Making a Personalized building

[jjlaupixie]

Hi. My name is Josh. I was wondering if anyone had any idea how to make and add customized buildings to GTA IV. I am planning on making a customized firehouse and police station for my clan. Thing is I cant figure out how to do it. Thanks!

[uNi]

What's your issue? Modelling or importing the model into iv?

[LoMioPrimero]

[...] how to make and add customized buildings [...]

 

@uNi: both i think?

@jjlaupixie:

 

1. "Make" (from scratch):

Buildings in GTA are 3-dimensional, textured meshes modeled by any CAD program (See:Wikipedia) . So the first thing you should know is what a "3d-model" in general is and how to work with such a 3d modeling program. I recommend using 3dStudio MAX (see answer 2), but you can use almost any other 3d-program to start and just import your finished models to 3dsMAX.

 

2."Add (to GTA IV):

Rockstar uses their own proprietary file formats which aren't known to any standard 3d modeling program, so we have to use workarounds. There are plugins for 3dsMAX which "prepare" models for GTA (Gims is the powerful one for IV), and a tool for editing the game content called OpenIV. It lets you add your model to the game.

 

When you don't know how to 3d-model yet, first learn it. Start directly with MAX, there are lots of training possibilities. Beware: You won't learn it on a single weekend, but it's possible to learn it, even on your own.

When you know how to model in MAX, you'll understand the intention of Gims plugin in 5 minutes. Hint: Import some original GTA buildings to MAX first to see how they work, you'll get a feeling for a GTA-correct poly count, material use,.. Make your own then! Last step, adding content to the game, is very easy and almost self-explanatory with OpenIV.

Nowadays, only the modeling step remains tough. As it will always be. It's an artistic process. Preparing and adding content isn't as hard anymore as the quality of tools is very high. Clicky-clicky, ready, nice (almost)!

 

Here some more information:

Gims on GTAForums

OpenIV on GTAForums

from StillDre which explains the process of preparing your finished 3d model in MAX and adding it to the game. All three things are seen: 3dsMAX, Gims, OpenIV.

 

Have fun.

Edited January 23, 2015 by LoMioPrimero