The School of Modding

Tob-Racer · January 18, 2015

Hello everyone

Since Project Paradise is released and TDU Online back, there is a great effort from every modders and a fantastic enthusiast from the community it self for improving TDU1. The work of modders are remarkable and big thanks for the great cars, sound, physics, tools and future Patches.

I know some people here who wants to do some modding but don't really have the skills, the time, the motivation and so many other reason to make mod. I want to talk more to people (like me) who wants to learn modding and wants to get skills. People who wants to see their dream car ingame or in the mod shop of Tduck

So my idea is to create a thread about sharing all our basic knowledge of modding and help each other for making mods. For example, What is really a DDS ? What tools do we need to make sound mods ? How to make accurate physics ? How to import a 3D Model to TDU ? Etc...

Actual Modders can also share their knowledge if they want to; I've read somewhere that Comb@t is making a video tutorial for car modding, don't know if it's still on it. Thanks for his enthusiast

Hopefully we'll see more modders around in the future.

The first post will be updated with interesting and useful tips and links to complete tutorial for sound mods, HUDs, Import Cars... (I think Iced_Bullet have done something like that in the past but he's not around anymore)

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THREAD UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Summary:

I. Basics and Facts

a) Explanation about modding

b) Definition of Formats

II. Making Mods

a) Tutorial by Djey. All the Basics

b) Sound Mods

c) HUD Gauges

d) Importing cars

e)Making Accurate Physics

f) Using and modifying DDS

g) Other stuffs

III. Install Mods into TDU

a) TDU Modding Tools

b) TDU Performance Editor

c) Bnks

I. BASICS AND FACTS

a) EXPLANATION ABOUT MODS

A Mod is something modified from the original game or an addon. It could be anything like a new car, Environments mod, Weather Mods, Sound Mods...

For example, The original game doesn't have a BMWs, Porsches, Autumn environment, Day-Night Cycle; With mods, all these things are possible ! Or if you think the sound of your Gallardo sound awful, the dashboard of your Ferrari looks bad, or you want a customize number plate, that's again possible !

b) DEFINITION ABOUT FORMATS

BNK: Or TDU Bank, these files are an element of the game. It could be Sounds, Car Exteriors, Car Interiors, Rims, Gauges HUD, Traffic, Environments... Etc. These file contains loads of different files. For example, Enzo_I.Bnk have 3D Elements and Textures (2db) inside the BNK File. Enzo_audio.Bnk have Wave sounds and an XMB file. Commonworld.Bnk have loads of 2db Texture files. This file can be open by Mini BNK Manager or File Browser in TDU Modding Tools.

2db: It's a texture file who is generally inside Bnks. But you can find in ...\Test Drive Unlimited\Euro\Bnk\FX 3 2db's files. These file can be converted in DDS with TDU Modding Tools to be modified.

DDS: Direct Draw Surface. These files are Textures. Example: The Roads in game are originally 2db file in CommonWorld.Bnk but once converted with TDUMT, there are DDS. When you open a the DDS file of roads, you have that:

(r5_00.dds original Atari)

You can open and modify DDSs with Paint.NET, Adobe Photoshop, Artweaver and create new grass, road surfaces, billboards, plate numbers and so many other stuff in the game. But don't forget to convert your DDS back into 2DB file with TDUMT and make sure to backup any files your modifying !

3DG, 3DD : (Can't perfectly explain it my self) It's the file who support the original 3D Model of the car.

2DM:

Djey said:

2DM : definition of materials used by vehicle 3D model. File is handled by ZModeler tool while importing/exporting.

Wave: It's a Microsoft sound sample format who can last as many time possible. But in TDU, it have to be sample that last beetween half a sec to 10 sec. Most of these sample are inside "CAR"_audio.bnk in Bnk/Sound/Vehicules and makes the sound of the car. Most of the audio Bnks have 7 Wave sample. For making sound mods, The TDU sound format MUST BE in Microsoft ADPCM format, 44khz, 4 bit, mono. These file can be play Modify with Audacity, Gold Wave, Creative WaveStudio, etc...

tdupk: Or TDU Performance Pack. It's a file who contains values of a specific car like not to 60 mph acceleration, suspension rate, Gearbox ratios, Power, Nm, Engine displacment, wheelbase, etc... And can be open only by TDU Performance Editor.

II. MAKING MODS

(TO BE DEVELOP, A LOT MORE EXPLAINED AND CLEAR. At the moment, I just link and quote. The community will improve all that ourself)

a) TUTORIAL BY DJEY. ALL THE BASICS FOR TDU'S GENERAL MODDING AND THE BEST MODDING TOOL: TDUF

https://github.com/djey47/tdu-cp/wiki/Modding-FAQ

https://github.com/djey47/tdu-cp/wiki

b) SOUND MODS

Quote

I'll explain this as well as I can for now.

You will need:

- A tool like GoldWave or Audacity or Creative WaveStudio. I use GoldWave, as I am most used to its interface.

- A sound loop - I'll explain what this is in a minute.

- A sound in the base game to model the mod after. Some work better than others, and I personally recommend using the Ferrari F40 sound as a base, because the sounds are evenly spaced in pitch. Export all of the sounds out of the file except the horn sound, you'll be working with those as bases.

1. Acquire a sound loop, or multiple sound loops for different RPM ranges. A sound loop is a sample of car engine sound which sounds the same all the way through. It must not change significantly in pitch, volume, or anything else, and - for best results - you should make it start and end so that, when played over and over, you don't hear a ticking noise when it loops.

1b. If you have multiple sound loops, adjust them in pitch until they all match.

2. Find the pitch difference between samples. Then make a new set of samples based off of your sound loops and with the same pitch difference.

3. Save these samples in Microsoft ADPCM format, 44khz, 4 bit, mono (as opposed to stereo) format.

4. Import them back in. Test in-game, and continue testing and editing as necessary.

c) HUD

d) IMPORTING CARS

Tools: Forza Studio for Forza Motorsport Models.

ZModler

Paint.NET, Photoshop, Artweaver...

For Tool's thread, don't pay too much attention for the size limit as Project Paradise Big Bnks option solved today that issue

This tutorial is understandable but way too fast. I've tried my self to import a car with this tutorial but you have to pause the video every 5sec... Oh well, you can manage doing a mod but it's a bit annoying to stop the video.

e) MAKING ACCURATE PHYSICS

First Download TDUPE

> TDU Performance Editor 2.77

> TDU Performance Editor 2.78

IMPORTANT: Open TDUPE, Click on Settings, Select the Locality to the same language of the game ! Once you've done that, again click settings, and set the Installation Directory to C:\Programes Files (x86)\Atari\Test Drive Unlimited. (Tested only with 2.77 -2.78)

MAKE A BACKUP OF YOUR DATABASE BEFORE MODIFYING ANY DATA !

It depends of how you want your car. If you want realistic physics based on a real car, I suggest you these website:

> Automobiles Catalogues: Very complete datas of any sort of cars ! The best in my opinion.

> Supercars.Net Not many data information but you can learn a lot about the car you want. Very complete list of cars.

> Supercarsite.net: Another pretty good website

> Google: Yes. This website too help a lot Jut search the car you want and pick the website you find interesting.

> YouTube: Yes. This website is useful too for watching reviews and know more about your car.

Usefull thread:

If you want physics on your own taste, bit of explanation:

TO COME LATER

Credits to Dredgy

f) USING AND MODIFYING DDS

Very old thread:

g) OTHER STUFFS

To Continue...

III. INSTALL MODS INTO TDU

a) TDU Modding Tools

Download it here first: TDUMT 1.16.2 by Djey

b) TDU PERFORMANCE EDITOR

Download above in Making Accurate physics. Unzip your .Zip / .Rar somewhere.

IMPORTANT: Open TDUPE, Click on Settings, Select the Locality to the same language of the game ! Once you've done that, again click settings, and set the Installation Directory to C:\Programes Files (x86)\Atari\Test Drive Unlimited. (Tested only with 2.77 -2.78)

MAKE A BACKUP OF YOUR DATABASE BEFORE MODIFYING ANY DATA !

