How do I use models from here in Blender?

[Nidonemo]

Now before my question, this is what I have done so far:

-YES: I have googled several things, but results kept turning up the same answer of how to import Garry's Mod models into SFM, or how to open files in general in Blender, and nothing was helpful.

-YES: I did read the website FAQ, unfortunately the answer was very vague, as in it covered everything by telling me to "google it" and of course that already didn't help as stated above.

-YES: I "tinkered with it", by trying to use Blender to open the files, but none of the files actually show up in the file browser window.

-End of List-


My question:

Being the impulsive and excited newbie to SFM, Blender, and making posters and short films, I went through the VG Model site as well as one or two others that I found, and downloaded a bunch of various models from different games like I was on a shopping spree.

Now when I unzipped them and opened the folders like a kid on Christmas day, I found unfamiliar filetypes like ".mtl", ".smd", ".rda", ".skp", and ".obj" staring back at me.

I know what to do with resources that I find on SFM-specific websites and the Steam Workshop, you usually just drag and dump the files into the usermod folder after unzipping them, but I have no clue how to use the files I found here at all. So it left me confused and frustrated.


So how does one use filetypes like ".mtl", ".smd", ".rda", ".skp" and ".obj" in SFM or Blender?

I have a lot of new toys and I have no idea how to play with them yet.

[eureka]

You can import the OBJs in blender by going to File>Import>Import Wavefront Obj (I think, anyways, I'm not on my laptop so I can't confirm).
That's about the extent of my knowledge with blender. No idea about textures and the like.
E: Mtl files are also associated with OBJs, they contain texture paths for the model.

[Nidonemo]

You can import the OBJs in blender by going to File>Import>Import Wavefront Obj (I think, anyways, I'm not on my laptop so I can't confirm).
That's about the extent of my knowledge with blender.  No idea about textures and the like.
E: Mtl files are also associated with OBJs, they contain texture paths for the model.

Unfortunately Open Wavefront Obj doesn't work (selected an obj file, opened, but nothing appeared on the screen), and there's no option listed for Mtl either.

[Gamerz31w]

The main problem is how to script and make animations for our own game at least in my point of view.

[Nidonemo]

Yes, but in order to get to that part I first need to be able to load a model into Blender. I need puppets if I'm going to put on a show, and right now I don't even know how to get them out of their boxes.

[CosmicLoop]

Okay, this MAY be a stupid/unhelpful answer, but I'll pitch in what I know. Believe it or not Blender doesn't actually show all the import/export possibilities at first. You gotta go to File, then User Preferences (or ctrl+alt+U) and it's basically a checklist from there (you gotta do this for plugins, too). Also, there are quite a few plugins for Blender, luckily. I even found some for PMD/MMD. Anyway,,

So now I'm googling around and I was reminded of THIS for SMD : https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki...urce_Tools ...idk how helpful it will be but it's worth a try. I think I tried once quite some time ago, but knowing me I probably missed a big step lol.

I also found this for SKP : http://blender.stackexchange.com/questio...-skp-files ...Again, idk how helpful

Googling for RDA gave me smoothies

Also if you're like me you might end up using multiple programs to import/export things to have everything be just the way you like. Right now on me (besides Blender) I have 3D Coat and AccuTrans3D, tho I hear good things about Metasequoia.

idk i hope i helped at least a little bit, i'm feelin pretty tired/sneezy right now so sorry if my typing is kinda wonky

[Nidonemo]

Okay, this MAY be a stupid/unhelpful answer, but I'll pitch in what I know. Believe it or not Blender doesn't actually show all the import/export possibilities at first. You gotta go to File, then User Preferences (or ctrl+alt+U) and it's basically a checklist from there (you gotta do this for plugins, too). Also, there are quite a few plugins for Blender, luckily. I even found some for PMD/MMD. Anyway,,

Now I had absolutely no idea about that! Thank you! That's extremely helpful!

So now I'm googling around and I was reminded of THIS for SMD : https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki...urce_Tools ...idk how helpful it will be but it's worth a try. I think I tried once quite some time ago, but knowing me I probably missed a big step lol.

I also found this for SKP : http://blender.stackexchange.com/questio...-skp-files ...Again, idk how helpful

Thank you, I will definitely watch those now.

Googling for RDA gave me smoothies

Really?    I got library of congress and some other hits but not file types either.

Also if you're like me you might end up using multiple programs to import/export things to have everything be just the way you like. Right now on me (besides Blender) I have 3D Coat and AccuTrans3D, tho I hear good things about Metasequoia.

idk i hope i helped at least a little bit, i'm feelin pretty tired/sneezy right now so sorry if my typing is kinda wonky

You have been most helpful! I really appreciate you, and of course everyone else here, who has taken the time out to help me start up.  I hope you feel better soon.

[Nidonemo]

Sadly none of that helped make this work. I'm going to be more specific about what happens:

I downloaded the model for "Edea" from "Final Fantasy VIII" for the Sony Playstation. The files included in the download are as follows: (File Name) - (File Type)

Edea - 3D Object
Edea.mtl - MTL File
Edea - 3D Object
Edea.rda - RDA File
Edea.smd - SMD File
ffdtex0 - PNG File
ffdtex1 - PNG File

So when I go to Blender, File - Import - Wavefront (.obj) I get these files available:

Edea.mtl
Edea.obj

When I select either one, something does appear in the outliner that wasn't there before.

For the mtl file, "Edea" will be added, for the obj file "rdmobj00" and "edmobj01" will be added, but nothing visible appears in the workspace. No amount of zooming in, zooming out, or scaling will make anything appear.

[puggsoy]

Could you upload these files? I don't work with models myself, but maybe somebody else can take a look and see if it might be an issue with the files, rather than what you're doing.

[Nidonemo]

Could you upload these files? I don't work with models myself, but maybe somebody else can take a look and see if it might be an issue with the files, rather than what you're doing.

Yes, here they are: http://www.models-resource.com/playstati...odel/4070/

[11th]

Took a quick look, and it loads fine for me. The model is huge, though, so when you import it you'll probably need to either downscale it or zoom out a lot, otherwise you won't see anything in the work space. (Downscale recommended since Blender's viewer seems to cut off the model after a certain point, but if you'll be using it with other models from the game you'll need to scale them all by the same amount.)

[Gamerz31w]

Nidonemo are you interested to be involved with Valve Software and my Project Ricochet 2?Half-Life 2 Episode 3+Half-Life 2 Episode 4=Half-Life 3.