Some methods I've come across to convert various models. I might post more later if I discover more. If anybody else has any feel free...
Quake MDL to MD2
This is simple and always works for me
Programs Needed
Quake Model Editor
QME
How
Open the .MDL in Quake Model Editor
Goto "File > Export > Export to MD2"
Open the .MDL in QME
Goto "File > Export Skin"
Half-Life MDL to MD2
This only works right for models that use a single skin, like islave.mdl for example. Models with multiple skins will result in a big mess.
Programs Needed
MilkShape 3D
NPherno's Skin Tool
Half-Life Model Viewer (for convienience's sake)
How
In MilkShape, goto "Tools > Half-Life > Decompile Normal HL MDL File"; This will dump many .SMD files
Next goto "File > Import > Half-Life SMD". You have to find the main .SMD file to start with. This is the one with the actual polygons and not just the bones
Now you can repeat the above the above step with any of the remaining .SMD files to make to model animated. Make sure to append the .SMD to the existing frames. This is where the Half-Life model viewer comes in handy because the names of the .SMDs are the same as the sequence names in the compiled model.
Once your done you can goto "File > Export > Quake2 MD2"
Now open the model in NPherno's Skin tool. It should say "There were no external skins found. Would you like to load from the base folder?". Say yes and the skin should appear.
Goto "Skins > Save As"
Ripping N64 models to MD2
This dumps only a single model frame which needs to be animated and skinned
Programs Needed
NEmu64 v0.8
3D Studio
Quake Model Editor or MilkShape 3D
How
Open the ROM of your choice in Nemu64, when the model you want appears, press F12 to access the "Configure Video Plugin" menu. Select "Export VRML" and continue emulation. After about two seconds, press F12 and disbale "Export VRML"
Open 3D Studio and goto "File > Import...". In the C:\ folder, open the file output.wrl. This will contain an entire scene so delete the unnessecary stuff. Goto "File > Export..." and save this as an .ASC file.
Both MilkShape 3D and Quake Model Editor can import .ASC and export .MD2, so pick your favorite and get to animating.
Last edited by J-Dub on Sat Aug 05, 2006 17:49, edited 1 time in total.
q2modeller 0.911b supports importing MDL. Simply export as MD2 and the MDL's texture coordinates will be exported as well. Only one step.
In addition to that, you can use q2modeller's "effect frame range" to reposition all the frames of your MDL/MD2 because they aren't readily offsetted correctly for GZDoom.
Also, Q2modeller always reports skin not found; but it shouldn't matter. You can re-skin it later (since the texture coordinates are retained) in Q2modeller or Milkshape 3D.