Animation and X files?

Hi there,

I've been spending my time 3D modelling and I'm considering writing a game for my models. I use 3D Studio 4.2 with the Panda X file exporter plugin.
At the moment, I'm using Dark Basic Pro to load my X files (and animations). The good thing about DBPro is the art path is pretty good for X files. However, I'm royally pissed off with the language (so buggy) and so I'm considering a switch to Blitz3D as the syntax is much nicer and its more stable.
However, I'm not sure about the art path from 3D Studio 4.2 to Blitz3D. I'd like to use my X files with the animations. Does Blitz3D support X files and if not, is there a good exporter or converter from X to B3D?

Sorry if this has been asked before, but I'm finding the search hard to navigate and I'm getting conflicting information.

Thanks for your time.

No, Blitz only supports old-style .x files without skeletal animation.

You can either use B3d PipeLine to export direct from max to b3d : http://www.onigirl.com/pipeline/

Or you can use Ultimate Unwrap ( my preference ) in which case you export to u3d format and then convert it to b3d in Unwrap. The advantage to this method is that U3d format is a LOT more forgiving than pipeline, and you can use Physique whereas I believe Pipeline only supports skin.


BTW Sorry you didn't get on with DB Pro. Neither did I.

AFAIK B3D only supports DX7 animated X files. DBPro (I think, not 100% sure) supports DX 8 animated X files. There may be a 3DS exporter that will work for you here: http://www.blitzbasic.com/sdkspecs/sdkspecs.php

ack somebody beat me to it

Thank you kindly folks. :) As long as I can convert my 3DS stuff to B3D smoothly enough, I'm not really bothered which file format I use.

I really tried to like DBPro, really I did. But...<shudder>

Sybixsus: Any particular reason why you prefer Ultimate Unwrap to B3D Pipeline? Its stable enough isn't it?

Rob has a tutorial on exporting from MAX http://www.redflame.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/b3d/

Dunno if it will help your situation, but ROB's stuff is usually very good ;c)