If you ever wanted to modify or create mods but couldn't figure out how to use ZModeler, this tutorial should help out. I will try to explain every toolbar, tool, menu, and feature of ZModeler, along with applications for when they should or should not be used. I hope this is of some help to some people. Some of the images are too small to fit on the page (Click them to make them full-size).
This topic will be comprised of links that will direct you to other sub-topics. I am doing this because one topic would be way too large. Each tutorial is marked with a [Beginner], [Intermediate], or [Expert] tag. If you are new, I suggest beginning with the beginner ones and work your way up. To begin, expand a sub-group and click on a link:
[hide=Full ZModeler explanation]
Use the following links to learn more about all the aspects of ZModeler.
Zmodeler Startup screen explained (http://www.forum.convoytrucking.net/index.php/topic,39563.msg227962.html#msg227962) [Beginner]
Selected Mode and Auto features (http://www.forum.convoytrucking.net/index.php/topic,39409.0.html) [Beginner]
Toolbar Explanations (http://www.forum.convoytrucking.net/index.php/topic,39412.new.html#new) [Beginner]
Display Options (http://www.forum.convoytrucking.net/index.php/topic,39413.new.html#new) [Beginner]
Coordinate System (http://www.forum.convoytrucking.net/index.php/topic,39414.new.html#new) [Beginner]
Command Line (http://www.forum.convoytrucking.net/index.php/topic,39415.new.html#new) [Beginner]
Model Tree (http://www.forum.convoytrucking.net/index.php/topic,39416.new.html#new) [Beginner]
How to use the Tools (http://www.forum.convoytrucking.net/index.php/topic,39417.msg226942.html#msg226942) [Beginner]
[/hide]
====================
[hide=Importing/Exporting Mods]
Importing a mod (http://www.forum.convoytrucking.net/index.php/topic,39430.new.html#new) [Beginner]
Exporting a mod (http://www.forum.convoytrucking.net/index.php/topic,39449.new.html#new) [Beginner]
[/hide]
====================
[hide=Texturing Tutorials]
Texture Mapping (http://www.forum.convoytrucking.net/index.php/topic,39559.0.html) [Intermediate]
Skinning Mods (http://www.forum.convoytrucking.net/index.php/topic,39558.0.html) [Intermediate]
Tinting Windows (http://www.forum.convoytrucking.net/index.php/topic,39567.new.html#new) [Beginner]
[/hide]
====================
[hide=Conversion Tutorials]
Convert DDS files to BMP (http://www.forum.convoytrucking.net/index.php/topic,39561.0.html) [Intermediate]
[/hide]
====================
[hide=Random Tutorials]
De-Lagging a Mod (http://www.forum.convoytrucking.net/index.php/topic,39486.msg227548.html#msg227548) [Beginner]
[/hide]
Post in progress. I will be adding more info soon.
its weird. I have zmodeler but I cant open dffs
Quote from: Ethan on June 19, 2013, 05:45
its weird. I have zmodeler but I cant open dffs
Import > DFF file, make sure the DFF file is NOT locked, if it's locked you can NOT import the DFF file
Quote from: Clutch on June 19, 2013, 05:53
Quote from: Ethan on June 19, 2013, 05:45
its weird. I have zmodeler but I cant open dffs
Import > DFF file, make sure the DFF file is NOT locked, if it's locked you can NOT import the DFF file
Not only that, but you MUST have the full version of ZModeler in order to import DFF files I think.
Quote from: Rubber on June 19, 2013, 06:02
Quote from: Clutch on June 19, 2013, 05:53
Quote from: Ethan on June 19, 2013, 05:45
its weird. I have zmodeler but I cant open dffs
Import > DFF file, make sure the DFF file is NOT locked, if it's locked you can NOT import the DFF file
Not only that, but you MUST have the full version of ZModeler in order to import DFF files I think.
you can import DFF with demo, but can't export
Here, use mine. Its registered ^^ http://www.mediafire.com/download/zmvzaqn4tyrblmt/ZModeler.2.2.4.-.registered.rar (http://www.mediafire.com/download/zmvzaqn4tyrblmt/ZModeler.2.2.4.-.registered.rar)
im using yours prometheus... last time i tried to import a dff, i counldnt... btw, how do you know if its locked?
