[Guide] Importing the Astronaut into Blender

These are are steps required to import the astronaut into Blender (2.77 at the time this was written):

Install the ModSDK
See here.

Import the Astronaut

1. In Blender choose File > Import > FBX
2. The model file of the astronaut is located at <ModSDK>\OriginalContent\Models\Characters\Astronaut\SE_astronaut.fbx.
3. Use these settings:
   • On Main disable everything except Use Pre/Post Rotation
   • On Armatures disable everything and choose X for the Primary Bone Axis and Y for the Secondary Bone Axis
     
     

Fix the Parenting
Five of the six empties are not parented properly after import (this might be fixed in a later Blender version). To fix this

1. Select one of the empties
2. Switch to the Object property panel
   
3. Under Relations
   1. Choose SE_main_root as the Parent
   2. Bone as the Parent Type
   3. The correct bone for each empty
      • For FrontJetpackDummy and BackJetpackDummy this is SE_RigSpine3.
      • For HeadDummy, LeftLightDummy and RightLightDummy this is SE_RigHead.

EDIT: Currently this still positions the dummies at the wrong location on export from Blender.
I haven't found a proper solution, yet.
​

Adjust the Scaling

1. Select everything with A
2. Hit Ctrl + A to Apply Transforms and choose Scale

Setup the SE Block Tools Addon
To export the astronaut with the Block Tools you need to use a custom node tree for the export.



Configure the scene to use this node tree

 

Maybe a stupid question, but will this let me do the animation in Blender and then Export it so it functions in game? I am really just after a static "pose" for my cockpit model. So if I change the pose of the character in Blender, do I then just export it?

 

There's a preset Animated Pose in the export options (first image under Setup the Addon). It basically makes sure only the armature and the animation are exported. I only played with this a little bit. If I recall correctly you need at least two frames of animation or MwmBuilder will abort with a message saying it needs at least one mesh or animation.

 

Ok, nice. Ill try it out today then The 2 frame animation was the same in the old character system so I bet that is true now also.
--- Automerge ---
OK, so been sitting with this for some hours now and its making me crazy Watch this video and tell me if I am doing anything wrong:

I have already imported the fbx as you showed above.

 

I think the problem is actually with your Animations.sbc. I believe with the new AnimationController animations from this file no longer trigger even though you get the icon in the G-menu.

 

Hmm, it dont seem to be anyone that knows how this new system works yet. I have been playing around with the animation controller and I have no idea. searched info on it and no one knows. I guess I just have to wait.

 

Hey Harag, I'm wondering if you can help me with something.

I've got my astronaut imported, sbc setup etc. Character is playable, ragdolls working and so on.

Only problem is, my first person camera is in the floor, where the root of SE_head_nobeard is within Blender.
Is it something I need to fix within the mesh file, or can/must it be offset in the Characters.sbc?
I've tried moving the root up and repositioning the mesh, but the camera still defaults to the ground!

 

You probably need to create an empty called "HeadDummy" and link it to a bone in your armature's head region. That seems to be working for me!

 

I seem to get as far as "Setup the SE Block Tools Addon" then I hit a wall.
I don't see the nodes "Object Filters" or "Block Export" to set up the mwm export as detailed above. I've done this in the past with Blender 2.77 so I'm not sure if it's because I'm using 2.78c now or if I've just lost my mind and missed something obvious... Any ideas?

Edit: Found them. Now just to get mwm builder to stop failing and I'll be rolling.

 

Change to Node view (1), click the gear (2), select MwmExport from the list (3). Change your settings!
You will also need to select the MwmExport node system (5) from the scene tab (4) of your scene.



Also somebody let me know if you figure out how to export a model with working animation.
I've have tried numerous times and I always end up with 'working' animations that turn my character into spagh

 

Thanks for the reply. Though as I said in my edit, I'd already found it. I'm sure the reminder will come in handy a year from now though when I inevitably forget where it was again haha.
My issue with mwm builder was also fixed by downloading an older version as I couldn't get the version in the SDK to work at all.