Zmodeler
Encyclopedia
ZModeler is a 3D modeling application developed by Oleg Melashenko. It is aimed at modelers who model for computer games such as 18 Wheels of Steel
, Grand Theft Auto
, Need for Speed, Midtown Madness
or similar video games.
Version 1 does not support polygon
s other than triangle
s, or NURBs, or other forms of modeling other than polygonal and splines. It comes with filters to import and export meshes of other formats. However, there are more formats other than the included ones for download in various websites. ZModeler does not have a lighting system, although lighting can be made by using gradients for reflection maps.
The current ZModeler2 branch has a revised user interface, and adds new functions. Since version 2, ZModeler is no longer proposed as a feature-full freeware. Once activated, it becomes possible to use filters and plugins to import and export models of various other formats, including formats for computer games. ZModeler2 has a new rendering engine
, and adds several more functions. It sports a vastly different user interface than ZModeler1. Additionally, ZModeler2 supports quadrilateral polygons, a major step-up from ZModeler1.
s. Currently, scene renderings can only be made by taking a screen capture. This method, however, does affect the output quality because no post-processing
, such as anti-aliasing
, is performed on the final image. Any necessary manual post-processing can, for example, be done by rescaling a high-output rendering of the scene with any graphics software
.
hardware transform and lighting support, software rendering
is also supported although render errors may occur. Certain graphics cards may cause artifacts
to occur.
18 Wheels of Steel
18 Wheels of Steel is a series of trucking simulators published by ValuSoft and developed by SCS Software. The series currently has 8 installments...
, Grand Theft Auto
Grand Theft Auto (series)
Grand Theft Auto is a multi-award-winning British video game series created in the United Kingdom by Dave Jones, then later by brothers Dan Houser and Sam Houser, and game designer Zachary Clarke. It is primarily developed by Edinburgh based Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games...
, Need for Speed, Midtown Madness
Midtown Madness (series)
Midtown Madness is a series of racing games set in famous cities around the world, published by Microsoft Game Studios. Unlike many other racing games created during the series' initial release, Midtown Madness games pioneered the use of open world city environments instead of predefined circuit...
or similar video games.
ZModeler versions
ZModeler is capable of complex modeling. On later versions it supports important modeling functions such as extruding, or beveling.Version 1 does not support polygon
Polygon
In geometry a polygon is a flat shape consisting of straight lines that are joined to form a closed chain orcircuit.A polygon is traditionally a plane figure that is bounded by a closed path, composed of a finite sequence of straight line segments...
s other than triangle
Triangle
A triangle is one of the basic shapes of geometry: a polygon with three corners or vertices and three sides or edges which are line segments. A triangle with vertices A, B, and C is denoted ....
s, or NURBs, or other forms of modeling other than polygonal and splines. It comes with filters to import and export meshes of other formats. However, there are more formats other than the included ones for download in various websites. ZModeler does not have a lighting system, although lighting can be made by using gradients for reflection maps.
The current ZModeler2 branch has a revised user interface, and adds new functions. Since version 2, ZModeler is no longer proposed as a feature-full freeware. Once activated, it becomes possible to use filters and plugins to import and export models of various other formats, including formats for computer games. ZModeler2 has a new rendering engine
Rendering (computer graphics)
Rendering is the process of generating an image from a model , by means of computer programs. A scene file contains objects in a strictly defined language or data structure; it would contain geometry, viewpoint, texture, lighting, and shading information as a description of the virtual scene...
, and adds several more functions. It sports a vastly different user interface than ZModeler1. Additionally, ZModeler2 supports quadrilateral polygons, a major step-up from ZModeler1.
Rendering
No version of ZModeler comes with support for making final scene renderingRendering (computer graphics)
Rendering is the process of generating an image from a model , by means of computer programs. A scene file contains objects in a strictly defined language or data structure; it would contain geometry, viewpoint, texture, lighting, and shading information as a description of the virtual scene...
s. Currently, scene renderings can only be made by taking a screen capture. This method, however, does affect the output quality because no post-processing
Post-processing
Post-processing may refer to:* Differential GPS post-processing* Video post-processing, methods used in video processing and 3D graphics* Finite element model data post-processing...
, such as anti-aliasing
Anti-aliasing
In digital signal processing, spatial anti-aliasing is the technique of minimizing the distortion artifacts known as aliasing when representing a high-resolution image at a lower resolution...
, is performed on the final image. Any necessary manual post-processing can, for example, be done by rescaling a high-output rendering of the scene with any graphics software
Graphics software
In computer graphics, graphics software or image editing software is a program or collection of programs that enable a person to manipulate visual images on a computer....
.
Primitive objects
Both ZModeler versions come with a standard list of primitive objects that can be easily created. After determining the size and location of the object, a dialog box will pop up, allowing the user to specify the object name, and the "horizontal steps" and "vertical steps". The list of primitive objects include spheres, cones, cubes, cylinders, tubes, and tori.Format
The ZModeler file format has an extension of "*.Z3D". The ZModeler2 file format is different from the ZModeler 1x series' file format. Although ZModeler2 can open ZModeler 1 files, ZModeler 1 cannot open ZModeler2 files. Both formats have the same file extension. They are also both capable of storing unsupported data. Since ZModeler 2.2.4, Z3D files are capable of storing the textures, although this feature must be enabled. On older versions instead, textures are separately stored as bitmaps, PNG, or other supported files types.Minimum system requirements
ZModeler is a relatively light program needing only around 20MB of empty hard disk space. The CPU and RAM requirements depend on the complexity of the scene, with the graphics card being the most important factor. Besides support for any graphics card with Direct3DDirect3D
Direct3D is part of Microsoft's DirectX application programming interface . Direct3D is available for Microsoft Windows operating systems , and for other platforms through the open source software Wine. It is the base for the graphics API on the Xbox and Xbox 360 console systems...
hardware transform and lighting support, software rendering
Software rendering
In the context of rendering , software rendering refers to a rendering process that is unaided by any specialized graphics hardware, such as a graphics card. The rendering takes place entirely in the CPU...
is also supported although render errors may occur. Certain graphics cards may cause artifacts
Digital artifact
A digital artifact is any undesired alteration in data introduced in a digital process by an involved technique and/or technology.-Possible causes:...
to occur.
External links
- Official ZModeler website
- SupermotoXL Designs - Collection of custom design 3d models created using ZModeler.
- GTA Mods by Chong McBong - Scratch built models for GTA San Andreas, using Zmodeler2.
- Zmodeler Forum