11 replies to this topic

[NDC]

Dear all,

Recently I've been able learn a bit about the structure of new .w3d animations - and I can now retreive first frame positions and rotations, and I have an idea of what compression algorithm was used in those files.
However, actual extraction of animation data (even with some knowledge of the algorithm employed) will be very taxing. What can expedite the whole process is the source code for max2w3d.dle (in particular, the file motion.cpp).
With this knowledge, I will be able to update the exporter in a couple of hours.

I am writing this message in case someone here has the code - please, PM me! The last .w3d nuisance may be dealt with very easily with your help!

[Mathijs]

Any idea wherein this code might be found?

[NDC]

Hi, Mathijs!

Apparently, those who made the original w3d importer had the access to the source code:

http://www.deezire.n...php/t-6212.html

 

Also, some people from the Renegade forums might have it as well:

http://www.renegadef...to=435775&rid=0

http://pastebin.com/f779d6c08

 

I tried to contact both Coolfile and Jonwil, but to no avail.

Edited by NDC, 16 February 2014 - 10:13 AM.

[Phil]

I'm not sure how much that would help, but have you taken a look at C&C3? It uses W3X, an XML-based W3D format that might have a very similar structure (I suspect they just changed byte values to XML tags). Jonwil has developed and open-sourced some tools for it: http://cncguild.net/item-172?addview

[NDC]

Thank you, Phil!
I'll have a thorough look!

[Mathijs]

Allow me to fiercely cross my fingers.

[NDC]

Thank you, Mathijs!
By the way, Phil, I couldn't find the source code for the .w3x decompiler - do you know where I can get it?

[Banshee]

.w3x file is an XML file. It doesn't have anything to decompile.

 

However, these xml files are eventually encoded in order to be read by the game. In this case, the source code of the program that decodes it is located at:

http://www.cncmods.net/extras.php

[NDC]

Thanks for the files, Banshee!
Oh, of course, XMLs are essentially just text files - I just meant to refer to the programme on Phil's list (I'm a silly programmer, but not a stupid one, hopefully)!

[Phil]

You're right, it's not there. Neither in the binaries nor in the source code. At least you can look at w3x_file.h and maybe find some useful information.

[Goldtouch]

I believe what you are looking for is the source of the w3d viewer.
http://downloads.sou...mirror=internap

Edited by THORONGlL, 17 February 2014 - 06:04 PM.

[NDC]

Phil, yes, I examined it, and it bore out my suspicions. They used the so-called adaptive delta compression method.
THORONGIL, thank you! I've tried to find some references to the adaptive delta thing in the code, but it seems that the algorithm was not deployed there (i.e. there are some constructs for adaptive delta animations, but no importing algorirhms).

Edited by NDC, 18 February 2014 - 12:38 AM.