To install a tdupk file, Select first the car you want to modify, Go to Performance Pack > Import Performance pack and then select the tdupk file you want to install. New data appears. Feel free to modify any of these data to your taste. Go to name editor. Click on Save once. If you see <Ressource not found>, enter your desire car name. Then click on save. Now your Murcielago is an Aventador

c) BNKS

To Install

> A car mod: C:\Programes Files (x86)\Atari\Test Drive Unlimited\Euro\Bnk\Vehicles

> Wheels: C:\Programes Files (x86)\Atari\Test Drive Unlimited\Euro\Bnk\Vehicles\Rim\(MANUFACTURER OF THE REPLACED RIM)

> Traffic Car: C:\Programes Files (x86)\Atari\Test Drive Unlimited\Euro\Bnk\Vehicles\Traffic

> A Sound mod: C:\Programes Files (x86)\Atari\Test Drive Unlimited\Euro\Bnk\Sound\Vehicles

> A HUD gauge: C:\Programes Files (x86)\Atari\Test Drive Unlimited\Euro\Bnk\FrontEnd\HiRes\gauges & C:\Programes Files (x86)\Atari\Test Drive Unlimited\Euro\Bnk\FrontEnd\LowRes\gauges

> CommonWorld or CommonWorldDiv2: C:\Programes Files (x86)\Atari\Test Drive Unlimited\Euro\Bnk\Level\Hawaii

> A Weather Mod: C:\Programes Files (x86)\Atari\Test Drive Unlimited\Euro\Bnk\FX

(Correct me guys if I'm wrong)

Thanks to Djey for his fantastic help //Djey again for TDU Modding Tools // Dredgy for TDU Performance Editor // Driver:TDU for his well detail tutorial // TDUZoqqer for his unfinished but helpful Modding tutorial :lol: // thunderhawk17382 for his Q&A thread // Tool831 & Iced_Bullet for his Interior & Exterior Bnks file names references // Kurgan777 for his pretty complete Best Cam & IK Thread // Reventon09 for both of his thread about adding new colors and new names in TDUMT // PhatPunk for his thread about changing cameras with TDUMT // The other modders who improved the game since all these years // The community for his massive support // Diablo and the other Modo for managing the best community in da woarld

Edited June 3, 2019 by Tob-Racer

Djey · January 18, 2015

2DM : definition of materials used by vehicle 3D model. File is handled by ZModeler tool while importing/exporting.

:)

Tob-Racer · January 18, 2015

Thanks Djey ! :)

I'm sure there is a lot more we've got to learn. We are young padawan :D (Well I at the moment)

For people who's reading. Of course it's an incomplete thread. I'm not a modder but I want to become one. And as I said, this thread is for learning all together. Share our knowledge ;)

Djey · January 19, 2015

Here is a list of misc. tutorials and info threads, I hope there will be useful.

> TDU Mod FAQ (by thunderhawk17382)

> List : .bnk Exterior and Interior - What the File Names Refer To

> Best Cameras and IK's (compliant with TDUMT 1.14 and patch 1.68a) (by Kurgan777)

> How add new name in TDU Modding Tools (by reventon09)

> How add new color to cars with TDUMT (by reventon09)

> Using groups for installer (by edwin)

> Change camera and IK (LHD/RHD) (by DJvitas)

Tob-Racer · January 20, 2015

Thanks Djey :)

in my side, I've started a project ;) I can't promise a release but I definitely want this car into TDU. I've got time, I'm patient. So it could work out hopefully

Djey · January 20, 2015

That requires time and effort indeed, but that works. ;)

Good thing is you have opportunity with latest modding features (big bnks, new slots etc).

Driver:TDU · January 20, 2015

I think i know what is it :) I think its good idea about Modding School because more modders = more interesting mods. I thinking about it and decide that i can record a full tutorial about creating car mod for tdu (from model and textures to sounds). Yes my english is not perfect but im really interested to see more tdu modders. What you think about it?

Pator5 · January 20, 2015

Make a tutorial m8 many ppl will give it a try , don't know how many will succeed but it's good to try :)

Tob-Racer · January 20, 2015

At the moment I'm learning by my self with the help of videos made by Zoqqer but I would love a tutorial please ! We need more modders and that's definitely the point of that thread. Learning all together. Thanks for the support ;) Yeah I fault of BigBnks, not a problem anymore to respect a file size limit :D Thanks a lot to Speeder and Djey

EDIT: Guess the car c'mon :cool:

Pator5 · January 20, 2015

Jag E Type :D

Tob-Racer · January 20, 2015

Too Easy :D If I manage to release My Jag one day, I'll promise another car and the preview is gonna be harder :cheeky:

Why I choose the Jag ? Because it's the most beautiful car in the world and the model in TDU is so old... So a new HQ Jag is welcome. I love this car in every aspects. It's a fantastic cruiser too.

