SODE Jetways with Blender

[Apoorv Pal]

Hey,

I saw a couple of threads about this but couldn't find a suitable reply yet. I tried importing one of the demo Jetways using Model Converter X to get it into collada (.dae) and then Blender (import collada) but I don't seem to see any bones and rigging. It would be amazing to have a tutorial or some guidance regarding how to model and rig the jetways correctly in Blender. The rest of the workflow for scenery creation works really well out of blender with Blender2P3D, Model Converter X etc. I would really love to get the jetways to work in blender as well if possible.

Warm Regards,
Apoorv Pal

 

[Pyscen]

Collada shouldn't be used if animations are needed. Try either obj or fbx... mostly likely fbx.

 

[Apoorv Pal]

Thanks Doug. I tried OBJ and FBX too. Collada and FBX got some empties along with the mesh but moving the empties does not deform the mesh so I don't think it would be able to move/animate the jetway. These didn't have bones either. OBJ just got the mesh, no empties and no bones so won't be useful. I guess I can get GMax and try the SDK there but the entire workflow except this part seemed to work almost flawlessly in Blender, would be great if this could be done in Blender too. I noticed there doesn't seem to be GMax plugins in the P3D SDK, do I need to buy 3DS Max for this or is there a way to get it running on GMax or Blender?

 

[Pyscen]

Unfortunately, I don't use SODE. I take it that these jetways aren't yours? If not, maybe contact the owner(s) of the jetways.

Blender's toolset only creates and doesn't reverse engineer .bgl files. 3DMax doesn't either, as far as I know. As you have found out, MCX doesn't fully do so either.

 

[Apoorv Pal]

Well, I don't intend to use someone else's jetways. I was just trying to understand how it works since I couldn't find any guide for blender yet.

 

[trisho0]

I want to delete stairs (from jetways) left from MCX. I tried to delete the stairs with Blender and no success. I don't know how to use Blender just trying with to remove the items I want but errors. Any ideas?

 

[Apoorv Pal]

I want to delete stairs (from jetways) left from MCX. I tried to delete the stairs with Blender and no success. I don't know how to use Blender just trying with to remove the items I want but errors. Any ideas?

Are you trying to rip the selection? To delete in edit mode, just select the required faces/vertices and type X, then click on what you'd like to delete (vertices, edges, faces etc.).

 

[trisho0]

Yes, I was trying to rip the selection in Edit Mode. Tried with all vertices, faces and all options, it won't rip out but error as per posted screenshot. I opened Blender one more time and loaded the OBJ file. Now I can't select the object for deletion (lol). I am learning Blender so I don't see how to select an object. I will have to deal with Blender to find out.

 

[Pyscen]

What was the error? Besides, after you remove the stairs, you will have to make sure that materials and textures exists within and on the model.

You can't just import a model and remove something out of it and expect it to appear and look as before you imported into Blender.

 

[trisho0]

So, I should have the textures files on the same folder where resides the working OBJ file? It makes sense I will do that.
Just loaded Blender again and found a way to highlight after selecting the object for removal but Blender highlight as selected more areas around. I marked with green circle the objects I want to remove.
How to select specific area and just the object for deletion?

 

[Pyscen]

You are not in edit mode, so you will not be able to select and delete anything. To change into edit mode, press the tab key.

 

[Pyscen]

I suggest you watch a few tutorials on Blender... do some research on what you need or want to do before you do anything else.

 

[trisho0]

You are not in edit mode, so you will not be able to select and delete anything. To change into edit mode, press the tab key.

I tried again but error can't delete the selected object.

 

[trisho0]

I suggest you watch a few tutorials on Blender... do some research on what you need or want to do before you do anything else.

I did watch some Blender tutorials from youtube but my needs is very simple, just select something to remove it. Can you please send me a link to watch on it to learn more?

 

[Pyscen]

That isn't an error. It's a warning. After you select the item you want deleted, press the 'X' key then the 'F' key.

You can not use the "Rip" command. Stop trying to Rip.

 

[trisho0]

OK, selected the item for deletion, pressed "X" and "F", not a success, the item still present. Tried again, selected the item and press "X" which it pops up a window with other options. I assume "F" means Face. I tried with all of the options and no success. The model file I am importing has FBX extension created by MCX. I will try with OBJ extension later. Many thanks for your great help. Just I wonder why it didn't work for me your recommended procedures.

 

[trisho0]

From Blender I was be able to remove the selected items and exported as FBX extension. Closed Blender and launched MCX and I imported the saved FBX file and the image was as expected. The selected items (6 stairs) were gone as I wanted. So, exported from MCX to BGL. I placed the new BGL file in scenery folder where it should be. Launched sim and the scenery lost the buildings. I can see the buildings in MCX and also in Blender but the sim doesn't show. Am I missing or skipping something?

 

[trisho0]

I followed recommendations on items deletion selecting the item first then press "X" and "F" and the item still not deleted. But, after selecting the item and pressing "X" I pick the "dilution vertices" from the "X" dialog box and keeping selecting the remaining parts of the item deleting "vertices" and doing this action several times until the item becomes deleted. Am I doing right? The problem I get is the scenery at the end doesn't show the building visible in Blender and MCX.