How do you convert cars from one game to NFS Most Wanted?

Answer 1

Let's start
Things you need:
1. NFS Shift or NFS Shift Demo
2. ZModeler 1.07b
3. ZModeler 2.x.x with NFS Shift import filter.
4. Any image editing program that has .DDS filter. Paint.net is the best because it is fast and free, but this new version has a lot of bugs. If you don't have older version, use other program.
6. Bytesss's Advanced control trainer.
5. Of course, Arushan's mod tools.

1st step: Importing
You can learn how to correctly import a shift geometry file here: http://forum.zmodeler2.com/viewtopic.php?t=4147

2nd step: Preparing the mesh
In this tutorial I will convert Mazda RX-7. Once you imported the mesh, press right click on RX7. Then linking/unlink children. Then delete RX7 because it doesn't contain files you need.
Delete next parts with all of its subfiles because you don't need them:
a_rx7_tire_lr
a_rx7_tire_lf
a_rx7_tire_rr
a_rx7_kit00_lightglows_r
a_rx7_kit00_lightglows_f
a_rx7_wheel_lf
a_rx7_wheel_lr
a_rx7_wheel_rr
a_rx7_caliper_lf
a_rx7_disc_lf
a_rx7_disc_lr
a_rx7_caliper_lr
a_rx7_kit02_lightglows_f
a_rx7_kit08_lightglows_r
First thing on my list is called "a_rx7_kit00_interior". Click +, then + on "a_rx7_kit00_interior_loda". Finally you will see file called "a_rx7_kit00_interior_loda" that doesn't have any subfiles. Right click on it and then go to linking/unlink. Next delete "a_rx7_kit00_interior" with all of its subfiles because you don't need it anymore. Then unselect "a_rx7_kit00_interior_loda" to prevent messing things up (You can easily make errors when attaching parts later, so I recommend you to unselect it.) Then do the same thing with all of the rest parts.

Now you have to reduce number of parts. Some parts might be necessary for multiple bigger parts, so you dont want to attach them too early.
1. Merge all bumpers that are in the same kit (example: attach a_rx7_kit03_bumper_r_loda toa_rx7_kit03_bumper_f_loda)
2. Attach "a_rx7_tire_rf_loda" to "a_rx7_wheel_rf_loda" and rename it to kit00_front_tire_a.
3. Attach "a_rx7_caliper_rr_loda" to "a_rx7_disc_rr_loda" and rename it to kit00_rear_brake_a. Do the same thing with "a_rx7_caliper_rf_loda" and "a_rx7_disc_rr_loda" and rename it to kit00_front_brake_a.
4. Attach left side mirror to right side mirror and rename it to base_a. Base_a is a necessary part that is going to show on all bodykits.

Now lets work on bodykits.
Hide all parts except "a_rx7_kit00_lights_loda". Go to Create/copy. Then rename the copy to kit00_body_a. We need to copy it becase we need it for few bodykits. Copy "a_rx7_kit00_interior_loda" and attach it to kit00_body_a. (Modify/Attach) Then do the same thing for next parts (later we will delete unnecessary backup files):
a_rx7_kit00_chassis_loda
a_rx7_kit00_boot_loda
a_rx7_kit00_steeringwheel_loda
a_rx7_kit00_bonnet_loda
a_rx7_kit00_engine_loda
a_rx7_kit00_body_loda
a_rx7_kit00_bumper_f_loda (actually this part is attached front and rear bumpers)

Now you have stock bodykit:
This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 1024x640.

Now we are making kit01_body_a.
We will use parts that include "kit03". Don't get confused with "a_rx7_kit02_lights_loda". We will use it in one of the next kits.
Parts we use:
a_rx7_kit03_steeringwheel_loda
a_rx7_kit03_chassis_loda
a_rx7_kit03_interior_loda
a_rx7_kit03_upgrades_loda
a_rx7_kit03_bumper_f_loda (bumpers with skirts)
Backup these files too because you might need tehm in next bodykit(s). After you backuped them, attach them to each other. Then rename it to kit01_body_a. Now, as you can see, we don't have all parts of this bodykit. That means we have to use parts from pervious bodykit. Make copies of this files and attach them to kit01_body_a:
a_rx7_kit00_lights_loda
a_rx7_kit00_boot_loda
a_rx7_kit00_bonnet_loda
a_rx7_kit00_engine_loda
a_rx7_kit00_body_loda.
If you did everything right, you will get this:
This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 1024x640.
Next bodykits won't have parts that are worse than parts in kit1. So now you can delete next backuped files:
a_rx7_kit00_steeringwheel_loda
a_rx7_kit00_interior_loda.

