HowToExportFromBlender

just a few notes on exporting, we should make a proper tutorial someday

guide

• install OgreBlenderExport_v1.4.0_prefixpatch :
  • download http://ghoulsblade.schattenkind.net/ogre/OgreBlenderExport_v1.4.0_prefixpatch.zip
  • (this is a modified version i made to automatically prefix all material names and filenames with something to avoid conflicts with other models)
  • unpack and move the everything inside (also subfolders) it into
    • (win:) YOUR_BLENDER_DIR/.blender/scripts
    • (linux:) YOURHOME/.blender/scripts

• install python
  • for win : http://python.org/download/ : Python 2.5.1 Windows installer
  • for linux : "apt-get install python" or something like that

• install OgreXMLConverter :
  • for win : OgreCommandLineTools_v1.4.0.msi
  • for linux : OgreXMLConverter is included in the ogre package or the ogre source

• open the .blend file you want to export (e.g. double click the .blend file)
• select the object you want to export using rightclick
  • (you can only export single objects, but you can make multiple subobjects somehow)

• open the "script-window"
  • rightclick the seperator between the 3d-view and the bottom panel and select split area
  • on the left button of the new panel select "script-window"
  • next to it a "scripts" button appears, select "Scripts":"Export":"OGRE Meshes" there
  • enter a unique prefix for you model and materials in the line saying "Prefix all names with this :"
    • (avoid spaces and special letters, something like ke_gpl_biotube_ is good)
  • the broad "copy texture" button should be active/pressed
  • select a directory where to export
    • creates multiple files, .material and .mesh file, and texture images are also copied
    • i suggest using a new empty directory
  • the "OgreXMLConverter" button should be active/pressed so we get a .mesh instead of a .xml
  • hit export
  • if you only got a .mesh.xml file, but no .mesh file, then the exporter couldn't locate the path to the OgreXMLConverter
    • to fix this, click "Preferences"
    • in "OgreXMLConverter Location" : click "Manual"
    • on win : select the path to the OgreXMLConverter.exe , e.g. C:\OgreCommandLineTools\OgreXmlConverter.exe
    • if you can't find it you need to install OgreCommandLineTools_v1.4.0.msi , see above

• the model will probably have to be rescaled, recentered and rotated
  • we created a specialized editor for that, see HowToAdjustMeshesForSFZ

• see HowToTestModelsIngame

restrictions

• one object ingame is one object in blender, so you have to combine multiple parts to a single object to export it
  • this can be done with ctrl + j : combine objects
• texture images should have a size that is a power of two, e.g. 32,64,128,256,512,1024,...
• don't make textures too large to save video ram ingame, 256x256 should be enough for most things, but please keep a backup of the original high-res texture
• most blender texture effects and shaders will not work ingame, a plain texture is the easiest to get to work

tips

• on the lowest panel, select "buttons window" on the menu on the left.
• if you want to edit object and mesh names : on the "Panels" menu select "Editing" : "Link and Materials" panel
• if you want to edit material names : on the "Panels" menu select "Shading":"Material"
• if you want to edit texture names and image paths : on the "Panels" menu select "Shading":"Texture"
• transform window : press n
  • lower right of the transform window should be near 1,1,1 for one ingame tile (press s to scale the model)
• this forum thread in iris2 about exporting ogre models might be interesting : http://www.iris2.de/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1061