[TEC] Rendering 3D objects outside SHIV - how to get all bits?

[FinnN]

I recently got myself a reprint of ONI 41-42 (US recognition manuals for Japanese warships) and in it it has photographs of models taken from a large range of angles - perfect for getting a better quick estimate of AOB. So, I thought I'd have a go at reconstructing the manual, but using ingame models and data and getting the correct look by rendering them in 3DS Max (I have access to versions 5 and 6). Easy I thought...oh well...


Using the Mogami as a first test, I've got ahold of pack3D and extracted the .obj files and successfully imported them into 3DS Max. One or two of the objects were offset for some reason, but it would be easy enough to move them to their correct locations. All the guns etc were missing, although I found these in a different dat file. This is where my problems come in.

First of all one of the dat files containing equipment won't extract.

Secondly once I have the gun models, how do I find where to place them on the ship, how many and which ones? I can't see any obvious information in the config files.

Finally, is there any way to export/import the whole lot in one go? At the moment I have to run through each piece one by one, which will be quite time-consuming if I go through all the models. Any advice on how to do this as efficiently as possible?

Thanks
Finn

[GuillermoZS]

Looking forward for the answers, I´m in the same place as you, trying to learn how to modify the 3D objects for the game and there is a BIG lack of info on this...

[tater]

I think the weapons are in "Library" since they get reused by more than 1 ship. Under "ship parts" or something like that.

[FinnN]

Yep, I'd found them - and one of the files (not at home right now so can't say which one - the smaller file size one though) unpacks fine. The other file freezes the utility with an error message at the bottom saying something about negative array size.

More importantly though is where all the guns etc go on the 3D model? The main guns aren't too much of a problem, but there are lots of smaller weapons on the bigger ships that would be really tricky to fiddle with, even manually, without something to refer back to. The information is obviously stored in there somewhere, but which files and how would I go about reading them?

Thanks for replies so far - I'll put together something in the next few days so that people can see what I'm aiming to achieve
Finn