[Guide] Importing Custom Models into WoW (1.12.1)

Post Reply
User avatar
Kazgrim
Posts: 414

[Guide] Importing Custom Models into WoW (1.12.1)

Post by Kazgrim » Thu Aug 06, 2020 1:52 am

Image


Some of you may be familiar with some of my creations involving new helmets and shoulders for players to wear. This guide is to explain how to get models from blender (.obj) to work in WoW.

What you'll need:
- WoW 3.3.5 client (wotlk) [you'll need to use google to find this]
- WoW Model Viewer (3.3.5. version) https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/ ... evWork.zip
- Blender 2.79b https://download.blender.org/release/Blender2.79/
- OBJtoM2 (windows script) https://model-changing.net/files/file/9 ... -toolpack/
- 010 Editor https://www.sweetscape.com/010editor/
- AlastorM2 (010 script) https://model-changing.net/files/file/9 ... -toolpack/
- jm2converter (java script) http://www.mediafire.com/file/lff2z9k7u ... r.jar/file
- Ladik's MPQ Editor http://www.zezula.net/en/mpq/download.html
- DBC editor (I use dbcutil) http://www.mediafire.com/file/6er18emrr ... l.rar/file
- A server repack for 1.12.1 client https://www.mediafire.com/?exb0r89grerrmg0
- HeidiSQL (to edit server DB files) https://www.heidisql.com/download.php

F.A.Q.

1. How do helmets and shoulders work in WoW?

Helmets and shoulders are 3d models in the file format m2. Each expansion of WoW has a unique m2 format. This means that a m2 file from a later expansion does not work in a previous expansion, and vice versa. Therefore, it is important that we convert the m2 file to the correct expansion version in order for it to work ingame.

2. Why do I need a Wrath of the Lich King client?

The tools and scripts I use -only- work with the m2 version from wrath of the lich king. We will need models from WotLK in order to properly refrence from and align our custom model to make sure it fits to the character model.

3. Why do I need a server repack to create custom models?

You don't, but it makes testing them possible. You can't add models without replacing existing ones to someone else's server unless they input the correct data to the server DB and DBC.

4. Why are there so many different versions of the same helmet model?

Each race AND gender has a unique 3d model of a given helmet. You will have to create a unique version for all races and each gender if you want to allow each race/gender to wear a custom helmet. Helmets that correspond to a race and gender end with a specific suffix, such as HuM (human male) or DwF (Dwarf female) or OrM (Orc male).

5. Why is there a left and right version for shoulder models?

Shoulder models require a left and right version. If you want a custom model to rest on your right shoulder, you need to create a model that fits for the right shoulder. Unlike helmets, shoulders are not unique to races or genders THEREFORE you only need two models (one for left, one for right).
Last edited by Kazgrim on Thu Aug 06, 2020 2:02 am, edited 1 time in total.
Chieftain of the Dreadskull Clan
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=552

Check out my patches in the modding section!
viewforum.php?f=29

User avatar
Kazgrim
Posts: 414

Re: [Guide] Importing Custom Models into WoW (1.12.1)

Post by Kazgrim » Thu Aug 06, 2020 1:53 am

Step 1. Exporting a character model and helmet model from WoW model viewer
Last edited by Kazgrim on Thu Aug 06, 2020 1:58 am, edited 2 times in total.
Chieftain of the Dreadskull Clan
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=552

Check out my patches in the modding section!
viewforum.php?f=29

User avatar
Kazgrim
Posts: 414

Re: [Guide] Importing Custom Models into WoW (1.12.1)

Post by Kazgrim » Thu Aug 06, 2020 1:54 am

Step 2. Exporting the new custom model from Blender
Last edited by Kazgrim on Thu Aug 06, 2020 1:56 am, edited 2 times in total.
Chieftain of the Dreadskull Clan
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=552

Check out my patches in the modding section!
viewforum.php?f=29

User avatar
Kazgrim
Posts: 414

Re: [Guide] Importing Custom Models into WoW (1.12.1)

Post by Kazgrim » Thu Aug 06, 2020 1:54 am

Step 3. Converting the .obj to a .m2
Last edited by Kazgrim on Thu Aug 06, 2020 1:57 am, edited 1 time in total.
Chieftain of the Dreadskull Clan
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=552

Check out my patches in the modding section!
viewforum.php?f=29

User avatar
Kazgrim
Posts: 414

Re: [Guide] Importing Custom Models into WoW (1.12.1)

