a new version of the blender to ms3d addon...
newest version available at:
http://wiki.blender.org/index.php/Extensions:2.5/Py/Scripts/Import-Export/MilkShape3D_MS3D

changelog:
mod: exception raise to pass the exception to the GUI
fix: exception if mesh has no material
add: import diffuse / alpha texture file to material (to material and uv texture)
add: export diffuse / alpha texture file name from material (or diffuse from uv texture, if material does not have one)
mod: metric setup on import (bigger clip end value)

note: if the ms3d file to import refer to an image (texture and/or alpha map), the image MUST be in the same directory as the ms3d file - the importer will not respect the path contained in the ms3d file!

note2: for exporting, the exporter will only take the image file name + extension to the ms3d material texture and/or alpha map. the exporter is not taking the file path. so the ms3d file and the images MUST be in the same folder!

note3: the exporter is only recognizing material texture images, if the image is a file on the disk, the mapping coordinates is "UV" and layer is its assigned UVTex...
the texture slot where "use_map_color_diffuse" is enabled, it will taken as texture.
the texture slot where "use_map_alpha" is enabled, it will taken as alphamap.

PS.: i am not sure, if future pinball will take notice of the material or texture/alphamap names in the ms3d file, because FP has its own color and texture settings...
but anyhow, it is good to have

tnx for this. u cant get it anywhere but here (if i made good search on net). topic is kind unique and very usefull. should be in sticky section. i'm just beginner in 3d modeling so i cant give any comments about quality etc. 1 more tnx!!!

hi brgljez,
you are welcome... its a good idea...
and i see, Steve already done it... thank you Steve!

here a new bug fixed version

newest version available at:
http://wiki.blender.org/index.php/Extensions:2.5/Py/Scripts/Import-Export/MilkShape3D_MS3D

changelog:
changed: (0, 3, 1, "beta (2011-11-25 00:00)")
dev: import bones (not finished yet)
fix: import a material only once, if it is used multiple times (will safe resources)
fix: export materials (all meshes got the same material by accident)
fix: exception in verbose mode (on older ms3d versions with no extended datablocks)

hi all...

i moved my addon to blenders official wiki page.
http://wiki.blender.org/index.php/Extensions:2.5/Py/Scripts/Import-Export/MilkShape3D_MS3D

you can download the newest file versions from:
https://svn.blender.org/svnroot/bf-extensions/contrib/py/scripts/addons/io_scene_ms3d/
... maybe you will get a warning of untrusted certificate from the browser
... you can trust, it is the official blender page for source code.
(download all the files and put them to the "io_scene_ms3d" folder and copy all to blenders "scripts\addons" folder to install the newest build)

from now on, i will publish new versions only on the blender pages.

if i'm lucky, then it makes its way to the official trunk, than it is shipped by the normal release of blender...

PS.: hopefully you are not too disappointed about, that GoPinball is not the exclusive resource anymore to get that addon.

WARNING: please notice, because the addon was moved by the administrator to a new folder (old: "io_ms3d"; new: "io_scene_ms3d"), you must delete the old folder if you was using that old "io_ms3d" folder of the addon... otherwise blender will run into a conflict !

Note: If you deleted the old "io_ms3d" folder, but blender still tries to find the addon from that old location, than please do this steps:
File -> Load Factory Settings
and than
File -> Save User Settings
that will restore all settings to factory settings of blender and saves them as default.
after that you can setup your preferences again - and enable the addon from the new "io_scene_ms3d" location.

disappointed? I would say, thank you develop this addon, that we have test in first!

_________________
Recreated Pinball: Whirlwind ; Taxi ; Funhouse ; Jokerz ; POTO.
Original Pinball: Wipeout
On Work: MonsterHunter ; TOTAN ;

Of course not!
This is a really good way for FP to be known

_________________

the easies way to get the newest build of the MilkShape3D addon is...
to grab one of the newest blender builds from http://graphicall.org/.

you can use every build you like, that contains contrib addons!

here are some links to blender builds, that will be updated frequently and i have tested:

64bit version:
http://graphicall.org/110
http://graphicall.org/643 (if there is "Download! ~0KB", than it is a text file, where the final link is embedded)

32bit version:
http://graphicall.org/79 (if there is "Download! ~0KB", than it is a text file, where the final link is embedded)

to enable/activate the MilkShape3D addon, you have to go to:
File -> User Preferences... -> Addons:
enable Testing on the upper left (because it is still a contrib addon and not an official one),
enable Import-Export on the lower left,
enable MilkShape3D MS3D format (.ms3d) on the right body
Save As Default.

if you download the newest build from time to time from GraphicAll, you will have always the newest MilkShape3D addon automatically.

PS.: please feel to report BUGs to this thread!

Awesome plugin and great tutorial!

Tips for other noobs like me:

* If your model renders overbright in FP; don't forget to export just the model from Blender, and not include any lights;
* Make sure you center the origin of the model correctly, FPM Editor requires so. In Blender, when you set the origin, make sure to use 'Center: Bounds Center' and not Median Center. This will align the base of your model correctly in FP.

here a news i found on blendernation http://www.blendernation.com/2011/12/30/tutorialtrack-com



http://www.tutorialtrack.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ2yXA-lr8I