[TEC]GR2 files and Granny Viewer

03-30-10, 07:36 PM

As alot of misconceptions and good information is being spread through
many different threads?

I'll start a thread dedicated to the GR2 stuff.

First, if you don't have the Granny Viewer and know how to use it?
You're working blind!
Go get it here:
http://www.radgametools.com/granny/download.html

I'll start some basic info I am sure of and add info as the days go by.

GR2 files in SH5 are not compressed but Goblin and SH5 can still
use them both.
SH5 uses the granny2.dll which is coded to read compressed and
non-compressed GR2 files.
Ubi did not change the granny2.dll in any way.
I'm not even sure if they would be allowed to change that dll.
The exporter can be modified, I think,
from reading the Granny Viewer info,
and what I know from other sources.

Ubi did not seem to modify the granny exporter in anyway and used
nearly an 'off the shelf' setup for exporting.
Which means decodeing them should be a fairly straight forward project.

There are Granny exporters for several 3D programs out there.
Useing them to import for SH5 could lead to Legal troubles!
I suggest takeing the High Road and not doing it!
You will get caught!
I'm also not sure of total compatability between versions.

There are exporters out there to extract from the GR2 format.
None seem to work for me to my satisfaction.
I invite anyone to send me a Completely extracted GR2 file from SH5.
Even a complete Model with all the meshes is OK.
Haveing all the Bones is a plus!

There is Source code out there for some Granny stuff.
Some of the best is very old but still useful.
Here's an example:
http://www.koders.com/cpp/fid6594068....aspx?s=matrix
It's about the old Granny format but useful nonetheless.

03-30-10, 07:37 PM

reserved for future use thank you

TheDarkWraith · 03-30-10, 08:20 PM

tried every exporter I could find on the web (even the NWN2 ones and AOE3) and couldn't get any to export correctly, if even at all. There is one trick that does work. The GLXtractor will extract meshes from the Granny Viewer but they are not positioned in 3D correctly (they are sheared from their origin). It takes a little time but using the Goblin editor you can find where 'center' is and reposition the meshes using 3DS Max or Wings3D (I setup the GLXtractor to extract the meshes into .obj form). This does not give any bone info though - just the raw mesh data (Seadler helpmed me with that

)

03-30-10, 08:40 PM

Does it extract the UV's?
I have it but it does not want to work right for some reason.
And getting a model that's all whacked out of position
is a pain also.

TheDarkWraith · 03-30-10, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by privateer

Does it extract the UV's?
I have it but it does not want to work right for some reason.
And getting a model that's all whacked out of position
is a pain also.

yep, it'll extract the texture coords also. If it would only position the model correctly when it extracts it it would be a useful tool.

Chebawookee · 03-30-10, 09:40 PM

I think the key is the grannyloader.dll which puts that all together. This dll is from UBI.
For example:
Open the NSS_Uboat7b.GR2 one time in Gobblin-Editor and then in Granny Viewer.
In Granny Viewer you will only see what is in the NSS_Uboat7b.GR2 file. No interior, only a few doors and hatches.
In Gobblin you will see the contents of many gr2 files put together.

BigBANGtheory · 04-03-10, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by privateer

There are Granny exporters for several 3D programs out there.
Useing them to import for SH5 could lead to Legal troubles!
I suggest takeing the High Road and not doing it!

Could please explain the reasons behind this? I dont see how making modifications via an external program would be so bad its not like your ripping off the content or IP for another game (which obviously would be illegal).

...or have I missed the point entirely?

Using Max + Granny SDK seems the obvious choice from what you have described so far.

kylania · 04-03-10, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBANGtheory

Could please explain the reasons behind this? I dont see how making modifications via an external program would be so bad its not like your ripping off the content or IP for another game (which obviously would be illegal).

...or have I missed the point entirely?

Using Max + Granny SDK seems the obvious choice from what you have described so far.

I think that's exactly what he's worried about. We've already had issues with textures from other games being used in mods. I agree with you though that the potential for people to do that should in no way stop the ability for it to be done. That's just doing what the DRM is doing, punishing everyone because of the possibilities of others to do something.

BigBANGtheory · 04-03-10, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kylania

I think that's exactly what he's worried about. We've already had issues with textures from other games being used in mods. I agree with you though that the potential for people to do that should in no way stop the ability for it to be done. That's just doing what the DRM is doing, punishing everyone because of the possibilities of others to do something.

I follow your reasoning, I must admit the first thing I thought when I saw the sub interior was how good some of the Stalker (GSC Games) textures would be...

Besides the 'not to be done' issue of moving one games IP to another, I also saw no evidence of deep paralllax mapping in SH5 which just frankly rocks

That is pretty clear cut case of don't do that, but Privateer was meaning something else I suspect and I raise it as a legitimate question not an arguement or opposing view in any way.

