First XNA task: import a model from graphic application

My first task of dealing with XNA is to import some 3D models I created from 3D animation into XNA framework. From the online help of XNA I figured out that I need to get FXB Exporter for the corresponding 3D modelling application I use. Since the help file explictly said that it works great on "2006.11 version of 3D Max's FBX exporter", so that's what I will try first.

I use this Unity discussion pages as stepping stone, and found the FBX plugins for Lightwave and 3DStudio Max. (By the way, I may spent sometime to try out Unity later). Here you can get all the FBX plug in stuffs, while you can get the Lightwave plugs here.

BTW, when I started up my Lightwave 8.5 green app, the program bugged me for accessing the Net (as the request was stopped by my firewall). I have to allow it to do some stuff at least once, or it the application (both the modeller and animation tracker) will not work.

Game making

I was a bit excited about the XNA which seems to a way to write game software using .Net Framework. I was particular excited about the fact that some tedious logistic aspect of game development, like moving Maya models to a coding environment, will be greatly reduced in complexity.

So I headed over to install the thing in VMWare. It requires C# 2005 Express even when I already have Visual STudio .net 2005 (later I realize that the reason was that they have a professional version to be released later this year that will integrated with Visual Studio .Net 2005). So I installed C#2K5 express and then the XNA Studio Express. All seems to work fine until I tried to run some demonstration.

The VMWare is not capable to run XNA Studio Express because of one big reasons: it doesn't emulate the DirectX accelerated hardware. I got this error message: "Direct3D hardware acceleration is not available or has been disabled." Besides, mapping a drive to a folder in removable harddisk also caused some security alert.

So I have no choice but install the C# Express on my desktop (I super rarely install app on my desktop these days unless I really really have to. Like now.)

All installed, and the demo went well. I will try to complete the first tutorial today.

On a completely unrelated note, I finished the Ghost In the Movie 2: Solid State City movie. I have to say that I was not too satisfy with it. However, I myself maybe the one to blame since I chopped off the viewing experience by watching a segment very once in a while. In fact, it took me about 2 weeks to completely finish this movie. Scary isn't it?