=======================================================================
=  V8 Chellenge, STCC2, Rally Masters .XO filter for ZModeler v1.06   =
=                                               (c) Oleg M. 2002      =
=======================================================================

Last Updated: 24.October.2002

=========================
        CONTENTS
=========================
        WHAT'S NEW
        GENERAL INFORMATION
        LEGAL
        FEATURES
        REQUIRED TOOLS
        IMPORTING
        EXPORTING
        CONTACT INFORMATION

=========================
      WHAT'S NEW
=========================
- (beta testing release)


=========================
   GENERAL INFORMATION
=========================
Glossary:
 ZModeler   - 3D modelling software developer by Oleg M.
 Filter     - the plug-in file for ZModeler that can be used for "opening"
              custom files.
 "the Game" - V8Challenge, and, probably, stcc2, rm.


XO.zmf is a filter for ZModeler v1.06e and higher. Filter allows you to 
open (import) and save (export) XO files that are capatible with the Game.
The Game doesn't support user add-on cars, thus, you can only replace
stock cars.
     
ZModeler is not the Game editor.
      


=========================
         LEGAL
=========================
Replacing cars, modifying them or even extracting any files from
PDO files is initially illegal. You are the only resposible for
any consequence it might cause.

Reusing (converting into other games, selling etc.) of any stock
Game's models (meshes/art) is law-breaking. You have been warned,
be resposible!

Converting any car into the Game for farther releases requires prior
agreement of the car's author.

All exported files are initally locked to prevent them from been
imported and/or converted.



=========================
        FEATURES
=========================
XO filter provides you the following features:

Importing XO files
  + meshes (damaged/undamaged) Damaged object has a [D] suffix
  + textures (should be extracted to the same as .xo folder)
  + Chrome property, Glasses property.
Exporting object(s) in XO format
  + meshes (damaged and undamaged in one step)
  + files locking
  - multiple files export (will be done later)
  + damaged object validation.
  


=========================
     REQUIRED TOOLS
=========================
You need the following tools in order to work with XO:

- ... to extract files from PDO
- ... to pack the PDO file.



=========================
       IMPORTING
=========================
To import a XO file, you need it extracted from PDO file. The file
should be in Textures\ folder among with it's textures and, probably,
other .xo files. It's *.bin files should be in ../vertices/ folder.
../common/ folder is used for common textures (e.g. map_env.tga and
map_demo.tga).

The filter will try to open the following files:
  Textures\
    thecar.xo
    <required TGA>
  Vertices\
    thecar_vertex.bin
    thecar_uv.bin
  Common\
    map_demo.tga


Imported mesh and materials properties preservs only some of faces
properties. Thos, that currently are known. This means that you can
lose some features of the .xo file by importing and then exporting
it.

To import XO file, start ZModeler, hit Import button or press Ctrl-I,
pick the file and click 'Open' in a dialog box.

Locked XO files will not be imported and NO WARNINGs will appear.
YOU CAN'T IMPORT LOCKED FILE, SO YOU SHOULD HAVE YOU WORK SAVED AS
.Z3D FILE IN ORDER TO MODIFY IT FARTHER.



=========================
       EXPORTING
=========================
XO filter allows you to export XO files that are capatible with
the Game. The filter exports only ONE object per file. It automatically
searches for damaged object, thus you export object and it's damaged
data in one step.
   NOTE: Damaged object must have the same name as the undamaged
object with the [D] suffix (e.g. damaged: car18a[D], undamaged: car18a).
Damaged object ,ust have the same amount of vertices and faces as it's
undamaged original. In other words, you should copy original object,
move some vertices and remap the object to ../common/map_demo.tga
texture.

To export a .XO file, hit Export button or press Ctrl-E, select 
'V8C/STCC2/Rally Masters (*.xo)' file type and type the name of the
file. Note, that the parent of the folder you are exporting to must
have a 'Vertices' subfolder. e.g.:
+  My Cars\
|
+-+  Car01\
  |
  +-+  Textures\
  | |
  | +--  mycar01.xo         << you are exporting to this file
  |      
  +-+  Vertices\            << This folder must exist
    |
    +--  mycar01_vertex.bin << will be create by the filter...
    |
    +--  mycar01_uv.bin     << ...this one too.

--------------------------------------------------------------
WARNING:
All exported files are initally locked, so you are unable to
import them. I recommend to save your work as .Z3D file before
exporting.
--------------------------------------------------------------

You can export file UNLOCKED by specifying it's extension in
uppercase (car10a.XO).

Once you specified a filename in a Save dialog box an object-selection
dialog box will appear. You need to highlight there the only object
you would like to be exported. It's [D]-partner will be exported
atomatically.


=========================
   CONTACT INFORMATION
=========================
URL: http://www.zmodeler.com
Comments, suggestions and feedback send to <funspeed@softhome.net>

This text file was written by Oleg M and ...
Source of XO stuff and tools: ....

Other questions concerned ZModeler can be asked on Zmodeler forum.
=======================================================================
                                Zanoza Modeler (c) