3DRT - 3D Game Model Packs Review

Game Art Developer 3DRT Creates Quality Video Game Content

Oct 5, 2008

3DRT specialize in creating affordable 3D low-poly models for use in computer games. How easily can these model packs be used in modern game engines?

A problem with using third-party content in games is that the disparate styles from a variety of model sources never quite gels together in the game environment. However, 3DRT have such an extensive collection of model packs that it is possible to use only characters, vehicles and environments provided by 3DRT in a project, maintaining a consistent style throughout.

3DRT are world-class 3D model creators, and their current catalogue of model packs caters for almost any game genre. 3DRT models are available in a variety of formats, such as .3ds, .x, .ms3d and .dts, ready to be imported and used in a game engine. Model packs include:

3DRT also provide character models, such as sci-fi troopers, Amazonian warriors and WW2 soldiers.

In preparation for this review, 3DRT model packs were tested in 3 game engines: Beyond Virtual, Torque and FPS Creator. A mixture of environment, vehicle and character-based packs were used.

3DRT Models in Beyond Virtual

Beyond Virtual, for all its faults as a game engine, has one of the most forgiving import systems of any commercial engine. From the Megacity construction kit, the largest of the provided test levels was imported in the .3ds format. The results were outstanding: a beautiful 3D cityscape on the scale of a Grand Theft Auto game, complete with collision detection.

The character and vehicle models imported equally as readily after conversion from the supplied .ms3d file in Milkshape to the .fbx format. Both vehicle and character needed rescaling (although a skyscraper-tall zombie could have its uses). Beyond Virtual handled the resizing with a simple alteration of one script parameter.

3DRT Models in Torque

3DRT models come Torque-ready, in .dts format. Character importation was as simple as dragging and dropping the model files into the engine and pointing a script at them. The importation of the Megacity level geometry was more challenging.

The 3DRT Megacity is supplied with .dts files for use in Torque. However, Torque uses the .dts format for animated character models, and uses the .dif format for static geometry such as buildings. This meant that on importing a Megacity cityscape test level, none of the geometry had collision detection enabled.

Converting the city from .dts to .dif using either Milkshape or 3DS Max was a simple operation, but one that would be unnecessary if the Torque-ready Megacity files came as .dif files rather than .dts.

3DRT Models in FPS Creator

FPS Creator uses the .x file format for all its game geometry, and 3DRT thoughtfully provide their models in the .x format. Their models, however, do need rescaled up in size before they are even visible in FPS Creator.

Importing the smallest of the Megacity test levels converted from .3ds to .x caused the engine to crash, as FPS Creator cannot cope with the excessive clipping such a vast piece of single geometry requires. However, the Megacity construction set includes separate building object files in each format with which to build new city levels. FPS Creator handles these admirably.

Quality Low Poly Models at Affordable Prices

3DRT provide consistent commercial quality 3D content that easily compliments the art pipeline of any game engine. To find out more, visit the 3DRT website.

The copyright of the article 3DRT - 3D Game Model Packs Review in Video & Online Games is owned by Nicolas McGregor. Permission to republish 3DRT - 3D Game Model Packs Review in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.