Mesh/Creating a mesh

2010-10-23T06:30:12Z

Ashiri Sands: Added table entry for Wing3D

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Mesh models must be created outside Second Life using a third-party 3D modeling tool. If you're a seasoned content creator, you may already be familiar with [http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?siteID=123112&id=13567410 3D Studio], [http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?siteID=123112&id=13577897 Maya], [http://www.blender.org/ Blender], or other popular professional tools; Google's [http://sketchup.google.com/ SketchUp] also provides a low barrier to entry for aspiring 3D modelers. Any 3D modeling software will work, as long as it can output models in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collada COLLADA] (''.dae'') format.

A list of software that has COLLADA support can be found at [http://www.collada.org/mediawiki/index.php/Portal:Products_directory COLLADA.org Products Directory]
A very extensive list of 3d software can be found at [http://www.3dlinks.com/ 3Dlinks.com] under the software section. Which of either the COLLADA or 3Dlinks items
will work with Second Life is not known, but at least it is a starting point to look.

To learn more about some of the available 3D modeling tools, visit the [[Sculpted_Prims:_3d_Software_Guide|3D software guide]] created for use with [[Sculpted prims|sculpted prims]]. Most of the tools that work for sculpted prims should work with mesh, as long as they can export models in COLLADA format.

=== Collada(DAE) Supported Programs for Mesh===
Notes on mesh support for specific versions of various applications - please update if you have additional information:
{| {{Prettytable}}
|- {{Hl2}}
! Programs
! Bone
! Method
! Version
|-
|| 3Ds Max Studio || Yes || Import/Export via [http://www.opencollada.org/ OpenCOLLADA Plug-in] || 2009 or higher, No support for bones or UV mapping
|-
|| Bentley's MicroStation || No || Import/Export || V8i and up
|-
|| Blender || Yes || Import/Export || 2.49 and up
|-
|| DAZ 3D || Yes || Import/Export || 2.0 and up
|-
|| Lightwave || Yes || Import/Export || 9.5 and up
|-
|| Maya || ? || Import/Export via [http://www.opencollada.org/ OpenCOLLADA Plug-in] || 2008 or higher, No support for bones or UV mapping
|-
|| Modo || ? || Import/Export || ?
|-
|| PhotoShop || No || Direct open || Creative Suite 4 (11) and up
|-
|| SketchUp || No || Import/Export || 5.0 & 7.0 and up (6.0 was not supported)
|-
|| Wings3D || No || Import/Export || 1.2 and up
|}

===General Tips===
* For the best results, first try outputting individual models before trying whole 3D scenes.
* If you already have a library of 3D models and need a way to convert them to COLLADA format, try [http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/item?siteID=123112&id=10775855#section7 Autodesk's FBX Converter] (our preferred converter) or [http://meshlab.sourceforge.net/ MeshLab].

{{KBnote|If you use FBX converter, you may need to convert your models to an intermediate format, then to DAE, depending on the original format.}}

===Specific Software Tips===

====Autodesk 3ds Max====

Tests of moderate complexity models worked with the following conditions:

- 3ds Max 2010 with Connection Extension and OpenCOLLADA plugin.

- Object was Editable Poly, with other items removed (dummy objects, lights, rigging, etc)

- Units was Metric cm

[[Category:Mesh]]

Second Life Wiki - User contributions [en]

Mesh/Creating a mesh