly and thus has locked the Admin as a standard user account.
All Programs should and do install on a proper Win7 to one of two locations unless the user points the installer to a different folder
Program Files, which is the Default 64 bit location or
Program Files (x86), which is the Default 32 bit location.
My Documents has been the catch all folder for most programs for a long time. SketchUp defaulted to it, Wings 3D defaulted to it and many others I use as well. Just because you think it is not supposed to be that way does not mean it's not supposed to be that way. My Documents is the Documented MS proper folder to store any user content for a MS compliant program.
If I was in your position I would have the Win7 OS installed by a PC repair shop and EXPLAIN the reason WHY.

lordvicore said:

Sorry about that...
I found this at 3d Warehouse:

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=a8c98625178137f698b8c800ae001b66&prevstart=0

You can download & install SketchUp and then export the model in COLLADA to Blender to clean it up and tweak it... If you have any issues I could help, most of my models are made in SketchUp and exported to Blender, so I am familiar with the process.

That's the same model I found, but I haven't had time to try the conversion yet. Is SketchUp Pro still needed to export models? It's been a while since I've fiddled with it (I think the version was 6 back then)...
Thanks for the offer! I'll see what I can get done. If I have to work in Blender, I will need your help, lol! But if I can export the model right away from Blender to another program, I think I can handle it. :)

Sorry about that...
I found this at 3d Warehouse:

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=a8c98625178137f698b8c800ae001b66&prevstart=0

You can download & install SketchUp and then export the model in COLLADA to Blender to clean it up and tweak it... If you have any issues I could help, most of my models are made in SketchUp and exported to Blender, so I am familiar with the process.

Ok, this is a tough one...
I'm looking for a couple of WW2 bombers which seem to be very hard to find, so I thought I'd ask here if someone has seen these somewhere...

First one is Bristol Blenheim Mk I and/or Mk IV (I already found a Sketchup version of Mk. IV, but I wouldn't mind other formats too - except .MAX).
The second one is Ilyushin DB-3f / IL-4 (which are basically the same)

I *think* I've already checked the usual suspects, including Turbosquid (although I'm not necessarily ready to pay those prices!), but search terms like "blenheim", "ilyushin", "db-3" or "il-4" don't seem to give the desired results... :down:

These are for a personal project without deadline, but any help is greatly appreciated!

daveleitz68 said:

If the comments regarding the UI were about versions up to 2.49, I would have to agree. Fact is, imo, the DS interface is clunky compared to that of Blender 2.6. A little time dedicated to learning some keyboard shortcuts can go a long way to unlocking the power of a truly awesome program. Free program. Lots of free content. Loads of free tutorials and documentation. A bit of a learning curve. To be frank, any 'professional' CG application is going to have a steep learning curve. I've used Maya. You need to learn quite a few keyboard shortcuts and other UI features to get anywhere in that program too. There's just no escaping the fact that CG is a big and complex field no matter what your applications of choice may be. :)

While true that any program will usually have a learning curve, it all depends on the person and what they are exposed to. I wasn't knocking Blender, i agree it is a powerful app with lots of possibilities and i have seen some great things come out of it.

In saying that, i have used Maya, Rhino, CD4, milkshape, Hexagon, Wings3D, Sketchup, etc and i am primarily used to 3DSMax, but Blender baffles me every time i fire it up, LOL. Then again, I used to say the same thing about DS over poser and now DS 4.5 is my main app for render setup.
Funny that you mention keyboard shortcuts, I never use them on any program, I am a virtual button guy.

well I downloaded SU 8 and joined sketchucation and downloaded that ruby file
buggy but works on some models, some others crash sketchup
bit hit and miss
that stadium worked and imported into Daz studio fine

Hello all,

I am very new to daz3d I don't know a lot about it. Just find out couple videos and start searching about it.

If you masters can help me here I would appreciate it.

My problem is I need a 3d animated horse back riding in fbx format. with the rider and if it is possible one male and one female riding.

I use sketchup and Lumion to 3d model and render animations. Lumion has animated horse models in its library but it doesnt have a simple horse riding.

Any suggestions or showing some directions ???

I got you now nowefg... Now I think I know what the problem is... If I remember correctly, sometimes in the past I have come across models at SCG, where there was ONLY a OBJ and MTL file.
Most likely (since you say that the material zones are still preserved-as evidenced by relevant surfaces highlighting in DS), what probably happened was model was textured in shaders that only exist or make sense for the particular modeling program where they were created... although it is odd that at least the diffuse color was not preserved... usually for example if say in Maya the model had a really cool procedural rust shader, it might export out as just brown or orange... Even more likely these models were assigned tiling Jpegs or Pngs (seamless image based textures), in which case if the person did not check the correct export option, the image files would be excluded. It is also entirely possible (depends on the model, so this is just a guess, but it is a common occurrence) the model may have been created in one program, exported as say a .3ds or .lwo and the imported into another program like Blender, and then exported out as an .obj file... Sometimes people convert someone else's models, but don't really know what they are doing, so they screw it up.
Quite often people take models from 3D Warehouse which are SketchUp files and export them out as OBJs... problem is if they are doing this in SketchUp and are not using the newer OBJ exporter plugins, they don't export any materials... the model just comes out grey, sometime with the mat zones preserved, but not even a diffuse color... just plain default preview grey. This is especially prevalent when the model is textured ONLY using seamless image based textures... if the jpeg texture is not exported then there is no diffuse data provided and the default gray is shown.