topic Re: What type of Skeletal Mesh is required for a Melee weapon (For UE4) in 3ds Max Modeling Forum

What type of Skeletal Mesh is required for a Melee weapon (For UE4)

Anonymous — Sat, 01 Jul 2017 09:59:42 GMT

I have designed and drawn out a sword to be used for my UE4 project, but while watching a tutorial on attaching weapon to the character, I realised that the sword used was in the form of a skeletal mesh. However, I am unsure as to the purpose of a skeletal mesh and how it should look like for a melee weapon. Most videos used pre-made weapon packs which already come with skeletal meshes. How do I make a skeletal mesh for a sword? Thanks!

Re: What type of Skeletal Mesh is required for a Melee weapon (For UE4)

Fadhil_Farook — Sat, 01 Jul 2017 10:56:48 GMT

I think what you're referring to is the "Props" bone. This is an existing options available when using the Biped within 3DS Max, used to attach Weapons or any other items that a character will carry. Think of it as an extra Arm that the character has and can control and is attached to the body all the time that you don't have to move the weapon manually all the time. However, the "look" of the bone itself has no effect on the animation, but rather it is the arrangement of the bone which can affect your animation. Try getting around CAT rigs, or Bones for a very customized Skeletal Rig.

All three available Character Rig systems can be used, but for starters, I would say use the Biped with Props options turned on. Then do the skinning.

CAT (Character Animation Toolkit) on the other hand has a very dynamic set of bones, which enables you to create your own custom shaped rigs and also have the option to mix different animations. In your case, you can make an additional bone for the Melee weapon you made and attach (or skin) the weapon to that particular bone.

Bones, depending on the user, could be easy to use or quite confusing. In your case, again, create an extra bone that's linked to the Hand if you want, but sometimes it can be "quite troublesome" (from my experience).

Bipeds can be Created from : Create > Systems > Biped

Bones can be Created from : Create > Systems > Bones

CAT Rigs can be Created from : Create > Helpers > CAT Objects (Click on the Standard from the drop down list to see CAT Objects)

Re: What type of Skeletal Mesh is required for a Melee weapon (For UE4)

Anonymous — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 08:14:17 GMT

Is it possible for you to link me a tutorial? Upon trying to search youtube for a solution, I found this video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5rXsV0QQyA&list=PL2G_ecHWhZBn8ZRgaaMsjFttxfTGu6IBL&index=2 , that seems to address my issue slightly, but halfway along the way, I got lost. I am unable to add the bone structure to my weapon ( at 13:47 of the video ). Is this video series correct? It doesn't seem to be following any of the suggestions you gave me does it? Thanks.

Re: What type of Skeletal Mesh is required for a Melee weapon (For UE4)

Fadhil_Farook — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 12:41:02 GMT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paCJ3zFwnLg

Try following this tutorial.