#1
30th Jan 2005 at 1:40 AM
Last edited by tiggerypum : 8th Apr 2006 at
5:35 PM.
MTS2 Mesh Tool FAQ & Help thread (old thread)
This thread is way out of date.... look for the newest meshtool tutorials or the newest meshtool thread for info.....
-- end edit by Tiggerypum April 2006 ---
Ask your questions about the mesh tool in here.
Please read the FAQ thread before asking a question here.
Where can I download the Mesh tool program from?
Follow the link on the mesh tool`s site:
http://meshtool.modthesims2.com/
Where do I start?
Try reading
http://katiestuff.com/yss/read/?read=modapps (thanks yggdrasil)
Can I use it to make new body/hair meshes?
You can`t make completely new body or hair meshes at this time, you can however make some changes to existing body/hair meshes from the game.
What file formats does it support?
The mesh tool ONLY supports OBJ files. You will need to export or convert other file formats (max 3ds ma etc) into OBJ
before using the Mesh Tool.
Can I make new animations with it?
Not at the current time, not enough is known about the way in which animations work. We are currently working on this.
Where is the export button in Simpe, to export a mesh to a OBJ file?
you need to download Delphy`s mesh extracter from :
http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=32166
If you have any problems with getting this to work, please read the whole thread and ask your questions in there, not in the Mesh tool help thread
I`ve got my new object into the game, but it doesn`t animate like the original version did. What`s wrong with it?
If you used the "new object wizard" feature of the mesh tool, then objects created that way will not be animated (we are currently working on this).
To allow a object to still be animated , you need to modify a existing object and import it back by treating it as a modified object in the mesh tool (ie not using the wizard feature).
Do I need to know how to use SimPE (or Datgen) to be able to use this?
Yes, you must extract the gmdc file from a package using
SimPE and then replace the new one back into the package.
Can I make changes to the way a sim behaves with a object using this program?
No, this is only used for changing the graphics of a object, you must use
SimPE or some other tool if you want to change anything else.
What 3D program do you recommend?
Everyone has their own favorites, so it`s not easy to recommend one.
Some popular/common ones are Maya, 3ds studio max, Lightwave, gmax, Milkshake, blender.
A very good comparison of them is at
http://katiestuff.com/yss/read/?read=3d (Thanks yggdrasil)
What is the difference between the mesh tool and the milkshake plug-ins ?
The milkshake plug-ins are written by Wes_h, and are a great easy to use way of importing objects into the game, if you use Milkshake. (currently all animation data on a object is lost if you use the plug-ins to import a object, but Wes is close to adding support for a least some of this data to be kept/created/edited. )
The Mesh Tool is written by Delphy and myself, and takes a different aprroach (but shares the same goals) to the Milkshake plug-ins, it is a stand alone program which coverts 3d formats (currently only the OBJ file format, but this will soon change) into the format the game uses.
It also allows some changes to be made to existing objects from the game, while keeping the animation data intact. So some changes can be made to body meshes and hair styles.
We too will be adding more animation support soon.
So they are both ways to get new objects into the game, they just take slightly different approaches.
The Mesh Tool says I need vertex normals
That is correct. You
must have these and texture coordinates. If it comes up with an error saying you need these - DO NOT ASK US FOR HELP! This is a setting specific to your 3d program. If you cannot find the setting yourself, check the settings, or program forums.
I've made a new hair or body mesh, what do I do with it?
Hair and body meshes can ONLY be imported into the game if you first export the original, modify the vertices and reimport with ONLY the vertices. You
MUST go into Settings in the Mesh Tool and deselect everything except vertices if you are attempting this kind of import.
My object is appearing very dark
If you are going through the wizard, and get a warning about not having vertex normals, and just click through the next stage, this can cause the problem. Wait for the next version to fix it
The background of the Mesh Tool is very dark
Change your Windows Application background colour or colour scheme to a lighter one.
I can't click Next in the wizard! Whats up?
Have you made sure you are loading the correct filetype? (OBJ) Are you clicking on the word next properly?
Why can't I click on create SHPE and GMND files? It's greyed out
These are currently disabled in this version.
Why can't I do X?
Have you read all the FAQs? Read them again
Also check
http://forums.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=41903
My object is flashing blue, or the original object still appears! Help!
Please read
http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=42014
I don't get the Export to OBJ button in SimPE
Please see the Optional download on the meshtool download page and READ the first post in that thread.
http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=32166
Can I use it to make objects for a pay site?
Yes we have decided that objects created with it can be placed on pay sites. As long as some type of credit, in the release notes of any object created with it, is given that is was created with this program and includes a link back to our program, and that our program itself is not added to any other site, and is only available from here (
www.modthesims2.com)