Oh and and good bonus. The Model is RHD ;) Proper British car :cool:

Pator5 · January 20, 2015

That butt m8 , it's unique :D Plus saw too many posts you asking for the Jag ;)

Tob-Racer · January 20, 2015

I can't believe no one haven't made this car before. Apart from the Eagle Speedster based E-Type but it's not as beautiful than the original. And the E-type have been the inspiration of so many cars like your Alfa Disco Volante's Avatar ;)

Pator5 · January 20, 2015

Yup one the many things that inspired the design of the Disco Volante is E Type. You're absolutely right , but who will convert it will be my hero for life :D

Tob-Racer · January 20, 2015

I like the Disco Volante a lot. Generally my taste are beautiful cars with a strong soul. Aston Martin's most of. Not sure if The Disco Volante have a model in Forza but if a model exist could be one of my future project. But Anyway, I'm not here yet. I've got to learn :D

EDIT: Doing some progress but still a long way to go. I've got a question now. Just first look Zoqqer's video tutorial @ 4.45:

In ZModeler, With the new BigBnks system, do I need to delete the verticles or is it really necessary to keep it for the next parts of the import process ?

Driver:TDU · January 20, 2015

Ofcourse you need to delete it! Its just forza vertices it needs only for forza ;)

Djey · January 21, 2015

Hi, Tob-Racer !

Maybe this document will contain interesting things,

http://bit.ly/qniFQd

(be warned that some of contents are obsolete, though ;) )

Pator5 · January 21, 2015

Very useful link

Tutorial : Creating your custom gauges/HUD | turboduck forum

Tob-Racer · January 21, 2015

Thanks guys :) Gonna work on the thread now.

EDIT 1: About the Jag, I've got to set the materials to the car. From Zoqqer's video, it's not very easy to understand because he speed it up and it's hard to keep up. Anyway, what I've learn so far:

Select a 3D Model form Forza> Import it to Forza Studio> Extract Exterior, Interior, brakes and low-poly shadow model and be careful to untick to race parts from forza (Spoiler, Spliter, rollcage...) > Get to ZModeler, set paths for new files > Import an original TDU Model to ZModeler (In my side it's the original Jag E-Tye Atari Model), and delete almost everything but we must keep the main materials for our Forza Model > Import our Forza Model and set every parts a definite material (Windscreen as Glass, Front Bumper as Aluminium or Carbon Fiber...).

That's what I know at the moment :)

EDIT 2: I'm wondering one thing about sound mods. Noob question but could be a good one :D How from an engine who's reving up we can create stable sample who stays at the same RPM ? I mean, when you get sample from youtube, you can't get 3 sec of the car accelerating and put it in the game just like that, it's gonna be a weird repetitive loop. How can we transform a rev up sample to a "flat" sample ? I'm saying that about what I've read in the great document by Djey and 2CVSUPERGT (Yes I'm French :cheeky:)

Driver:TDU · January 21, 2015

:hmmm: im using different method...

Tob-Racer · January 21, 2015

I'm doing Zoqqer's method :lol: But yea I've read somewhere modders have different Technics.

Djey · January 21, 2015

EDIT 2: I'm wondering one thing about sound mods. Noob question but could be a good one :D How from an engine who's reving up we can create stable sample who stays at the same RPM ? I mean, when you get sample from youtube, you can't get 3 sec of the car accelerating and put it in the game just like that, it's gonna be a weird repetitive loop. How can we transform a rev up sample to a "flat" sample ? I'm saying that about what I've read in the great document by Djey and 2CVSUPERGT (Yes I'm French :cheeky:)

That's why best sound mods are so rare and hard to achieve. The best results will be observed with recordings in mostly 'studio' environments :)

Tob-Racer · January 23, 2015

Thanks Djey for the reply ^^ It's a matter to not being called Polyphony Digital finally :lol:

Alright guys, I'm working definitly hard on the thread to make it look very good. Saved the first bit for not loosing anything but there is still lots to do.