There has to be an easier way...

Engines, Libraries and Tools Java 3D
#1

(new to java3d and modeling ??? ???)

Right now I’m using 3 models built from milkshape3D showing the stages of a person walking. In my program I’m loading all 3 models, isolating them as Shape3D objects, getting each one’s GeometryArray, and using a Morph object to make my person walk. If I want to make my person’s animation a bit more complex is it better to do it in some kind of modeling enviroment then directly use that in Java3D? For example make the animation motions in another program and import them into java3d as one big ‘animation’? Or should I stick to making a shape3D for each stage of my person’s motion? The choice of modeler isn’t really limiting as my university gives me access to more than I knew existed.

I guess the basics of my question is “What is the easiest way to do complex animation in java” What loader should I use. I’m hoping to get away with not writing my own loader, as I’m sure that wheel has been invented somewhere out there. I’ve looked at 4-5 loaders, but I guess I’m not finding the right one to focus my time on.

#2

Have a look on google for “keyframe animation”, because that’s a good way to implement animations.

This is a program in Java that achieves that nicely: http://www.terra.es/personal/dani_rio/

#3

http://www.terra.es/personal/dani_rio/ … no hablo espanol aye aye aye!

I bable fished it and could kind of understand what it does. It looks like yet another (cry) modeling software to learn, and this one has even less documentation. If I must, I will, but is there no way to use something I allready know as animation easily in my java programs? (Milkshape,3dstudio, or another higher profile tool?)

#4

You may find this project useful, either directly or as a reference.

It’s a Java3D loader for game characters from Never Winter Nights and includes animation.

The game site itself documents the tool path for building your own characters and you can download lots of samples here
http://nwn.bioware.com/downloads/viewer.html

#5

Acording to the site, I need to buy NWN to make NWN models. What modeler can I use to make NWN models? Is there any way to export my MilkShape models into NWN format? I didn’t see an exporter built into MS that did that.