Experimental Project: Advanced Cartography (Map Modding & Construction)

[DeviFoxx]

Re: Experimental Project: Advanced Cartography (Map Modding & Construction)

Import Filter... Kinda like the custom-made one created for VRS to import FFXI models from
that, I assume?

I'm assuming Amadaun or maybe StarvingArtist would have some expertise in that field.

Or anyone else with any knowledge regarding that?

[Lunaryn]

Re: Experimental Project: Advanced Cartography (Map Modding & Construction)

Since I did some poking around recently I thought I'd add what I've noted:

There is a rather popular free software 3D engine called Crystal Space which might be a good target for a number of things, particularly as it also serves as the 3D rendering underpinnings of some other nice projects. In particular VOS, which to me looks pretty interesting and promising over the long term in terms of shared 3D environments becoming a general feature that can be integrated into many types of software.

3DS, mentioned above, is one of the output formats supported by MetaseqoiaLE, and Crystal Space can also support 3DS models, so there's at least a conversion path for someone who wanted to play around with the notion of rendering FFXI models within a Crystal Space application. There's a design studio app of sorts called CStudio linked from the Other projects page, it looks like it's a bit early in development but might be useful if Blender poses problems (though it sounds like it might be simple enough to use Blender to make everything else, and add in the FFXI models in a simple Crystal Space app).

When I have enough free time I may play around with trying to get that VR chat program from the VOS page to use FFXI models as avatars. Might give me some insight on just how doable the kind of importing we're talking about is.

[Shinyo]

Re: Experimental Project: Advanced Cartography (Map Modding & Construction)

My Digital Photography teacher makes EXCELLENT landscapes for his games using Bryce 5. They are much better than FFXI's landscapes, though they are pretty hard to make.

[DeviFoxx]

Re: Experimental Project: Advanced Cartography (Map Modding & Construction)

Since I did some poking around recently I thought I'd add what I've noted:

There is a rather popular free software 3D engine called Crystal Space which might be a good target for a number of things, particularly as it also serves as the 3D rendering underpinnings of some other nice projects. In particular VOS, which to me looks pretty interesting and promising over the long term in terms of shared 3D environments becoming a general feature that can be integrated into many types of software.

3DS, mentioned above, is one of the output formats supported by MetaseqoiaLE, and Crystal Space can also support 3DS models, so there's at least a conversion path for someone who wanted to play around with the notion of rendering FFXI models within a Crystal Space application. There's a design studio app of sorts called CStudio linked from the Other projects page, it looks like it's a bit early in development but might be useful if Blender poses problems (though it sounds like it might be simple enough to use Blender to make everything else, and add in the FFXI models in a simple Crystal Space app).

When I have enough free time I may play around with trying to get that VR chat program from the VOS page to use FFXI models as avatars. Might give me some insight on just how doable the kind of importing we're talking about is.

That sounds like a very interesting idea.

I guess it's like you said-- It's not the maps can't be modded, or even brand NEW ones being created-- They can be. It's just finding a program (or creating a Plugin for an already-existing program) that can successfully read, or convert FFXI's map filetypes. VRS has this type of Plugin-- But it's for FFXI's Character models only.

Map / Zone modding in FFXI has been done before. I haven't re-read this thread in a while, so I don't know if I'm repeating this or not. Please forgive me if I do. From what I understand, people have been able to Retexture zones. POLutils (PlayOnline Utilities) doesn't really show you the Map / Zone / Area... It shows you the SKIN of it though; the textures. For example, inside the Shrine of Ru'Avitau in the Tu'Lia region, someone will retexture the map and draw on the wall "This Way To Ullikummi --->>>" or "<<--- This Way To Mother Globe" Or maybe draw a huge circle around an NM's spawn point.

However, I've also heard that there's other people tweaking the maps in such a way that they'll "Construct" a tunnel around a door... Let's take "Garlaige Citadel" for example. Someone could construct a hole around the Banishing Gate and simply walk through it, bypassing the gate altogether.

I know this is a sensitive topic-- And I'm not really trying to open a new doorway to a world of cheating, but this is mainly for "Fan-Cinematic" purposes. I want to literally "build" a new area-- maybe even a new city-- put characters in it and whatnot, and more or less create a "Fan Fiction" movie. "Machinima" I believe they called it? But I can see that the only way to DO this would be to either load and run the models in a 3D program, like you said, or try to use a "Private Server" (or atleast run an instance of FFXI offline in some way) and simply FRAPS the whole thing, take the video, dub Sound Effects / Music / Voices into it and call it a "Movie".

Most of the Japanese people on MMO XOOPS do .DAT modding for either fun, or to display artistic skill-- This is the same principle. Atleast I think. Hahaha!

But this sounds like a good idea. Thank you so much Lunaryn. And thanks everyone. I'm going to check out these programs too. They look interesting. Let's keep it up and see what we can find.

[Shimura]

Re: Experimental Project: Advanced Cartography (Map Modding &amp; Construction)

It's interesting no doubt, but the fact that you're talking, modifying and copying if not changing the very game itself is far more severe than anything to do with dats, which of course is only cosmetic, we're talking Map Geometry n' Coding, with this in mind, SE could take the whole system to bits should this method be leaked, the other folk who do intend to get their purpose of cheating fufilled could use this to bring SE down in turn, either way? id say keep it as a project between PMs n' trustworthy members, private site for it too, either way, im excited ^^