Danny, thanks for the link to that other message thread. I read that messge thread beginning with the first message posted. I came across a posting from alarduran where he attached "instructions to create 3D objects for APCD" in a .pdf document. The "instructions" were on how to create 3D objects in 3DS Max and export objects to DirectX .x file format.Danny D wrote: ↑May 27th, 2020, 2:26 amHi SLucey...
I'll refer you to the post where I got my information. It's in this thread down near the bottom where you see a picture of a bench. Download the zip file he attached and the file types are in there.
https://linkscorner.org/phpBB/viewtopic ... 3048#p3048
Dan
Now, based on having used Blender software previously, I can shed some light on a few points of interest. First, from what I gleaned from the "instructions" it appears what was done in 3DS Max can be done in Blender as well, albeit, a bit complex, as even in 3DS Max it appears there are a number of steps and hoops to jump thru. In the end, the object was exported from 3DS Max to a DirectX .x file format. Blender will also export to a DirectX .x file format natively...provided you're using the older version of Blender (v2.79). Beginning with v2.8 Blender dropped native support exporting to DirectX .x file format.
Up to this point, things seem promising. But, once you have the .x file of the object, you still have to convert the .x file to the .xyz/.map files that the APCD recognizes (the .xyz is object, .map is texture mapping, and the .prv file - which is manually created - is nothing more than a .tga file renamed with the .prv extension).
Now, herein lies the problem: in those "instructions" it says - and I quote - "Ok we have a DirectX file called tutorial.X and we have a tga file called Threadplate.tga. We need to make sure these are in the same directory. Now fire up the links and apcd tools application and select the #D object convertor. This has a simple one button interface so click it and browse to the tutorial.X file we created and click ok."
This part is vague and its not at all clear what "links and apcd tools application" it is referring too? Is there some other piece of software being used here? If so, why was it not mentioned by name? Did the APCD - at some point in time - come with some other "tools" application? One things for sure, without that "apcd tools application" there doesn't appear to be anyway of converting the .x file to .xyz/.map files. So, at this point I'm stumped.
Anyone with any further info or can shed more light on this I would appreciate hearing from you.