Greetings!

The great guys over at BraveTree recommended that I drop by and let you all know about Torque ShowTool Pro . TST Pro is a 3D visualization tool that helps artists inspect their game art for the Torque Game Engine -- the same game engine used by ThinkTanks. It allows you to load up DTS shapes (the same file format used for ThinkTanks' tanks and other objects) and inspect their textures from a number of angles and under a variety of lighting conditions. If you've used a 3D modeling or animation program before, you'll find the interface quite familiar.

Viewing the medium tank and brain jar in the perspective display mode

One feature is being able to "mount" two DTS files together. In the image above, the brain jar has been "mounted" to the medium tank to make sure that the textures line up and both objects look good together.

Viewing the medium tank and brain jar in an orthographic display mode with directional lighting disabled

Viewing a customized skin: TRON by evil*twin

Within TST Pro, it's possible to view your modded skin over any of the tanks (or any other ThinkTanks' DTS file). If you run your paint package and TST Pro at the same time, you may also have the texture reload either manually or automatically to see the changes you've made. There's nothing like near real-time feedback!

And if you're ever thinking of someday making your own game using the Torque Game Engine , your experience with TST Pro will get you well on your way to understanding its art pipeline.

So head on over to the Torque ShowTool Pro Product Page and download the 30-day, full featured trial and documentation. The docs step you through setting up your Project Directory and loading in your first object. And if you have any questions, feel free to join us on the TST Pro Forum over at GarageGames.

Enjoy!

- Dave

Woot. Thanks, I downloaded it when it came out.

BTW great skin choice.

Wanted to bump this because those modding should check this out.. If you are serious about modding, why not use the tools we use to make the art for the game? This tool is super sweet and by using it you will be able to learn everything you need to know to make shapes that work in the game.

Good show - I definetly would buy it, if I had the money. Well done!

Is there a Mac version?

P.S - Yes there is a mac version XD

Last edited: Friday, February 18, 2005 at 3:15:36 AM

PP.S - when trying to open the program it bounces in the dock then closes, after a pop up comes up saying the application Torque ShowTool Pro has unexpectedly.

PPP.S - Just checked specifications, only works on 10.3.x not on my OS which is 10.2.8

Last edited: Friday, February 18, 2005 at 3:25:22 AM

Can you change the shape of the DTS files, like the tank above, using this program or is it only for viewing?

This is definitely on my "To Buy" list!

It is a great little tool for what...$30-$35? But make sure you try it first since it may provide too much information for some new skinners. I'm still trying to figure everything out, but so far I think its way cool and very helpful.

_{(Now if I can just get the BT gang to send me the tank bones, I'll be golden.) ;)}

How the heck do I use Torque showtool pro??!!!!???????

Flucrum, wen u said it has the brain mounted onto the tank, does that mean u can mount other objects to it?

The show tool pro allows you you to mount any DTS object to any other obejct, and lets you control alignment by picking the nodes that the object is mounted to. This allows you to test the mounting of objects outside the game.

Oh man this is a sweet tool! You can really zoom in and see the art in all its glory! Fantastic!!

One question: How do I mount the brain on the light tank? I am able to mount the brain.dts on the tank01.dts, but I can't seem to figure out how to get the brain to mount to the correct location on the tank. All I get is some mutant-looking tanks!

Thx!

-Rx

^ mount BrainJar01.dts's root node to Tank01.dts's codeSeat node! :P

You cant edit the size or the shape of the tanks its just for display

How do I load a file into it? I mean when I click on the load functions I can't type or do anything with it. Plz somebody EXPLAIN!

Upgraded so im now on 10.3.9 so now works!! Time for Tiger soon !!