Replacing models for 4.0.3.13329

[VX2]

I think it must be some incompatibility (model/animation). can you post files structure in your archive, and name of it? if it's not to large, maybe full your patch too.
------------
try to change models in ".dbc", not by replacing ".m2" files (now you can pack your patch older then 13329, for sample as 13350). when I tried to set TaM as NEF, with replacing ".m2" I had similar problem but only with "draw weapon". when I do it by ".dbc" modifying, it was more stable and had no crashes.

[kropek4]

If i change the signaturefile MD5 of BloodElfFemale.m2 will it be safe to log in to retail?

(Im trying to find other way than Cromon's injector, cant make my visual studio work on that pc,, dunno why:<)

[VX2]

2 kropek4
no. you'll can't fake digital signature (256 bytes after "NGIS" (reversed "SIGN") at the end of a file) without crude crack what must be easy detectable. I tried to make it some time ago (in this thread). I'm full noob in this aspect, but knowledgeable people said me, what this is a Rsa signature. you never can't generate this without private key, but always can check it with public key. public key present in "wow.exe", but private key unaccessible somewhere in blizzard halls.

[joeyshinobi88]

I think it must be some incompatibility (model/animation). can you post files structure in your archive, and name of it? if it's not to large, maybe full your patch too.
------------
try to change models in ".dbc", not by replacing ".m2" files (now you can pack your patch older then 13329, for sample as 13350). when I tried to set TaM as NEF, with replacing ".m2" I had similar problem but only with "draw weapon". when I do it by ".dbc" modifying, it was more stable and had no crashes.

thing is that it's a custom model that i'm injecting and not doing a race swap =( sorry i wasn't clear that when i said I patched "a certain visually enhancing set of female .m2's" what i really meant was "I'm installing a boob-mod"

I've decided to rip it apart and make my own .mpq from scratch and see what I get, from what I understand people were having trouble with animations with the boob-mod from which timmy56's "patch-t.mpq" is descended so I think this is a residual effect.

By the way - I've been out of the game for a while... what would be the most modern tool for extracting files from .mpq archives be? I'm running into trouble extracting .mpq's with the MPQeditor packaged with Demonkungas Tools... though maybe it just needs a bit more finesse than i've been able to give it in a half-asleep stupor?

--edit--

Got it working. seems the problem was that i was using an outdated version of MPQeditor packaged with Demonkunga's tools. Got the newest version, repackaged the titties, brought them out in game then danced around a bit - and no exploding nightelf! huzzah! proof of concept! thank you for all your help guys. now i can move on to better projects!

---------- Post added at 04:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:54 PM ----------

Awesome work. Since I've tried the method with old MPQ's (I don't know how to create one) and it haven't worked, I'm waiting for any of you to upload a working race to race MPQ to test

my turn to help!!

the thing you generally need to do in order to get your old mpq's working is to extract them using the newest version of MPQeditor.

once extracted place the "characters" folder into a new folder called "base", then recreate the mpq from the "work" folder that MPQeditor extracts the files to (i take an extra step of organizing the work folder by adding a new folder named "wow-update-#####" that i place the "base" file into, so when creating my mpq archives i have to select the the exact folder that i'm wanting to create it from... but if you're just trying to do it once for the first time test it out you'll be creating the mpq from the "work" folder that it gives you as the default)

once it creates the new mpq file it'll be stored in the folder with MPQeditor.exe, move this to the world of warcraft data folder and follow the guides so kindly provided in this thread by Xel and VX2 =)

hope this helps!

[shambu]

uhm,.. can someone do a video STEP BY STEP for tards like me?

LF Draenei F -> Dwarf F

[cloudstrif]

me too,i dont know any of this joeyshinobi88
can u upload ur titty patch for all us?

[burnica]

Nice progress, usualy I'd be tempted to try it out, however the prospect of a permanent ban doesn't sound all that apealing since all Blizzards Warden is, a glorified key-logger.

[poo_man123]

Ive been using this on live for 2 days...No bans yet.

[The-Eradicator]

Can someone explain how to load a modified .DBC? I haven't really messed with clientside changes before.

I put a modified CreatureDisplayInfo.dbc in a new 2.0 MPQ called wow-update-13328.MPQ.

It was: enUS\DBFilesClient\CreatureDisplayInfo.dbc

I used compression, and no encryption in Ladik's MPQ Editor. The changes did not take effect upon starting the game.

wow-update-13329.MPQ does have a PTCH enUS\DBFilesClient\CreatureDisplayInfo.dbc. I assume that is the problem?

Thanks in advance.

[VX2]

this file present in latest patch in locale folders:
"\\wow-update-13329.MPQ\enGB\DBFilesClient\CreatureDisplayInfo.dbc"
when you try to insert your file in "wow-update-13328.MPQ", then client try to patch your file as original, by patch-data from "wow-update-13329.MPQ".
i.e. you haven't safe way to modify it. you must use "maximize patch number limitation" fix and rename your patch, as more latest (for sample "wow-update-13330.MPQ")
also this file contain in "signaturefile" (for "enGB" is a 57976 string number):

enGB;c;18BDB20405A680EB1AC4FCDB661B46DB;DBFilesClient\CreatureDisplayInfo.dbc

i.e. you must also disable "signaturefile" protection.

[The-Eradicator]

this file present in latest patch in locale folders:
"\\wow-update-13329.MPQ\enGB\DBFilesClient\CreatureDisplayInfo.dbc"
when you try to insert your file in "wow-update-13328.MPQ", then client try to patch your file as original, by patch-data from "wow-update-13329.MPQ".
i.e. you haven't safe way to modify it. you must use "maximize patch number limitation" fix and rename your patch, as more latest (for sample "wow-update-13330.MPQ")
also this file contain in "signaturefile" (for "enGB" is a 57976 string number):

enGB;c;18BDB20405A680EB1AC4FCDB661B46DB;DBFilesClient\CreatureDisplayInfo.dbc

i.e. you must also disable "signaturefile" protection.

That's about what I figured.

Oh well, thanks for your help.

[lolrly]

Great find, works like a charm with the test MPQ in the original post. However, I get a error that "An attempt was made to move the pointer to before the beginning of the file", if I try to modify any existing mpq using the technique described by joeyshinobi88.

Would it be possible for a short tutorial on making a new mpq, or a set of ones that you know work (most interested in model edits, I don't mind making one myself with a small amount of guidance)? Or maybe I'm doing something wrong? I was using some 4.0.1 edits and re-packaging them as per the instructions. Thanks in advance!

[joeyshinobi88]

Great find, works like a charm with the test MPQ in the original post. However, I get a error that "An attempt was made to move the pointer to before the beginning of the file", if I try to modify any existing mpq using the technique described by joeyshinobi88.

Would it be possible for a short tutorial on making a new mpq, or a set of ones that you know work (most interested in model edits, I don't mind making one myself with a small amount of guidance)? Or maybe I'm doing something wrong? I was using some 4.0.3a edits and re-packaging them as per the instructions. Thanks in advance!

first - what do you mean by "any existing mpq"? are you talking about the gamefile mpqs? or an old mod you're trying to get working?

second - make sure you're using the newest tools. i found using the old version of MPQeditor packaged with demonkunga's tools was the bane of my existence for a few nights.

third - what exactly are you trying to get working? if i have a little more insight as to what it is and where you got it i might be able to see what's going on with it for you.

[lolrly]

first - what do you mean by "any existing mpq"? are you talking about the gamefile mpqs? or an old mod you're trying to get working?

second - make sure you're using the newest tools. i found using the old version of MPQeditor packaged with demonkunga's tools was the bane of my existence for a few nights.

third - what exactly are you trying to get working? if i have a little more insight as to what it is and where you got it i might be able to see what's going on with it for you.

Right, first of all, thanks for the fast reply:

I was trying to modify a model swap from the 4.0.1 model swaps thread. (I used a random one, Belf Female to Human Female, I believe, so I can try out if it works)

I am using the tools you linked in your previous post, which I assume are the newest ones.

I want to model change my character(s), for example, Human Male to Undead Male/Female

[VX2]

you have two ways to replace model: are ".m2" replacing, and ".dbc modifying".
I think more stable method is ".dbc modifying", but it's compatible only with version of your ".dbc" file. I recommend you use "combine" method, where you replace models by ".dbc modifying", and textures by file replacing. because errors in ".m2" may be critically for client, while errors in textures should not cause a crashes. you can modify textures by ".dbc modifying" too, but textures are too many.
I think the easiest and most reliable way is:
(for sample HuF to BeF)
- make temporary folder (for sample "c:\1\")
- make "base" folder into it.
- make your folder structure in "base" folder (for model textures and dbc folder)
- extract latest "\\DBFilesClient\CreatureModelData.dbc" ("\\World of Warcraft\Data\Cache\enGB\patch-enGB-13329.MPQ\DBFilesClient\CreatureModelData.dbc") into appropriate temporary folder ("c:\1\base\DBFilesClient\")
- open this file in your DBC editor
- find string with your model ("Character\BloodElf\Female\BloodElfFemale.mdx"), but in this string, your file will be as ".mdx", not ".m2". it does not matter, just copy this string.
- find string with file what you want to replace ("Character\HUMAN\Female\HumanFemale.mdx") and replace this string so that you have copied ("Character\BloodElf\Female\BloodElfFemale.mdx").
- save your ".dbc" and close it.
- extract all textures of your model ("\\World of Warcraft\Data\art.MPQ\Character\BloodElf\Female\*.BLP") into appropriate temporary folder ("c:\1\base\Character\HUMAN\Female\*.BLP")
- use totalcommander "batch rename" tool (select all "*.blp" and hit "ctrl+M")
- configure mask field ("HumanFemale[N15-]"), then hit ~"start/rename" button (bottom right corner).
- now, if you do all correctly, you must have same files/folders structure:

c:\
  '-1\
     '-base\
          |-Character\
          |        '-HUMAN\
          |               '-Female\
          |                      '-HumanFemale*.blp
           '-DBFilesClient\
                   '-CreatureModelData.dbc

- select your "c:\1\base\" and pack as more than latest patch (for sample "wow-update-13330.MPQ")
- put your patch in your "\\World of Warcraft\Data\" folder
- at least you must: remove "signaturefile" protection and enable "maximize patch number limitation".

that's all. you can start your wow and see a results: