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Local TutorialConverting Bridge Commander NIF to OBJ

anthscoanthsco349 Raleigh, NCPosts: 72Member
edited July 2023 in Tutorials #1
This is a multi-part series on converting Bridge Commander models into a format that can be read by nearly all modeling programs iluding Daz3D, Blender and Poser. These tutorials assume that the reader has a basic understanding of 3D modeling and workflow.

I use Daz3D so the final steps will be in that program.

Part 1: What you need

Hello and welcome. I know many of you are always looking for starship models but would like to know how to get some of the beautiful Bridge Commander models for your artwork. So let's start with the programs that you will need to get started. My system is x64 so that's the version I use.

The first one is called NifSkope. This loads, views and edits NIF format. You will need version 2.0 Dev 7
https://github.com/niftools/nifskope/releases

Next is PoseRay v3.13.31. Loads various model formats including LWO. OBJ and 3DS
https://sites.google.com/site/poseray/

And lastly let's choose a model that everyone can instantly recongnize and will know. The Consitution refit and more precisely Khaliban's version.
https://www.gamefront.com/games/bridge-commander/file/khalibans-1701-a

I've uploaded the files so that those of you who want can grab them.
Post edited by Guerrilla on
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  • anthscoanthsco349 Raleigh, NCPosts: 72Member
    #2
    Part 2: NifSkope

    Hello and welcome back to this multipart tutorial. This time we are going to do an overview of NifSkope inluding opening and exporting an OBJ format of the model.

    Here is NifSkope loaded and ready to open our model. Notice that the eye ion has a red mark through it. When you load your model you will haev to unheck that. lik on FILE on the top left, then OPEN then navigate to where you saved the ship.
    kcy74iiaqbif.png

    In order to open the model you have to go the where the model is and follow the directory path which usually looks like this:

    \fca1.0\Data\models\ships\Fca\Fca.NIF""

    Here is the beautiful model loaded and the eyeball unhecked whih allows you to actually see the model. NifSkope allows you to edit the model but that's not the purpose we are exploring today.
    2wvkxvp1b647.png

    Using your mouse you an zoom in and out, rotate the model, all kinds of neat stuff. However we are going to export an OBJ file to the same directory where we have the model. At least that's how I do it. lick on FILE, then EXPORT then OBJ. if you have not selected the entire model you will see a prompt that says "No NiNode, NiTriShape,or NiTriStrips is selected. Entire scene will be exported." Just click "YES" and a new prompt will open up asking you to name the model and where to save it. I usually save it to the same initial directory the original diretory ie FCA1.0. Easier to find later.

    ha8xnbr1wvb1.png

    Now that we have hopefully successfully loaded, viewed, and exported our model it's time to move on to editing and adjusting it in PoseRay. Stay tuned.











    trekki
  • StarshipStarship465 São Paulo - BrasilPosts: 1,976Member
    #3
    Very nice!
    There´s another way too, using the old GMAX (free) and nif importer plugin.
    Import the nif file and save it as STL, 3ds or obj. ;)
  • anthscoanthsco349 Raleigh, NCPosts: 72Member
    edited July 2023 #4
    Starship wrote: »
    Very nice!
    There´s another way too, using the old GMAX (free) and nif importer plugin.
    Import the nif file and save it as STL, 3ds or obj. ;)

    I didn't know that approach. Where can I get that NIF importer plugin? Already have GMAX somewhere.
    Post edited by anthsco on
  • StarshipStarship465 São Paulo - BrasilPosts: 1,976Member
    edited July 2023 #5
    anthsco wrote: »
    I didn't know that approach. Where can I get that NIF importer plugin? Already have GMAX somewhere.

    Here it goes the links. There are different versions floating around, you´ll need to figure which is better (and compatible) with your GMAX version.


    http://www.niftools.org/https://sourceforge.net/projects/niftools/ (here, you can find this same plugin for Blender too).
    https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/5622?tab=files
    https://neverwintervault.org/project/nwn1/other/tool/nif-plugin-max5-9-gmax

    GMAX download links (Just in case):
    https://archive.org/details/gmax-1.2-with-registration-key
    https://neverwintervault.org/project/nwn1/other/gmax12-3dsmax4-importexport-plugin-script-collection




    Post edited by Starship on
  • StarshipStarship465 São Paulo - BrasilPosts: 1,976Member
    edited July 2023 #6
    Also, if you have Milkshape 3d, there is a nif importer for it. In fact, there is a package which contain plugins that will help you to import a lot of those old file formats (SOD, SFC1, SFC3, MOD and others). And.... You can use it as a bridge to put your files in Blender: https://projects.blender.org/blender/blender-addons/issues/29404 :p

    I think this resource can interest you too:
    https://www.lonebullet.com/file/models/sfc-mod-gmax-plugin/475
    https://jkhub.org/files/file/3185-gmax-3dsmax4x-plugin-pack/


    Hope that helps. ;)
    Post edited by Starship on
  • anthscoanthsco349 Raleigh, NCPosts: 72Member
    #7
    Hey Starship thanks! Always willing to learn something new!
    Apologies for the lateness of this installment. I have been diagnosed with heart failure and pneumonia. Just getting well enough to continue this.

    Now onward to part 3a:

    Hello and welcome back to the tutorial series converting Bridge Commander NIF to OBJ using NifTools, PoseRay and ultimately Daz3D.

    Last installment we discussed the very basics of Niftool and how to extract an OBJ format from the program. This time we discover the fantastic little program called PoseRay and how to use it to edit basically the OBJ file for DA3D.

    So onward my dear readers..

    Say hello to PoseRay.
    qyn251bxbrvq.png

    A nifty freeware 3D model editing tool that I am only now really starting to get the hang of. It can handle multiple file types including Lightwave LWO and our favorite OBJ.
  • StarshipStarship465 São Paulo - BrasilPosts: 1,976Member
    edited March 13 #8
    anthsco wrote: »
    Hey Starship thanks! Always willing to learn something new!
    Apologies for the lateness of this installment. I have been diagnosed with heart failure and pneumonia. Just getting well enough to continue this.

    Now onward to part 3a:

    Hello and welcome back to the tutorial series converting Bridge Commander NIF to OBJ using NifTools, PoseRay and ultimately Daz3D.

    I´m sorry to hear about your health issueas, but I´m happy to see the you´re recovered! Welcome back.
    I never heard of Poseray before. Looks interesting!
    In time: there are nif plugins for other softwares too: https://www.niftools.org/about.html ;)

    I´m a 3ds max user, so, I have this plugin installed: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/84041

    Post edited by Starship on
  • anthscoanthsco349 Raleigh, NCPosts: 72Member
    #9


    [/quote]

    I´m sorry to hear about your health issueas, but I´m happy to see the you´re recovered! Welcome back.
    I never heard of Poseray before. Looks interesting!
    In time: there are nif plugins for other softwares too: https://www.niftools.org/about.html ;)

    I´m a 3ds max user, so, I have this plugin installed: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/84041

    [/quote]

    Oh I have only just now gotten out of the heart center and have several surgeries pending to include a Borg cardiac stimulator... Hehe sorry I meant a pacemaker. I Try to keep in good spirits but have a long road ahead.

    I found PoseRay while researching converting MAX models as I only have a month trial as it is

    I'll get back to this soon though. Just have to script things out.
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