Next is bodykit 2.
Since there is no parts with kit04, in its name, we will use parts that include kit05. The only part that includes kit05 is a_rx7_kit05_boot_loda, so rename it to kit02_body_a.
Again, we need parts from previous bodykit(s). Use parts you used on previous bodykit, except a_rx7_kit00_boot_loda. Of course, make their backups and backup a_rx7_kit05_boot_loda. Now you can delete a_rx7_kit00_boot_loda. And you can delete a_rx7_kit00_chassis_loda and a_rx7_kit00_bumper_f_loda. We don't need them anymore. Once you attached all of that parts, you have kit02_body_a finished.

Parts for next bodykit include kit06. So we will use this parts:
a_rx7_kit06_bumper_r_loda (bumpers and skirts)
a_rx7_kit06_bonnet_loda
a_rx7_kit06_chassis_loda
a_rx7_kit06_upgrades_loda
a_rx7_kit06_interior_loda
Backup and attach them to each other. Rename the final part to kit03_body_a.
Now we must add parts from previous bodykit. As you can see, a_rx7_kit00_lights_loda doesn't fit with configuration of current WIP kit. So we can delete it and from now we will use a_rx7_kit02_lights_loda. Also, delete a_rx7_kit00_bonnet_loda because we don't need it anymore. Sorry, I forgot to delete these parts:
a_rx7_kit03_chassis_loda
a_rx7_kit03_interior_loda
a_rx7_kit03_upgrades_loda
a_rx7_kit03_bumper_f_loda
Now backup and attach these parts to kit03_body_a:
a_rx7_kit00_body_loda
a_rx7_kit00_engine_loda
a_rx7_kit03_steeringwheel_loda
a_rx7_kit02_lights_loda
a_rx7_kit05_boot_loda

Next bodykit has parts that include kit08. Backup and attach following parts:
a_rx7_kit08_bonnet_loda
a_rx7_kit08_body_loda
a_rx7_kit08_chassis_loda
a_rx7_kit08_bumper_f_loda (both bumpers)
Rename the whole part to kit04_body_a.
Now backup and attach these parts from previous bodykits:
a_rx7_kit00_engine_loda
a_rx7_kit03_steeringwheel_loda
a_rx7_kit02_lights_loda
a_rx7_kit05_boot_loda
a_rx7_kit06_upgrades_loda
a_rx7_kit06_interior_loda
Now you can delete next parts:
a_rx7_kit00_body_loda
a_rx7_kit06_bumper_r_loda
a_rx7_kit06_bonnet_loda
a_rx7_kit06_chassis_loda
For next bodykit we will use next parts:
a_rx7_kit10_bumper_r_loda (bumpers)
a_rx7_kit10_chassis_loda
a_rx7_kit10_steeringwheel_loda
a_rx7_kit10_upgrades_loda
a_rx7_kit10_interior_loda
a_rx7_kit10_boot_loda
a_rx7_kit10_body_loda
a_rx7_kit10_bonnet_loda
Attach them to each other and rename them to kit05_body_a. You don't have to backup them because this is the last bodykit. Then attach a_rx7_kit02_lights_loda and a_rx7_kit00_engine_loda to kit05_body_a. Delete every unnecessary part.
Now you must rotate your car for 180 degrees. Switch any window to top view. Show all parts. Then Select/All. Turn on Selected mode. Then go to modify/rotate.
Next you must low your car because it is too high. Switch to left or right and them low it a lil bit. BEWARE! Disable X. You must move it only in Y direction. After you finish that go to select/none and turn of selected mode.
Now switch to top view. You must place brakes and wheel exactly in the middle. Look at the red cude in the middle. That's the center. Place them to look like this:
This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 1024x640.
This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 1024x640.
Now you're done with preparing beta mesh.

