3D Models
From Universalwiki
The Universal utilizes 3D models to construct entire worlds. Models are three dimensional figures that can be in the shape of anything from a simple cube to very realistic looking models of everyday things.
[edit] Basics of TU Models
The typical object that appears in The Universal, whether it be a School or a tractor, will consist of to files. A model and a texture.
- Models represent the physical side of an object. The model of something simple like a basketball would most likely just be a sphere.
Models in The Universal all have the file extension ".atm" which stands for "A Tractor Model". Although there is currently no way to make a .atm model type, The Universal Model Converter can produce .atm models from the more common .X and .3ds model types. See "Making Models For TU" below for more on producing these types of models.
- By themselves, models are rather colorless and uninteresting. This is where textures come in handy.
Textures are essentially just ordinary image files (.jpg and .bmp are the most common) that you would find anywhere in the world of computer, except with a purpose. Since there is no easy way to paint in 3D (yet!), computers rely on 2D images and a pre-arranged method to position parts of that image along the exterior of the model, as though it were wrapping paper in a sense. This provides plenty of color and details that couldn't be incorporated into the model itself (like text on a billboard). Unlike models, Textures can be produced with any basic image editing software.
[edit] List of TU Models
Over the years, The Universal's players and staff have put together quite a list of models. We hope to compile some of them here in the near future.
[edit] Making Models For TU
Although I'm sure the staff would like it if The Universal had its very own model making software that was both intuitive and powerful at making realistic looking .atm models; realistically, modeling software (or any software for that matter) is very labor intensive to produce. So it is necessary to build on what is already in mainstream use across the web. (To be continued...)
