Examining raw building models & Primergy's EFLINE tool

[wangrin]

CA provided several raw files in its previous "Assembly Kit", some of them being buildings.

BASIS

NON GARRISONABLE vs GARRISONABLE BUILDINGS

First, we have to consider two buildings types :

1. Non garrisonable building are models where units cannot enter, they can be considered as simples "sets"
2. Garrisonable building are models where units can enter and use such as coastal battery, castle walls, etc.

Depending of building type, model design and organization are different.


FROM RAW FILES TO GAME FILES

First, you will find buildings files inside …\raw_data\art\battle\land\models\architecture\buildings directory

Raw files are :

• .max : 3d models
• .xml : extra information such as EFlines

Intermediate conversion process files :

• .CS2 : results of the export of .max and .xml files using CS2 converter.
  BoB import .CS2 to generate all files and data (db tables) needed by the game engine

S2TW game file formats :

• xxxxx.rigid_model_v2 : 3d model (shape)
• xxxxx_cs2.parsed : collision model
• xxxxx.rigid_model_header : ?

OBJECTS

EXAMINING OBJECTS COMPOSING BUILDING MODEL

NAMING CONVENTIONS

• Model pieces : …_piece01a_..., …_piece01b_..., etc.
  A piece can be composed of several components, such as framework, walls and roof. They will be respectively name piece01a, 01b and 01c.
  
• Destruction levels : …_destruct01_..., …_destruct02_..., etc.
  
• Lods : …_lod01, …_lod3, and …_lod5
  Lods [Level of Detail) are decreasing complexity variants for a model. Lod1 is the best detailed model used at short distance from camera when lod5 is the lowest detailed model, used when far from camera.
  
• Model piece name look like <piece name>_<destruction level>_<lod level>
  Example : piece01b_destruct02_lod1 means piece01b, second destruction, lod1 (highest definition)

COMPONENTS COMMON TO GARRISONABLE AND NON GARRISONABLE BUILDINGS:

• piece01a_destruct01_lod01 : model piece shape
• IP_fire, IP_smoke : define effects such as fire, smoke, light.

NON GARRISONABLE BUILDING MODEL SPECIFIC COMPONENTS:

• piece01_destruct01_collision3d : 3d shape representing collision model, eg. Information
  about where are solid volumes (unpassable areas) ;
  
• piece01_destruct01_hard : 2d spline following the edges of the building
• render_plane :
  

GARRISONABLE BUILDING MODEL SPECIFIC COMPONENTS:

• EFline_piece01_destruct01_line001 : an feline is a 2d object (spline) that is used to define where units can stand. The object called EFline in .max model is not the true efline, but is used to represent it and is tied to eflines defined in the … _tech.xml file.
  
• …_tech.xml : this file contains data about eflines, it is possible that it contains too information about how to place guns.
  

BRIDGE BUILDING MODEL SPECIFI COMPONENTS:
Bridge models are similar to non-garrisonable buildings one, but use a specific object.

• ..._platform : this object seems to be used to define passable area such as a bridge
  

LAYERS

Objects defined above are grouped in several layers.
Layers Depends of building type (garrisonable, non-garrisonable and bridges).

1. NON-GARRISONABLE BUILDINGS
   
   Objects are organized into several layers as shown in the printscreen below :
   
   
   
   • DEFAULT :
   • RAINSKIRT :
   • _EXTRAS :
     
     • RENDERPLANE : Seems to be use to "store" a render plane, representing ground
       
     
     
   • _TECH
     
     • IP_SMOKE_SMALL : particle effect, smoke
     • IP_SMOKE_LARGE : particle effect, smoke
     • IP_FIRE_SMALL : particle effect, smoke
     • IP_FIRE_LARGE : particle effect, smoke
     • FIRELIGHT : effect, fire light
     • PIECExx_DESTRUCTxx_COLLISION3D : collision model
     • PIECExx_DESTRUCTxx_HARD : collision surface at ground level (?)
     
     
     
   • PIECExx_DESTRUCTxx_LODxx
     
     Contain the different pieces composing the model.
     
     Example 1 : piece01_destruct01_lod01 layer contain 6 objects composing the farm
     
     
     
     • piece01a_destruct01_lod01
     • piece01b_destruct01_lod01
     • piece01c_destruct01_lod01
     • piece01d_destruct01_lod01
     • piece01e_destruct01_lod01
     • piece01f_destruct01_lod01
     
     
     Example 2 : piece01_destruct02_lod01 layer contain only 2 objects representing the destroyed farm (2d destruction level)
     
     
     
     
     • piece01a_destruct02_lod01
     • piece01b_destruct02_lod01
     
     
     You will have one layer for each destruction level (here destruct01 (non-destroyed), destruct02 and destruct03) and for each lod (here : lod1, lod3 and lod5).
     In this case, as we have 3 destruction levels and 3 lods, we will have 9 layers.
   • TECH_XML : seems to been unused here
     Maybe is it possible to define EFlines, even if this model is not garrisonable.
     
     
   
   
2. GARRISONABLE BUILDINGS
3. BRIDGES

EFLINES

About EFLines, it is necessary to have both .max model and _tech.xml files to use CS2 converter.
_tech.xml file contains informations about Efline.

BUT, I don't know how CA create the xml file.

