How do you open and edit MDL files?

[gamerlj]

Hello all,

 

I'm new to the forums and to modding so I'll get straight to the point. I am currently trying to mod TSL by creating my own lightsaber color crystals and such. I found a good tutorial for it, but when it gets to the part about opening up and editing the MDL file for the different sabers it gets vague. So I was wondering what the best way to go about editing these files is and what piece or pieces of software to use. Since this is a modding forum, I'll just throw this question out there too: I created a custom lightsaber but every time I try to change the color in-game, it loses all of its abilities and turns into a normal lightsaber. (It is a double bladed lightsaber btw). Anyways, any help with these issues would be great. Thanks in advance.

 

--gamerlj

[Quanon]

I guess your are not altering the model of the hilt: so you don't need directions to Gmax and all.

 

I believe what you might be looking for is a Hex editor.

What I use is named hexplorer or, well I got 2 such programs, XVI32.

 

I believe the last one can be found in the tools list in the tutorial section here at Holowan.

Should be at the top of the page: the tutorial section

[gamerlj]

Thanks. Any ideas why my lightsaber bugs when I change the color crystal in-game? The issue is mentioned in my first post. Again, I really appreciate the info.

[Mono_Giganto]

Thanks. Any ideas why my lightsaber bugs when I change the color crystal in-game? The issue is mentioned in my first post. Again, I really appreciate the info.

 

If this is for K1, it's likely because the properties are attached to the color crystal. By changing crystals you are essentially changing weapons so the properties revert to a standard lightsaber.

[gamerlj]

I thought the same thing, but when I put the original crystal that was int he saber back into it, it did not revert back to my custom weapon. (This is for Kotor 2 btw.) Instead it just changed the color of the standard lightsaber. Also, I am having a problem with my saber color crystal mod for kotor 2. When I put the new custom color crystal into a lightsaber it shows a mine of somekind instead of a saber. When I press assemble, my light saber turns into two mines that have no description. Any ideas what is causing these issues? Again I am modding kotor 2 here. Thanks again.