Help requested for beginner

[darkechibi]

sorry if this is just a repeat of another question, but I feel a little overloaded and was hoping someone could just cut my workload down to a managable size.

I am running on a custom server, 4.0.6, I want to edit some models for client side use only. I will be using 3DS max 12.  I want to reshape a few bodies and add minor features and remove a few. Examples include editing hair, ears, and jewlery. I am familiar with BLP editing and have done some, so I am also familiar with MPQ editing.

What tools do I need and what do I need  "generally". I see there is model editing for animated and non-animated models.  which apply? If you could lay out the steps or jsut tell me what tutorials I should use and which types don't apply it would be helprful.

Also I am confused about a tool. I cannot find  "lazy" m2 converter. could you point in its direection. thanks
DC

[PhilipTNG]

You might not really be able to use Max unless you want to do a lot of extra and really un-needed work if you are just modifying vertices or anatomy around.  But to each his own.

You can use M2Mod3 and Blender 2.4x (needs Python 2.6.x) and a WHOLE LOT OF PATIENCE with yourself.  A Whole LOT!!  XD.

Here's a video you can skim through where I modified the Ears on a Human and made them pointy:
(simple vertice manipulation)



That should atleast get you started in the right direction, the rest is your call if you want to explore those depths or not.

And Naturally when learning new things, you should try not to just learn what you need but learn other things around the same subject that could help in later projects when that arises.  So you can skim through this one as well where I make a Car mount:



I use Cinema 4D myself and do most of my main work in there before dropping it into blender to rig/weight/etc.  But as noted above, if you're just modifying vertices around, then do it in blender, otherwise if it's a brand new mesh, you'll have an adventure on your hands.

[darkechibi]

Well this is weird. I followed your tutorial as closely as I could. since I was using cataclysm I used m2mod4 since it is rated for cat, and I was trying to edit the Goblin females so that they did not have a bone or nose rings. I started with just editing the bone and changing one vertice, that is after a failed experiment trying to reduce all the bits. Both ended with the game crashing as soon as I get into a barber chair. Ingame the Model stretches and skewes then a crash and I cannont figure out what I could be doing wrong.

I was also wondering if anybody might be willing to help me get new models as well as edits into the game.
edit: I realized I wa a tad unclear. you tell me how much you would charge me to get things into my client and working and If I can afford it, I would be willing to pay you for your time and expertise.

Any help  or advice is appreciated.

[darkechibi]

does anybody have any idea or suggestions for me? :?:

[darkechibi]

Okay I think I am getting a handel on what is wrong. I think the problem is that I do not seem to be editing the correct assets. I had been jsut direect extracting (via ladiks) the goblin model from art.mpq. this when edited and then installed caused the model to "explode". after watching the video again and scouring for other data I began to understand the error may be that I was not using an up to date version of the model. when I try to get one from the highest version number file it is considerably smaller and does not import correctly. I gather this is a patch and that I need to get all the patches on to my work model.
I seem to remember seeing this somewhere, that there was an export patched feature, but I can't remmeber where I saw it, or if it was relevent to what I am doing. If anyone can help me get the goblin female model out of 4.0.6 I will be grateful.

DC