Modelling: Modeling References and Tutorials (3dsMax)

[Clypp]

I will update and maintain this. Please post other tutorials that you think are relevant to BF2 modelers.

General websites
http://www.game-artist.net/ - A modeling/texturing community run by our very own Requiem2d
Official BFEditor - Home
gctalk.com
Video Game Artist and Fan Community: Polycount
Learning @ Your Own Pace® - lynda.com
Free 3d Max video tutorials from video-tutes.com

Reference Websites
The Blueprints - Reference Image Database - 23000+ blueprints online - Side/top/front reference images of many weapons and vehicles.

BF2 development tools for 3DS
BF2 Dev Style Sheet :: DoomLab Studios :: Game Software Development

Excellent video tutorial for modeling a Berret handgun
Beretta 9000 Video Tutorial tutorial - Mod DB

Handgun tutorial with skinning
Tutorial: Creating a Weapon for Source - Part 1 - Game Artist Forums
Tutorial: Creating a Weapon for Source - Part 1 - Game Artist Forums

Tutorial for nicer looking renders
Tutorial: Simple Wire and Clay for Max - Game Artist Forums

Fun bed video tutorial
http://3dcircle.110mb.com/tut/bedtut/

Texturing
Excellent gun texturing video series:
Creating a Weapon For Source download - Mod DB

Texturing BF2 StaticMeshes

Staticmesh Texture Formats - Official BF Editor Forums

Custom Waterplanes (Not the flying type) - Official BF Editor Forums

Uvmapping - The Other Way Around (56k Warning!) - Official BF Editor Forums (this is for a vehicle)

Bf2 Tools For 3ds Max - Setup - Official BF Editor Forums (how to setup your 3dsmax tools)

Game Downloads, Game Patches - FileFront.com (video tut)

FAQ
Is there a free program similar to 3DS Max?

GMax - Turbo Squid -- gmax
Blender - blender.org - Home

Idiot's guide to GMax
The Stupid Idiots' Guide to starting with gMax

Blender tutorials
http://www.blender.org/tutorials-help/tutorials/

How do I check poly/tri count?

If you're using 3ds max 9 go Customize->Viewport Configuration->statistics and select Triangle count
Once you've done that just press 7 key. It should show your tricount on upper left corner.

What are the recommended poly counts?

Some Basic Stats for Modeling :: Battlefield: Apocalypse :: A Battlefield 2 Total Conversion. Welcome to the Apocalypse!
Keep in mind that these are "tri" counts and not poly counts.
For PR the tris for heavy jeeps is:
geoml lod0 is 6000
geoml lod1 (3rd PV mesh) 3000
geom1 lod2 (3rd PV MESH) 1500
geom1 lod3 (3rd pv mesh) 180
For the wreck mesh:
geom2 lod0 - 1800
geom2 lod1 - 1000
geom2 lod2 - 200