[1.12] Improved Models Patch: With Wolves!

[spik96]

Hi !

I had a while ago the idea of porting some Cataclysm m2s in WoW Classic. I first converted the models with tools found on Modcraft and fixed little things like textures to fit the 1.12 lighting system.
Then I started my own tool (http://github.com/Koward/LKBC_Converter), allowing me to go further in the process.
Now the models come from all extensions, from Burning Crusade to Warlords of Draenor.
I hope you'll enjoy it

**WARNING : THIS MOD IS ONLY COMPATIBLE WITH WORLD OF WARCRAFT 1.12.1. ANY ATTEMPT TO USE IT ON AN OTHER VERSION WILL RESULT IN CRASHES AND WILL BE USED AS PROOF OF YOUR STUPIDITY**



## CHANGES :
* Modern Druid cat and bear forms (3.1)
* A lot of high quality updated models for mobs (3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0)
* Elwynn trees (4.0)
* Teldrassil, Ashenvale & Winterspring trees (4.0)
* Stormwind Cathedral Square ground textures (4.0)
* Various Stormwind City textures (4.0)
* Improved Night elf character screen
* Stranglethorn trees (4.0)
* Stormwind fountains (4.0)
* Improved waterfalls everywhere (3.0)
* Stormwind Signs (4.0)
* Human crates, barrels and postboxes (6.0)

## TO DO :
* Westfall, Duskwood and Redridge Mountains trees (based on the Elwynn model)
* Update mobs : Tiger/PandarenTiger, Owl/Edited Kaliri?, Satyrs/Perotharn, Shark/ToothedShark and all demons updated with 6.2
* Create new tree models with Blender to replace old ones

Tools used :
* CataToLK with particles by PhilipTNG (CT=>LK)
* My own converter (LK=>Classic)
* 010 Editor with M2&Skin templates
* Ladik's MPQ Editor
* GIMP&Blender

## Installation :
### Standard 1.12.1 server
1. Download the Standard version.
2. Rename in patch-X.MPQ (X have to be a number).
3. Place it in your Data folder.

### Nostalrius 1.12.1 server
1. **BACKUP THE PATCH-2.MPQ FILE OF YOUR WOW INSTALLATION**
Note : don't put your backup file in the Data folder, put it somewhere else or you'll be disconnected.
2. **I'M SERIOUS, BACKUP THE PATCH-2.MPQ FILE OF YOUR WOW INSTALLATION**
3. Download the Nostalrius version, enUK or enUS depending on which version you're using.
Note : you can check which version you're using at the bottom of your login screen. The version downloaded from their site is the enUK one. If you choose wrong don't worry, you'll just get an error message saying your files are corrupt.
4. Make sure the file is named patch-2.MPQ.
5. Place it in your Data folder. Override the existing patch-2.MPQ

##Download : (update 11/08/15)
https://github.com/Koward/Improved_Models/releases

[stan84]

Great job dude !

looks like im not only freak that's playing with retoporting

cheers

[eratoc]

Lovely.

Last year my project for 1.12 was importing the new water models to vanilla. I never finished it because I lost my files. Maybe that's an idea for you?

Importing quality items from newer WoW versions is always sweet.

Keep up the good work!

[spik96]

I don't really know which models you are talking about. The water from Vanilla to Wotlk is a sequence of (24 I think) pictures creating an animated texture displayed on the surface. The new water is made with shaders not present in the client. We can backport it in Wotlk only because early shaders are in the client but not used.

I would be very interested if you have an idea to make it possible. I'm afraid simething that huge might imply to decompile the client, and I don't really have the C/C++ level to handle that properly.

[eratoc]

I don't really know which models you are talking about. The water from Vanilla to Wotlk is a sequence of (24 I think) pictures creating an animated texture displayed on the surface. The new water is made with shaders not present in the client. We can backport it in Wotlk only because early shaders are in the client but not used.

I would be very interested if you have an idea to make it possible. I'm afraid simething that huge might imply to decompile the client, and I don't really have the C/C++ level to handle that properly.

I guess it would be alot of work. I'm not sure how to do it either, if I did I would have done it by now unfortunately. :/

What about porting models from WoW alpha to 1.12? Could be a pretty interesting task.

