Hoping someday OpenMW can look this good

[psi29a]

Someone found a model format that was open, intended for real-time applications (so loads quickly and has as much stuff as is sensible precomputed) which supported pretty much every feature we needed and had provision for extension a while back. I can't remember what it was called, but I think it might have been Methelina who suggested it.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3724

OpenGEX as a NIF replacement

Again, as with other formats... it requires someone invest time into integrating it into either OpenMW or OSG.

[AnyOldName3]

That appears to definitely be a link to the wrong thread - it's about issues with Emma's companions. Anyway, the advantage of that over extending OSG is that we don't have to meddle with components of other projects, just our own.

[raven]

Someone found a model format that was open, intended for real-time applications (so loads quickly and has as much stuff as is sensible precomputed) which supported pretty much every feature we needed and had provision for extension a while back. I can't remember what it was called, but I think it might have been Methelina who suggested it.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3724

OpenGEX as a NIF replacement

Again, as with other formats... it requires someone invest time into integrating it into either OpenMW or OSG.

OpenGEX is a text based exchange format.

If you want something efficient roll your own binary format/serialization. Keep it as simple as possible, and implement conversion tools into other formats as needed.

[psi29a]

That appears to definitely be a link to the wrong thread - it's about issues with Emma's companions. Anyway, the advantage of that over extending OSG is that we don't have to meddle with components of other projects, just our own.

This one?
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3724

Anyway, your assumption means that people will want to develop yet another format and that people will want to use it. If it worked so great with 'components of other projects', then why would it be any different for us? Until someone does this, it is still a bunch of opinion and no action which means openmw is still at the same place with the 'components of other projects'.

Put your money where your mouth is and actually develop said format. This also includes tools to import/export in other software such as Blender. Going at it alone is an option, I just fear that it will be too much for anyone considering the the lack of interest (or time or knowledge) from other developers.

Scrawl had (has?) plans for extending the .OSG format to include animations. However this requires additions in the osgexport plugin for blender support. This also means updating the OSG plugins for Maya3d and 3DSMax as well.
viewtopic.php?f=20&t=3336&p=37125#p37125

I have been working behind the scenes with the Niftool's crew to bring the nif_blender_plugin up to speed for Blender 2.77 and together with Greatness7 for animation support. At this point NIF is pretty much mapped out up to FO3 and Skyrim, the extra features just need to be implemented in OpenMW (easier said than done but cc9cii has made progress with NIF features from Oblivion in OpenMW) .

So using an open standard (at this point NIF can be considered open with the amount of time and reverse engineering put into it) that has more than one project using it is to our advantage since it will likely be better supported in other bits of software.

So the options are:
NIF (works now in OpenMW)
OSGextended (needs work)
OpenGEX (needs work)
Collada (needs work)
self-rolled (start-from-scratch)

[AnyOldName3]

It is actually on my list of things to do once I have free time after I graduate in a few months, so money-mouth colocation might well come from me at some point.

[psi29a]

It is actually on my list of things to do once I have free time after I graduate in a few months, so money-mouth colocation might well come from me at some point.

Looking forward to it! Feel free to setup a Patreon account.

If and when it happens, I'll help where I can with a Blender plugin, just need some Python bindings (via SWIG or CFFI).

Congratulations with your impending graduation!