3rd step: Preparing textures
Open your .z3d.
Go to textures browser. It is located near materials editor under "Help".
You will see a bunch of textures, but we don't need all of them. First texture we need is:
tread_michelin_street1_diffuse_00
Select it and click save. Save it anywhere and name it as "TREAD" (You must use Caps Lock). Later we will move all textures to required folder. Now do the same thing with following textures:
mazda_rx7_wheel_diffuse_00 and name it as TIRE
mazda_rx7_misc_diffuse and name it as MISC
mazda_rx7_lights_glow and name it as KIT00_BRAKELIGHT_ON
mazda_rx7_lights_diffuse and name it as KIT00_BRAKELIGHT_OFF
mazda_rx7_interior_diffuse and name it as INTERIOR
mazda_rx7_engine and name it as ENGINE
mazda_rx7_badging_diffuse and name it as BADGING
generic_steeringwheel_momo_mod88_loda_diffuse and name it as TIRE_N
generic_steeringwheel_momo_mod80_loda_diffuse and name it as BADGING_N
generic_cockpit_upgrades01_loda_diffuse and name it as INTERIOR_N
common_grille02_diffuse and name it as LOGO
common_disk01_diffuse and name it as RIM
common_chassis_diffuse and name it as MISC_N
That's all with textures we need. Later we will add driver texture.
Now you need photoshop or any other image editing/converting software that has .DDS plug-in. You need to compress this .DDS textures:
TREAD as DXT1
TIRE as DXT1
MISC as DXT1
KIT00_BRAKELIGHT_ON as DXT1
KIT00_BRAKELIGHT_OFF as DXT1 (if you have headlight or brakelight glasses save them as DXT3)
ENGINE as DXT1
BADGING as DXT3
TIRE_N as DXT1
BADGING_N as DXT1
INTERIOR_N as DXT1
LOGO as DXT3
TIRE as DXT1
MISC_N as DXT1

4th step: Putting the car in mod tools
Create a new folder and name it mazda or however you want. Then put .z3d and textures in it. After that copy mod tools to your folder. Now go to folder/nfsmw mod tools/zmodeler/mwrawfilter.zmf Copy that file to Zmodeler1 directory/filters.
Next go to nfsmw-modtools\ferrari360\output\CARS_REPLACE\SL65. Delete all files inside except CAR.ini. Open CAR.ini with notepad and do this:
[car]
name=Mazda RX-7
manufacturer=MAZDA
internal=rx7 <-- because I will replace RX-7 from Most Wanted
modloader=0.2
Save and close it. Next rename folder SL65 to RX7. After that delete textures 360misc, 360tire and 360badging in ferrari360 folder.
Now right click on build.bat and left click on edit. Make it look like this:
Code:

@echo off echo ===================================================== echo Compiling Textures... echo ===================================================== ..\bin\mwtc.exe texdefn.txt ..\bin\texpatch output\FRONTEND\MANUFACTURERS\6-MAZDA.BIN "CARSELECT_MANUFACTURER_MAZDA" ..\bin\texpatch output\CARS_REPLACE\RX7\SECONDARYLOGO.BIN "SECONDARY_LOGO_RX7_1" echo. echo ===================================================== echo Compiling Model... echo ===================================================== ..\bin\mwgc -nowait -xname "RX7" -matlist "matlist360.txt" -xlink "xlink360.txt" -source "mw360.mwr" -target "output\CARS_REPLACE\RX7\GEOMETRY.BIN" echo. echo ===================================================== echo Complete. echo ===================================================== pause

In case your car is not a Mazda, here are all manufacturer numbers:
Code:

Aston Martin-21 Audi-5 BMW-1 Cadillac-24 Chevrolet-19 Corvette-25 Dodge-8 Fiat-23 Ford-2 General Motors-7 Lamborghini-15 Lexus-17 Lotus-14 Mazda-6 McLaren Mercedes-11 Mercedes-Benz-12 Mitsubishi-10 Pontiac-18 Porsche-4 Renault-16 Subaru-3 Toyota-9 Vauxhall-20 Volkswagen-22.

