i started messing around with the editor as soon as it came out, however i have near no experience with map making at all.
so im at the point where i have a general idea of how most things in the editor work and where they are etc. except for things relating to texture model etc.
How id like to learn atleast the bare basics of this area of the editor, including how to make texture and model and to apply them to the game and the unit/effect.
So can anyone point me in the direction of tools,tutorials, or anything else that i would need to begin learning how to do art related stuff in GE.
and if its not clear enough yet, i know absolutely near nothing about models or anything of that sort, tbh idk whats the difference between a texture and a model
any help would be appriciated
From what I've seen there's no way to make those assets within GE; you'll have to use a separate program to make the models/textures and import them into GE for your own use. I have no experience actually doing that though, so I couldn't even tell you what programs you'd want to search for.
Within the map editor you can make your terrain, add the blizzard textures and models.
To create your own textures, and import them into the editor, one would need to use photoshop or a similar program.
To create your own models, one would need to use a program such as maya or 3ds max to first model, then in conjunction with a texture editor to texture, and finally import into the GE for use.
May I take the opportunity and ask you how do you create custom abilities? Most importantly - how do you create custom animations related to the new abilities? Any basic/general information will be great!
to create custom animations on the abilities one would need to use an animation software to save the data, and then import it from that to the GE. its to my understanding however that the GE doesnt allow importing of animations yet, though theres most likely someone on the forum whos actually tried and knows more
as for custom abilities, check the development/map development forum, theres info on that over there =)
The exporters will most likely be supporting 3D Studio Max. This is the program you should be looking at for animation.
Modelling and Texturing can usually be swapped between different 3D Applications, but Animation is more difficult to transfer between programs (ie Maya -> Max). Stick with 3DS Max if you're just getting started.
Let's say for example I start to use 3DS Max. Could I focus just on creating animations or should I acquire thorough knowledge about this particular software? What I try to say is are there different categories of people who work with 3DS Max like:
moddelers
animators
And does being an animator means you necessarily should be aware of how to create standard models, texture them etc? Before I step into 3DS Max I would like to know what realms of it I will need to explore. Perhaps the question is silly, because if I begin to work with the mentioned software over the course of years I will acquire everything that there is to know about it.. However, if you asked me to reason my question I would say - "it's just that I am afraid of having a lot to learn ahead of me, knowing that there are no limits scares me. ". So basically I want to dedicate to one particular realm, see if I like it and then move on.
Judging from animating for WC3 models I'd say that you definately need to have some knowledge about modeling to do good animations.
That's like cooking without knowing how to cut vegetables.
But you won't have to learn all of the tricks and ruses of good modeling and texturing.
But remember that knowing how to animate won't just make models pop up - you need a model to animate it, so it's always convenient to be able to do both.
Let's say for example I start to use 3DS Max. Could I focus just on creating animations or should I acquire thorough knowledge about this particular software? What I try to say is are there different categories of people who work with 3DS Max like:
moddelers
animators
And does being an animator means you necessarily should be aware of how to create standard models, texture them etc? Before I step into 3DS Max I would like to know what realms of it I will need to explore. Perhaps the question is silly, because if I begin to work with the mentioned software over the course of years I will acquire everything that there is to know about it.. However, if you asked me to reason my question I would say - "it's just that I am afraid of having a lot to learn ahead of me, knowing that there are no limits scares me. ". So basically I want to dedicate to one particular realm, see if I like it and then move on.
No, you don't necessarily need to know how to model to animate, but you will probably have to know how to rig models. If someone else is modeling it for you I wouldn't expect them to do that for you.
I would say it would definitely be helpful for you to learn everything and not just animation. Another thing is that if you're new to this all, there's going to be quite a learning curve.
Thank you for all your answers. Well explained and detailed your comments answered all my questions. I hope I will make the right decisions by continuing to advance in the galaxy editor and its features and in line with that focus on animating.
Pressumable I owned a 3DS Max copy, what would you advice me to start with? Is there any particular preferable learner's base or should I do my own researchs? I am looking for something well structured and educating.
As for my constant naive replies in this thread I think there won't be more for a long time. So, if I really started with 3DS Max and continued to develop as a mapmaker I will be seing you people around Christmas. In the meanwhile I will be definitely using the information being published at sc2mpaster.
