                                  OBJ2MDL
               by Hiroyuki Katayama(type74@ssbn.office.ne.jp)

Introduction
------------
OBJ2MDL is a OBJ->MDL converter software.
It can load Wavefront OBJ file and convert it into 3D Gamestudio MDL5 file.

This software supports converting multiple OBJ files into single MDL5 with vertex animations.
This feature may help you especially when you are working with the Poser.

This software also has a automatic function that loading *.mtl file
and unify multiple skin textures into single one (skin texture #1).
Moreover, it also paint the corresponding UV point on newly created
skin texture #2 using diffuse color of the corresponding face (if any). 

NOTE
----
This software supports subset feature of the OBJ format.
Backup your original models before using this software.

CAUTION
-------
When using someone's mesh model(like exported OBJ mesh models from the Poser),
you must check and follow legal stuff(like EULA) of the original mesh model in advance.

System Requirements
-------------------
Windows 95,98,2000,XP (or higher)
A lot of memory and high speed hardware is
recommended for dealing with hi-poly models.

Quick Usage
-----------
1)Place *.obj,*.mtl and texture files into same directory.
2)Make sure *.obj and *.mtl files have a same filename(*).
3)Convert all non-BMP texture files into BMP.
4)Open this software.
5)Open the *.obj file (at File menu).
6)Just wait...
7)Save the converted MDL.
8)Have fun!

How To Convert Multiple OBJs into Single MDL
--------------------------------------------
This function is adapted for exported files of the Poser(4).
The Poser exports multiple OBJs like this example:
 foo_0.obj
 foo_1.obj
 foo_2.obj
 ...
 foo_[n].obj
In this case, only you have to do with the OBJ2MDL is loading the first "foo_0.obj" !
Then this software automatically loads all the sequential OBJs as a new vertex animation frame.

But, maybe you want to name those anim frames more easily.
Then let's make Frame Name Setting file(.fns) and
put it into same directory of the OBJs before the conversion.

The FNS file is a simple text file containing frame names on each line.
It must have a filename same as before "_" of the OBJ files and
contain same number of frame names(=lines) as number of the OBJs.

If .fns file exists, the OBJ2MDL load it and name each frames sequentially.
If .fns file does not exists, default frame names(frame[n]) are used.

For example case of the above, the "foo.fns" file might contains:
animframe1
animframe2
...
animframe[n]

Of course you can set any valid frame name variations, such as:
walk1
walk2
run1
run2
run3

License
-------
This software is free of charge for standard use(game creation).
But any donations are welcome and encouraging. I am not a rich man!
Please visit http://type74.org/en/ for the PayPal donation link.

Distribution
------------
Please obtain my permission before any distribution.
I want to keep my softwares fresh as much as possible.

DISCLAIMER
----------
This software should be used at your own risk.
This software is provided on an "AS IS" basis, without warranty of any kind.

Author Contact Information
--------------------------
If you have any queries, questions or problems with this software,
please send an email to Hiroyuki Katayama(type74@ssbn.office.ne.jp),
or visit my web site at http://type74.org/en/ .

History
-------
2006.5.31 (Ver0.9):
 1st public release

FUTURE
------
I know there is a MDL7 format with multiple material and skin support,
and newest MED has OBJ import function.

So I want to support MDL7 and improve this software in the future.

Copyright
---------
Copyright(c)2005-2006 Hiroyuki Katayama(type74@ssbn.office.ne.jp).
All rights reserved.
