Tutorial on how to clone objects by Chris aka Orzel
 

Ok I will provide all the info that you need to successfully clone sh3 object. This maybe confusing but I will help you if you have any questions.

As an example I will use simple object such as Stuka dive bomber. Make an exact copy of ADB_JU87Stuka folder located in the default directory
C:\Program Files\Ubisoft\SilentHunterIII\data\Air\ADB_JU87Stu ka

and rename it to anything you want. For this example I will use my own copy that I’ve made to show you. I’m going t rename ADB_JU87Stuka to DBJU87.

So by now you should have folder named DBJU87 in it name everything as fallows:

DB_JU87.cfg
DB_JU87.dat
DB_JU87.dsd
DB_JU87.eqp
DB_JU87.sim
DB_JU87.sns
DB_JU87.zon
DB_JU87_en.log
DB_JU87_ge.log
DB_JU87_shp.tga

So far so good :) Now in hexeditor open DB_JU87.dat, DB_JU87.dsd, DBJU87.sim and DBJU87.zon.

To make things easy I will provide you all the necessary id strings that need to be changed. Now the key word here is sets of id what you probably did before was to replace all the id with unique number but this isn’t so.

You must replace sets of id with different number. For example you may have something like this JU87Stuka.tga inside the hexeditor this tga has 1 id in multiple places inside the dat file that needs to be replaced with a different id set. You may have 3 or 4 or more sets of the same id number string that needs to be changed. So you would change it all the sets of id with the same different id set. In hex editor select replace type the original string and then type replacement string (new id) and click replace all. All id string are in 8 byte format for example string 12 33 FF DD 19 55 88 AD with 3 or 4 sets of the same id will be changed to anything that is different and not the same string like to this 99 33 FF DD 19 55 88 FF Note I changed first an last numbers.

How do I find an id string in my object? Well I built for myself a little tool that allows me to find and replace id in objects and I‘m building more powerful dat editor. But what you can do is this. There are several ways of finding id strings using hexeditor. One way the most simple way but not the most accurate is to simply type in for this case we will use Stuka as an example.

In hexeditor go to find and type in stuka make sure that you select search entire file. Now you should arrive at JU87Stuka.tga to find the correct string may take you a little time and practice but you should look for separators like this 00 00 00 usually after this should be your id string. It is 8 byte strings you could use other ways to find it but I would just have to write a very long tutorial and I just can’t spend that much time. I will write more ways of finding id later on.

I will submit the strings that you need to find and replace. Note what not to do.

Don’t replace individual id with different id number you would only make a mess and nothing would work. They’re sets of id that need to be replaced and not individual. Although you may find single id but you don’t usually replace them.

Later you need to change certain id strings in sim, zon,dsd, and when needed val I have provided already info on what string should be changed below.

So in conclusion:

This is and example of an id in hexeditor 24 ED 21 8B 90 41 F1 75 there maybe as many as 4 or more such id that need to be replaced with a different id. Use find and replace in hexeditor to change them all. Do not individually replace them to a different id. Big no, no :)

You also need to edit class name in DB_JU87.cfg to whatever you want as long as this very same class name will be in roster air folder. Also you need to edit EnglishNames.cfg in air folder it will work without it but then you want the correct name etc.

Ok I did that now I’m tired you all owe me one thing please share more info among yourself that way sh3 would grow and not diminish. Sending secret pm’s and e-mails between few is not the way true mod community works.

Ok just to give you hands on experience I have submitted the strings you need to replace for ADB_JU87Stuka.

NO means this string isnot found in zon, sim or dsd etc.

A0699484AB20D29C TO New String NO

F836293DBF589F8A TO New String YES SIM,ZON,DSD

C0789484AB20D29C TO New String NO

CA15BDAF49EB0B4E TO New String YES ZON

FD3FC21854EC288A TO New String NO

3130D962ED2A7614 TO New String YES SIM

0AAB53B1A328162C TO New String NO

718744DDDFD33635 TO New String NO

085C7A06EB81B680 TO New String NO

5F56FCDDD2CE1FC2 TO New String NO

751EFC0C0B271556 TO New String YES SIM

B17A9B754F2AAC4E TO New String NO

5289683E9669C502 TO New String YES ZON

4E105E2CD38A05C6 TO New String YES ZON

718644DDDFD33635 TO New String NO

B18644DDDFD33635 TO New String NO

6B1EFC0C0B271556 TO New String YES SIM

6936289D54589D8A TO New String NO

37D3234A56EC288A TO New String NO

B0AA7245EF6BE2FE TO New String YES ZON

F18644DDDFD33635 TO New String NO

34D3234A56EC288A TO New String NO

0924A8DED7C4FD03 TO New String YES ZON

318744DDDFD33635 TO New String NO

FBBD64DACCD0A79B TO New String NO

FBBD6452CCD0A79B TO New String NO

FBBD64BACCD0A79B TO New String NO

36D3234A56EC288A TO New String NO

PS. If all else fails and you still can’t do it. To do this use my string sets above and in hex editor use replace type in first string and for replacement type different number that you come up with. For example 6936289D54589D8A TO EE36289DD4589D84 do the same for all but use diffrent 8 byte number for each string.

Lets see if you guys can do it now :damn:

Chris aka Orzel

Great work! :up:

I will try it and post to you later.


Rubini.

Ok I can see how it can be confusing now. Just corrcted added this because it was confusing.

For example 6936289D54589D8A TO EE36289DD4589D84 do the same for all but use diffrent 8 byte number for each string

So for each string set you will use different id (8 byte) make sure you replace sets of pair or more of the same id with unique number.

Lest say you may have 5 sets of this id 33 AA DD 31 AF 17 66 A1 and you need to replace 5 sets with say for example DD DD 31 AF 17 66 BB

Re: Tutorial on how to clone objects by Chris aka Orzel
 

Thanks for tutorial. Will try it later.

THE_ORZEL,

You want to say that NO is related to dat file only?


Rubini.

First person that can post a screenshot of 'Tirpitz' in the SH3 Museum roster wins...a pat on the back, and much respect from the community.:D

Then we can work out how to reskin it. I hope Type941 is reading this thread.

Oh no, that hat again... :-j

Please macstu23 don't even sleep, only post, post and post :lol:


Rubini.

Rubini,

Well, yeah that is what I’ve meant I did this to ease the editing for you guys. The idea of this tutorial here is so that you can recreate the same thing what I’ve done. That way you will be able to have some idea how things work.

If you guys going to clone Tripitz prepare yourself :) for big replacement and even the possibility of losing your mind :) but if you do succeed the victory will be sweet. :rock:

I think you should practice first on objects less complicated like aircraft and then work your way up. But hey this just my opinion ;)

I’ve made clones of most ships and some aircraft for my mod, but that won’t count as I cheated I used a little simple program I wrote as soon as I figured more or less what was what in dat, zon, sim, dsd, val. I bet that in the near future you will have a nice dat, zon,sim,dsd,val etc. editor and 3D model exporter. I personally reluctantly release tools as they require constant support for which I don’t have time and patience.

However I can offer you my help whenever I can and to share info with you on how to edit or do something. I love to figure things out in fact this is what keeps me busy in mod. Once I figure enough things I move to another project.

SH3 was build on a solid code but it seems it wasn’t entirely finished. There is sign of other possible things in this game like tanks (vehicles) that can move on land more realistic submarines, surface supply ships, supply subs, supply ships and the list goes on. I wonder if the programmers and UBI soft will add these features or perhaps not add but complete them. Well I definitely like SH3 I play it at 1280x1024 using Kegetys DX9res v1.0 and I love it.

I wish the best of hex edit and if you need help try posting on this forum, I will try to help in limited way.

Chris a.k.a. Orzel

I Hope this tutorial although made in 15 minutes and in a hurry will help you and guide you in successfully cloning new ships.

Of course I bet the next question you will have after cloning is how to create new objects using existing in-game objects aka what Sergbuto is doing. Once you guys finish with this I’ll post tutorial on moving, renaming, deleting, objects and sort of pasting them in to create new objects based on existing in-game objects. More complex and requires some hex editing skills but never the less it’s doable.

Or perhaps someone else would but if not you can count on me.

Signing out,
Chris a.k.a. Orzel

I no longer play SH and never finished my tool, but anyone interested in playing with .dat files can download this little app, it shows all those ID's and even extracts the 3D models (requires .NET Framework):

http://cursos.usal.es/~felipe/dc/datconvert.zip

lurbz,

Thanks a lot for the program. I will download now and will contact you later. When you go back to SH3 I think that you will find a better game by the modders community.

Greetings,

Rubini.

I can't wait to try this out! Since my project was an aircraft clone to begin with, this should get me on my way.

I look forward to the next installment, mixing and matching pieces from different models, as that's the second part of my pet project.
:up:

Hi guys,

This is a major improviment to SH3 commnuty! It's work!!! :sunny:

Shadow, Jace, Sergei, THE_ORZEL and all guys that want to work on new ships, uboats and aircraft: today is our day! :up: :up: :up:

Thanks lurbz, and come back to SH3!


Rubini.

If anyone decides to do a Tirpitz clone, would it be possible to add a flak gun to her B turret?

This is the weapon she had:

http://www.bismarck-class.dk/technic...ry20mgc38.html

You can see where the gun was mounted here:

http://www.kbismarck.com/tirp44.gif

That was how she looked in March 1944 while in Norway.

I'd try this myself but this hex stuff is Greek to me. I think it will be a while before I get this hex stuff down. :doh: :hmm:

good read, thank you for a package of VALUABLE information-
jhust the info one needs to get emself started modding :up: