This two part video guide will follow the process of creating a basic model in Blender, adding texture and importing in to Dark Forces to use in game.
Before we get started, there are some tools to download:
1) Blender: https://www.blender.org/download/ - current version (4.2 at time of writing)
or if need be https://download.blender.org/release/ for any and all previous releases.
2) BM Convertor (by Jereth Kok): https://df-21.net/downloads/utilities/bmconverter/bmconverter.zip
3) Dark Forces 3DO Blender Addon (by Jereth Kok): https://df-21.net/downloads/utilities/dfblender/dfblender.zip
Note: Requires .NET 6.0 - Version 3.2 - June 2024 Release
4) Optional - Tutorial files to follow along - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/y5ut5j0234m0gv151da58/3D0_Tutorial_Files.zip?rlkey=isucz8a06268077yvlqftzffz&st=xb6b7g1i&dl=0
Installing the exporter addon Blender's UI (specifically the bits you need for basic model, texture, export)
Basic modelling and hotkeys (object mode vs edit mode, extrude, inset, edge loop, bevel, snapping, symmetry toggle, scale to DF, etc)
Basic troubleshooting (flipped normals, duplicate faces, merging vertices, pivot point/origin, etc) Modifiers - maybe? Some would be useful here, most overkill.
UV unwrapping Multiple materials / textures Importing existing textures
Texture baking (ie using procedural materials, baked lighting or baking detail from high to low mesh.)
Texture conversion (not really 3DO specific, but part of the process)
Texture paint basics. Can paint directly on the model or in 2D simultaneously.