Question for Dev\'s but community too
 

Been plugging around, and I found some .d3m files in my dominions2 software folder. I looked around and have found nothing that explains the file type. However, all of the .d3m files seem to be scenery or fortifications.

Could the dev's (or any other competent indiviual on the matter) tell me what .d3m files are and what software is used to read them? Please.

Re: Question for Dev\'s but community too
 

They are graphic files used by 'eden' and 'reaver' JK's dominions specific 3D programs.

I think d3m stands for dominions 3D modeling.

Re: Question for Dev\'s but community too
 

Are these programs accesible to the community? I'd sort of like to see if I could tweak around the fortification models and scenery.

Re: Question for Dev\'s but community too
 

yes please!

i'd love to make some 3d stuff too.

maybe a maya exporter plugin? (sorry, i know it's too much to ask, but the idea is exciting)

just imagine little 3d characters battling

*shivers*

Re: Question for Dev\'s but community too
 

To reiterate on my own requests, and prevent confusion, are either of the softwares available to modders? I'm perfectly willing to learn on the fly w/o a manual. And frankly, I would prefer the original software over an exporter for maya another 3d content generator.

Re: Question for Dev\'s but community too
 

bumpity bump

Re: Question for Dev\'s but community too
 

These programs are incredibly impossible to use. There is no manual and it would be impossible to figure out what to do unless JK sat by your side and guided your every step (thats how I work http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif ).

They are not available to the community.

Re: Question for Dev\'s but community too
 

Is it impossible to make a small manual and publish those programs?

Re: Question for Dev\'s but community too
 

Probably.

Re: Question for Dev\'s but community too
 

Well, there's always option of allowing them to be downloaded and used freely, and not offering any support whatsoever. That would just make it the user's problem, and it'd be his fault for using an unsupported program with no documentation. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: Question for Dev\'s but community too
 

Please make them accessible to the community.

Quiet frankly, its fun to play the "What does this button" do game occasionally.

Sides, a lack of support means no use of the over-use RTFM phrase.

And, I'm perfectly capably of learning on the fly.

Just release it to the community with out any support.

Re: Question for Dev\'s but community too
 

Personally, I think between all the fans, we should be able to figure those programs collaboratively. So, to Illwinter, don't worry about us, please just release them and let us fans give some tries. We'll figure them out, or drive ourselves crazy, at our own risk, while we are at it ^_^

-Gateway103

Re: Question for Dev\'s but community too
 

You cannot make software available for use "at your own risk". You see it alot but ask a lawyer, disclaimers are generally worthless.

We might get it but its not quite responsibility free. I also wonder if everyone realizes that this is unlikely to be a Windows program.

[ April 19, 2004, 14:36: Message edited by: Gandalf Parker ]

Re: Question for Dev\'s but community too
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">There are no buttons. You have a keyboard. You won't notice if something happens when you press a key, unless you press the right key. Every step on the way means that you have to guess what functions could be available and guess what key you think would be used to activate that specific function.

Even mouse scrolling is unintuitive (not according to JK).

Other stats can't be changed in the program and textediting must be used (something like mapediting, but not comprehensible).

It is also a linux program so if you are a windows user you can't even se the uninspiring landscape you have to watch unless you remake the world.

Re: Question for Dev\'s but community too
 

Gandalf- At the very least you could support us in getting the software.

Cool Programmer Dude that hates the .d3m editing software- Great, I have a keyboard, and theres only 26...+13...+2+2+1+7.... 51 keys on it.... that means every key has a 1/51 chance of doing something, assuming that alt and ctrl aren't used otherwise, the likihood drops.... a lot.

BUT that doesn't matter, just let us hang ourselves. Its much more fun that way!

Re: Question for Dev\'s but community too
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">In what way? Should I have said that Illwinter can send us anything they make without worry? Or let the windowy folks think they were getting something they could use? Maybe I shouldnt drop the bomb that based on the companys history Id bet that we still wouldnt see it till the beta-test team has had it for a couple weeks.

I tend to stay in the middle and go for clarity until Im convinced.

Re: Question for Dev\'s but community too
 

I still would like a way to get custom content into the game, but i'm one of those windowy people. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

I can understand why Illwinter wouldn't want to release the app. We would have to figure out:

-Navigating the interface,
-The commands needed to build the castle mesh,
-The proper size of the models,
-The commands needed to work out UV unwrapping,
-How to apply the textures,
-Whatever flag/command is needed to determine where arrows and stuff come out of,
-The way to place the model into the battle scene properly,
-The text commands needed, whatever they are,
-The .d3m format details
-other stuff i can't think of right now

Quite a bit to work out, but I'd definitely respect anyone who can do that on their own. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif