Hi,
This thread will contain a list of the more useful programs, a description of what they do, and where to get them from.
If you want any links added to here, PM me.
Category - BIG file extractors.
These are the initial programss you'll need to extract the Homeworld.big file, ready for customising and modding the game.
Program - WinBig
URL - http://www.tgu.org.uk/users/gw/tools/winbig.zip
Description - This program replaces the original BigViewer, although for extracting you can use both.
Category - Modelling software
The software here is used to actually model and create your ship, ready for putting it into Homeworld. Use of these programs is not normally supported by the Research Station forum as they are quite complex.
Program - Rhino
URL - http://www.rhino3d.com
Description - From the webpage: "Rhino can create, edit, analyze, and translate NURBS curves, surfaces, and solids in Windows. There are no limits on complexity, degree, or size. Rhino also supports polygon meshes."
Program - Milkshape
URL - http://www.swissquake.ch/chumbalum-soft/ms3d/
Description - A low polygon modeler, which supports exporting to OBJ file format.
Program - 3d Studio Max
URL - http://www.discreet.com/products/3dsmax/
Description - A professional modelling studio, used often in high-end animations.
Program - Lightwave
URL - http://www.newtek.com/products/lightwave/
Description - The program that was used to create Homeworld ships. A professional 3d program in the vein of 3d studio max.
Category - Texturers
If you're 3d modelling software doesn't allow texturing, or you find it too difficult to use, then the products in this category may help.
Program - LithUnwrap
URL - http://www.geocities.com/lithunwrap/
Description - LithUnwrap is a free, easy to use, UV coordinate editor for Windows. Use it to edit UV coordinates, unwrap models, or export UV maps to bitmaps for painting.
Category - Conversion software
These programs are used to convert ships created and textured in your modelling software (see categories above), to the custom Homeworld .PEO format used by the game.
Program - 3d Exploration (note: NOT Deep Exploration)
URL - http://www.csh.rit.edu/~seubanks/hom...lorer1.5.3.exe - Thanks Venlar for hosting
Description - This program is primarily used to convert models from other formats (OBJ/3DS etc), to the PEO format.
Program - Spooky's PeoMaker
URL - Coming Soon!
Description - A direct OBJ-to-PEO convertor, which also converts smoothing groups across as well. This should be used in preference to 3dex where these file types are involved.
Category - Post-conversion process
These programs are used once you have your ship in PEO format. Whether it's to create a MEX file, to animate a ship using a MAD animation or to do something else, you'll probably find it here.
Sub-Category - MEX Editors
These programs are used to create the MEX files which are used in Homeworld to specify gun positions, collision spheres and other things like docking points.
Program - Delphy's HWSE (Homeworld Ship Editor)
URL - http://www.a-fluffy.demon.co.uk/homeworld/
Description - An all-in-one Homeworld Ship Editor which includes visual mex capability. There is also no need to convert files to .x as there was with the older VME.
Program - Spooky's Mex Editor
URL - http://www.b5mods.com/site/downloads_tools.htm
Description - A text only MEX editor, for quick and easy changing/editing of MEX files. Includes a scaling feature.
Sub-Category - Other Tools
Program - Crooks HW Background Creator
URL - http://www.tgu.org.uk/users/gw/tools/
Program - Crooks Peo AutoLodder 2.0
URL - http://www.tgu.org.uk/users/gw/tools/
Program - Crooks HW Font Maker 1.3
URL - http://www.tgu.org.uk/users/gw/tools/
