Ship Models! How Do I Add New Ones

from Stardock Forums
I have many ship models that I have created and would like to know how I can add them to the game. I found the .MDL files in the GFX folder, but have not been able to open them. I can only assume that they are 3d models and not just images.

http://galileo.spaceports.com/~william/main.htm
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Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
Gracious! Did you create all of those models yourself? They look excellent! How long did that take you?

Boy, I'd love to see those be able to be added into the game!

~SDC~
Siege of Centauri
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
Thank you all.

I made all of them. I also made several other star trek based sets from scratch or from SFC model images for Space Empires IV. I just want to be able to use a few of my images in this game. However, I don't think they will work. I think this game uses models (3D) and although my images are 3d, they may not be exportable to this games 3d format. If that is the case, darn. >:(
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
I don't believe that any of the ship models in galciv are 3d - they totally look like top-down sprites

I would also be interested in editing the ship "models" just to clarify some of the weird size issues (it bugs me that the defender looks so much larger than the frigate - for example)

;p
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
Agreed. That is one of the reason I want to use my own images. I can control the size of them from a top down view as well as a profile view.

I have tried to open the files with every program I have, but no luck. I must be missing something. :notsure:
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
From previous posts from Stardock personnel, I'm pretty sure the ships are sprites. I know that Brad mentioned using Corel PhotoPaint, but I don't know whether he had anything to do with the ship models. I do know that PhotoPaint didn't recognise the .MDL files. Very nice job, by the way.

End transmission.

~SDC~
Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top
Stardock is developing a program to create the mdl files (This is a special stardock format).

At the moment the requirements for the files is as follows
64x64 Vertical filmstrip of a ship rotating ( minimum of 8 directions)
120x120 Image for the build screen
24x24 Image for the Planet Orbit screen

All images should be in 24bit targa format with an 8 bit channel mask.
Hope this helps for getting those files ready for when the utility is released.

I was also told you could do some animation and these would go horizontally but it was not recommended because of the dramtic increase in the file size.


Disclaimer
This could change as the tool is developed.
Also I do not work for Stardock so this is my understand of what the utility does and I could be wrong :)



~SDC~
Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top
I came here for the same reason as Atrocities [Hi! Fancy meeting you here.]. Any word on the untility that will allow us to make ships?
Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top
You can find the utility in the mod forum (click on the GC Mods button on the left if you're accessing via the web.) I think it's been up there for several weeks now, though I'm not positive about that.
Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top
Thanks much, MadMaz!
Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top
Hey Atrocities, PLEASE, PLEASE hang around until someone can give you the software etc.. you need to model your ships for GalCiv.

I LOVED the ships you did for SEIV !!! and am dying for you to "work you magic" with GalCiv...

just a suggestion... maybe you could contact Stardock and see what the staff there can set you up with ??