Modders & their trade tools
 

I thought I would share with you the tools of my modding trade.

Hopefully other modders will also include what they use. This may become a handy thread if you want to start modding or if your a old hand at modding and need to widen your knowledge.

This is what I use, where possible I've included links.

Dat file extractor/package tool (free download)
(AKA:Chess set editing tool)
http://www.chessmaster.com/us/extras.php

SH3 Unpacker Program (free download)
(unpack TGA files from DAT)
http://www.delraydepot.com/tt/sh3.htm

Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo XI (not free, you have to buy it):shifty:
(I use this for all my skinning ie; all TGA files contained in SHIII)
http://apps.corel.com/int/au/

Jet Audio (free download)
(I use this for all my music. It also converts OGGs, WAVs, MP3 and heap more.
http://www.jetaudio.com/

Switch Audio File Converter (free download)
(I use this for all my sound effects. It also converts OGGs, WAVs, MP3 and heap more.
http://www.nch.com.au/switch/plus.html

Might I add...

For those who like their image editing cost-free, check out www.gimp.org, where you can download GIMP which is a good (arguably the best) freeware image editor.

Ven , this is why we walk on similar roads!:yep:

This is why I trust you !

this is why we can stay back to back and
know that what ever comes we will take it
toghether!:yep:


Brother I hope everyone here knows how to apreaciate
you as I do !:up:

Let's not forget the best tool that can do anything in the right hands.....the hex editor! It can pack/unpack TGA's, it can add new animations, it can add new objects, well you get the picture! :yep:

Good point!

Here is a freeware hex editor (very basic mind you)

http://www.chmaas.handshake.de/delph...vi32/xvi32.htm

If someone knows a better free one, please post a link!

When I do Radio/Computer repairs I use all the fine tools:
Sledge Hammer
Crow Bar
Hammer Drill
Fencing Pliers
If a jobs worth doing, it's worth doing well!!:lol:

DD has got me hooked on HexWorkshop. I was using Ultra-Edit32 but now find myself always using HexWorkshop.

Pack3D is another excellent tool to have in your arsenal for importing/exporting file contents.

Link please...:hmm: ;)

http://www.hexworkshop.com/ ;)

I've already noted stuff I never knew about this is coming along nicely. Please try to provide links wher possible.

Cheers to everyone thus far for adding their modding tools. :up: keep them coming.

If you plan on really kicking the work up a notch, and digging into the 3d models, the best freeware 3d modelling app I am aware of that can handle .obj files is...

Blender 3d
Free 3d modelling program
http://www.blender.org

It's also worth mentioning that Adobe Photoshop - probably, bar none, the most widely used application for texture editing - can be had pretty cheaply time to time. Yes, the 'current' and 'full' edition is always $600+, but, each time a new edition comes out, the previous editions drop in price rapidly. And, more importantly for our purposes, the "Elements" release is all you need - not the full version at all. I picked up a copy of Photoshop Elements from Target for $20, for example.

Didn't know about Jet Audio, either, but...I dunno, looking at it, I think I'll stick with what I've got...

GoldWave
Wave/ogg/mp3/flac/alac/like everything editor. Reads and writes in more formats than you can shake a stick at. I actually learned about this app back when working in the telecom industry, as it could actually handle the Dialogic board .vox format files natively.
http://www.goldwave.com/

Wings3D is another free program to use for 3D modelling. The interface is a little more user-friendly than Blender. It even works on Vista!

www.wings3d.com

Pack3D (have all 5 versions but really v2 & v5 needed only)
Photoshop CS2
Photoshop CS3
DeepUV
Deep Exploration (CAD Edition) Ven has already seen renders from this program.:up:
Deep Paint 3D
Minitweaker
Max3ds
oh and the highly secret GWX Swiss Army knife.:arrgh!:

By far the most used of these is DeepX, you can get a free 30day evaluation. The good thing about this program is that it's drag & drop with relatime changes happening. So I can edit something in PS and the changes are instant in DeepX. Sample Rendering below.
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/7783/turm1lg6.th.jpg

Limited addition with your own U-boat number engraved I suspose ? ;)

I was going to ask about those pictures you sent me via the PM system, when I saw those, I thought what the hell is using to do that tricky stuff....now I know. ut there alot of stuff that has been memtion in this short threads life that I'm already lost.

It would be good to have step by step user guides for object introduction etc....like your PDF skinning guide (my skinning bible).

Ven.

:oops: Thanks Ven

I must update that skinning tutorial sometime soon.

I could quite easily make a tutorial for this type of work with OBJ files. For your purposes, it would be a huge help as you can see what your skins look like without loading the game.:D

I'm even thinking of doing a video tutorial in chapters.:hmm:
1)File Location
2)File/Model Extraction
3)Importing OBJ files
4)Viewing and Managing workspace.

etc.......

When time permits, I will certainly get this done.:up: