[K1]Revan's Robe Mod

[Drizen]

EDIT by Drizen: Removed first half of paragraph below for unnecessary comments.

 

I first downloaded a mod that gave me the robes, but every time I equip them and engage in a battle, the camera view glitches and moves to irritating positions that I have to constantly readjust. In addition, certain force powers like force lightning would shoot out of my feet rather than my hand. Then I heard about Kristy's fix that changes the Revan's Robe model so that it no longer causes weird camera glitches and stops the force power bugs. I thought, "Wow, finally! This looks promising." Wrong. I download it and sure enough, although it indeed fixes these issues, now the model is missing shine maps and shader effects, causing the textures to look extremely bland and ugly.

 

Link to Kristy's mod: http://knightsoftheoldrepublic.filefront.com/file/Darth_Revan_Cutscene_Force_Power_Fix;76133

 

So here's my request. I want a Revan's Robe mod that gives you the robes used in the cutscenes, but with proper camera and animation fixes from Kristy's mod, as well as proper shaders and shine maps. My best guess as to the easiest way of doing this, is downloading Kristy's fix and then using a KOTOR model editing tool to re-enable shaders and shine maps on the model files that she created. Here's a full list of features I'm looking for:

 

Mandatory Features:

- Wearable Revan's Robe item that allows you to look like Revan from the cutscenes of the game

- No modified textures, shaders, or shine maps--they should all work and be taken directly from the default textures of the game

- No camera glitches or force power animation bugs

- The item(s) should not replace any of the default items found in the game, including specifically the robes that you can create in the Star Forge; Revan's cutscene robe should be a separate custom item from everything else

- Stats should not be overpowered; probably best that they remain the same as the Star Forge version of them found at the end of the game

 

Optional Features:

- Include Revan's Mask as a separate item from the Robes, and have it so that when the mask is unequipped, you can see your character's face under the hood; the inventory icon for when equipping the mask should use one of the default icons from the game--find the one that looks closest like it; I've seen one that looks almost exactly like it before, custom icons usually turn out ugly or stupid, so that is why I suggest using a default one

- Possibly include other pieces of Revan's armor to equip to yourself (these would not affect your appearance) such as Revan's Belt or Revan's Gauntlets. Give them some unique and useful stats, but of course, don't make them too overpowered; and of course, use default inventory icons from the game and select the ones that best fit the look of the respective custom items you are creating

- Add a script in the game to acquire the item(s) without the use of cheats; preferably, the robes should be found on Dantooine, as this makes the most sense story-wise since (WARNING spoilers ahead for those who are reading this and haven't completed the game) Bastila and the Jedi captured Revan, so logically the robes would be found somewhere near the Jedi Enclave after they brought him back for wiping his memory; I don't care how/where exactly you choose to insert the script, even if it's something as simple as finding the items on Nemo's corpse or in a random footlocker, it would just be a nice addition to the mod

 

If someone can fit all these features into a single all-in-one Revan's Robe Mod, I would so gladly jump for joy and love you forever. I don't even care too terribly much about the optional features at this point--I just want a Revan's Robe mod that actually works. Opinions/comments on this suggestion are appreciated as well.

 

I would attempt to make a mod like this myself, but I lack any sort of knowledge with KOTOR modding, and I can't seem to find any good tutorials on how to do all the things that I am requesting for in this mod. This is the only way I can see this idea becoming realized.

[Aeroldoth]

Which mods, specifically, have you tried? There's a whole bunch of RR mods out there... people might be better able to suggest one if you list the ones you've already tried.

 

Look in the "where can I find mods" thread for many, many sites to try.

 

Here are some sites with RR. If you don't mind a blue or tan robe, you could try svosh's robes (first link).

 

http://www.angelfire.com/crazy2/xclone_0101/kotor_mods.htm/

http://www.lucasforums.com/showthread.php?t=139157

http://www.citlink.net/~redhawke/mods.html

http://www.jumpstationz.com

[Drizen]

I appreciate your help, but believe me, I've done a bit of searching around. As I stated in my earlier post, I'm not looking for any modified textures, so blue and tan are out of the question. I just want the default cutscene robes, but the bugs associated with them fixed. As for T7's mod, that one looked promising but I couldn't figure out how to get it working. I did not use the installer for his mod, but I copied the files over to the Override folder, so it should have worked anyway. RedHawke's I already tried, and he basically has done the same thing as other RR mods--that is, he simply ripped the model from the game and then put it back in as a wearable item. This won't work because there are fundamental problems with the model itself that cause the camera and force animation issues. In order to fix these, the model needs to be modified in some way before being put back into the game. That is how Kristy resolved the issue, but she forgot to add shaders and shine maps back into the model when she was finished, and to my knowledge still hasn't fixed that issue. And lastly, I'm pretty sure I've tried the RR mod at Jumpstationz before too, and it repeats the same flaws as noted above with RedHawke's.

