Use Oolite Ship Models in FFED3D

[nanite2000]

Hi,

I don't know if anyone has played (or heard of) FFED3D, but I, and a few others, are trying to improve it's gaming experience.

The game is currently missing a number of assets. In particular we are lacking updated 3D models of the classic models (Gecko, Moray, Thargoid Ships, Space Station, and Transporter).

I was wondering if it would be possible to convert the ship models (and customised models) used by Oolite into the .X format used in FFED3D.

If it were possible, would there be any problems creating a pack that included some models from Oolite to replace the old models used in FFED3D? Are there any redistribution limits for Oolite's assets?

I notice it's free and open source, but I didn't want to go ahead and try this without first making sure it was OK with the creators.

I'd be grateful for any information anyone can provide on this.

Cheers!

[Cody]

Hi nanite2000 - I recognise your handle from SSC, and am aware of FFED3D. As for your query: I don't think there would be any problem - but being merely a dumb pilot, I am by no means an expert on such matters, and will defer to someone in authority (or someone more clued-up than I).

[aegidian]

You'll want to check the licenses for the particular ship models you want to use, but generally speaking they are free (as in both beer AND speech) to reuse. Go to it!

[Geraldine]

You might also try contacting potsmoke66 over on the SSC. I know he created quite a few models for FFE3D before he turned his attention over to Pioneer when it still used LMR models. He may have some Elite ships in .X format but I wouldn't know for sure as he has been less active of late sadly.

Anyways, here is a link to his profile over there if you want to ask him:

http://spacesimcentral.com/ssc/user/122-potsmoke66/

[nanite2000]

Thanks everyone!

I tried converting some of Griff's Oolite ships using Blender last night as a test. I successfully converted the Gecko and the Moray to the .X format used by FFED3D, but the game crashed as soon as it tried to load them.



According to an old post on SSC from potsmoke66, the models must have at least 1 animation in order for FFED3D to use them.

Would I be right in saying that none of the Oolite models have any animations by default?

I'm not a 3D modeller, so I think I'm punching above my weight here...

[Zireael]

I don't think we have any animated ships.

[cim]

There are some with limited animations - subentities can be made to rotate. A few of the [wiki]Aquatics_OXP[/wiki] ships use this, as does the [wiki]Baakili_Far_Trader[/wiki] and the [wiki]Transhab_station[/wiki].

There's also some interesting ship animation going on in the [wiki]BuoyRepair[/wiki] OXP.

I've probably forgotten several others.

[Thargoid]

There's also the serpents from  Stellar Serpents OXP and the butterflies from my Butterlies demo OXP (if you count either as ships).

[nanite2000]

Thanks for the input guys. I'll try converting one of the animated ships and see if it works.

I'll let you know how I get on...

[Thargoid]

They're animated by Javascript (at least most of mine are, except the ones in Aquatics which are mainly just rotations), so unless the whole underlying structure is the same (which is very doubtful) there will need to be a whole lot of conversion or adaption of the scripting too.