Howdy there. I would like to know ((for a complete noob)) what are the
steps to model -- starting with simple objects, for GG from Blender. Also
whatever other programs are required. A - Z, start to finish -- the updated
version please. I just downloaded Blender 2.8, will this one work, or is there
a different version better? I need to bring it to .X format I believe so how
is the best process? Thanks so much.

https://forum.game-guru.com/thread/208184

Heres a toturial series till a blender user chimes in.

Yeah, unfamilliars tutorials (link in above post) are excellent, and will get you going with Blender for sure. However they will probably be difficult to follow using 2.8.

As far the tool box goes:
I use Blender 2.79 for modelling - love it. The .x exporter works fine for me. Much prefer 2.79 to 2.8.
For textures I use Photoshop, Substance Painter and Gimp (has great normals plug)

Other tools in the box:
-- Wings 3D - Rarely use it, too cumbersome for me
-- Fragmotion - Rarely use it, not a fan of the UI
------ Only use these two programs for entities requiring transparent parts in one complete model
------ GG + transparency = headache, so I just try to avoid nowadays

-- Quixel - requires photoshop
------ love it but don't use because it is way too sluggish on my machine (not enough ram support says)
------ Much prefer Substance tho

-- ShaderMap 3 - nice program, used to us it a lot but now prefer Photoshop and Substance
-- xNormal - useful but rarely us it, same reason as above

Reliquia....

I'm still a beginner and it was very hard for me, when I tried Blender 2.79. I did not like it.
Now I use Blender 2.8 and fell in love with it.
Of course it is something else if you got used to 2.79 and are familiar with it.
I think for noobs 2.8 ist the better choice, just my opinion.

Moved to 3rd party models/media

I believe what you are asking is two different things when it comes to creating 3D models and what is needed for GameGuru (or, really, real-time 3D games in general). I'll start by stating that with Blender 2.8, you have everything you really need to create models for GameGuru (or any 3D game). I would start by downloading Blender 2.8 and then going through the Blender Fundamentals to learn how to use the software. You can find the Blender Fundamentals here:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLa1F2ddGya_-UvuAqHAksYnB0qL9yWDO6

Once you begin to understand how to create 3D geometry (modeling), UV mapping, and texturing, you can then explore exporting out your models for use in GameGuru. Start small, experiment, and you'll begin to learn the process.

2.8 is cool but total system shock if you are used to previous versions. Tried it for a bit when it came out. The UI is really nice, but functionality is way different to 2.79 - it was like a whole new learning curve, it seamed everything was changed from one click to two clicks, like starting from scratch again, so I put it in the start tomorrow bin lol.

But yeah, I agree if you are new to the tech, it would be good to start with 2.8, but just remember the vast majority of tuts out there, that go beyond the basics, are for versions prior to 2.8.

Reliquia....

I heard you Argent Arts. Learn Blender then learn to export, but my primary
question is how to export for GG! My friend who has been using Blender
for a little while basically hasn't even aware of the .X model format.

I see that there is a trick to getting .X exported from Blender, so I thought
I would ask for info around here.

The first video tutorial above starts by plugging the "Entity Workshop 2.0"
which is an old FPSC tool. 2014 The last one for exporting seems to be
outdated as well because I can't locate this add-on. Just need some pointers
on where to find it!

The main question for a GG user is == What are the steps to export to .X ?
Because there is little to no info on Google, Youtube, etc It seems like .X is
outdated because the last mentions are around 2010/ 2011 maybe '14??

When I look at export menu, there is no .X format available. Thanks everyone!!

In 2.79 there is a plugin for exporting to .x, you just have to enable it.

There may be a plug for 2.8, but can't say yay or nay on that.

Entity workshop was just to help get your model size\scale right, but once you get used to blenders scaling you don't really need it.
100 blender units is same as 100x100 grid in GG, so you get used to it after a while.

Reliquia....

Thanks reliquia. I found it.

2.8 is easier to use but it can't export in .x format, for that you need 2.79 or below.

However you can model in 2.8 and save it as a blender file, then load 2.79 and under file select append, and import the model from the 2.8 file to use 2.79 to export.

There are some great tutorials on udemy. Personally I would recommend
"the ultimate blender 3d modeling guide" by Alex Cordebard.
And then "Blender 2.8 UV Mapping" by Darrin Lile.
I know it costs money but to me it was worth it. It seems Udemy drops the prices for expensive courses almost every week.
Just decide which blender version you prefer and make sure the course is for your version.
Even though I use 2.8, I also have 2.79 installed for x-export until they release a plugin for 2.8. Have fun

One of the best all inclusive blender courses available is "Complete Blender Creator: Learn 3D Modelling for Beginners" by Ben Tristem and Mike Bridges, they're both amazing instructors, and Ben is one of the top instructors on Udemy and i recommend any course he has anything to do with.

As to the question asked about exporting to .X, only 2.79 or below has a direct x exporter, so you will need that (you can get a standalone vrsion thqat doesn't need to be installed from blender.org), then you need the add-on:

1: files/preferences
2. add-ons (tab)
3. Enter "direct" in the search box and it will display the direct x add-on.
4. Tick the box on the add-on
5. Save preferences and close the window

Then create your model, and export:

1. In object mode make sure the model you want to export is selected.
2. Go to files/export and silect direct x
3. If you are going to be using a single atlas texture with the texture reference written in the gameguru fpe file then you need to un-tick the export materials box.
4. Navigate to the folder where you want it saved, and choose a name for the file
5. click the export button

If you want to use 2.8 to model, but still want .X models, then there is a workaround (you will need both 2.8 and 2.79 on your machine):

1. Make your model in Blender 2.8
2. Go to files/save as and save the blender file
3. Open Blender 2.79
4. Delete all the default stuff (cube, light, camera etc.)
5. Go to files
6. Select Append
7. Find the blender file you save in 2.8 and double click on it
8. You will get a file structure of the contents, navigate to the objects folder and your models will be in there (i recommend you name them all before saving in 2.8 so you can find them easily)
9. Choose the model you want and click append and it will bring the model into your scene.

(the reason it's done this way instead of just opening the blend file in 2.79 is because 2.8 saves the main blender files in a slightly different way to previous versions so just opening it in 2.79 may cause glitches).

Importing it into GameGuru there are two ways, the easiest is to use the built in importer found under the files menu, a way that is more work but far easier and has more control over things when you get used to doing is to manually add them to your entitybank and create the extra files by hand. I won't explain that here, but if you want to know just say and i will see what i can type out for you when i have time.

Appreciate all the help.

Yes, I might ask for that sometime, Belidos.

Okay everyone. Another question please...
What on earth is a DBO. I seem to find indications that it is a
"Dark Basic" data set, but why do I find that replacing a
.X format in some stock GG models?
Did this format once exist prior to .X format?

Maybe I'm mistaken and need to look deeper?
I need to pose a question maybe in the main forums also relating
to the .fpe settings. It seems like everything might have been answered
at one point, but usually quite a few years back, and not very recently.

DBO is dark basic object, it's TGC'so on model format, in game guru it's kind of like a cache model, when an entity is loaded for the first time GG will create a DBO and use that instead of the .x to make it load quicker.

Yeah, as Belidos said.

Once the dbo exists the .X is no longer needed, and I don't think the standalone even copies the X file over either iirc.
This is something to keep in mind - if you make changes to the .X be sure to delete the .dbo, it will save pulling your hair out wondering why your updates aren't showing up

Reliquia....