[1.8.9+] What is the current best tool for modeling?

[Khranos]

I have been creating models for a particular mod for a couple years now, and have been using Techne for all of them. Here recently, I've heard the 1.8+ updates just make it more and more difficult to use what Techne exports.

 

I'm aware of mrcrayfish's modeler (which is apparently a much better exporter), but from what I've heard it only supports static models and not bipeds (which is what I do most of). If I could get clarification on that I'd greatly appreciate it.

 

Are there any other new tools that are more up-to-date than techne, while also supporting animated models?

[Choonster]

You can try Tabula, which is meant to be a replacement for Techne. Apparently is has animation support, but code export is not yet possible (any may never be, since development seems to have stopped).

 

You could also use a mainstream 3D modelling program and export the model in OBJ or B3D format to be loaded as a baked model and animated with Forge's model animation system.

 

Unfortunately there's not a lot of documentation on the system, but there is the following:

• The commit that added the system briefly explains the purpose of each class.
  
• The animation test mod (assets) has an example of a block and item with an animated model.
  
• The syntax of the Animation State Machine files is documented here.

[Draco18s]

There's also MrCrayfish's Model Creator. No animation support, but it is a solid program and conforms to the specifications required by the JSON model system (that is: you can't do anything in the modeler that Minecraft won't support with the JSON system).

[Khranos]

@Choonster

 

I greatly appreciate the thorough reply!

 

It's too bad about Tabula, it looks like it could have been a great tool. Here's hoping it'll be finished one day. I'll bring up the baked model system with the mod team, it might not hurt to make the switch before Techne becomes deprecated completely.

 

@Draco18s

 

I appreciate the clarification that it only supports static models. It's too bad, too -- based on choonster's reply, it's the most up-to-date modeling program with a working exporter.

[Choonster]

@Choonster

 

I greatly appreciate the thorough reply!

 

It's too bad about Tabula, it looks like it could have been a great tool. Here's hoping it'll be finished one day. I'll bring up the baked model system with the mod team, it might not hurt to make the switch before Techne becomes deprecated completely.

 

@Draco18s

 

I appreciate the clarification that it only supports static models. It's too bad, too -- based on choonster's reply, it's the most up-to-date modeling program with a working exporter.

 

I think Tabula can export models to code, just not animations.