MD3
From 3DGE Wiki
Revision as of 00:20, 27 January 2015 by Corbin (talk | contribs) (Created page with "The MD3 model file format was introduced by id Software when releasing Quake 3: Arena in 1999. It's a file format quite simple to use and understand. MD3 models' character...")
The MD3 model file format was introduced by id Software when releasing Quake 3: Arena in 1999. It's a file format quite simple to use and understand. MD3 models' characteristics in 3DGE are nearly directly derived from MD2 with a few key differences.
Contents
Features
3DGE can load MD3s from a LUMP in the wadfile.
- Ability to use PNG, JPG, and TGA file formats for skins
- Able to define up to 9 skins-per-model and switch them out on-the-fly through DDF
- Able to use animations as either frame number or reference name, or both if desired
- Can control the bias, aspect, scale, and placement of the model, both for environment and HUD (weapons)
- Linear Interpolation for animated vertex deformation (higher accuracy and no animation wobble)
- Supports more overall vertices and tris over MD2.
Limitations
While those features are handy, there are currently limitations of the format:
- Extra meshes are not supported and will be ignored (fail to render). This limitation carried over from EDGE 1.32.
- No internal shader system, so the models are lit uniformly, even in the presence of dynamic lights
- EDGE cannot load MD3 models.
Explanation
Model
Loading is nearly identical to MD2: the model itself must be stored in a wad, and the lump name is the sprite base ("TROO") plus "MD3" on the end --> "TROOMD3".