New to Weapon Modeling

[HyroEternal606]

Hey everyone, I'm a pretty average modeler, and want to pursue in making custom weapon models for Quake 3 Arena. I have the model making part done, its what comes afterward that I have a problem with. I use lightwave 9, but I've read that its not recommended. What programs should I use and what do I do after?

[Silicone_Milk]

http://www.katsbits.com

[obsidian]

I'm not sure if Kat has anything on weapon modeling, he mostly does map object models.

IIRC, you have to tag your weapon (so the game knows where the "handle" of the gun is). Then export to ASE, write a .qc file, and use Q3DATA.exe to convert the .ase and .qc file to an .MD3 model. That's the brief workflow of it, anyway.

It might be easier if you can find a .MD3 export or converter program to do the dirty work for you. I think Milkshape 3D comes with it built in, but don't take my word for it.

Sorry if this has been a little vague and lacks detail, but it's been years since I've tried to do any weapon models. It's mostly just map objects for me.

You can also try posting on the Polycount forums, they do more player model work there.

[o'dium]

Man I wish i was making models for Quake 3 again... I don't mean to sound like a big head but once you move onto Doom 3/Quake 4 style .md5mesh and .md5anim files, it makes .md3 weapon models look like kids toys...

Wow... Imagine, not animating the weapon, just making a static weapon model, and maybe a part that rotates... Wow... Fun times... Oh and smoothing groups, did I even mention how much I HATE .md5 smoothing groups...?

[rgoer]

cool o'dium what a useful post

as far as the op's question, gmax + tempest is still available (but not from autodesk) at turbosquid, http://www.turbosquid.com/gmax

[HyroEternal606]

Thanks everyone, I sincerely appreciate your help and your time. Are there any other programs that can create my models into .md3 files?

[obsidian]

Q3DATA.exe is the program written by id Software for just the task. It's not very user friendly since it's just a command line tool. There are also a bunch of export plugins for various modeling programs that should be a little more intuitive.

[monaster]

Isn't the "Serious Editor" from Croteam's Serious Sam - The Second Encounter working with .md3? As far as I remember that programme was quite easy to cope with but I'm not sure if it serves your special interests any good...