Software for texture-mapping buildings.

[JCitron]

My brother came across this software while looking for something else.

http://www.modeltrainsoftware.com/model-builder.html

This is not a freeware application and is really meant for physical model train models. The program lays out the textures and then the model-builder prints them out on cardstock or heavy paper to be cut out and folded to make the building. In some ways this isn't much different than us texturing a 3d model building. They have sets of various model textures you can purchase separately such as bricks, windows, etc., or you can purchase the complete package for quite a bit less.

This would work since this program creates files with textures in them and can import images, the output could simply be used to create the texture maps for the 3d models. This would save the model creator time, if it works. The issue is this may only print out Adobe Acrobat files. I don't know, since I've only seen the link. If this is the case, then the user would then need a utility to convert the Acrobat files to normal texture formats for model use. The textures will then have to be UV-mapped for the surfaces, or the output file edited to the individual parts and texture-mapped to the surface.

Anyway, it seemed like something cool and I thought I'd share it. The cost is $45 for the basic program and $155 for the complete set.

John

 

[johnwhelan]

I think the issue would be the copyright on the textures.

Cheerio John

 

[Ricke82]

I think the issue would be the copyright on the textures.

Cheerio John

I agree. When I was actively modeling I purchased a few textures from Clever Models (http://clevermodels.squarespace.com/) and it occurred to me that they would be great for reskinning. When I checked the license agreement I found that all I could do was print them for my own use. I could not reproduce (even for personal use) or distribute them without violating the copyright.

 

[JCitron]

I thought about that too, John. On the website there's a forum where people share their model files they gather, so I wonder what the terms are. The other thing too is the file can import picture files so people can use their own photos.

John

 

[hminky]

It is a very good program for making building textures. Here is their sample building in Trainz textured in Blender:

I cut the PDF file up and scanned it to get a BMP. It also can be converted in Photoshop but the scanning was faster.

Harold

 

[JCitron]

Harold,

This is awesome and what I wanted to see. My brother and I were talking about this all day. For me it's not necessary because he has all the professional graphics tools and can create the UV maps and meshes should I ever want to do this. Although, for me this might be a lot simpler. It's something to think about.

John

 

[hminky]

The program simplifies making building textures and images like windows can be brought into the program.

Harold

 

[JCitron]

The program simplifies making building textures and images like windows can be brought into the program.

Harold

That's exactly what I was thinking. The model meshes are fairly easy to make. It's the texturing that can be a pain, or it has been for me. In the old days, I did quite a lot of modeling using old 3ds-4 for DOS. This was about 20 years ago, thereabouts. The program was on about 14 floppy disks and required a dongle to operate. In there, you'd have to setup the mapping coordinates, render a test, fiddle, etc. The process took forever. Max is a pain to use with the stupid wizard things and scroll menus, and pull-up, pull-down things.

How did you get the textures out? Does the program export or save a standard graphics files, or do you have to convert something?

John

 

[hminky]

I print them as PDF's and use Photoshop to make a BMP or JPG.

A building can be designed in Modelbuilder and constructed in Blender.

The download version is only $39.

Harold

EDIT: Photoshop CS2 is available here for free:

http://www.adobe.com/downloads/cs2_downloads/index.html

 

[JCitron]

I print them as PDF's and use Photoshop to make a BMP or JPG.

A building can be designed in Modelbuilder and constructed in Blender.

The download version is only $39.

Harold

EDIT: Photoshop CS2 is available here for free:

http://www.adobe.com/downloads/cs2_downloads/index.html

Excellent. I'll mention this to my brother who pointed all this out to me

I was going to post about the Adobe CS2 free download as well but didn't have a chance.

Here are some tips for installing and running the Adobe CS2 for those that have difficulties.

Install and run using Administrator rights.
Use the Setup in the Setup folder rather than the auto-run which doesn't work.
Remove the Adobe Gamma from the start-up because it can screw with your monitor and make everything too dark.
Remove the other Adobe updater too from the startup because there's nothing to update, and it loads and errors out. I'd rather have the message in Photo Shop instead of causing system errors and bogging down the system.
Ignore the registration question when starting. There's nothing to register even though it prompts to do so.


John

 

[CFL-Fan]

Of course it is silly of Adobe to put CS2 up for download including working serial numbers, but you will still be violoating copyright laws by using that product if you never bought CS2. Just saying. (Read the red text at the top of the page that says The serial numbers below should only be used by customers who legitimately purchased CS2 or Acrobat 7 and need to maintain their current use of these products.). Yeah, silly.

 

[ray_whiley]

re Copyright - there would be no problem if resulting models were for the creator's use only - publishing them to te DLS could cause a problem, though.

Ray

 

[Pencil42]

If you want to make buildings using their textures for upload to the DLS, send them an email and ask for permission. They might even say yes

Curtis

 

[steamboateng]

I have Adobe Photoshop Elements v.7.0. This program converts Adobe .pdf files to most graphic formats; i.e. .jpg, .bmp, .png, .tga, etc.

 

[JCitron]

re Copyright - there would be no problem if resulting models were for the creator's use only - publishing them to te DLS could cause a problem, though.

Ray

If you want to make buildings using their textures for upload to the DLS, send them an email and ask for permission. They might even say yes

Curtis

I was thinking about this myself. It would be a moral as well as legal thing to do. I'm sure they guy that makes the program would appreciate the additional sales though.

John

EDIT: I emailed David, the owner to ensure this is okay. Being a modeler himself, he maybe interested.

 

[clam1952]

May even like the idea and modify the program slightly to enable a direct save to jpg tga or whatever?

 

[JCitron]

Of course it is silly of Adobe to put CS2 up for download including working serial numbers, but you will still be violoating copyright laws by using that product if you never bought CS2. Just saying. (Read the red text at the top of the page that says The serial numbers below should only be used by customers who legitimately purchased CS2 or Acrobat 7 and need to maintain their current use of these products.). Yeah, silly.

This disclaimer is new. They made a mistake, let the serial numbers out, then tried to recover their error. According to German law, from what I read, they now have to allow the program on the free market because they did initially. Oops!

John