ET2 - How I Convert a UKTS truck for ET2

ET2 - How I Convert a UKTS truck for ET2

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How I Convert a UKTS truck for ET2

This is a guide to how I convert a UKTS truck for Extreme Trucker 2

I don't say it's the right way, I say it is my way...

E & O.E

UKTS vehicle: MAN TGXMap: Australia

I use -Text/Hex editor: FolderviewerZip: 7ZipZModeler:ZModeler Help (18WoS) Forum:http://forum.zmodeler2.com/viewforum.php?f=9&sid=e2ceba7cdad1e7ab36dee17c3c888110ZModeler ETS/GTS Filter Guide: http://forum.zmodeler2.com/viewtopic.php?t=4488

If you want Zmodeler help, follow these links. I can't help here

This is NOT a stand-alone tutorial on creating a truck mod for 18WoS

I decided to create this guide for my own purposes - because I have a shitty memory(having said that, it is written for a wider audience)

If it helps anyone else, that is good too...

This guide has been created on-the-fly as I create the MAN truck, and anyerrors/omissions/crap may be corrected later


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Setup Folders

I create a mod Project Folder: \Documents\18 WoS Extreme Trucker2\development\mod Unpacked

I copy the UKTS vehicle folder to my Project Folder: \Documents\UK TruckSimulator\development\base Unpacked\vehicle

In \Documents\18 WoS Extreme Trucker 2\development\mod Unpacked\vehicle I deleteeverything but the 'truck' folder

In \Documents\18 WoS Extreme Trucker 2\development\mod Unpacked\vehicle\truck Idelete everything but the man_tgx folder

In \Documents\18 WoS Extreme Trucker 2\development\mod

Unpacked\vehicle\truck\man_tgx I delete everything but color.dds

I copy \Documents\UK Truck Simulator\development\base


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Unpacked\vehicle\truck\share to my Project Folder

I delete everything here but ai_driver.dds and glass_ex.dds

I copy \Documents\18 WoS Extreme Trucker 2\development\base Unpacked\material tomy Project Folder

I delete everything here but Enviroment folder

In \Documents\18 WoS Extreme Trucker 2\development\baseUnpacked\material\environment I delete everything but generic_s.dds

I rename generic_s.dds to generic.dds


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ZModeler - Import ET2 truck

I now import into ZModeler a ET2 truck to collect some important components for theproject truck

I use a 'similar' (cab over) truck, and so here I import the ET2 Volvo_FH16_AU ('donor'truck)

I open ZModeler, and from here I Save very often

And when I don't, I wish I had...

I set base.scs to \Documents\18 WoS Extreme Trucker 2\development\base Unpacked

I import the truck.pmg file


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I note the ET2 node naming conventions, though for a UKTS conversion this will not be areal issue

Probably not an issue ETS and later, but I don't have the knowledge nor experience toqualify that

I know some Haulin node names have crashed a mod, so I rename them all in a mod toconform and eliminate any issues


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I Hide all nodes to be retained and delete the rest.

I have made a note of the postion of 'locator' nodes in relationship to the ET2 mesh (orrelevant part of it).

eg: l-mirror locator to left mirror area of truck mesh

Approximate is good until I can check them in-game later

In the Texture Browser I delete all textures other than shown above


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The Default Material cannot be deleted and must be replaced.


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Here I copy all values from glass_ex material to the Default Material, paying attention toAlpha Parameters and Extensions settings.

I configure the Environment Layer (reflection) for the glass_ex material

ai_driver.dds does not have reflection layer


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I right click 'the driver', select Properties and check the driver material is mapped to themesh

I hide the ET2 truck root dummy node


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ZModeler - Import UKTS truck

I locate the UKTS MAN TGX folder, point base.scs to \Documents\UK TruckSimulator\development\base.scs, and import the *pmg file


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I right click the UKTS truck root dummy node, select Properties, select User-Definedoptions

I check the option Origin points to the destination folder for the new ET2 truck

Because I earlier copied UKTS folder I should have no concern here

I check there are the required variants

Most (if not all) UKTS trucks use one body color but have body options for aero andother parts.

I delete the Shadow node (not used in ET2)

I delete the Shadow texture from the Texture Browser


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I also delete wheel, driver_2, driver_3, driver_4 and driver_0 nodes

I delete the drivers.dds texture from the Texture Browser

In the Materials Editor I delete entries for Shadow and Drivers


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Now I rename color materials for the truck.

Each material may specify a path - usually for shared *.dds files, not residing in the truckfolder

The path is relative to the target game only - found in the game's base.scs file

I accept paths imported with the truck only if I know they are valid and the game willlocate them

It is convenient, economic and tidy to use paths, but if in doubt I remove the path andmove(copy) any *.dds file into the (mod)truck folder

No-one wants in a download, a pile of files they already have on their HDD - nor do theywant the bandwidth of bloated downloads

A path specified will be exported to the relevant *.mat file

ZModeler will not generate a *tobj file for the *.mat file

The game will read the path to the *.tobj file from within the *.mat file

Where no path is specified, ZModeler will generate a *.tobj file for the *.mat file

The *.dds file must reside in the truck folder

Typically:the truck.pmd file points to various *.mat files*.mat files point to *.tobj files*.tobj files point to *.dds files

A material effect specified will be exported to the relevant *.mat file


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Leaving 5 color materials shown above may cause me issues later, so I individualize thenames

For each color material I locate a mesh to which the material is mapped

I get an idea of the related truck part(s), and rename the material accordingly

Above I have located a shiny fuel tank, and I rename the material chrome_parts(dif_spec.add.env_nofresnel)

I do likewise for all other materials (soon you'll see all the changes - they are reflected inthe names of the generated *mat files)

NOTE: example above -from faded memory the nofresnel component of the materialeffect is not accepted by ET2, but I'll leave it and check later... remember, creating this on-the-fly ...


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Now I move driver_0 to a position similar to driver_1 (... take it easy guys!!)


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I move interior and driver locators


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I have the driver where I think he should be (...and so says driver_1??)

I move l_mirror and r_mirror

I don't touch camera and cargo locators, but will check them in-game later and change ifnecessary


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I move the ET2 truck nodes into the UKTS truck node heirachy

I delete the ET2 truck root dummy node


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ZModeler - Export UKTS truck

At this point I am about done in ZModeler for a little while

I am always keen to get the truck in game without spending too much time on it

Once I know the game accepts the basic truck I can come back to fix bugs, designproblems and enhance the truck if I want

I point Save in: to my project folder: \Documents\18 WoS Extreme Trucker2\development\mod Unpacked\vehicle\truck

I ensure Version: is ETS/GTS

File name: must be the same as the name of the root dummy node

At this point I do not lock the file

I can later re-export & lock when I'm satisfied the truck is complete


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ZModeler - Exported Files

I check the exported files to ensure I have all the necessary onesIndividualizing the material names earlier has given me individual *.mat files

ZModeler has generated *.tobj files for each *.mat file (other than for those for which apath was specified in the Materials Editor)


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I check the truck.pmd file to ensure all the *.mat files are included


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I check each *.mat file to see it references a *.tobj file, and that the *.tobj file exists

Where a path was specified for a material in the Materials Editor, the *.tobj file mayexist elsewhere and I ensure it does, and that it will be accessible to the game


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I check that each *.tobj file references a *.dds file, and that the *.dds file exists and willbe accessible


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Each *.mat file requires a sampler binding for each texture - WTF?? - a line of text foreach texture


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I go to an original ET2 *.mat file for the text I need, and copy & paste into my new *.matfileI repeat for each *.mat file

I have a reference list of *.mat files for the 'donor' ET2 Volvo_FH16_AU truck used inthis project

These are found in the automat/ folder:ca/0da86d - glass_ex53/29ca05 - color86/c57916 - chrome_parts84/fc57f1 - chrome_fence53/0907e5 - color143/90bca3 - ai_driver


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I run 2 instances of Folderviewer to get a side-by-side comparison

I find an ET2 original *.mat file for a paintjob does not use 'paint' in the material effectso I use the original format

I won't rename the *.mat file accordingly, and if I do the *.pmd file will not find it and I'llget an error

Later I will go back into ZModeler, correct the effect and re-export the truck

I may re-visit ZModeler to change the frame to 6x4, bullbar and to do interior, wipersetc.


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When re-exporting the truck I take care not to have to repeat the *.mat files changesdescribed above, unless necessary

I re-export to a temp folder and copy into my project folder only the necessary files

If I make changes to textures and/or materials I will need new *.mat files (and maybenew *.tobj files).

If I only change the model, I copy only *.pmg, *.pmd, *.pmc

Do not copy only the *.pmg file into your project (Oleg - ZModeler)


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Truck Config Files

I now introduce more files from ET2, and each is altered to work in this projectFiles are taken from folders shown in the next image

I rename the Volvo def files to suit - one for each variant (remember variants fromZModeler?)