Quote from: Ethan on June 19, 2013, 15:08
im using yours prometheus... last time i tried to import a dff, i counldnt... btw, how do you know if its locked?
If its locked you won't be able to click on import.
hehe i tried to modify nyolc8 mods but they was Locked :P
You're not allowed to post that, Promtheus.
Quote from: Amine on June 19, 2013, 17:11
hehe i tried to modify nyolc8 mods but they was Locked :P
You can try to use RW Analyze to unlock them.
I don't see a reason why people lock their mods. Everyone should be able to modify their cars according to their own style and enjoy SAMP, thats what I think, otherwise SAMP will die one day.
Its due to people sharing new knowledge for free about GTA SA , making tutorials, softwares for free for everyone that GTA SA is still one of the popular games in so many years.
Quote from: Deff on June 19, 2013, 18:48
Quote from: Amine on June 19, 2013, 17:11
hehe i tried to modify nyolc8 mods but they was Locked :P
You can try to use RW Analyze to unlock them.
I don't see a reason why people lock their mods. Everyone should be able to modify their cars according to their own style and enjoy SAMP, thats what I think, otherwise SAMP will die one day.
Its due to people sharing new knowledge for free about GTA SA , making tutorials, softwares for free for everyone that GTA SA is still one of the popular games in so many years.
+1
Quote from: Deff on June 19, 2013, 18:48
Quote from: Amine on June 19, 2013, 17:11
hehe i tried to modify nyolc8 mods but they was Locked :P
You can try to use RW Analyze to unlock them.
I don't see a reason why people lock their mods. Everyone should be able to modify their cars according to their own style and enjoy SAMP, thats what I think, otherwise SAMP will die one day.
Its due to people sharing new knowledge for free about GTA SA , making tutorials, softwares for free for everyone that GTA SA is still one of the popular games in so many years.
I forget, how do I unlock the DFF file with RW Analyzer
I'm not sure if this will help with tutorials, but on the zmodeler website they have a free rar download of a detailed manual on how to use everything, it has like 7 pdf's inside
rubber kept his word and posted the tutorials !!!!
ps: promised it before a year or so...
Quote from: Deff on June 19, 2013, 18:48
Quote from: Amine on June 19, 2013, 17:11
hehe i tried to modify nyolc8 mods but they was Locked :P
You can try to use RW Analyze to unlock them.
I don't see a reason why people lock their mods. Everyone should be able to modify their cars according to their own style and enjoy SAMP, thats what I think, otherwise SAMP will die one day.
Its due to people sharing new knowledge for free about GTA SA , making tutorials, softwares for free for everyone that GTA SA is still one of the popular games in so many years.
I never lock any mod and never will,hate when people lock Mods,and hate when doesn't post credits too,if they unlock but post credits,i don't see reason to complain
Quote from: Anri on June 19, 2013, 23:19
rubber kept his word and posted the tutorials !!!!
ps: promised it before a year or so...
I have been really busy the last year. All the tutorials would have been done if I had time. Now, I am trying to finish my Jeep before the 4th of July for parades. I'm working 16 hours a day on it and don't have a whole lot of time for other things. I will post more when I get time though.
Quote from: Rubber on June 20, 2013, 07:12
Quote from: Anri on June 19, 2013, 23:19
rubber kept his word and posted the tutorials !!!!
ps: promised it before a year or so...
I have been really busy the last year. All the tutorials would have been done if I had time. Now, I am trying to finish my Jeep before the 4th of July for parades. I'm working 16 hours a day on it and don't have a whole lot of time for other things. I will post more when I get time though.
Wait didn't you post some videos a few months ago ?
Quote from: Vinny on June 20, 2013, 09:47
Quote from: Rubber on June 20, 2013, 07:12
Quote from: Anri on June 19, 2013, 23:19
rubber kept his word and posted the tutorials !!!!
ps: promised it before a year or so...