Post by Kazgrim » Thu Aug 06, 2020 1:55 am

Step 4. 010 Editing
Chieftain of the Dreadskull Clan
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=552

Check out my patches in the modding section!
viewforum.php?f=29

User avatar
Kazgrim
Posts: 414

Re: [Guide] Importing Custom Models into WoW (1.12.1)

Post by Kazgrim » Thu Aug 06, 2020 1:57 am

Step 5. Converting to 1.12.1 version .m2
Chieftain of the Dreadskull Clan
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=552

Check out my patches in the modding section!
viewforum.php?f=29

User avatar
Kazgrim
Posts: 414

Re: [Guide] Importing Custom Models into WoW (1.12.1)

Post by Kazgrim » Thu Aug 06, 2020 1:58 am

Step 6. Adding the custom model to a custom mpq patch
Chieftain of the Dreadskull Clan
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=552

Check out my patches in the modding section!
viewforum.php?f=29

User avatar
Kazgrim
Posts: 414

Re: [Guide] Importing Custom Models into WoW (1.12.1)

Post by Kazgrim » Thu Aug 06, 2020 1:59 am

Step 7. Adding the custom model as an entry into client DBC
Chieftain of the Dreadskull Clan
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=552

Check out my patches in the modding section!
viewforum.php?f=29

User avatar
Kazgrim
Posts: 414

Re: [Guide] Importing Custom Models into WoW (1.12.1)

Post by Kazgrim » Thu Aug 06, 2020 2:00 am

Step 8. Adding the item to your server
Chieftain of the Dreadskull Clan
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=552

Check out my patches in the modding section!
viewforum.php?f=29

User avatar
Kazgrim
Posts: 414

Re: [Guide] Importing Custom Models into WoW (1.12.1)

Post by Kazgrim » Thu Aug 06, 2020 2:00 am

Step 9. The fun part
Chieftain of the Dreadskull Clan
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=552

Check out my patches in the modding section!
viewforum.php?f=29

William1103
Posts: 1

Re: [Guide] Importing Custom Models into WoW (1.12.1)

Post by William1103 » Wed Feb 02, 2022 9:57 am

Kazgrim wrote:
Thu Aug 06, 2020 1:55 am
Step 4. 010 Editing
Hello, could you pls continue your post, Thanks a lot

Moonlight
Posts: 2

Re: [Guide] Importing Custom Models into WoW (1.12.1)

Post by Moonlight » Sun Mar 13, 2022 2:31 am

Not to be rude but, Is this the entire guide? Just a few words of text for each step? I feel like I'm not seeing something or missing something, was something deleted? sad_turtle_head

User avatar
Error404
Posts: 11

Re: [Guide] Importing Custom Models into WoW (1.12.1)

Post by Error404 » Sun Mar 13, 2022 12:34 pm

Hello,
It's not completed at least but you can begin by download the programs and after find some tutorial on Youtube or Google depending what you want to do :)

Ghoulberg
At least, It's not the fault of my Mac

"Fjte" Walock on Nardanaar

Moonlight
Posts: 2

Re: [Guide] Importing Custom Models into WoW (1.12.1)

Post by Moonlight » Sun Mar 13, 2022 8:20 pm

Ok cool, thank you! Just trying to create my own helmet, like the picture at the very top. I'll look around for now. Can't wait for this to come out!

User avatar
Sstrmn2
Posts: 1

Re: [Guide] Importing Custom Models into WoW (1.12.1)

Post by Sstrmn2 » Thu Oct 20, 2022 7:10 pm

Hi Kazgrim. Do you know how to import a 1.12.1 character model with all of its assets to blender to make edits?

User avatar
Elkepwn
Posts: 86
Location: Germany
Contact:

Re: [Guide] Importing Custom Models into WoW (1.12.1)

Post by Elkepwn » Sat Oct 22, 2022 7:23 am

Amazing work m8!
Gladiator / WoW Custom Content Creator
viewtopic.php?t=4220
play's turtle since 2022
APPLETREY: https://armory.turtle-wow.org/#!/character/Appletrey
INTERFACE: https://github.com/Appletrey/Turtle-WoW-pfUI-Interface

Ivanturtle
Posts: 10

Re: [Guide] Importing Custom Models into WoW (1.12.1)

Post by Ivanturtle » Tue Nov 29, 2022 7:43 am

I'd love to start messing around with and making objects of my own, but I can't even seem to open the model viewer. It keeps telling me it 'could not find my world of warcraft data folder'

User avatar
Elkepwn
Posts: 86
Location: Germany
Contact:

Re: [Guide] Importing Custom Models into WoW (1.12.1)

Post by Elkepwn » Thu Dec 08, 2022 8:16 am

Ivanturtle wrote:
Tue Nov 29, 2022 7:43 am
I'd love to start messing around with and making objects of my own, but I can't even seem to open the model viewer. It keeps telling me it 'could not find my world of warcraft data folder'
Did you use the folder from the 3.3.5a client?
Gladiator / WoW Custom Content Creator
viewtopic.php?t=4220
play's turtle since 2022
APPLETREY: https://armory.turtle-wow.org/#!/character/Appletrey
INTERFACE: https://github.com/Appletrey/Turtle-WoW-pfUI-Interface

Ivanturtle
Posts: 10

Re: [Guide] Importing Custom Models into WoW (1.12.1)

Post by Ivanturtle » Sat Dec 24, 2022 12:23 am

[/quote]

Did you use the folder from the 3.3.5a client?
[/quote]

Out of curiosity, would the WotLK classic client from Blizz work? I couldn't figure out what to even do with the which folder tbh, lol. I can't even open the model viewer exe.

User avatar
Exurok
Posts: 3

Re: [Guide] Importing Custom Models into WoW (1.12.1)

Post by Exurok » Sun Jan 29, 2023 3:23 pm

Ivanturtle wrote:
Tue Nov 29, 2022 7:43 am
I'd love to start messing around with and making objects of my own, but I can't even seem to open the model viewer. It keeps telling me it 'could not find my world of warcraft data folder'
The issue is in the userSettings folder of your WMV.
Go in there, find the config.ini, open it with notepad and go down to [settings] there you'll find "Path=" is set to Kazgrim's personal loc, change it to where you have the WOTLK data directory.
You also need to do it for the last line "MPQFiles=" change it to the correct name :)
Remember the double backward dashes "\\"

Hope it works, 1.12 needs all the interest and modders it can get!

User avatar
Kazgrim
Posts: 414

Re: [Guide] Importing Custom Models into WoW (1.12.1)

Post by Kazgrim » Thu Feb 02, 2023 7:04 am

Importing 1.12.1 models into blender is not possible atm. Use m2mod3 to convert character models from common-2.mpq in your wotlk data folder into a .m2i file and edit it in blender 2.49b. You need the appropiate m2i import/export addon. When you are done, export the model from blender as a m2i, convert back to .m2, and then convert it to a 1.12.1 m2 using jm2converter.
Chieftain of the Dreadskull Clan
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=552

Check out my patches in the modding section!
viewforum.php?f=29

User avatar
Calebhat7
Posts: 2

Re: [Guide] Importing Custom Models into WoW (1.12.1)

Post by Calebhat7 » Sat Jun 03, 2023 4:15 pm

My biggest issue is that there are some tutorials on YT and other (almost abandoned) forums about making all kinds of models, but just like this one - it requires a different method every singe time. I found a good guide for 3DS but all the links to the tools (e.g. 3ds to m2 converter) are dead. Many guides only support 3.3.5a or higher while 1.12 has almost none scared_turtle_head

It would be nice if we could make a totally up to date tutorial about creating new assets for vanilla...

User avatar
Jaguare19
Posts: 17

Re: [Guide] Importing Custom Models into WoW (1.12.1)

Post by Jaguare19 » Sun Nov 19, 2023 11:27 pm

I would love to see this tutorial done T.T
Arzana - 58 High Elf Rogue (Nordanaar)
Roldasen - 32 Gnome Hunter (Nordanaar)

User avatar
Elkepwn
Posts: 86
Location: Germany
Contact:

Re: [Guide] Importing Custom Models into WoW (1.12.1)

Post by Elkepwn » Mon Nov 20, 2023 2:06 pm

Jaguare19 wrote:
Sun Nov 19, 2023 11:27 pm
I would love to see this tutorial done T.T
viewtopic.php?t=9360#p61292 😋
Gladiator / WoW Custom Content Creator
viewtopic.php?t=4220
play's turtle since 2022
APPLETREY: https://armory.turtle-wow.org/#!/character/Appletrey
INTERFACE: https://github.com/Appletrey/Turtle-WoW-pfUI-Interface

Post Reply