I'd like to learn how to model (GTA IV)

Nocheese4u · March 1, 2015

Hello, I think it's about time I attempt to make something. I have a certain player model (well two, but I'm going to do the first, much simpler one) I want to do and I've been looking around on google but the tutorials are too confusing/vague/outdated. Surely there is an easy way to make a simple model with no experience? I want to keep the model names a surprise, or at least until I am done with one and it proves to be working fully. So I'd like some starter help on how to make a player model, what I need, how it's done, etc. If anyone has a youtube video, that would help even more!

Also, if this is in the wrong section, sorry! I tried to find the best spot to put this where I'd be asking for help on something I want to start soon.

Thanks in advance!

emptw1 · March 1, 2015

Hello, I think it's about time I attempt to make something. I have a certain player model (well two, but I'm going to do the first, much simpler one) I want to do and I've been looking around on google but the tutorials are too confusing/vague/outdated. Surely there is an easy way to make a simple model with no experience? I want to keep the model names a surprise, or at least until I am done with one and it proves to be working fully. So I'd like some starter help on how to make a player model, what I need, how it's done, etc. If anyone has a youtube video, that would help even more!

Also, if this is in the wrong section, sorry! I tried to find the best spot to put this where I'd be asking for help on something I want to start soon.

Thanks in advance!

There is no easy, simple way to model something as complex as a human with no experience. Your best bet is trying to follow the tutorials. The most important thing you can do is practice, so load up your modelling program and practice making all sorts of different objects. Challenge and push your limits with each new model, then you'll have an easier time making peds for GTA IV.

Nocheese4u · March 1, 2015

There is no easy, simple way to model something as complex as a human with no experience. Your best bet is trying to follow the tutorials. The most important thing you can do is practice, so load up your modelling program and practice making all sorts of different objects. Challenge and push your limits with each new model, then you'll have an easier time making peds for GTA IV.

The thing is, I don't know where to start or what modeling program to use or anything. I'm hoping some suggestions for programs and tutorials will be put around and I could experiment with them and see what would work best for me.

Black Jesus · March 1, 2015

All those tutorials are using 3ds Max I think, so use that

emptw1 · March 1, 2015

Here's what I recommend:

Modelling program: http://www.blender.org (You'll need a different program to make them work in GTA IV, but for making models, Blender is very good, and free)

I would recommend this channel to help you, but there are many more on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/cgboorman

Nocheese4u · March 2, 2015

All those tutorials are using 3ds Max I think, so use that

Here's what I recommend:

Modelling program: http://www.blender.org (You'll need a different program to make them work in GTA IV, but for making models, Blender is very good, and free)

I would recommend this channel to help you, but there are many more on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/cgboorman

Thanks for the suggestions guys! I got myself the student (3 year free licence) of 3DS MAX and during installation it gave some error that not even staff could solve from their forums :/. Trying to update it gave me yet another error that google never found a result for.

So I'm thinking of just going to user Blender, but what else would I need so the player model is usable ingame?

TheRealNoodle · March 2, 2015

So I'm thinking of just going to user Blender, but what else would I need so the player model is usable ingame?

you need zmodeler (20 $) to convert it to gta format (.wft)

Nocheese4u · March 2, 2015

you need zmodeler (20 $) to convert it to gta format (.wft)

So I model in Blender, then I would import it into zmodeler to turn it into .wft, is that how the process goes?

And what about the .wtd and .wdd for player models (In SparkIV I noticed there's three files for a character, with the .wdd being a physical model), the .wtd especially looks confusing to make the skins and hair exact, I don't think those two are generated....are they?

AARios · March 2, 2015

I think that it is best to start with the Mods do Originals.

Making small modificacciones, learn by little.

drdetroit · March 3, 2015

Yea, a ped for your first model is going to be one huge challenge for sure...if not almost impossible. If you can't make a chair, or basic car/aircraft model, by extruding simple blocks and cylinders (which you have to turn into an "editable poly" in order to modify the primitive), you'll never be able to do a ped model, which requires you to know how to use the line feature to draw the basic splines needed for a head (and body).

Good luck though, it's one tall task, even for someone who knows 3DSM (*like me).

DrDetroit

Edited March 3, 2015 by drdetroit

TheRealNoodle · March 3, 2015

So I model in Blender, then I would import it into zmodeler to turn it into .wft, is that how the process goes?

And what about the .wtd and .wdd for player models (In SparkIV I noticed there's three files for a character, with the .wdd being a physical model), the .wtd especially looks confusing to make the skins and hair exact, I don't think those two are generated....are they?

oh yea I forgot you where doing peds, just export in gta format and then rename the .wft to.wdd (I think, I never modeled peds)