Each def file is altered to suit the MAN, for each variant


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The 'a' in driveable_vehicle_data: vehicle.man.tgx.a and variant: a relate to the variant

I copy & paste the whole of this file into the man_tgx_b.sii file

I change the 'a' in driveable_vehicle_data: vehicle.man.tgx.a and variant: a to 'b'

Then do like wise for man_tgx_c.sii

At this point in time I retain the Volvo references to wipers, and further down in the filethe references to interior_camera and interior_data

I make entries in the truck storage def file

I copy & paste these changes into the truck_storage_australia.sii file

I need to make my new MAN available to haul some or all loads

I always use a new profile for first checking a new truck, however doing this means bydefault I get the Volvo FH16 and the rocket part cargo


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I change the rocket_part.sii cargo file to suit

The next 3 images show changes I make to the camera units def file and the camerastorage def file


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I rename the Volvo file


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Inside the file I change the header to vehicle_interior_camera: camera.interior.man.tgx

I list this new file in the camera storage def file


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In Game

I have zipped my mod project to an *.scs file - no compression(store)

I ensure the console is enabled, to view errors real-time

If I get to the main menu OK, generally speaking I know there is not too much (ifanything) wrong with my work in ZModeler, nor with the truck/interior/camera *.sii files

I create a new profile. I do this to test any/each change made to the mod, and for eachtruck variant

If the MAN does not show first up, I save the game and change the saved game filesI need to replace the Volvo for the current saved game


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I change the game_state.sii file to tell the game I have the MAN

I also change the reference to the Volvo under job_data in the job_manager.sii file

When I went back into the game I had the MAN hooked up to the rocket part, but somecomponents on the MAN were missing

They were in fact just invisible and I got an error(unfortunately a screenshot got lost)


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The error in game.log. I knew immediately what and why

(I don't mind errors when they are logged, very frustrating fixing errors that don't makethe log)


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Fix for the error (something I simply overlooked earlier)


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Now when the MAN appears, I still have an issue with wheels facing into the chassis

This is easily fixed in ZModeler - rotate each locator through 180deg


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And then the MAN re-appears, some attention to wheel track is required, but this willdo for now

(Note: this in-game camera angle gives a distorted view)

Tweaking the *.mat files for the right paint look is another job

I have spent some time tweaking the paintjob for a Haulin truck in ET2 & I can take the*.mat file values for ambient, diffuse, specular, shininess, tint, env_factor for that truckand apply to this truck

And chrome!! Ugh, ETS and later chrome...

This is the file manifest for this mod:

def\camera\units\interior_man_tgx.siidef\camera\camera_storage.sii

def\cargo\australia\rocket_part.sii

material\environment\generic.dds


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vehicle\truck\definition\man_tgx_a.siivehicle\truck\definition\man_tgx_b.siivehicle\truck\definition\man_tgx_c.sii

vehicle\truck\man_tgx\ai_driver.dif.matvehicle\truck\man_tgx\chassis.dif_spec.matvehicle\truck\man_tgx\chrome_parts.dif_spec.add.env_nofresnel.matvehicle\truck\man_tgx\color.ddsvehicle\truck\man_tgx\color.tobjvehicle\truck\man_tgx\glass_ex.none_spec.add.env.tintadd.matvehicle\truck\man_tgx\other.dif_spec.add.env.matvehicle\truck\man_tgx\paint.paint.dif_spec.add.env.matvehicle\truck\man_tgx\parts.dif_spec.over.matvehicle\truck\man_tgx\truck.pmcvehicle\truck\man_tgx\truck.pmdvehicle\truck\man_tgx\truck.pmg

vehicle\truck\share\ai_driver.ddsvehicle\truck\share\glass_ex.ddsvehicle\truck\truck_storage.siivehicle\truck\truck_storage_australia.sii

Not complex at all, right?

Wipers

From UKTS I added:vehicle\truck\man_tgx\wipers.pmavehicle\truck\man_tgx\wipers.pmdvehicle\truck\man_tgx\wipers.pmgautomat\47\5114f3 (points to color.tobj - see above)

No changes to these files are necessary

In the man_tgx_a.sii file (see above under Truck Config Files) I change the references toexterior_wiper_anim and wiper_model to point to the vehicle\truck\man_tgx folder

To date, the vehicle still uses the vovlo_fh16_au interior


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E & O.E

Hope it helps...

glenn52

http://www.glenn52.com


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