Moreover, if you have a look to EFline from .max model, particularly Object Properties > User Define, you can see that EFline in .max model are not the same than what seem to come from _tech.xml.
For example, EFline_piece01_destruct_01_line001 seems to correspond to EFline_piece01_destruct_01_line016 from _tech.xml
But when you look at _tech.xml and EFline_piece01_destruct_01_line016 this is completely different.

user defined properties : EFline_piece01_destruct_01_line001

EFLine_Name = EFline_piece01_destruct01_line029
EFLine_Action = Low wall
EFLine_Info = x:"-18.622" y:"3.295" z:"3.071"
EFLine_Direction = x:"-0.381" y:"0.0" z:"0.0"

_tech.xml

<ef_line name="EFline_piece01_destruct01_line029" action="Overflow">
<end x="3.531" y="-12.274" z="5.711"/>
<end x="-3.279" y="-12.274" z="5.711"/>
<direction x="0.0" y="-0.38" z="0.0"/>

When I compare EFline position in 3ds max and EFline coordinates from _tech.xml, I think that they corresponds.
So, I don't understand what is the use of "user defined properties" data, probably none.



Some eflines are represented using their coordinates from stronghold_temple_building_tech.xml file.
Line had been created using SPLINE > LINE and KEYBOARD ENTRY to define x,y,z coordinates




What could be useful would be a tool that create eflines coordinates in _tech.xml from the .max model.
The process could be like this :

1. drawing line corresponding to eflines in .max model
2. exporting coordinates to _tech.xml
   
   • x,y,z coordinates for both segment [AB] extremities
   • calculate direction
   
   
3. eventually export efline type (low wall / overflow), maybe converting color into type ?

xml format look like this :

<ef_line name="EFline_piece01_destruct01_line080" action="Low wall">
<end x="-18.467" y="19.261" z="3.071"/>
<end x="-4.088" y="19.261" z="3.071"/>
<direction x="0.0" y="0.381" z="0.0"/>
</ef_line>

An interesting find in tech.xml file is about artillery :

<ef_artillery_info>
</ef_artillery_info>

Sadly, I can't find more information as CA didn't provide raw file for model using artillery (such as coastal battery or tower).
So, I don't know how to format data.

PRIMERGY'S EFLINE TOOL

Usage:

Extract the folder and copy it to 3dsMaxdirectory/scripts/
Run by clicking on Maxscript, run script --> EFtoolsbuttons - this opens the dialog.

Create a new Spline with only two points. First set the properties (which building piece, which destruction level) and which type it has. Different types have different effects. "Low wall" makes soldiers kneel while firing and so on.
Then use the add direction button, afterwards you are good for exporting. Choose a directory and a name which fits with the building name (like acw_eftest_tech.xml")

Use Bob and have fun with your garrisonable building.

Attachment 307336

Example:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Primergy (#109)

[wangrin]

[RESERVED] NON GARRISONABLE BUILDING

[wangrin]

[RESERVED] GARRISONABLE BUILDING


First trial : creating a redoubt

Objective : create a garrisonable building able to house one unit (150-200men)

The model is intended to be composed of 3 pieces and 2 destruction levels

• piece01a : earthwork
• piece01b : entrance protection
• piece01c : footbridge

If possible, the model is also intended to use a feature from bridge buildings : platform object
This object seems to be use to define passable area.
The idea would be to use it to allow unit to enter using breaches.


Unit will be place along eflines :

As I don't know how CA create EFlines (xml file), the only solution I have tight now is to do it "by hand".
But it's is a long and boring process :

• drawing splines (segments) representing eflines and note their coordinates
• placing EFline object at the center of the segment
• writing the xml file

[Ygge]

Interesting stuff. +rep. Is it possible to use them in TEd?

[wangrin]

I never used TeD, so, I don't know how the tool list available buildings.

[weirdoascensor]

Hmmh, CA didn't provide raw models for both building nor ships with artillery in it...(They only provided Kobaya ship model...)

Although, there are some buildings that exists, but not available normally on TEd, which are can be made to be usable through some db modding...Its Frodo's EMFAB, I think...

[wangrin]

It is possible to export S2TW building using UU3D + ETW plugin.
It's not perfect, but it is possible.
Problem is that we have no informations about how to place guns.
I didn't find informations in models_building tables, so I suppose that such informations are stored in cs2.parsed files.

We really need that CA release some more raw models.
I would suggest :

• coastal battery (should be useful to know how to place guns)
• castle tower (same as above)
• castle gate (should be interesting to know how gates work)
• castle wall (interesting model to work on EFlines)
• torpedo boat (who want a submarine ^^)
• a ship with guns
• a ship with sail (to know how to create them)

I would add a parrot gun too, because we have had problem to import raw models I've created for I.S (ETW mod).

[wangrin]

UPDATE : adding Primergy's EFLINE tool

sources : [Resource] Examining models_naval tables and CA's ship model (#109)

PRIMERGY'S EFLINE TOOL

Usage:

Extract the folder and copy it to 3dsMaxdirectory/scripts/
Run by clicking on Maxscript, run script --> EFtoolsbuttons - this opens the dialog.

Create a new Spline with only two points. First set the properties (which building piece, which destruction level) and which type it has. Different types have different effects. "Low wall" makes soldiers kneel while firing and so on.
Then use the add direction button, afterwards you are good for exporting. Choose a directory and a name which fits with the building name (like acw_eftest_tech.xml")

Use Bob and have fun with your garrisonable building.

Attachment 307336

Example:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[Primergy]

Ah, thanks for collection the information!

[manolops3]

the ETW-plugin was updated on 02.October...now we can load ALL of the Shogun2-Building-models into Ultimate Unwrap 3D, no longer only some of them...now all of them.

[Primergy]

Thats great, thanks for the information!

[LawAbidingGypsy]

Any updates on this? Has anyone been able to get a custom garrisonable building working??