Object editor

[jimson]

In the Object Editor, find cityg1 and export it by clicking the Export to ac3d button.

C:\Hitech Creations\ah2editor\export
You will find three files the OE exported, in a folder named export,

CITY.bmp
CITY_a.bmp
cityg1.ac

C:\Hitech Creations\ah2editor\ahiiterr\tiles.
Create a folder in the tiles folder named airfield.

Move the three city files into this new airfield folder.

Rename each of these, respectively as:
airfield.bmp
airfield_a.bmp
myaf.ac

Open myaf.ac in Notepad.

Scroll down to the bottom of the listing and change the following line:

texture "CITY.bmp" becomes
texture "airfield.bmp"

Save the file
That’s it, you’re done with the scary part.

Open airfield_a.bmp in any paint program...............

Draw a heavy black outline............

Open the OE. Use the File menu and Convert ac3d, to build your airfield object. You will need to restart the OE to see your new airfield in the shapes list. Don’t worry that you don’t see it in the preview window. Add it into the OE’s main window.

OK, I followed the above instructions but nothing shows in the editor main window. What am I missing here?

[Easyscor]

The Object Editor has seen an update since that was posted.

It will still work, but you'll need to use the OE version 2.15 patch 3.

Using OE v2.15p3 only works because the game is still backward compatible with the older object formats, for now anyway.

Even such simple projects as the one I documented in that thread, now require ac3d to install the advanced parameters and ac3d was around $100 the last time I looked.

[jimson]

This is the version I have. I also do have AC3D installed, just don't know how to use it yet. I take it that the instructions would be different for the later version?

[Easyscor]

This is the version I have. I also do have AC3D installed, just don't know how to use it yet. I take it that the instructions would be different for the later version?

Yes, a good many things have changed in the last 18 months.

You have my number and I'd be glad to help, but as you know, I have RL issues for another week or ten days.

[jimson]

Ok thanks easy.

[kanttori]

Easy, you mean that we don't need to use the newest OE version 2.21 Patch 6? I opened my old airfield tiles in ther newest version and I didn't seen anything... But as you said version 2.15 Patch 3 is ok. So I can really use it?

[Easyscor]

Both editors work.

In the last few days...

jimson  discovered the problem I was having. 

Object Editor, v2.21 p6

When you export an object, (usually you want to use it as a template for your hierarchy) in some cases at least, the distance settings are dropped from the exported file except for the group name "model". Unless you correct this by inserting the missing Min/Max distance settings at all the objects, your object(s) will not be visible.

The v2.21 p6 has terrific features once you get past this problem.


YEAH jimson! You rock bud.

[Easyscor]

In jimson's original post, he referred to my airfield tutorial thread from back in 2011(?).

The tutorial depended upon exporting a working version of cityg1

Here's the old export:

OBJECT world
kids 1
OBJECT group
name "model"
data 14
MaxDist=110000
kids 1
OBJECT group
name "ground"
data 14
MaxDist=110000
kids 1
OBJECT object
name "grnd"
data 36
MaxDist=528000
PolyID=20005
ZBias=16
loc 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000
texture "CITY.bmp"
crease 45.000000
numvert 4
-2640.000000 0.000000 2640.000000
2640.000000 0.000000 2640.000000
2640.000000 0.000000 -2640.000000
-2640.000000 0.000000 -2640.000000
numsurf 1
SURF 0x10
refs 4
0 0.000000 0.000000
1 1.000000 0.000000
2 1.000000 1.000000
3 0.000000 1.000000
kids 0

Note the MaxDist parameter for each object


Here's the new export:

OBJECT world
kids 1
OBJECT group
name "model"
data 111
GroupFlags=268435465
MaxDisplayDist=110000.000000
MaxFadeRange=150.000000
LodOrigen=0.000000,0.000000,-0.000000
kids 1
OBJECT group
name "ground"
data 58
GroupFlags=268435465
LodOrigen=0.000000,0.000000,-0.000000
kids 1
OBJECT group
name "grnd"
data 20
GroupFlags=268435457
kids 1
OBJECT object
name "tex0"
data 41
FaceFlags=536872966
FaceId=20005
ZBias=16
loc 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000
texture "CITY.bmp"
crease 45.000000
numvert 4
-2640.000000 0.000000 2640.000000
2640.000000 0.000000 2640.000000
2640.000000 0.000000 -2640.000000
-2640.000000 0.000000 -2640.000000
numsurf 1
SURF 0x10
refs 4
0 0.000000 0.000000
1 1.000000 0.000000
2 1.000000 1.000000
3 0.000000 1.000000
kids 0

Note the missing MaxDisplayDist parameters

[kanttori]

Thanks for the information Easy. I am waiting the OE update and work now with the old version. I don't have patience to make all those numerical settings...