Now cut all textures and paste them to Mazda RX-7/nfsmw-modtools/ferrari360.
Next open texdefn.txt and modify it to look like this:
Code:

[tpk] Identifier=CARTEXTURES PipelinePath=Global\Pipeline\CarTemplateTextures_RX7.tpk XName=RX7 Output=output\CARS_REPLACE\RX7\TEXTURES.BIN [texture] Name=MISC File=MISC.dds [texture] Name=TIRE Usage=Type1 File=TIRE.dds [texture] Name=BADGING File=BADGING.dds [texture] Name=ENGINE File=ENGINE.dds [texture] Name=BADGING_N File=BADGING_N.dds [texture] Name=INTERIOR File=INTERIOR.dds [texture] Name=INTERIOR_N File=INTERIOR_N.dds [texture] Name=KIT00_BRAKELIGHT_ON File=KIT00_BRAKELIGHT_ON.dds [texture] Name=KIT00_BRAKELIGHT_OFF File=KIT00_BRAKELIGHT_OFF.dds [texture] Name=LOGO File=LOGO.dds [texture] Name=MISC_N File=MISC_N.dds [texture] Name=RIM File=RIM.dds [texture] Name=TIRE_N File=TIRE_N.dds [texture] Name=TREAD File=TREAD.dds

Now open xlink360. Don't delete anything. Just copy this five times:
Code:

KIT00_BODY_B=KIT00_BODY_A KIT00_BODY_c=KIT00_BODY_A KIT00_BODY_D=KIT00_BODY_A KIT00_BODY_E=KIT00_BODY_A

and rename it to
Code:

KIT01_BODY_B=KIT01_BODY_A KIT01_BODY_c=KIT01_BODY_A KIT01_BODY_D=KIT01_BODY_A KIT01_BODY_E=KIT01_BODY_A

,
Code:

KIT02_BODY_B=KIT02_BODY_A KIT02_BODY_c=KIT02_BODY_A KIT02_BODY_D=KIT02_BODY_A KIT02_BODY_E=KIT02_BODY_A

,
Code:

KIT03_BODY_B=KIT03_BODY_A KIT03_BODY_c=KIT03_BODY_A KIT03_BODY_D=KIT03_BODY_A KIT03_BODY_E=KIT03_BODY_A

,
Code:

KIT04_BODY_B=KIT04_BODY_A KIT04_BODY_c=KIT04_BODY_A KIT04_BODY_D=KIT04_BODY_A KIT04_BODY_E=KIT04_BODY_A

and
Code:

KIT05_BODY_B=KIT05_BODY_A KIT05_BODY_c=KIT05_BODY_A KIT05_BODY_D=KIT05_BODY_A KIT05_BODY_E=KIT05_BODY_A

and finally save your file.
Next we need to compile matlist360.txt. But we can't do that because material names are too long. So we are going to cut them. Open mazda.z3d. Go to materials editor (red ball under help button). Now rename materials (mazda_rx7_interior (vehicles_basic,VehicleBasic) to mazda_rx7_interior, generic_chassis (vehicles_basic,VehicleBasic) to generic_chassis, etc.). Then click hide all and then show all parts (because of a zmodeler bug). After that click save and close zmodeler2. Now we can work on matlist.
Open matlist360.txt. Delete everything in it. Now copy all material names from .z3d file. Every material has to be in it's own row.
Now we will assign shaders to this materials. After shaders we need to assign textures. Here is the list of all available shaders:
Code:

0xD6D6080A <-- body paint 0x5BC3A3C <-- texture brakelights | If you use them you must assign this texture for it: 0x2B52399 and you must have textures KIT00_BRAKELIGHT_ON and OFF ALUMINUM BOTTOM BRAKEDISC BRAKELIGHT BRAKELIGHTGLASS BRAKES CALIPER CALIPERDECAL CARBONFIBER CARBONFIBER2 CHAR_CLOTH CHAR_HAIR CHAR_LATEX CHAR_LEATHER CHAR_PLASTIC CHAR_RUBBER CHAR_SKIN CHROME CLEARPLASTIC DECAL DEFAULT DIABLOHP DRIVER DRIVERHEAD DULLENGINE DULLPLASTIC ENGINE EXHAUST_TIP GOLDROTOR GRILL HEADLIGHT HEADLIGHTGLASS HEADLIGHTREFLECTOR HOSES <-- damage scratches INTERIOR LICENSEPLATE MAGCHROME MAGGUNMETAL MAGSILVER MAGSILVERGLOSS MATTEPLASTIC MESH METPAINTBLACK METPAINTBLUE METPAINTGOLD METPAINTGRAY METPAINTGREEN METPAINTRED METPAINTSILVER METPAINTYELLOW MIRROR MOLDINGS PEARL PLAINNOTHING PLASTICHUBCAP RAD REGPAINTBLACK REGPAINTBLUE REGPAINTGRAY REGPAINTGREEN REGPAINTORANGE REGPAINTPINK REGPAINTRED REGPAINTWHITE REGPAINTYELLOW RIMPEARL ROAD RUBBER SHINYMOLDINGS SHINYPLASTIC TRAFFIC TRAFFICWINDOWS USER_CALIPERS USER_EXHAUST USER_EXHAUST2 USER_HOSES USER_RIMS USER_RIMS_CHROME USER_RIMS_GLOSS USER_RIMS_GUNMETAL USER_RIMS_MAGSILVER USER_RIMS_MET USER_RIMS_SILVERGLOSS USER_SPOILER WHEELBLUR WHITE WINDOWMASK WINDSHIELD.

Now textures. If you use internal textures you must write "x_" in front of texture's name. If you use textures from GlobalB.lzc you mustn't write anything in front of it's name. Separate materials from shaders by writing "=" between them and separate shaders from textures by writing "/" between them with NO SPACE BETWEEN them.
Here is my matlist:
Code:

mazda_rx7_interior=INTERIOR/x_INTERIOR generic_chassis=BOTTOM/x_MISC_N mazda_rx7_misc=DULLPLASTIC/x_MISC mazda_rx7_paint=0xD6D6080A/x_SKIN1 mazda_rx7_badges=DULLPLASTIC/x_BADGING mazda_rx7_lights=0x5BC3A3C/0x2B52399 generic_windows=WINDSHIELD/WINDOW_FRONT generic_gloss_black=DULLPLASTIC/WINDOW_MASK mazda_rx7_engine=ENGINE/x_ENGINE mazda_rx7_wheel_tyre=RUBBER/x_TIRE mazda_rx7_tread=RUBBER/x_TREAD generic_lightflares generic_glass_clear=HEADLIGHTGLASS/WINDOW_FRONT generic_carbon=CARBONFIBER/CARBONFIBRE mazda_rx7_wheel=MAGSILVER/x_TIRE mazda_rx7_wheel_alpha <-- unnecesary material mazda_rx7_disc=BRAKES/x_RIM generic_cockpit_upgrades_loda=INTERIOR/x_INTERIOR generic05_loda=INTERIOR/x_TIRE_N generic_grille=GRILL/x_LOGO momo_mod80_loda=INTERIOR/x_BADGING_N

Save matlist. Open mazda.z3d and export it to mod-tools/ferrari360/mw360.z3d (zmodeler1 file). Now open the mesh with zmodeler1. In case you don't have .mwr plug-in copy/cut it from mod-tools/zmodeler and paste it into zmodeler1 directory/filters before opening the file. Export it to mw360.mwr and run build.bat. Now you can test your car.

