Learning Blender Help

[modmaker]

So I know there's already a lot out there about blender help, but I don't know where to go for help for this issue.  When my figure is done being edited in edit mode, I switch to object mode and it tears him up beyond recognition.  I have to hit undo a few times to get him back the way he was.  How can I switch to object mode without turning him inside out and mashing up his limbs?

[ZaggyDad]

Could you post the model? I can't really help if I don't know what's going on. The only possibility is that it has something moving the mesh around. But you haven't boned it or anything like that yet, have you?

~Zaggy

[modmaker]

I don't know how to upload an image.  

[orion]

I don't know how to upload an image.

You can't upload an image to the Glest website. This is why many people get a file host (a website where you CAN upload files). Once you get that file host, obtain the picture url, copy and paste it into a forum post, then highlight it and click the "Img" button.

The Easiest file host to me is http://mediafire.com

sincerely,
Ewan

[modmaker]

Well, let's give it a shot I guess.
In case you can see this, it's the image of my model in edit mode:

Code: [Select]

[url=http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.php?quickkey=j3lmfyy1mzn&thumb=4][img]http://www.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php/1fc29e5e4ede70d1765c5d963f2c95de2g.jpg[/img][/url]
And this is what happens when I simply switch to object mode:

Code: [Select]

[url=http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.php?quickkey=e9piz1ypiyy&thumb=4][img]http://www.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php/616b1270f353c78bbddd97e2b42c73f22g.jpg[/img][/url]
So what do you think it is?
Note: this is an edited imported image, and when I imported it, it seemed that there were two copies of the model.  I only edited one.

[weedkiller]

sorry if i overread; have you imported the modell from an g3d?
Then you probably have shapekeys, this may cause the desturbation. If you post the blend we surely could help you.

[modmaker]

I didn't think the standing figure would have shapekeys.  Aren't shape keys just for animations?

And how do I post a blend file?

[ZaggyDad]

The standing model is an animation. It has them breathing and moving slowly. And any model with one or more (which all of them have)frames has a shape key.

~Zaggy

[modmaker]

Oh, that makes sense.  So how do I fix my shapekeys?  And how do I post a blend file?

[weedkiller]

Shapekeys should be next to the modifiersstack: there is a tab which is called Shapes. You should delete all shapes but be sure you delete the shape with name "basis" at last. So it should remain in the standart position (you should even delete the basis-key at the end).

Did you import the model from g3d? Then it definately has shapekeys.

Uploading is kind of complex, you should put it on a free host service as this forum has no data-server not even for images. Or post it in a forum where there are such services and post the link here. (Maybe blendpolis.de for example).

You could even learn mopre about blender there if you want.

//EDIT:
lasarux mentioned some sites for fileupload:
http://www.filedropper.com (anonymous - until 5Gb per file)

Code: [Select]

[url=http://www.mybloop.com]http://www.mybloop.com[/url] (user account - unlimited and free)

[modmaker]

So if I am to import a G3D image, I have to delete the whole thing before I'm done?  So I can't just edit the images?  And shouldn't the different shapekeys be in different frames on the timeline?

[ZaggyDad]

Btw, even building animations without any more frames than one have a basis key.

~Zaggy

[weedkiller]

of course if you just change UV and texture u can use the shapekeys in order to "restore" the old animation.
But if you want to change animation or model the shapekeys are nearly useless.

[ZaggyDad]

Does the exporter take shape keys?

~Zaggy

[modmaker]

So, aside from touching up the textures, is there any purpose whatsoever to importing?

[ZaggyDad]

Well, you can model the person you want to make after deleting all the shape keys, and then boning and animating it. So it's not no use.

Btw, MediaFire isn't limited to images. It can host files. And it lets you have an anonymous but reallish account. It's really useful. :grin: .)

~Zaggy

[modmaker]

Yeah, I was going to adjust his proportions as soon as I got him properly turned (you can't tell, but he's leaning forward).  I was going to do that in object mode when I discovered my problem.  I still don't get what exactly I can do with an imported g3d, but I'm at the point where I'm convinced it's going to be easier to just create my own model from scratch and then learn armatures.  So here are my current questions:

1. What can you do with an imported g3d?
2. Where can I find a good tutorial on armatures?
3. What's the hotkey for adding a single vertex?

Thanks!  Sorry I need so much help!

[ZaggyDad]

1. I made my crossbowmen and spearmen mod from the swordsman (in the game it's spelled swordman, but that's incorrect. ), and boned and animated it. It's pretty nice not to have to model characters (at least for me, cause I'm REALLY picky about stuff at least that I make. I was sort of annoyed. (It made him look weird from that angle.)

~Zaggy

[modmaker]

So I guess what I need is step-by-step instructions on importing and editing a figure without distorting it like I did to mine.

Here's my blend file, by the way.

Code: [Select]

[url=http://www.mediafire.com/?yj2d2mjehh2]http://www.mediafire.com/?yj2d2mjehh2[/url]

[ZaggyDad]

When you go back into edit mode, is it still distorted?

~Zaggy

[modmaker]

Yes.  I have to hit undo (once I'm back in edit mode) at least twice to get it back the way it was.

[ZaggyDad]

Have you tried clicking undo in object mode?

And maybe you should try and save it in edit mode, and then open it again. (And you should post it saved in edit mode.) To save in edit mode, you do Control+W (unless you do it from the menu).

~Zaggy

[modmaker]

I tried undo in object mode, and got nothing.  I tried saving it in edit mode, though I don't remember if I was successful or not.  I always save from the menu.  I'm not good with hotkeys yet.

[weedkiller]

Wow. I opend your file and i have no clue, sorry.

Do you have the mesh in a good state sometimes? I you have you could try rescueing it by copying the mesh: All Shapekeys must be deleted (thats the problem: you must animate everything again). Select all vertices and press Shift+D and the right mouse button as you dont want to move it around. Then seperate the vertices to a new mesh by pressing P and select "Selected" from the popup.
Then you have hopefully your mesh as a new object and can work with it again.

Do you remember if it was a problem by the importer or only a corrupted file by a bad save or something? Means, have you edited the mesh so far?
If it is the last case i can only advice you to try importing the basis g3d again and edit it to see if you can find out after which step the error acours(?).

Hope we find a solution somedays .

[ZaggyDad]

Maybe you should just remake it from scratch. (starting with the horseman, of course.)

And btw, personally, I think he should have a round shield.

~Zaggy