3D Tool

Introduction

This page gives you an simple overview of 3D modeling, animation, and rendering tools used by many custom track authors. To learn about using 3D tools to create custom tracks, read the article Modeling With 3D Editor.

Autodesk 3ds Max

3ds Max is a program made for Windows and distributed by Autodesk. It is a powerful 3D tool, widely used by professionals, but difficult to learn to use, and quite expensive. A free version is available to students.

Links

• Autodesk Homepage
• 3ds Max Design
• Autodesk free versions for students

Blender

Blender is the free open source 3D content creation suite, available for all major operating systems under the GNU General Public License.

Links

• Modeling with Blender
• Blender Homepage

Google SketchUp

Google SketchUp (GSU) is a free modeling program that is easy to use. GSU Pro contains some additional features, such as an OBJ exporter. However, GSU Pro's OBJ exporter is not compatible with SZS Modifier, a frequently-used program for creating custom tracks, so it is recommended to use the free OBJ exporter below. There are many other user-made plugins available that can expand the functionality of the free version of GSU.

First-time users should complete the basic video tutorials before starting their first model for Mario Kart Wii.

Links

• Google SketchUp Homepage
• Google SketchUp Video Tutorials
• TIG's OBJ-exporter used for exporting obj files, a format that the SZS Explorer can import
• TIG's OBJ-importer used for importing obj files, a file format not native to Sketchup

Useful Tools

• CleanUp³ used to purging unused materials, objects, faces, lines and clean and simplify the model (see Slow Motion Bug)
• Point Gadget used to define points, get their coordinates and a list of all points created with coordinates; in SketchUp coordinates are (X; Y; Z), but in KMP Modifier and KMP Cloud are (X; Z; -Y)
• Triangulate Tool used to trangulate faces and solids