Help revising an existing 2.42 SIXSI version 1 Blender exporter.

Technical Support Python Support
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Greetings, I have an existing python XSI version 1 exporter that’s nearly complete, but I need some help getting some elements added internally to the script for adding the SI_Material section. The original script was written by another user named, Overmind. He did most of the work, but could not complete the task before moving on to other projects. I have begun to make small changes to the ASCII text based, XSI 101text 0032 script to make it work for an older video game called, Battlezone 2 Combat Commander. I have a newer 303 XSI expoprter to reference off, but the SIXSI format has changed substantially from the older pretty much now obsolete 101 version.

Question: Will the older 2.42 script work with the latest Blender release?

Can portions of the newer Elira 303 version be cut and pasted into the older 101 version?

I have a total of 3 scripts, the original Overmind version, a version I revised, and of course the newer 303 Elira created script. I could use some assistance and advice on what to do in terms of getting the script done and possibly converted for use with either Blender 2.42 or the most current release of Blender. Thanks and I hope that someone might be able to help me on this weekend project. Leroy.

PS: Here’s a forum link on my modeling forum for the 3 scripts hosted as file attachments. I can also provide example XSI 101 models for anyone to take a look at the file output of the elements contained in a simple SIXSI 101 formated model file. ttp://gamespacelite.freeforums.org/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=524

If someone could point me to some sources that too would be apreciated.

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No, Blender and the Python API changed almost completely, you either rewrite it from scratch or use older Blender version. v2.49 might still work, but 2.5 and 2.6 won’t for sure.

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So are there any articles on how to convert older Blender scripts to the latest API? I like the new UI much better then the older one’s as they seem much easier to navigate.

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no, haven’t seen any so far. But you can compare the 2.4 API docs to latest 2.6.x docs and figure out the differences.

However, i recommend to rewrite scripts from scratch, as straightforward conversions end up as messy scripts not utilizing built-in functions

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:smiley: Wow, check this out. I found an existing Directx exporter script written for Blender 2.63 that seems to run just fine under 2.65a and I’ve started pittling around with a few minor changes to that script already; it uses a 303 X format, but I changed the xof303 to xof302 similar to the version used by an older Blender 2.4x version and am comparing the information to the 2.63 version. I know very little about either the older or newer Blender API’s, but I’m just sort tinkering around with what I do know. The way I figure it “nothing ventured nothing gained.”

:yes: The Directx 302 text format is very similar to the older SIXSI 101 format except the text blocks are written out a little differently as far as text position entries within each file, and some of the naming is different. This is just a weekend project for me at this point, so I know that I’ll have lots of questions to post as I move forward. If it gets done then I’ll eventually freely release it for public consumtion among other Blender users. It’s an old format, but there are a few video game model creators that could use it to make models for Battlezone 2 Combat Commander using Blender. They all think I’m a bit crazy for doing projects like this as most BZII modders use Studio Max and a special XSI exporter plugin designed by some user named, Dummy. Hopefully, somone can help me get it working at some point. I already have a decent workflow using another modeling software called, Caligari Truespace 7.61 Beta 8, but I’m working on an alternative method possibly using Blender to accomplish the same thing as Truespace has an odd UI for some model makers who prefer using something like Blender.

:wink: Another user named Raxx helped me develop an X and XSI exporter for another modeling software called, Anim8or 097 preview. Both work but lack proper object linking and animation due to the limitations of Anim8or in it’s current release. Anim8or, is another fine choice for casual 3D modelers. I also love using Truespace because to me the UI is a piece of cake to master, and I main use it to create both static and animated game models. The only animations that I can’t do with TS are the SI_Envelope types used on BZII morphing models, but I can make just about any other game model or terrestrial game props with TS 7.61 Beta 8. I’ll post more information as I make progress, and need a question or two answered. Leroy.

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Special thanks to Kbarter for porting the orignal script for use with Blender 2.62.