I have been really busy the last year. All the tutorials would have been done if I had time. Now, I am trying to finish my Jeep before the 4th of July for parades. I'm working 16 hours a day on it and don't have a whole lot of time for other things. I will post more when I get time though.
Wait didn't you post some videos a few months ago ?
I did, but they weren't finished. I got through 6 episodes I think, but I tried recording the next episode and the recording software flipped out, the recording was no good. I tried several times to record it, but something always got messed up so I gave up on it.
nice tutorial
I spent about 4 hours today updating the tutorial. It goes a lot slower than I want, but I think it is good detailed information that should help some people with modding. I still need to add info about the different tools and then show different examples on how they are used.
If anyone has any suggestions or corrections so far, I would like to hear them. Also, any requests (like how to add a license plate) can be made. Feel free to post or PM me and I'll try to get tutorials made as soon as I can.
Quote from: Rubber on June 23, 2013, 05:58
I spent about 4 hours today updating the tutorial. It goes a lot slower than I want, but I think it is good detailed information that should help some people with modding. I still need to add info about the different tools and then show different examples on how they are used.
If anyone has any suggestions or corrections so far, I would like to hear them. Also, any requests (like how to add a license plate) can be made. Feel free to post or PM me and I'll try to get tutorials made as soon as I can.
Thanks to spend you're times in it Rubber.
(http://i.imgur.com/75doZCW.png)
So i imported a clean jetmax dff and erased everything to keep the engine, i saved it and when i reopened the saved file i got this ^
Why did it become so shitty ? (in the 3d display, bottom right)
try show all , if it won't work it might be a save bug :)
For some reason, the textures did not save with the model. Also, it looks like something got messed up or is missing from the model part of it. Look at the command line (lower left hand corner) to see all the error messages. Did you save it as a ZMod file or did you export it as some other type of file? I have had this happen to me many times. The only fix I have found is to start over. This is why you need to save your work often. Some of the mods that I have worked on for a few hours have 50 or more saves. It is for this reason exactly...
I have no idea I saved as Zmod file, closed zmodeler and double clicked on the file and I got this. Later I remade it from scratch and exported to dff. Opened a new zmodeler window and imported the dff and I got NOTHING. I probably did something wrong while saving/exporting but idk why it says some textures are missing since I saved it in the same folder where I exported all the textures needed to mod the dff correctly. (Jetmax.txd + vehicle.txd)
What you could probably do as best to help me is do what I did its a 2 minutes work where you import jetmax.dff and erase everything except the engine at the back then see if it works with your "method". That's all I did yet and already have troubles :'( (it was already a challenge to erase it btw xD)
Quote from: Vinny on June 24, 2013, 00:52
I have no idea I saved as Zmod file, closed zmodeler and double clicked on the file and I got this. Later I remade it from scratch and exported to dff. Opened a new zmodeler window and imported the dff and I got NOTHING. I probably did something wrong while saving/exporting but idk why it says some textures are missing since I saved it in the same folder where I exported all the textures needed to mod the dff correctly. (Jetmax.txd + vehicle.txd)
What you could probably do as best to help me is do what I did its a 2 minutes work where you import jetmax.dff and erase everything except the engine at the back then see if it works with your "method". That's all I did yet and already have troubles :'( (it was already a challenge to erase it btw xD)
I tried it and it worked for me. Did you import the textures from the vehicle.txd file before you imported the dff? When you saved the file, what did you have in the model tree? Was it only the engine (I think the object was named 'boat')?
Here is a screen of what I get when I open the file that I saved:
(http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t437/RubberofCVT/Random%20GTA%20SA%20screenshots/jetmaxscreen_zpsd27c26d9.png)
I have attached a zipped folder of the project that I created. It has all the tga files, dffs, and txds. Also, I saved the engine as a dff in case you want to import it into another model. One thing that you need to be careful with when saving as a dff: you MUST save the name as the first line in the model tree (in this case, I saved it as jetmax.dff).