 

If any RR mod just rips the model from the game and puts it back in without any modification, then the mod is going to have the same issues every time. There needs to be a "N_DarthRevanM.mdl" and "N_DarthRevanM.mdx" file included in the mod in order to tell that it has modified the original cutscene model in some way to fix the bugs associated with it. The only link you gave me that seems to provide this is T7's mod, which doesn't seem to be working for me. For these reasons, that is why I'm requesting that a new one be created here, because it still hasn't been done right.

[Aeroldoth]

There are models included in svosh's mod. I don't know if they'll work for the black robes, but I'm afraid that's the best I can do. If they don't, then perhaps someone can make a new model for you.

[Drizen]

I don't think they'll work with the black robes because they are specifically designed to add a new model to the game, not replace the cutscene one. No one exactly needs to make a new model for me really. Kristy has already done most of the work. All that's left to do in order to complete her model is simply re-applying the shine maps and shaders to them. If anybody here has any knowledge on applying shaders and shine maps to KOTOR models, that's all that needs to be done to Kristy's mod. From there, I can figure out the rest to get it in-game.

 

EDIT: OK, I've been doing a little research and here's what I've found. Apparently the camera hook glitches and forcepower issues are due to the model missing several "helpers" as they are called. There are normally more of these helper nodes on other models in the game such as Carth, but because this model wasn't intended to be used for anything other than cutscenes, not all of the helpers were put in. Modders like T7 apparently found a way to add these helpers back in. I found his tutorial here:

 

http://www.lucasforums.com/showthread.php?t=143261

 

Unfortunately, he did not care to explain one of the most crucial parts of the tutorial: What program do you use to add these helpers in? I'm assuming GMax as far as I can tell, as it is the only program he seemed to mention, but I'm just not sure. Either way, the point I'm trying to get at is there are now two ways to resolve this Revan's Robe issue once and for all. Either someone can tell me which program to use to add these helpers in and I'll do it myself, or someone can re-apply the missing shaders in Kristy's mod. Either method should fix this issue.

 

Edit: OK sorry for the double post, but I tried installing GMax, and whenever I attempt to open the "N_DarthRevanM.mdl" file in GMax it just gives me an error message saying it can't do it. So am I using the wrong program or what? What am I doing wrong here? I just need a little guidance with this and I can fix the issue with Revan's cutscene robes myself.

[Dragoon ZER0]

From what I've read, I think you need to use NWmax to convert it into something GMax can use.

 

Having never used either program, I can't really say much else.

[Dark Diva]

Hmm, did you get the NWMax as well? My understanding is that you need both programs. You open NWMax, and it uses Gmax. It's a free download and you can find it in the sticky section.

[Drizen]

Thanks. I got NWMax installed now. But, I still can't seem to get the file working. Now I use NWMax and click on MDL Loading -> Browse: (I selected the MDL file here) -> Import and then another message pops up: "Binary MDL file not decompiled. Check file is valid or NWNmdlcomp is present." I don't get it... The model is still not appearing. It would've been nicer if T7 was more clear on setting up the programs first before working on the actual models. Am I supposed to decompile the MDL file or something first? Would that require the KOTOR tool or something?

 

EDIT: OK, so I figured out on my own that I needed to use MDLOps to extract the model. I can now open the model in gmax, but I have no idea what I'm doing. I don't see these helper nodes that T7 was talking about, nor do I even have the slightest clue as to how I clone the "STUNT" one. Any assistance would be appreciated. I can't look at T7's screenshots to see what they look like either because the links are all dead...

 

EDIT #2: Thank god this program isn't too terribly difficult to figure out... I now know how to manipulate and clone helper nodes as explained in T7's tutorial after doing some messing around in gmax. Unfortunately, I don't know how to do the last step and export the models back into a usable MDL + MDX format to drop into my KOTOR Override folder. How do I do this with gmax? This is the last bit of help I need and then the model should work correctly.

[RedHawke]

I have fixed the title of this thread to something less offensive.

 

I am here to request for a Revan's Robe mod that doesn't suck. What do I mean by "doesn't suck" you ask me? I'm sick of downloading all these mods where they might often fix one problem I've had with another Revan's Robe mod only to cause another.

Wow man, could you be any more offensive to the modders who made these mods? Honestly, you couldn't have said that in a more constructive way? Starting a post by using words like "suck" in relation to other peoples work is not a good thing to do.

 

You never really considered that those mods are what we have, for a reason? Be it the age of the mod, or the fact that Bioware released the game with such a crappy unfinished model in the first place. We have no official support for modding these games and all the tools, etc. have been made by members of this community. As such we are limited in what we can do.

 

Drizen, I wish you luck in your endeavours, but in the future perhaps leave the more emotional content out of your posts. Thanks.

[Drizen]

Wow, you're way overreacting about this. No offense, but I didn't come here to listen to a lecture about being politically correct. I said that simply because it's true. None of them are worth using because they all have at least one major problem that ruins the experience. Now, did I imply that it was all to the modders' faults? No, at least I didn't mean to. It's mostly BioWare for not finishing the model, and while I commend modders at attempting to implement it, it still doesn't change the fact that the mods still come out a little short. And yes, I have considered why they all are this way, because most modders lack the knowledge or interest in attempting to add back in the helpers to Revan's model to fix the issues, and those that do are a small few--Kristy and T7, and T7's mod won't even work for me and Kristy for some reason disabled shaders and shine maps. I understand that there are some issues that will likely never be able to be fixed, such as Revan's cape looking like a stiff board, but I should be able to expect at least one mod by now that just works with Revan's Robes having the proper helper nodes implemented. Modders have had several years to do it now, and the least you could do is try looking at this from my perspective as well, realizing that it's rather reasonable for me to be pissed off considering that I've spent many hours wasting time downloading and experimenting with all these disappointing mods to no avail. Now, all I want is help on how to export the model back into MDL and MDX files and then I'll be off. There's no need to get overly dramatic here. So far you're the only one to take this so seriously. If you're going to get all touchy over terminology though, fine, I have no problem not using it in the future if it makes your day, but please, no more off-topic posts.

[Marius Fett]

Wow, you're way overreacting about this. No offense, but I didn't come here to listen to a lecture about being politically correct.....There's no need to get overly dramatic here. So far you're the only one to take this so seriously. If you're going to get all touchy over terminology though, fine, I have no problem not using it in the future if it makes your day, but please, no more off-topic posts.

 

Umm.... Drizen? I wouldn't talk to RedHawke like that...

Being rude to other members (especially moderators) is s sure-fire way to get in trouble...

 

And the reason the robes haven't been done isn't because theres nobody has the ability because many do...

 

Maybe asking someone nicely instead of saying their mods suck would get you somewhere....

[Inyri]

No, it's not reasonable for your to harass modders for not making a mod to your liking. In fact taking that kind of entitled attitude is a sure-fire way to get the response you're likely about to get: do it yourself. I think you'll probably be lucky if anyone's even willing to help you anymore, now that you've not only insulted RedHawke, but two of the most respected modders of the community.

 

You really should have taken RH's advice and been a little less rude with how you express yourself. Tact goes a long way.

[Saber-Scorpion]

Yeah i agree no offense but you did it in the worst way ask nice and don't tell harass modders like Inyri said they spent a great time on trying to make them as good as possible and if it's not of your liking then you either got to do it yourself or ask nicely for help or the very easy ways don't use revan's robe or use the mods that already exists and if you ask me it's not the end of the world or like the game is not working so there is no point at harassing them for their great work

[Drizen]

I question whether logic and understanding is valued at all here...

 

Now, you may feel we are ganging up on you but we're not, we're just voicing our opinions on what you did.

Some of you may just be voicing your opinions about what I did, but a lot of others seem to just be "hopping on the drama wagon" so-to-speak and going along with the crowd without even bothering to read anything in my defense, seeing as many of them are ignoring several points that I have made and stating arguments that I already dealt with.

 

I apologize if I have offended anyone for saying their mods suck, as I did not mean to piss you off, but as far as RedHawke is concerned, I have repeatedly told you, I have not insulted her, and I'd appreciate it if you would quit labeling my comments as such. My statements toward her were no more offensive than her own to me.

[Saber-Scorpion]

well there is also a diffrence in saying you don't like the mod or that it sucks and i don't know why that it annoys you so much that they forgot one little thing and as i see RedHawke did only try to help you and you said she was hostile against you i don't see that hostile parts even though i read the post over and over again and i don't want to treat you as dirt but i have to tell you being nice gets you a long way in life and everywhere

[Drizen]

Alright, I'm done here until people are willing to be more understanding. I never started this topic looking for a fight. Thank you Dark Diva, aeroldoth, and Dragoon ZER0 for helping me with my requests. As for the rest of you, it's a shame we couldn't work this out in a more rational manner. I am not a mean person; I only snap back when first prompted by someone else.

[RedHawke]

I have done some post pruning here... to everyone I don't see where he insulted me? Perhaps I missed something.

 

Wow, you're way overreacting about this.

No... actually you are. I posted advice to you, nothing more.

 

You came here saying that mods 'suck', that is never a good thing to do.

 

No offense, but I didn't come here to listen to a lecture about being politically correct.

You asked for a lecture by posting what you did, the way you did it, and you will get a lecture when you do because we do not support that kind of behavior around here.

 

I said that simply because it's true. None of them are worth using because they all have at least one major problem that ruins the experience.

While you have every right to say this, you do not have the right to do it the way you did... you could have left the 'suck-y' parts out and just said this in the beginning, no?

 

Now, did I imply that it was all to the modders' faults? No, at least I didn't mean to.

Good to hear.

 

Modders have had several years to do it now, and the least you could do is try looking at this from my perspective as well, realizing that it's rather reasonable for me to be pissed off considering that I've spent many hours wasting time downloading and experimenting with all these disappointing mods to no avail.

It is not reasonable in any way for you to be "pissed off" at anyone for not making something to your satisfaction. Nor have you any right to be angry at modders for wasting your time... that's all quite unreasonble.

 

If you're going to get all touchy over terminology though, fine, I have no problem not using it in the future if it makes your day, but please, no more off-topic posts.

We, the staff, would thank you for this. Leave the colorful stuff out and all will be well.

 

Back on topic folks...

[Ztalker]

Firs of all, welcome to the forums, Drizen!

 

Just wanted to add some facts:

 

An technically excellent mod (Brotherhood of Shadow) was just released. It also featured the 'stiff' Revan robe. The thing is though...I only noticed it about an hour later, just because the story is so intense and gripping.

 

You said it ruiïned your playthrough. Let me just say you aren't supposed to wear the robes in the first place. The modders who did this all used perfect in-game storylines to support it. The blue and white robes had a backstory on Tatooine (with the Twilek Jedi Master), for example. So ruiïning a playthrough? Not always the case.

 

Second, I feel the robe was merely used to film those cutscenes. You can't expect (like Redhawke said) that unfinised models can be...'finished.' That isn't possible, since the EDITOR for Kotor isn't out there. All mods are done by exploring files and experimenting. A mod like I mentioned above (the Brotherhood) took years to complete. Calling it crappy then is just....

 

Anyways, @ Topic:

It's impossible at the time to alter models, since the editor that 'created' kotor isn't out on the street. Also, the engine is limited. Ever since the release of Kotor 2 we (as in community) have been screaming Kotor 3 should have a different engine. So, your comment that it doesn't look good is certainly justified. Just don't blame the modders for this

 

Maybe you could try Kotor 2? I believe that game does feature an animated Revan Robe?(don't know for sure though)

[Darth InSidious]

As for T7's mod, that one looked promising but I couldn't figure out how to get it working. I did not use the installer for his mod, but I copied the files over to the Override folder, so it should have worked anyway.

No, it shouldn't. Depending on how T7 configured the patcher, it is likely that the .2da files were as-shipped-with-the-game, and the source scripts may not even have been compiled.

 

There's a reason that the patcher is put with the mod - not using it usually leads to problems.

RedHawke's I already tried, and he basically has done the same thing as other RR mods--that is, he simply ripped the model from the game and then put it back in as a wearable item.

Hardly simple.

This won't work because there are fundamental problems with the model itself that cause the camera and force animation issues. In order to fix these, the model needs to be modified in some way before being put back into the game. That is how Kristy resolved the issue, but she forgot to add shaders and shine maps back into the model when she was finished, and to my knowledge still hasn't fixed that issue.

Given that that requires a knowledge of the most complex areas of modelling, you can't expect everyone to know what you mean, or even notice. Certainly, I didn't.

 

If you want to fix this, you're probably going to have to do it yourself.

 

Good luck.

[Drizen]

@Ztalker: What are you talking about? I never said Brotherhood of Shadow was a bad mod... I've never even played it, and nor did I say that I had a problem with the "stiff" Revan's Robe. The problems I have with it are with the camera and animation bugs, both of which are fixable.

 

@Darth InSidious: I figured as much about the mod's installer, but I don't want to use it because I'm afraid it will be difficult to remove it without messing up the game or something if I decide that I don't like it. As for RedHawke's mod, yes, it is simple. It's merely a matter of extracting an item UTI file with the Kotor Tool and editing it to use the Revan's cutscene robe model upon equipping the item.

