Animated models : format and tools

[Thyast]

(I moved this topic from the java3d forum since xith is concerned)

Hello,

I'm currently thinking of how to realize the models for my hobby game : a turn based strategy game.
Whereas I have not experimented it yet, I guess that xith could save me a lot of work so I need a format for my models that xith understands.

The models should be animated in these ways :

1- permanent physical animation : radar spining on top of the building or vehicle, hovercrafts hovering with a slight floating movement...
2- lights animation : generator glowing, plane lights flickering...
3- eventual animation 'inside' the model : tank turret spining to aim at target...
4- unit movements
5- shots and explosions

I think 1- and 3- can be done with 'bone' animations, 2- with texture animation, 4- xith handles it and 5 - I don't have a clue but not that important for now.

I've played a bit with blender and gamespace for modeling. Is their animation module helpfull doing all this ?
What kind of tool(s) would you use ? And what kind of format can save the model + anim info while being understandable by xith ?


thanks for your help

[kappa]

i think MD2 would be a nice format to use!

[Thyast]

Ok I will give a try to MD2.

I'm also going to try milkshape3D. It seems many here use it. Blender is a bit oversized for what I need and is more high-polygon oriented. Moreover its non-windows style interface is not userfriendly to me.