Schmack, yes would you please explain what this setting does "Only use the outer convex hull as collision mesh"?

I'm not clear on it yet either. Thanks

Thanks Skotty,

OK so this is the "shrink-wrap" single-part surs the old exporter made then?

Got it, thanks.

It is always the center of each single group.

The best way to use Schmackis sur conveter is in combination with P1p3rs CMP exporter, because both use the same center point calculation. If you use the old CMP exporter, the standard center will be 0. Schmackis sur converter won't move any part, so just leave it where it is.

For the sur, leave EVERY convex group single. Just give all sur groups that belong to the same CMP group the same name.
You have to name the sur group exactly like its cmp group, so everytime add the _lod1 to the end (like you can read them out of your FIX file).
If you use multiple sur groups for a non root group, it may happen that the group gets another center point for its "secundary" group (= the group of the destroyed, cutted off part). In this case set the manual center point of the FIRST sur mesh entry of this group with the negated value of the FIX value of the CMP group. The manual center override will always be added to the automatic center, no override.


It may be that I didnt answer your question on a way you wanted. I really have some problems understanding your questions.

This just get's more confusing all the time.

Hardpoints that are included in vanilla sur files should be included in the sur file if they are fitted to your model. If not then you will risk having intermittent crashes during combat if one of them is hit.

These are:

HpCloak01 (-xx)
HpCM01 (-xx)
HpMine01 (-xx)
HpMount
HpShield01 (-xx)
HpThruster01 (-xx)
HpTorpedo01 (-xx)
HpTurret01 (-xx)
HpWeapon01 (-xx)

Hardpoints represented by the usual triangle only and not having a hardpoint sur mesh will generate the following message during the conversion:
"Warning, no matching vector pair found! Adding new Triangle Group."

Here below is an .ms3d file of vanilla hardpoint meshes, to normal vanilla FL scale.

Here is how to use them:

After exporting your model .cmp file, merge this hardpoint sur meshes file with your model in MilkShape, and save it as a new .ms3d filename so you don't overwrite your model file, in case you need to make another .cmp file. I usually add "Surs" to the end of the filename, e.g. "myNewShip.ms3d" and "myNewShipSurs.ms3d".

Make your model groups convex by selecting the ones you want and using the ConvexTool, then move each new convex mesh above the original group to maintain your group and hardpoints order. Ensure that the convex mesh name now has the same name as the original group and with "_lod1" suffix, and delete the original group. Do this with all the new convex meshes.

Then move each hardpoint Sur mesh you need to the place of the triangle representing your hardpoint, rename it to the same name as your hardpoint, and delete the original hardpoint triangle. The hardpoint meshes must be named "HpThruster01" etc, and must NOT have any "_lod1" suffix.

You can resize the sur mesh to suit the weapon or equipment that it is covering.

You can also make your own hardpoint sur mesh if you prefer, just be sure it is entirely convex and very simple.

Copy the same hardpoint mesh shape for more hardpoints of the same type.

Delete hardpoints in your model that aren't in this mesh file, because they don't need sur meshes, e.g. HpEnginexx (the engines use the sur shapes for the engine groups).

Finally, delete any hardpoint meshes for hardpoints that you don't have in your model,e.g. HpCloak01, HpMine01, HpTurret01 etc.

Save again and export your .obj file, then use the obj-sur converter.

Attach file:

---

Hardpoint Sur Meshes.zip Size: 5.19 KB; Hits: 39

I attached a hexed version of Milkshapes Convex Tool. It doen't add _convex but _lod1 to the end of the convex model. Its standard polycount is 256 instead of 1024.

Attach file:

---

msConVexTool_lod1.zip Size: 17.05 KB; Hits: 41