 

And actually, it doesn't really require complex modeling to do what I'm asking. To fix the force animation and camera bugs is a simple matter of adding in the missing helper nodes to the model using gmax. I have already done this myself, despite having no previous knowledge of character modeling for any game. Now I just need to know how to export the model from gmax back into usable MDL + MDX files, as I can't seem to figure it out since it only lets me save it as a .gmax file. And yes, fixing the issue myself is exactly what I am attempting to do, I just need to know how to do the last step, as described above.

 

And RedHawke, I would argue your points, but I doubt it would lead anywhere productive, so I will just leave it at that. Sorry if I have offended you before. I hope we can put all this flaming nonsense behind us and not hold any grudges.

 

Instead of constantly desiring to argue my advice you ought to simply listen to it. -RH

[Ztalker]

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that. Forgot to add a few words after 'ruiïned.' Now it implies you didn't like the BoS mod. My bad.

 

a) Animation bugs aren't fixable. Like I said, we don't have the editor at our disposal.

b) What camera bugs?

[Darth InSidious]

@Darth InSidious: I figured as much about the mod's installer, but I don't want to use it because I'm afraid it will be difficult to remove it without messing up the game or something if I decide that I don't like it.

Given that the patcher creates backups of the files it patches, it's no more difficult than with a 'manual' install. In some ways, it's much simpler.

As for RedHawke's mod, yes, it is simple. It's merely a matter of extracting an item UTI file with the Kotor Tool and editing it to use the Revan's cutscene robe model upon equipping the item.

I see. so you will be able to produce a replica, yes? Placing it in-game without module editing? Spawning the placeable etc?

And actually, it doesn't really require complex modeling to do what I'm asking. To fix the force animation and camera bugs is a simple matter of adding in the missing helper nodes to the model using gmax. I have already done this myself, despite having no previous knowledge of character modeling for any game. Now I just need to know how to export the model from gmax back into usable MDL + MDX files, as I can't seem to figure it out since it only lets me save it as a .gmax file. And yes, fixing the issue myself is exactly what I am attempting to do, I just need to know how to do the last step, as described above.

I referred to the shaders business.

[redrob41]

I would attempt to make a mod like this myself, but I lack any sort of knowledge with KOTOR modding, and I can't seem to find any good tutorials on how to do all the things that I am requesting for in this mod. This is the only way I can see this idea becoming realized.

I've found lots of great tutorials on this site. I usually start with these threads by Darth333 and by T7Nowhere. T7 has scoured the forums and listed a lot of great tutorials by many different modders. You sound like you're a quick study (you seem to have figured out nwmax pretty quickly), so you might be able to create your mod exactly the way you want it all on your own .

 

As for giving the armor a shiny look, wouldn't that just be a matter of adding a text file that contains "envmaptexture CM_Baremetal" (without the quotes) to the Override folder? It would probably need to be named N_DarthRevanM.txi or g_a_mstrrobe06.txi or something like that depending on your .uti file. The .tga file for Revan's armor already has an Alpha 1 channel so that the game knows where to apply the shine.

 

Happy modding

[Drizen]

Ztalker, the animation bugs are fixable. That's what was done in Kristy's mod. Same with the camera bugs. The animation bugs I'm referring to are when you cast a force ability like lightning, it shoots from your feet instead of your hand. The camera bugs I'm referring to are when you engage in battle, the camera hooks and bounces around your character, screwing up its positioning once the battle is over. It gets really annoying to readjust all the time.

 

Anyway, thanks for the help redrob. I've been doing more searching but there still doesn't seem to be any tutorials that explain how to export models from gmax back into ascii.mdl so I can convert it into a usable binary.mdl with MDLOps. I tried your suggestion of creating a TXI file for Kristy's mod and it didn't seem to work. I tried multiple renames to make it be applied to the model, but it didn't seem to register. So, the only way it seems that I'll be able to get the mod the way I want it at this point is doing the gmax editing work myself. I have all of the necessary edits to the model done in gmax. I just need to use NWmax now to export it back into an ascii.mdl, but I can't figure out how to do this. Please, if anyone knows, I need to do this last step to make it work!

[Ztalker]

oooh, now I get it.

 

I noticed the bouncy camera now as well. I do recall there was a fix for the lightning coming from the boots somewhere. Maybe you could PM Kirsty about the animation of the cape? Those two mods together may provide an solution for the problem.

 

Anyways, it's good to see you're trying to this yourself. That's how most modders begin...