More Awesome Than You!

I was wanting to get into meshing and I know it requires simpe and some program called milkshake (according to most sources) does anyone know if i can use something i'm more familiar with (and actually own) like Lightwave 3D?

I'm not sure about using other programs, but I imagine it would work, although you wouldn't have plugins made specifically for Sims2 like Milkshape does.

Ah ok was wondering about that

There are only three programs I have got to work with meshing for The Sims 2. Milkshape, Truespace (Only tried with version 3) and 3ds Max.

3ds Max works perfectly and natively. I suggest you do not "Convert Units" when importing a Sims2 mesh, however.
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Truespace works great, with a plugin to export .obj files. (I have one someplace, i'll have to find it when I get home.) However, I have had problems with lighting. Slap any texture on it (in the editor) and it works. It also won't show up on the final .OBJ file.

Milkshape works perfectly, however it is totally useless for all but the simplest of meshes. Not powerful enough.
/me dislikes Milkshape.

I use Max too. Although, since Milkshape can import and export so many formats, you can pretty much use any program, import your mesh to Milkshape and export from there. I haven't checked lately, but I'm almost positive Milkshape can import Lightwave meshes. If so, just make your mesh in Lightwave, save or export it, import it into Milkshape, and then export it from Milkshape to a form SimPE can use. I believe WesH has a Milkshape plugin to do this.

Thanks guys! I really didnt want to have to buy another program just to fiddle with meshes.  If I get excited I may load it all up and see if i can get it to happen, if not I'll just stick to recolouring.  Was just hoping maybe someone out there was using lightwave and knew for sure.

Lightwave IIRC saves to .obj, correct? If so, I can confirm that Milkshape can load an .obj and then once loaded into milkshape it can be exported to a form simPE can use as long as you have the Milkshape plugin.

I use Blender 3D.  Anything wrong with that?

Thanks I've put Lightwave back on my computer now (will have to brush up on it again) and have downloaded and installed SimPE (now I just gotta figure it out).  Think I will need to do a few SimPE tutorials before I start doing too much.  Or at least wait until I have some peace and quiet.

Woah. 3ds Max is like $600! Do you guys get it through "alternative" means or what?

I've been working recently in Milkshape and it really is too simple to do most things correctly. Such a pain in the ass sometimes.

some modders are also involved into their special part of modding outside of the Sims-world.

If you're working with non-animated object meshes (or object meshes that are animated but don't need special steps to retain the animations) you don't need any special plugins, you can just export from Milkshape as an .obj and import it into SimPE.