Is there no other way than 3DsMax/Maya to make Havok collisions for custom models?

So, since the modding support released in the latest patch I've been practicing with putting my own models into the game.

I've got my lovely models ingame, textured and all ready to go.
I then move forward and tackle the next thing which is adding collision so they move around when I bump into them and what not ... but then I find out I need to make .hkt Havok physics files for them. Alright, I google it up and check the forums and it turns out it's only available as a plugin for 3Dsmax/Maya?


Now, as a mere mortal, I can't afford that. I'm also not eligible for any free student copies. Nor am I going to obtain it through dishonest means. I also don't have any close friends who have it that I could constantly pester to make me collision models, and I'd rather do it on my own.


Is there truly neither now or in the future any other way to give my models proper physics collisions then? Other than the default cube that gets automatically applied to them.
No hope for a Blender user like me? At all?

Did I really waste my time trying to mod the game with custom blocks only to be defeated like this?

Any help or responses are appreciated... even the ones I dread, telling me I'm indeed doomed.

 

There is a free way to do it, though it is slightly tricky.

What you will need is:

Blender (pretty sure latest version will work fine)
Softimage Mod Tool 7.5
Havok Content Tools 2012 2.0.1

Softimage may be somewhat hard to locate a download for, as Autodesk has stopped supporting and distributing it, but I think that ModDB has a link.

First install Softimage Mod Tool. Once you have installed it locate the addons folder and copy the directory path. After that is done, Install Havoc Content Tools. when it gets to the 'choose components' section, scroll down to the Xsi section and select it. Continue until it gets to the screen where its asking you for the Xsi installation directory. Paste the directory path you copied earlier here. If you selected every version of Xsi, you will have to paste this several times.

Once that is all done you can hop over to blender, and make a collision mesh. Export it as .fbx 6.1 ascii etc. In my experience you do not need to set the scale of collision meshes to 100 when exporting from Blender.

After you have exported it, open up Softimage Mod Tools. Go to File->Crosswalk->Import fbx and import the mesh you made. Once it is in highlight it and go to the Havok toolbar and click the 'create rigid body' button. Once that is completed, click the export and process scene button. It will bring up a window that is very similar to the one on the collision model tutorial. Enter in the filters as the tutorial says, and then hit 'run configuration'

After that is done, you just make your mwm file as usual, and plunk it along side the .hkt in the models folder.

Assuming you did everything right and no gremlins are angry with you, you should have a functioning collision mesh. I have used this method to generate stuff for my mods so it works. But I have also had very strange situations where adding new blocks forces ones which had previously worked in a mod to break. It could be just bugs in SE, or who knows.

 

Kiviar, you just saved the day man. I was bummed out because I updated my 3DS and couldn't figure this mess out!!

 

I'm happy to share what little knowledge I have.

 

You can use Maya under a student license, for free,the only limitant is that you will not be able to sell your creations, but aside from that has all features, you can download Maya 2012 that has the support for Havok.

 

Firstly, big thank you for the detailed response Kiviar.


I had considered the XSI/Softimage mod tools and did try them last night, but didn't manage to get it working.

Tried again now though and i'm facing a different problem.

I did as you said, installed Softimage mod tools (Ver 7.5), installed Havok content tools ( 2012.2.0.1 ), installed the XSI plugins into the addons directory, booted up Softimage mod tools, however there is no Havok toolbar anywhere in my interface. I simply can't find it under any of the menus or windows.
Not sure where I messed up?

Do I have to enable it somehow?




Thanks in advance.

 

@KarlGrim
you dont have to activate. just after installation you'll find havok tab in modtool 7.5.
i think you failed installation probably.

 

I got havok to work with 3dsMax 2014 finally. Disregard the version SE says to get, the 2013.1 or w/e will install to max 2014 as well. There is one error popup on load, but so far everything works fine. No issues making models or collision meshes.

As for the OP, not sure why you would not qualify for the free student version. You don't have to be a student, you can pick mentor. See, I am mentoring right now...

 

No matter how many times I try to reinstall it I just can't get it to show up in the toolbar anywhere.
I have to be doing something incredibly stupid and wrong so I'm going to list it word by word as to how I do it.


Installed XSI Mod Tool 7.5 which I downloaded from Moddb.

Installed Havok Content Tools 2012 2.0.1.

During installation I select the 2008 dll's because XSI 7.5 only shows up as an option when I do that.

I install into the XSI 7.5 mod tools\addons\ folder like Kiviar says. - Which results in XSI giving me an error saying "This plug-in is not installed. hkPhysicsPreferences" and no Havok Tool shows up anywhere as far as the eye can see.

Then Instead I tried installing it into XSI 7.5 mod tools\ and hoping it finds the addons folder itself. Which results in the error going away at least. But again, no Havok tool anywhere in sight.


In either case it does not show up in any of the bars, windows, tabs or menus anywhere that I can see.

 

Get free Max, devs use Max
Havok 2013.1

Model, collision, paint, post!

 

Could just be 32/64 bit version mismatch. Also try running softimage in admin mode.

 

Good heavens, that was it.

Thank you very much. I didn't even think about it, I installed the 32bit version and ran as administrator and it works, everything is there now.


Thank you very, very much.
If I ever get around to uploading something on the Steam workshop, I'll leave a special thanks there for you if you don't mind.


Some quick images of the early versions of what i'm working on to end the topic.
Wip Image 1
Wip Image 2

All custom collisions work perfectly as well.

 

Glad I could help.

I like the look of those blocks.