If you wanted to add this engine to a different mod, here is what you do: First, open the mod that you want to add it to. Make sure you have all the textures set up for it. Now, import all the textures from the jetmax.txd file (I already extracted them and they are included in the folder in TGA format). Last, import the .dff file that is included in the 'modded dff' folder that is attached. Now all you need to do is drag the object in the model tree into your model. Let's say you wanted to put this engine on the buffalo. This would mean you have to drag the 'boat' layer in the jetmax.dff model tree into the right layer on the buffalo.dff model tree. You have to do this because ZModeler is kind of dumb and it requires DFF's to be saved as the first line on the model tree. Once you have the engine ('boat' layer) moved to the Buffalo, you can delete whatever is left of the jetmax.dff model.
I hope this helps. It is a bit hard to explain in text, but if you would like further clarification, I can post a tutorial on how it is done. Enjoy, my friend.
moddin is damn Difficult :/ this gonna be hard
Oh crap so it was probably the name ... I did put something like "jetmax engine" while saving, can't tell atm cuz I'm on my phone (it's 2:40 am here). I will check your folder and try to do the same thing on my own because ill never learn anything if people give me ready files.
You probably already heard it but your are an awesome guy. Really kind to everyone and always helpful even though you're very busy all the time. A lot of thanks for your help, maybe it is not a big deal as a pro modder but it is a big help for beginners like me and it is a great thing to see that there are still a few helpful people for some nubs.
Quote from: Vinny on June 24, 2013, 01:50
Oh crap so it was probably the name ... I did put something like "jetmax engine" while saving, can't tell atm cuz I'm on my phone (it's 2:40 am here). I will check your folder and try to do the same thing on my own because ill never learn anything if people give me ready files.
You probably already heard it but your are an awesome guy. Really kind to everyone and always helpful even though you're very busy all the time. A lot of thanks for your help, maybe it is not a big deal as a pro modder but it is a big help for beginners like me and it is a great thing to see that there are still a few helpful people for some nubs.
Thanks for the kind words. I'm glad to help people like you, who are interested in modding and aren't afraid to work a bit to learn. I agree with doing things on your own, I only included the folder so you can see what I did and learn from it. There is no need for you to use the model I gave you. Best of luck with the modding! Let me know if you have any more problems.
Hell ... I remade all the shit from scratch and it worked then imported in a hotring A dff then i compiled all the textures to the hotrina.txd to get this (thought it was perfect):
[hide=Zmod pic](http://i.imgur.com/yDzPUSP.png)[/hide]
Now i check GGMM and i get this (also "perfect"):
[hide=GGMM pics](http://i.imgur.com/tjhJTm5.png)(http://i.imgur.com/5gChfeu.png)(http://i.imgur.com/6toYEdP.png)(http://i.imgur.com/7WoNV3U.png)[/hide]
And here i come in game (disaster):
[hide=In game](http://i.imgur.com/5A6vSLm.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/wqUab0m.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/W6zgpZD.jpg)[/hide]
I don't understand what happened ... Where is the engine ? Why is it transparent in the car ? Why is there somekind of shadow in the lights ?
Nevermind i found out what was wrong and fixed everything like a big boy :D
[imgur]http://imgur.com/a/vdb73#0[/imgur]
(sp because i can't connect to the server ._.)
Quote from: Vinny on June 24, 2013, 20:05
Nevermind i found out what was wrong and fixed everything like a big boy :D
Let me guess, you forgot to attach the engine part to the model, or forgot to place it in the right place on the model/layer tree? I have done that hundreds of times. It's really agrevating when you can't find out what's going wrong. Cookie for you for figuring it out on your own!
Quote from: Rubber on June 25, 2013, 00:16
Quote from: Vinny on June 24, 2013, 20:05
Nevermind i found out what was wrong and fixed everything like a big boy :D
Let me guess, you forgot to attach the engine part to the model, or forgot to place it in the right place on the model/layer tree? I have done that hundreds of times. It's really agrevating when you can't find out what's going wrong. Cookie for you for figuring it out on your own!