04-03-10, 03:19 PM

RAD Games OWNES the Granny stuff.
Thier tools are VERY high dollar items.
Near $12000 a pop.

I'd not like to be on the bad side of a law suit for useing tools I have no license to.

And to use Neal's forum to distribute anything made with unlicensed tools
could lead to problems for him and all of us.

That's what I'm saying.

Time will tell as to what happens and how.

Anvart · 04-03-10, 03:52 PM

What do you think about intermediate file-format Collada (*.dae)?

Anvart · 04-03-10, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by privateer

RAD Games OWNES the Granny stuff.
...
I'd not like to be on the bad side of a law suit for useing tools I have no license to.

And to use Neal's forum to distribute anything made with unlicensed tools
could lead to problems for him and all of us.

That's what I'm saying.

Time will tell as to what happens and how.

You are right on 200% ...
But how to convert 3D graph files from one format to other... without Granny's stuffs it's impossible.

If Dev's would give the importer of 3D stuffs into Goblin editor...

03-30-10, 07:36 PM	#1
Madox58 Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	[TEC]GR2 files and Granny Viewer As alot of misconceptions and good information is being spread through many different threads? I'll start a thread dedicated to the GR2 stuff. First, if you don't have the Granny Viewer and know how to use it? You're working blind! Go get it here: http://www.radgametools.com/granny/download.html I'll start some basic info I am sure of and add info as the days go by. GR2 files in SH5 are not compressed but Goblin and SH5 can still use them both. SH5 uses the granny2.dll which is coded to read compressed and non-compressed GR2 files. Ubi did not change the granny2.dll in any way. I'm not even sure if they would be allowed to change that dll. The exporter can be modified, I think, from reading the Granny Viewer info, and what I know from other sources. Ubi did not seem to modify the granny exporter in anyway and used nearly an 'off the shelf' setup for exporting. Which means decodeing them should be a fairly straight forward project. There are Granny exporters for several 3D programs out there. Useing them to import for SH5 could lead to Legal troubles! I suggest takeing the High Road and not doing it! You will get caught! I'm also not sure of total compatability between versions. There are exporters out there to extract from the GR2 format. None seem to work for me to my satisfaction. I invite anyone to send me a Completely extracted GR2 file from SH5. Even a complete Model with all the meshes is OK. Haveing all the Bones is a plus! There is Source code out there for some Granny stuff. Some of the best is very old but still useful. Here's an example: http://www.koders.com/cpp/fid6594068....aspx?s=matrix It's about the old Granny format but useful nonetheless. Last edited by Madox58; 03-30-10 at 08:07 PM.

04-03-10, 03:52 PM	#11
Anvart Admiral Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Russia ® Posts: 2,492 Downloads: 122 Uploads: 1	What do you think about intermediate file-format Collada (*.dae)? __________________ Alex ® Moses said: "Don't create yourself an idol"...

03-30-10, 07:37 PM	#2
Madox58 Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	reserved for future use thank you

03-30-10, 08:20 PM	#3
TheDarkWraith Black Magic Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 11,962 Downloads: 147 Uploads: 5	tried every exporter I could find on the web (even the NWN2 ones and AOE3) and couldn't get any to export correctly, if even at all. There is one trick that does work. The GLXtractor will extract meshes from the Granny Viewer but they are not positioned in 3D correctly (they are sheared from their origin). It takes a little time but using the Goblin editor you can find where 'center' is and reposition the meshes using 3DS Max or Wings3D (I setup the GLXtractor to extract the meshes into .obj form). This does not give any bone info though - just the raw mesh data (Seadler helpmed me with that )

03-30-10, 08:40 PM	#4
Madox58 Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	Does it extract the UV's? I have it but it does not want to work right for some reason. And getting a model that's all whacked out of position is a pain also.

03-30-10, 09:40 PM	#6
Chebawookee Swabbie Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 8 Downloads: 19 Uploads: 1	I think the key is the grannyloader.dll which puts that all together. This dll is from UBI. For example: Open the NSS_Uboat7b.GR2 one time in Gobblin-Editor and then in Granny Viewer. In Granny Viewer you will only see what is in the NSS_Uboat7b.GR2 file. No interior, only a few doors and hatches. In Gobblin you will see the contents of many gr2 files put together.

04-03-10, 03:19 PM	#10
Madox58 Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	RAD Games OWNES the Granny stuff. Thier tools are VERY high dollar items. Near $12000 a pop. I'd not like to be on the bad side of a law suit for useing tools I have no license to. And to use Neal's forum to distribute anything made with unlicensed tools could lead to problems for him and all of us. That's what I'm saying. Time will tell as to what happens and how.