[spik96]

What about porting models from WoW alpha to 1.12? Could be a pretty interesting task.

I probably could try, yet I'm not interested in this right now in this. It would not be a part of this patch, as it doesn't deserve its primary purpose : improving 1.12 graphics while staying faithful to the original Blizzard artistic ideas, and keeping it playable for everyone on every vanilla private server out there without gamebreaking changes like new bridges where everyone would see you floating in the air.

BTW, I updated the patch with the Stormwind Signs thanks to stan84's help.

[spik96]

Added some smalls models from Warlords of Draenor. High poly barrel, crate and postbox.. It's not the most exciting edit, isn't it ? =)

With the upcoming release of various well polished 1.12 private servers, feel free to use this patch. There is no cheat whatsoever and if you don't like a change, you can delete it yourself (the MPQ is not encrypted) !

[Method]

Your work on this seems amazing, going to dl it and try it out when nostralus hits on the 28th

I like the fact you're respecting what vanilla was, and only improving things that need improved (like mailboxes, fountains etc that DID need a little facelift) whilst sitll remaining true to vanilla.
 
It's nice to see stuff like this.

Keep up the cool work.

[Psojed]

I checked it out, nice work.

Some stuff I noticed:
The Carrion Bird models have an issue displaying status effects like stuns, the animation is either going through the bird or displays below the bird, which looks kinda weird. Dunno if that's fixable or not.

The fountain near stormwind bank causes characters to "float" in the air above it, as if you were levitating. In comparsion, fountain in Cathedral Square has no such issue, the only floating thing there is the history writing about Archbishop Alonsus Faol.

[spik96]

I checked it out, nice work.

Some stuff I noticed:
The Carrion Bird models have an issue displaying status effects like stuns, the animation is either going through the bird or displays below the bird, which looks kinda weird. Dunno if that's fixable or not.

The fountain near stormwind bank causes characters to "float" in the air above it, as if you were levitating. In comparsion, fountain in Cathedral Square has no such issue, the only floating thing there is the history writing about Archbishop Alonsus Faol.

I will try to find how the position stuns-like animations are in the M2 files.

Concerning the fountain, I'm afraid there is nothing I can do. These problems could only be solves by serverside modding.

[gazi05]

The project looks awesome and keep up the good work. But is there a possibility to import wod character models into vanilla? I don't know if this question was asked a million times or not so don't rage at me but the only thing I am interested are the models. They look refreshing and give the game a new look, but in my opinion vanilla was the best wow experience eva! So combining these two factors would be a dream come true for a lot of players.

[spik96]

The project looks awesome and keep up the good work. But is there a possibility to import wod character models into vanilla? I don't know if this question was asked a million times or not so don't rage at me but the only thing I am interested are the models. They look refreshing and give the game a new look, but in my opinion vanilla was the best wow experience eva! So combining these two factors would be a dream come true for a lot of players.

This would require a converter beyond my C++ capabilites. I'm afraid at my current level I won't be able to conver these models at the moment. That would be, indeed, fantastic.

[gazi05]

Thank you for the reply. Didn't know it was such a big thing to do some models. Well I hope that someday you will finish them. Have a nice day and wish you all the best  

[Lxtof]

This would require a converter beyond my C++ capabilites. I'm afraid at my current level I won't be able to conver these models at the moment. That would be, indeed, fantastic.

Hi,

Can you exlpain how do it, because i have some friends with good skills in C++ may be they can help you to create this converter?

[stan84]

This would require a converter beyond my C++ capabilites. I'm afraid at my current level I won't be able to conver these models at the moment. That would be, indeed, fantastic.

Hi,

Can you exlpain how do it, because i have some friends with good skills in C++ may be they can help you to create this converter?

hi

i did my LK2BC converter by compmaring strucures of m2 files the tbc 0x04 and  LK 0x08 version, both are well documented in wowdev. It was written in ansi C, im sure your friends could do it in very short time. Basic things like geometry etc could be done i one evening for skilled programmer,  it was my first program in c, im totally beginner in this matter.

cheers

Stan