OBJ2P3D.exe HowTo
! Important ! Before starting with this tutorial read the readme.txt !
What you need:
- Original OFP version 1.0 or newer
- 3D Studio Max 3.x or later (it may work with Gmax too - not tested)
- a-lone-wolfs OBJ extractor - P3D2OBJ.exe (included in this package)
- The files in this package (specific .OBJ exporter/importer & OBJ2P3D.exe Compiler)
- Basic knowledge about OFP files types and working with them; basics of 3D editing (what are polygons, vertices,...)
- Alot of time and patience...and love for OFP...
Getting started:
I assume that you already have extracted the model from P3D format to OBJ format! The tool required to do that is a-lone-wolfs P3D2OBJ extractor that is included in this package (OBJ2P3D1.zip) ! If you don't know how to do that, read the readme.txt included in OBJ2P3D1.zip or go to this thread in OFP Editing Center forum and read how to do it! (note: you must be registered....it will take you a couple of minutes)! !IMPORTANT!: You must extract the .OBJs using the "raw" format mode!
Importing the OBJ files in 3D Max:
First of all, copy the two 3D Max OBJ import/export plugins into ...\3DSMAX3\stdplugs\ ! When the import window appears you should cofigure it as shown on the screenshot below! Select "single" import and set the Vertex scale to 1.0 (default value is 0.001)! Then click OK.
Editing the OBJ files in 3D Max:
REMEMBER THIS 4 SIMPLE RULES:
- you can't add new vertices/polygons/textures or in any other way alter the 3D object!
- you can only MOVE the existing vertices!
- try to keep the faces (polygons) shape similar to those of the originals or heavy texture distortions will occure!
- OFP 3D models are not all the same - the Block/LOD count depends on what they represent (a weapon, a simulation model,...) Take that into account when selecting wich model to edit!
Exporting the OBJ files from 3D Max:
Use the OBJ exporter that comes with this package! IMPORTANT! Under the "File" options menu, the "# of digits" value must be set to "8" so that the Compiler is able to read the OBJ file and write the right values back into the P3D! You must also check "Relative vertex numbers" option! See screenshot below!
Using the Compiler (OBJ2P3D.exe):
The compiler uses drag&drop technic so there should be no problem with files selection!
Assuming that you edited the first Block/LOD of the Ak_47 you need this three files:
1. The original "ak_47_proxy.p3d" file from which you extracted the .OBJ files (from the demo - MLOD format) - position: 1 on the screenshot
2. The original "ak_47_proxy_Block1raw.obj" file (the Block/LOD must be the same as the edited model) - position: 2 on the scr.
3. The edited .OBJ - "edited_ak_47_proxy_Block1raw.obj" file - position: 3 on the scr.
After all files are ready and in their dedicated windows, click "Hex it!". Thats it! Now you have the first Block/LOD imported back into the original .P3D! Test the edited P3D! If It doesn't work you and OFP crashes, you didn't followed all the procedures or broke one of the 4 editing RULES! Read this tutorial again and then retry! Good luck...
-= If after this tutorial you still don't know how to use the tool and edit OFP models then I suggest you wait for the official tool! =-
-= Also note that this tutorial isn't perfect! It's in beta phase so updates are possible (if BiS delays Oxygen release - hope they don't)! =-
End of tutorial