Targetware: 3D Dev Guide
Supported 3D File Formats
The Targetware engine currently supports the .X (DirectX), .ac (AC3D), .3DS, and .LWO (lightwave) file formats.
As a 3D modeler, you will put most of your work into creating the 3D mesh for your object, but you also need to know a little bit about the .anm and .acm files in order to get your object working in the game. Everything you need to know will be explained in further on, so don't be discouraged if it seems complicated. Once you understand how it works, it will become second-nature.
Minimum Requirements for a 3D Program
- Must have support for UV coordinates for texture mapping.
- Must be able to write to .X, .ac, .3DS, or .LWO formats, -or- must write to a format that can be converted to one of those formats, keeping geometry and texture coordinates intact. See the section 1.3, Converting 3D File Formats for more information.
- Must create polygon meshes (NURBS are not compatible with the TW engine)
Incomplete List of Compatible 3D Modeling Programs
- Lightwave (win/mac)
- AC3D (win/linux)
- 3D Studio Max (win)
- Amapi 3D (win/mac) (v6.1+ recommended, requires 3rd party UV mapper)*
- Cinema4D (win/mac)*
- Strata3D Plus (win/mac)*
- Meshwork (mac--basic functionality only)*
- Milkshape (win--basic functionality + file conversion)
This is not meant to be a comprehensive list. There are hundreds of 3D programs available; the ones listed above represent programs with which we are familiar. If you find a program you like that isn't on this list, and want to be sure you can use it with the TW engine, I highly recommend you ask someone to check it out for you before purchasing it. A good resource is the 3D Graphics & Design forum on the Targetware web site.
* requires a third-party converter utility to use with the TW engine.
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