Yes ... I think you can see it on the screenshot of zmodeler. Also the shadow was caused by the "rest" of the jetmax that was not showed but it was still there (confusing lol), and the transparency was my wrong move, i wanted to erase Hotring's engine but i somehow erased a part of the chasis.
CT pics:
(http://i.imgur.com/qB6vXCq.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/b3EwvLj.png)
It's very basic of course but there is a begin to everything. Thanks again for your help Rubber.
Quote from: Vinny on June 25, 2013, 00:35
Quote from: Rubber on June 25, 2013, 00:16
Quote from: Vinny on June 24, 2013, 20:05
Nevermind i found out what was wrong and fixed everything like a big boy :D
Let me guess, you forgot to attach the engine part to the model, or forgot to place it in the right place on the model/layer tree? I have done that hundreds of times. It's really agrevating when you can't find out what's going wrong. Cookie for you for figuring it out on your own!
Yes ... I think you can see it on the screenshot of zmodeler. Also the shadow was caused by the "rest" of the jetmax that was not showed but it was still there (confusing lol), and the transparency was my wrong move, i wanted to erase Hotring's engine but i somehow erased a part of the chasis.
CT pics:
(http://i.imgur.com/qB6vXCq.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/b3EwvLj.png)
It's very basic of course but there is a begin to everything. Thanks again for your help Rubber.
No problem Vinny, glad to help. Erasing part of the chassis must have been a fun one to figure out and fix lol. Anyway, good to hear it works now.
So, I've been working quite a bit on this and I'm almost finished with the basic tutorial and ready to move on the the how-to tutorials.
Some of the things I have lined up (not in any order):
How to add SA license plates
How to tint windows
How to create shiny/glossy textures without the use of ENB
How to change the wheels of a mod
How to lower/raise a mod
How to add or retexture lights
How to de-lag a laggy RT mod
How to add or subtract various vehicle parts
How to add custom textures, like stickers, logos, text, and other things
Does anyone have anything they want to add to the list? Also, if anyone has something from this list they want demonstrated, I will focus on that item first.
Personally :
Quote from: Rubber on June 25, 2013, 06:33
How to add SA license plates
How to create shiny/glossy textures without the use of ENB
How to change the wheels of a mod
How to add custom textures, like stickers, logos, text, and other things
Bump as it is an ongoing topic.
So even though I'm away I'm still learning things an looking for some tutorials and after hours of search I just found nothing so I'm going to ask you guys:
How to make those damn chrome/reflections ?
From what I could find so far, but not 100% sure, you need a specific picture and must change a lot of settings when assigning the texture to model.
Quote from: Vinny on August 08, 2013, 22:22
Bump as it is an ongoing topic.
So even though I'm away I'm still learning things an looking for some tutorials and after hours of search I just found nothing so I'm going to ask you guys:
How to make those damn chrome/reflections ?
From what I could find so far, but not 100% sure, you need a specific picture and must change a lot of settings when assigning the texture to model.
Yes, you do need to add a texture to the TXD file and assign it to a material in the mod, but it really isn't that hard. I have a little more free time now so I will try to do that tutorial. It is actually pretty simple and makes a low quality mod look much better.
Thanks master. Take your time, don't take it as a priority ;)
Well i can definitely not change the wheels everytime i try its a disaster :'( i tried everything i could and it still gets fucked up everytime im, really desperate xD
Sorry for 'bumping,' but can one of you gimme a dropbox to the zmoddler you have? I swear every single one I download is either a demo thingy or it's just a program called 'ZModdler.exe' and it installs many other pc scanners and ads and shit.
Quote from: Fish_[SA] on June 10, 2014, 15:38
Sorry for 'bumping,' but can one of you gimme a dropbox to the zmoddler you have? I swear every single one I download is either a demo thingy or it's just a program called 'ZModdler.exe' and it installs many other pc scanners and ads and shit.
Does http://www.zmodeler2.com/ not work? if you're passing around programs (the full lot/cracks) do it via PM :)