5th step: Fixing wheel positions and logos
Find FE.MWPS, ATTRIBUTES.MWPS and SECONDARYLOGO.BIN from another addon which replaces the same car. Copy/cut and paste them into mod tools/ferrari360/output/CARS_REPLACE/RX7. Rename 32-FERRARI.BIN from MANUFACTURERS folder to ##-MAKE_OF_YOUR_CAR (in my case 222-NEW_MAZDA) Swap the texturewith your one (It must be 64x64 pixels size and DXT3.) using NFS-TexEd. Edit car.ini and change the name of manufacturer from MAZDA to, in my case NEW_MAZDA. Right click on build.bat and click edit. Change this row:
Code:

..\bin\texpatch output\FRONTEND\MANUFACTURERS\6-MAZDA.BIN "CARSELECT_MANUFACTURER_MAZDA"

to (in my case)
Code:

..\bin\texpatch output\FRONTEND\MANUFACTURERS\222-NEW_MAZDA.BIN "CARSELECT_MANUFACTURER_NEW_MAZDA"

Manufacturer logo is finished.
Open SECONDARYLOGO.BIN (I don't need to do this because logos are the same but I'm doing this because most of you won't convert cars which are already in game.) using NFS-TexEd. Swap the texture with your one (it must be 256x64 pixels size and DXT3). Click save and then exit. Secondary logo is finished.
Open FE.MWPS. Change manufacturer value to 222 (because that is the number of our manufacturer logo file.). You can edit price and required blacklist level if you want. If you don't want, delete those rows. Save your file. Open ATTRIBUTES.MWPS. Make it look like this:
Code:

##--------------------------------------------------- ## 2003 Mazda RX-7 ## Replacement for Mazda RX-7 ## Attributes.bin patch script ##--------------------------------------------------- memfile GLOBAL\GlobalMemoryFile.bin vpak GLOBAL\ATTRIBUTES.BIN db ##--------------------------------------------------- ## TireOffsets ## front left patch float bin:0x40940 1.25 patch float bin:0x40944 0.99 patch float bin:0x40948 0 patch float bin:0x4094c 0.34 ## front right patch float bin:0x40950 1.25 patch float bin:0x40954 -0.99 patch float bin:0x40958 0 patch float bin:0x4095c 0.34 ## rear right patch float bin:0x40960 -1.42 patch float bin:0x40964 -1.03 patch float bin:0x40968 0 patch float bin:0x4096c 0.355 ## rear left patch float bin:0x40970 -1.42 patch float bin:0x40974 1.03 patch float bin:0x40978 0 patch float bin:0x4097c 0.355 ## TireSkidWidth patch float bin:0x40a0c 0.245 patch float bin:0x40a10 0.245 patch float bin:0x40a14 0.335 patch float bin:0x40a18 0.335 ## KitWheelOffsetRear patch int8 bin:0x40a38 0 patch int8 bin:0x40a39 0 patch int8 bin:0x40a3a 0 patch int8 bin:0x40a3b 0 patch int8 bin:0x40a3c 0 patch int8 bin:0x40a3d 0 ## KitWheelOffsetFront patch int8 bin:0x40a46 0 patch int8 bin:0x40a47 0 patch int8 bin:0x40a48 0 patch int8 bin:0x40a49 0 patch int8 bin:0x40a4a 0 patch int8 bin:0x40a4b 0

Now you need to change values. First row of tire offsets indicates X and second Y movement of wheels. Third row changes wheels height (DO NOT TOUCH. It must be 0). 4th row changes wheels size. TireSkidWidth changes width of wheels. KitWheelOffsets indicate Y movement of wheels for bodykits. Now save your file and run MW with Bytesss's trainer (follow instructions in readme.) After you finish with your car, close the game and just copy values to ATTRIBUTES.MWPS.

Next, we're gonna put liveries as bodykits. Open your .z3d. Hide all parts except kit01_body_a. Go to polygons mode. Go to Select/By Material and choose mazda_rx7_paint. Then go to materials editor. Create a new material and name it to something like "KIT01_LIVERY". Then click "Assign to selection". Repeat this with other 4 kits. Save the file and export it to old .z3d and then to .mwr. Add new materials to matlist. Now it's up to you to choose the shader for liveries' material. If you use default body shader you will occur some bugs with paint when painting the car with custom paints (pearlscent, chrome, matte...). If you use CARBONFIBER it won't have much shine. If you use REGPAINTBLACK it will have too much shine and if you useMETPAINTBLACK it will look almost perfect.