Prop Making: Got Me Some Reference Images

[67435c29f18d5JamesRossi]

Hello, So I've recently been experimenting with prop making and wanted to try my hand with a couple SS2 items. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for getting good reference shots of the items in the game. I would like to avoid hopping in and just taking screenshots, since that would be a bit of a pain to get good angles on everything. At one point, years back, I had an install of I think Maya and I was able to import the models (I got them to work in gmod too for a stupid map I was making). I'd like to avoid having to tangle with that mess though if possible. So if anyone has ideas, or maybe already existing images that'd be a huge help. I'm interested in making a hypo, cybermodule, log recorder, and a nanotank.

If it goes well enough I'll keep a running log of my inevitable failure here.

[67435c29f1c93Olfred]

So you think it's a bigger hurdle to import a model than getting it into the game?
If that's your point of view you are bound to have a really bad time.

Which program do you use to create models?

Or do you mean, making props, like in real sculpting/building props?
Easiest way to look at models would be to use Blender together with nemyax's import script.
If you are interested I could create some kind of tutorial for you.

[67435c29f1dedJamesRossi]

Yeah I am talking about making the props in my garage not for the game 

A quick tutorial would be a huge help, the last time I went about editing the props in Maya I was just stabbing in the dark and it took me an incredibly long time, so some instructions so I can know if I am on the right track or not would be huge. Then I can just make all the reference shots I might want without bothering anyone else. Thanks!

[67435c29f1f21JamesRossi]

So I got Blender and used the importer, and had fine luck with that, but my issue right now is that I can not get the textures to apply correctly in blender so I am getting just the flat white untextured geometry. I'm clearly missing a step in getting that to show correctly. I converted the required texture images to .png because Blender does not appear to support the normal texture images? Once I get this solved I'm all good to go.

[67435c29f2170Olfred]

Oh, yeah sorry about that.
I am super busy right now (moving out of one place and need to pack things up and stuff).

Initially I wanted to make a video but just couldn't find the time for it.
Good thing you figured out how to import. I attached a little image with a short description on what to do to get it textured in blender.

1. switch to the Material properties
2. select the texture you want imported.
3. press select to get everything selected which belongs to this texture. (You can also do it right before step 10.)
4. switch to Texture properties
5. press the "New" button and enter a name. Out of convenience I give it the same name as the texture, but this is not a must.
6. Change the type from "Clouds" to "Image or Movie"
7. go down to the Image options and press "Open" then select the png file.
8. In the 3D View drag the striped corner to the left to get a second window.
9. change the type of the window to UV/Image Editor
10. make sure that only the part of the model is selected which should have the texture, then go down to the texture select and select the texture.
11. change the viewport shading to Texture.

Now when you want to do the next texture you need to deselect what you have selected, you can simply do that when you hover your mouse over the 3D View, just press "a".
Pressing "a" again selects everything.

If you want to close the UV/Image Editor window just go to the 3D View window and click and hold the striped corner again. Now move the mouse to the right, an arrow will appear into which window that window will merge.

I hope this helps you out. If there is anything still unclear feel free to ask.

[67435c29f2277JamesRossi]

Awesome! Just gave it a go and it worked perfectly, thanks a ton!

[67435c29f2461JamesRossi]

So started a quick project to flex some skills before doing a Halloween project for a friend. First off here's what Blender was able to give me.
Image: http://i.imgur.com/Jq969JA.jpg

Turns out the GamePig is pretty oddly designed. It is super thin and long. It is twice as tall as it is wide which is pretty odd. So I took some liberties with the proportions to something that seemed a little more reasonable.

Image: http://i.imgur.com/FXtG3vS.jpg
Now there's still a lot to do and the end will be flawed in a few ways but it has been really good practice and will hopefully lead to me being able to make better projects down the line.

One of the more interesting things will be making a screen. I have a few options I suppose. At least it'll cover up those ugly foam marks I used to support the thing.

[67435c29f25a5JamesRossi]

So there's plenty of things about this I can nitpick but it was my first real project so I'll accept it. I'll likely do another some day when I am better at making things but for now I'll call this done and as much a success as possible. The only thing I might add is a face to the pig, but we'll see.

Image: http://i.imgur.com/mkB9k56.jpg