NwnMdlComp is a model compiler and decompiler for Bioware's Neverwinter Nights game. It allows content providers to extract binary models from NWN and convert them to human readable ASCII format. The ASCII format is the format commonly supported by model editing plugins. NwnMdlComp also supports the recompilation of these ASCII models back into binary form.
Hey guys, Im new at this stuff and i need this tool badly but everytime i try to download it it says website unavailible and the same thing on Torlack's site. Plz Help me!
Posted by gaoneng at 2005-06-30 02:29:46 Voted 9.75 on 06/30/05
Thanks for that tutorial, XE-Ryder. I didn't even have a computer before Windows 98 came out, so this DOS business is scary stuff. You probably won't see this, but just in case, I wanted you to know your advice helped someone out there.
XE Ryder...sent you an e-mail. ;)Warm Regards,
~SilverLady~
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Closet-Scholar of Forgotten English and Medieval studies, Part-time Writer/Student. Translating my "novel in progress" into CEP compliant NWN mod. Done:25% Time:Most
"Unfortunately, I'm just as truthful as I am opinionated."
"Bugless? Its coughing 2da hairballs all over my desktop."
"Giant, enormous ideas! Ity bity non-existent haking talent."
Posted by XE-Ryder KoJ ( 207.175.xxx.xxx ) at 2004-09-14 10:00:00
How I Use The NWN Model Compiler / Decompiler
(maybe this will help you out)
First off, props to Torlack for bothering to build this app, or we wouldn�t be having this convo! Thank you for the effort and posting it for all! There is a GUI front end for this app out there, but the links seem broken, so here is the old school way to process files:
This will assume your data is on the C drive, and that you can manage files pretty well in Windows Explorer (not Internet Explorer). If you can�t get a friend to help, better yet, if you can work in DOS or they can, this is cake. You might find it helpful to print this page before starting.
Let�s get ready to use the program first by making three folders. On your C drive root make a folder called �MdlComp�, which we use as it is under 8 characters for the win98 folks. Now put NWNMdlComp.exe in this folder. Next make two folders in the MdlComp folder; one called �Ascii� and another called �Binary�.
Place the files you want to process in the correct folder. If you can open and read a Mdl file with notepad, it is an Ascii file, if it looks like a stream of cartoon curses, it is in Binary! Place your files in the respective directories.
Now we will use the Start menu to find the Command Prompt or MS-DOS shortcut. It will probably dump you off with a black screen and something like this:
�C:\Documents and Settings\(your username here) John Doe>� with an ominous flashing cursor.
You will need to type in some commands and most of the time it is not cap sensitive. I have capitalized for clarity mostly. Type in �CD\� and hit enter. Now you have just �C:>�. Now type in �CD MdlComp� hit enter. Now you have �C:\MdlComp>� Now you are finally ready to process your files.
If you are Compiling, and want to do them all, type this: �NWNMdlComp �ce Ascii\*.mdl Binary\� and don�t miss a character or nothing happens. This command will compile everything if finds in the Ascii directory and dump it in the Binary directory.
If you are Decompiling, and want to do them all, type this: �NWNMdlComp �de Binary\*.mdl Ascii\� and don�t miss a character or nothing happens. This command will compile everything if finds in the Ascii directory and dump it in the Binary directory.
Once you are finished using the program type �Exit� and hit enter and you are back to your desktop if you ran a full screen window.
Your models will be left in the original directory, and watch real close for errors during processing. You can watch the errors by Clicking and Holding the DOS window scrolling bar, manually moving it up and down during processing, which seems to pause it momentarily. I tap the �Print Screen� key and then real quick hit �Alt, E, P� to paste the images into my favorite photo program. It seems to be the only way to get all the errors documented before the text buffer wipes them out. I mean that when you process 1000 files, you can only scroll back like 300, so who knows what the others did right?
I have found that models with some booboos in them don�t compile well, and once compiled can crash the toolset. God only knows what they would do in game. The bottom line is, if you build your model correctly and get clean exports, this compiler will do a fabulous job. If you leave unwelded faces and extra vertices, it is going to flip out and whack the model to shreds trying to fix it. That being said, remember this is Not a model repair program, it will only compile and decompile clean models. I would personally recommend using NWN Explorer to decompile them, unless you are doing a pile of them. Click the �Ascii Model� button, then on the Resource menu choose �Export Text�.
I will probably not be browsing back here again, but saw the comments and wanted to try and help those who posted. You can contact me by mail if you have a question.
XE-Ryder KoJ
Posted by Blackblade ( 24.119.xxx.xxx ) at 2004-09-11 09:23:00
Ok, Torlack, I have a Problem VERY similar to the ones below. When I run the program, a black window pops up for a nanosecond and then disapears and closes the program. could I have a little bit of assistance please?
This is a compilation of the old system into a single score. There were 1 that made this score of 8 then rounded to 8.
Posted by Jewels ( ..xxx.xxx ) at 2003-10-25 22:52:00
i seem to be having the same problem as the other guy down below i try to start it but i get no window to type codes in im just now trying to learn to use these tools an have never used the comand prompt window is there a tuteral some where that tells me how step by step
Posted by Nol Drek ( ..xxx.xxx ) at 2003-07-05 15:59:00
This is a valuable tool that converts .mdl files back and forth to ASCII files which can be used to import models into 3D modeling software programs or you can edit the ASCII files manually in WordPad. I use it all the time to alter NWN model files.
To use it, at the command line type NWNMDLCOMP.
Posted by MTchrus ( ..xxx.xxx ) at 2003-03-08 16:01:00
This NWNMdlComp does not work with my computer. It does
not start up.How do you run and use the file?
Posted by Mystic ( ..xxx.xxx ) at 2002-11-23 21:56:00
Thanks for posting this here Torlack. I use this handy
dandy tool often, and I appreciate seeing its development.
:-)
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