I'm trying to understand the relationships between 3D models (files) and the games that load and use them. As a software engineer, I'm willing to make the few following assumptions:
- I would assume that most (popular) 3D model formats are basically just storing coordinate positions for all the vertices that make up the model. They probably also store texture/theming information about each polygon (that is formed by combining 3+ vertices)
- I would also assume that "labeled animations"" are stored in these files as well. This way, a 3D artist could make a model of some character, and animate them running all from inside whatever tool they use for modeling. Then they associate that animation with some label ("bad_guy_running") and all that info is stored inside the resultant file. Then, in the game code, the developers can programmatically access + execute those labels somehow, therein reproducing the same animation from inside the game. In our case, the bad guys starts running.
Am I way off base here? If so, please begin by correcting me, and please be gentle, as again I'm not even sure what this subject matter would be called to even do the upfront research on my own.