Take care, and of course if possible point me the direction of education.
i started messing around with the editor as soon as it came out, however i have near no experience with map making at all.
so im at the point where i have a general idea of how most things in the editor work and where they are etc. except for things relating to texture model etc.
How id like to learn atleast the bare basics of this area of the editor, including how to make texture and model and to apply them to the game and the unit/effect.
So can anyone point me in the direction of tools,tutorials, or anything else that i would need to begin learning how to do art related stuff in GE.
and if its not clear enough yet, i know absolutely near nothing about models or anything of that sort, tbh idk whats the difference between a texture and a model
any help would be appriciated
I cant help you much on the tutorial part except point you to: http://www.sc2mapster.com/api-docs/tutorials/
However, the difference between a texture and a model is that a model is a 3D shape and a Texture is the "skin" you apply to it.
From what I've seen there's no way to make those assets within GE; you'll have to use a separate program to make the models/textures and import them into GE for your own use. I have no experience actually doing that though, so I couldn't even tell you what programs you'd want to search for.
Within the map editor you can make your terrain, add the blizzard textures and models.
To create your own textures, and import them into the editor, one would need to use photoshop or a similar program.
To create your own models, one would need to use a program such as maya or 3ds max to first model, then in conjunction with a texture editor to texture, and finally import into the GE for use.
google is your friend =)
May I take the opportunity and ask you how do you create custom abilities? Most importantly - how do you create custom animations related to the new abilities? Any basic/general information will be great!
@Machbeth: Go
to create custom animations on the abilities one would need to use an animation software to save the data, and then import it from that to the GE. its to my understanding however that the GE doesnt allow importing of animations yet, though theres most likely someone on the forum whos actually tried and knows more
as for custom abilities, check the development/map development forum, theres info on that over there =)
Could you give me an example for animation software? As for the rest I will be reading the boards and see what I can find. :)
The exporters will most likely be supporting 3D Studio Max. This is the program you should be looking at for animation.
Modelling and Texturing can usually be swapped between different 3D Applications, but Animation is more difficult to transfer between programs (ie Maya -> Max). Stick with 3DS Max if you're just getting started.
Thank you Triceron. Yet I have another inquiry.
Let's say for example I start to use 3DS Max. Could I focus just on creating animations or should I acquire thorough knowledge about this particular software? What I try to say is are there different categories of people who work with 3DS Max like:
And does being an animator means you necessarily should be aware of how to create standard models, texture them etc? Before I step into 3DS Max I would like to know what realms of it I will need to explore. Perhaps the question is silly, because if I begin to work with the mentioned software over the course of years I will acquire everything that there is to know about it.. However, if you asked me to reason my question I would say - "it's just that I am afraid of having a lot to learn ahead of me, knowing that there are no limits scares me. ". So basically I want to dedicate to one particular realm, see if I like it and then move on.
@Machbeth: Go
Judging from animating for WC3 models I'd say that you definately need to have some knowledge about modeling to do good animations.
That's like cooking without knowing how to cut vegetables.
But you won't have to learn all of the tricks and ruses of good modeling and texturing.
But remember that knowing how to animate won't just make models pop up - you need a model to animate it, so it's always convenient to be able to do both.
No, you don't necessarily need to know how to model to animate, but you will probably have to know how to rig models. If someone else is modeling it for you I wouldn't expect them to do that for you.
I would say it would definitely be helpful for you to learn everything and not just animation. Another thing is that if you're new to this all, there's going to be quite a learning curve.
Thank you for all your answers. Well explained and detailed your comments answered all my questions. I hope I will make the right decisions by continuing to advance in the galaxy editor and its features and in line with that focus on animating.
Pressumable I owned a 3DS Max copy, what would you advice me to start with? Is there any particular preferable learner's base or should I do my own researchs? I am looking for something well structured and educating.
As for my constant naive replies in this thread I think there won't be more for a long time. So, if I really started with 3DS Max and continued to develop as a mapmaker I will be seing you people around Christmas. In the meanwhile I will be definitely using the information being published at sc2mpaster.
Take care, and of course if possible point me the direction of education.
There is a really nice beginner's tutorial on Youtube (it's not for the newest 3ds, but that doesn't matter).
That's the first part.
It doesn't go over animations, but over basic controls, tools and settings of 3ds. And basic modeling.