I just wanted to clarify on this point.



Can we reference a model ID that is outside of the dat file?



Because S3D will not be able to link it, but SH3 will know where to find it?

Yes. That's how location files work for one example.

I looked. This is true, however in location files they are chunk type 11 not chunk type 4. I wonder If we can convert the type 4s in the unit files to 11s. And I believe the referenced models would have to be in the Library directory. As I think all the Location model references, the models live in the Library.

Best way to find out is to try it.

Well if the type 11s can reference outside dat, perhaps the type 4s can too. But maybe they only look in Library?


I'll test both conditions.


Looks like the type 11s can't have any other node's attach to them, including materials.


Takes investigating.

So the Type 11s are referencing Type 4s in the Library. The 3d Models (type 1 ) are not being referenced. This confuses things more...


Would it be useful to switch the type 4s in the unit dirs (air, land, sea, submarine) to type 11s and reference a common type 4, even though that referenced type 4 may have its own attributes (ie: type 10s) and textures (type 2s)?

Referring to the nodes in the dat not type= ingame