which 3D software can create the .MD2 extension files??
thanks alot
MD2 files are Quake 2 character models.
You could check out Milkshape at http://www.swissquake.ch/chumbalum-soft/
Also I believe 3D Studio and Maya have exporters to MD2 format.
This page:
http://www.3dstate.com/Pages/PagesI/DownloadPage/DownloadTools.htm
seems to have a convertor for MAX to MD2.
Kev
** EDIT ** Maybe make this post sticky or something ?
Quake Modeller 0.911b --freeware , hard to learn
http://www.eldermage.com/dl/q2mdl911.zip
to download , u’ll need game spy id made, but is free…
it has it all to create the md2.
A way useful tool to: skin (paint) the texture, at least in a basic way so you later on can 2d paint it in Gimp, Adobe or PSP,. It also allows you to create the uv maps, and finally export again the md2. path then could be model the buddy in Wings3d, or some other free modeller, import into Quake Modeller, or be so encouraged as to model directly in Quake modeller, animate there (you can set bones there, though they wont be exported as md2 is just vertex animation format) Once Animation is done, export the md2, and uv map and paint in npherno skin tool, finally export the md2.
The above commented, is even hard for an experienced artist…but hey, couldn’t be more free…
Blender, previous install also of python 2.2.3 (with latest Blender 2.32 ) python.org , and also installing md2 python script from:
http://scourage.servebeer.com/programming/blender/index.html
…all which assumes you know how to setup preferences for the python path in blender, and also how to execute a python script in Blender. besides of course, knowing Blender, which is maybe the hardest of these things.
qtip md2 export plugin for max. Maybe the demo version is enough for you.It has only some features out.(supported max 4 and 5, don’t know if also 6; surely)
http://www.geocities.com/darinp52/qtip/
an older version, previous to the moment the plugin was made comercial, I think, surely for max4 only.
http://www.ancientidolstudio.com/darkcreations/ext_tools/QTIP.zip
now that we’re here, npherno md3 compiler, really useful for fixing/generating md3.
http://dl.fileplanet.com/dl/dl.asp?q2pmp/NMD3C.zip
You can import OBJs and make an md3 of it. Used in the past to fix a normals problem that was with an old max md3 exporter :
http://dl.fileplanet.com/dl/dl.asp?q2pmp/tools/quake3/Pop_n_plugs_b6.zip
another max md3 exporter (max4)
http://galileo.spaceports.com/~pzds3/resources/md3_max4.zip
also, here you’ll find an old version of 3d Explorer 1.5 converter, good for general conversions. This version was still free. 
http://www.dsmith.gmaxsupport.com/Gmax_to_3d_Explorer.htm
Maya md3 exporter
http://www.quakerally.com./files/
www.insanesoftware.de
this one cost bucks. Character Fx .15$ MUCH , much easier than all above (though yet I’d prefer Max 5 + qtip plugin, If I had the money for Max…)
Character Fx supports bones and weights, fantastic directx 8 export, md2 export, or export as OBJ or 3DS keyframes. It does NOT model, "only " animates. Quite an useful tool.
Another great site about maxscripts an plugins. He made lots of useful exporters:
http://mojo.gmaxsupport.com/Sections/MaxScripts.html
" gmax and 3DS Max
MaxScript utilities I’ve written for both gmax and 3ds max (max 4.2 and above only):
* Half-Life SMD Importer v1.0
* Return to Castle Wolfenstein MDS Importer v1.0 Includes MDS file format specs.
* Quake2 MD2 Importer v1.1
* Quake3 MD3 Importer v1.0 Loads animations, tags, skin files and more.
* Return to Castle Wolfenstein MDC Importer v1.1 (Max 4.2 compatible)
* Kingpin MDX Importer v1.0 Co-author: TiCaL
* Wavefront OBJ Importer v1.1
* 3DS Importer v1.1*
* DXF Importer v1.1
- (MAX ONLY)Half-Life SMD Exporter v1.0 3DS Max 4.2 and above “”
His plugins section has A VERY IMPORTANT PLUGIN :
MD3 fixed exporter. This is the one without hassles, so all who is interested in exporrting md3 out of max, grab this one.
http://mojo.gmaxsupport.com/Sections/Plugins.html
He kindly offers also the sources of it.
Indeed, easier way is go with Max, and qtip plugin (or other better if u find it) for md2. And Max and the above plugin from Mojo’s site, for MD3.
Next in easiness/power, Character FX. Yet way worse than Max, for obvious reasons (money, power, etc. ) but way good for 15$ It’s almost a robery.