Using Blender 3D to create static meshes and how to get them, correctly textured, into the game:

http://www.leveldk.co.uk/ut3_1.htm

Blender is a free open-source 3D tool suite.

Nearly all UT3 tutorials combined into one giant list and broken down by type:

http://www.odedge.com/html/ut_3_tutorials.htm

AVLD kismet tutorials (also found at odedge)

www.avld.org/pages/tuts/tuts.htm

Unreal Development Network (also found at odedge)

udn.epicgames.com/Three/UT3ModHome.html

Unfortunatetly DGUnreal's website appears to be down.

If you do modeling, this was a great help.

fordy.planetunreal.gamespy.com/gradientssmeshtutorials/contents.html

The waylon-art link is essential also.

3dbuzz has excellent free video tutorials. VideoTutorials > UnrealTech > "How do I", etc.

www.3dbuzz.com/vbforum/sv_home.php

I used to subscribe to their "pay for" service; those tutorials will blow your doors off; well worth $35/mth for unlimited viewing.
 

I search the Epic forums and key in DGunreal as a username. Should get us by until his web site comes back up.

hey all -- you guys have already linked some good threads. That AVDL one to Kismet programming is only skin deep -- meaning, it describes the names and some useful info (if you've never used it), but it does not do a great job of the detailed work it takes to do useful stuff with Kismet.

so I'll look through my info and threads to see if I have anything you haven't already listed.

Another thought comes from my looking for UT2k4 mapping help in the last few days: we need to host locally some of our own information because some of those external links will go dead some day. It's not useful to find a long list of links that don't work. I found lots of links to my problems, but no solutions because all those sites were now gone.

One I was thinking of just doing is combining some pointers on how to start a Warfare map from scratch. Like a single PDF with some pics of each step. And if it's hosted locally, someone could always find it even when those external links disappear.

Another good one is how to export kismet sequences and import them. Example, I have 1 kismet sequence for the core explosion and 1 for countdown nodes. So after you copy and paste all the grouped actors (like the core, cameras, emitters), you can just hook up the right things to the kismet parts and you're done.

hey, came across this nicely done page that catalogs and shows a picture of all the stock static meshes. I'm going to print a copy for myself so I can reference things while I'm putting together meshes for buildings or decoration or whatever.

http://utmapping.wikidot.com/static-mesh-catalog

http://www.kantham.com/tutorials/

good links yall, thanks! :)

I just discovered a trick to make vehicles and players more visible in a map with a dark environment/lighting:

* add a skylight to the map

* go into light properties/ lighting channel tab

* uncheck BSP and Static

This will result in player skins and vehicles having the light placed on only them and your "dark" environment will still be "dark".

Thats sick! wouldnt that be useful in bright maps too or would it not make a difference?

not sure what effect it would have on bright maps as I havent tried it. I'm assuming theres no end on how bright you could make stuff using this method by adjusting the brightness of the light.

FULL_WORM_GARDEN_SE!!!!

not sure if there will be a full worm garden se....There arent enough players to play big maps in UT3. After I finish Haunting The Chapel I may just focus on very small maps that would be good 3 v 3.

Just to let u guys know a great book written by the guys over at 3dbuzz.com has finally been released heres the link on amazon. There are 2 more expected to be released later this fall. http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Unreal-Technology-Introduction-Design/dp/0672329913/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1249091724&sr=1-1

-Blender Stuff-

Blender portal page:
http://forums.epicgames.com/showthread.php?t=686996
http://www.odedge.com/html/ut3tut_blender_temp.htm

useful shortcut keys for blender:
http://www.katsbits.com/htm/tutorials/blender_useful_keyboard_shortcut_k...

Python (script program for blender):
http://www.python.org/

Blender ASE exporter for Unreal Engine:
http://www.katsbits.com/htm/tools_utilities.htm

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GIMP - image manipulation program:
http://www.gimp.org/

Texture Samples:
http://cgtextures.com/

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Warfare tutorial - Node link setups:
http://gearsforums.epicgames.com/showthread.php?t=594706

Duplicating meshes:
http://forums.epicgames.com/showthread.php?t=645290

Lightmap tips:
http://forums.epicgames.com/showthread.php?t=678742&highlight=lightmaps

Making a dual Enforcer pickup:
http://forums.epicgames.com/showthread.php?t=653051&highlight=dual+enfor...

Optimizing UT3 maps:
http://www.evilmrfrank.com/Optimizing.htm
http://forums.epicgames.com/showthread.php?t=589900

Preparing UT3 maps for publishing and distribution:
http://utforums.epicgames.com/showthread.php?t=590932

here's a great program for making textures (diffuse, spec, norms, etc):

CrazyBump

i just started using this.. it's pretty feakin cool it can open dds files... so you can export any 2k4 texture and open it with this (and save as bmp/tga for UT3 ED importing)

Matinee Video Tutorials: http://forums.epicgames.com/showthread.php?t=703986

UT99 voice packs: http://forums.epicgames.com/showthread.php?t=619136

here is a FREE audio file converter called Switch Sound File Converter: http://download.cnet.com/Switch-Sound-File-Converter/3000-2140_4-1032749... (can convert many different audio files to wav format for importing sounds/music to UT3 ED)

Blending Textures video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZS6GXaff3ZY

Add detail to Normal maps video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8btX6KJ-kM&feature=PlayList&p=98A8C5D356...

Here's another FREE 3d modeling program: Google Sketchup

Must have plugin: Google Sketchup ASE/T3D/PSK Exporter for UT3/UT2K4 - HSKP2UNR v0.9.3

just made this mesh using the 3d text option and imported to ut3. cool stuff

thats sick killa! keep up the good work bro and I'll talk to my boss about a salary increase :P