Pixelated 3D Model Builder

Hi All,

I've been working on this model builder inside of Unity3D and was wondering if it would be of any use to anyone. It can run as a standalone application and has been roughly tested on Windows and OS X. I assume it would work as a linux build as well, but I haven't setup a VM to test it yet.

Basically you can build models out of cubes, color them any color you want, save it to an XML format to load later, or export it to an obj/mtl/png and import it into blender for further use.

Below is a screenshot of a llama I made:


I have all the basics down, but I need to finish the UI to make it more user friendly. In addition, would this be fun to use on a tablet/phone?

It works pretty well, but I'm not sure if anyone has a use for it.

Update 2013/3/17
I have put a web friendly version online. No saving available:
Pixel Builder

Controls:
alt + LMB + move -> rotate model
ctrl + LMB + move -> strafe model
Middle Scroll -> Zoom in and out

Edit Modes:
Q -> Add "Container" (8x8 cube)
A -> Delete "Container" (8x8 cube)
Z -> Reset "Container" (8x8 cube) - resets the container to a full 8x8 container

W -> Add Block
S -> Delete Block
X -> Remove Row/Column - will remove the entire row/column in a container based on the face you hit

E -> Set Color - if you click on the model, it will pull the color from that part of the model
D -> Open/Close Selector in Set Color Mode

Have fun!

 

It sounds fun to play around with. I do not see your llama screenshot when viewing from my phone, but the description makes it sound interesting. If you could make it easy to use on a tablet or phone, I could definitely see a market there.

 

It looks great! I can see it being used to make many things. If you bunched up some more code perhaps making a game maker for iOS/Android? Have the person build things out of cubes and assign scripts to them. That would be nice for the average gamer who'd like to make something cool.

Cheers
Khelton

 

When you build the model, is it actually cubes or a mesh that looks like cubes?

 

@rab236 - I tried fixing it. I hope you can see it now!

@KheltonHeadley - I was thinking about that, but I think Unity3D is "easy" enough for someone interested in making games to get started. I originally started this as a way to make assets for such a thing, but I think I'll leave it to Unity for the game building part!

@TylerPerry - The mesh is built in a way so it can be quickly updated while editing. I actually use Graphics.Draw to display the mesh and have mesh colliders under it to handle input. When it is exported to obj, it is a single mesh, single material, and single texture. Also, after reading your signature, I decided to put up a version online!

 

Do people usually update the main thread our reply with updates on this board?

 

Reply with updates.

My criticism of this is that, despite the posted keylist, it's difficult to use; the controls don't agree with most standard UX conventions for keyboard use. A control setup that might help is:

WASD: Moves the camera
WASD + RMB: Rotates the Camera
Scroll Wheel/LMB + [Alt]: Zooms in/Zooms out

Z: Undo last action
R: Redo last action
X: Delete mode
V: Place mode
C: Color picker

Additionally, the mode options should have a click-enabled UI in the app just in case someone forgets the appropriate keybinding (which will happen.) Bonus points if you put the appropriate letter on the button (because clicking, like keyboard use, is optional).

I hope that helps, this has potential to be an astounding tool!