You missed the update function which is way faster if you don’t work with extracted 3DDB, and you might as well point to my manual which you took that from rather than just posting part of it.
The way I see it (from memories) when you would want the easy way…
- create model with 3ds max (2013 or 2014 if Dave exporter hasn’t been updated)
- export to LOD
- Create parent.dat from max with maxscript
- Create a Parents folder in the root of your falcon install and copy exe dll there as well.
- Copy the lod(s) and parent.dat in a subfolder named as parent number needing update (4 digits)
- Use the update function. Check the manual found here. Btw, the archive linked there was in my drive bin, I just restored it.
@Dee-Jay:
To Pack/Unpack 3DDB, use 3DDB.exe (new format)
- EXTRACT THE 3DDB
Copy both EXE and DLL from <installdir>\Tools\3DDBBuilder to <installdir>\Data\TerrData\Objects.
Shift+Right click on <installdir>\Data\TerrData\Objects, select open command prompt window here and use the following command:
Windows PowerShell command: .\3ddb_builder.exe /extract
CMD command: 3ddb_builder.exe /extract
The tools will create three folders: LODs, Parents and Textures.
LODs contains all common models used by several parents.
Parents contains all the parents and their models used by the 3D database.
Textures is an empty folder. If you need to build the 3DDB, it is in this folder you will need to put a placeholder BMP. You can find more information about that further in this documentation.
- BUILD THE 3DDB Copy both EXE and DLL from <installdir>\Tools\3DDBBuilder to where your extracted 3D database is located.
In the Textures folder, you must have a 256 colours BMP file named as the highest texture number found in <installdir>\Data\TerrData\Objects\KoreaObj. Resolution nor colour does matter, so one pixel will do just fine. This will write in HDR the last texture id.
NEW > 2 GB FORMAT
THIS FORMAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH LEGACY TOOLS SUCH AS LOD EDITOR. PLEASE USE THE OLD FORMAT IF YOU WISH TO USE THEM.
Shift+Right click on <installdir>\Data\TerrData\Objects, select open command prompt window here and use the following command:
Windows PowerShell command: .\3ddb_builder.exe /build
CMD command: 3ddb_builder.exe /build</installdir></installdir></installdir></installdir></installdir></installdir>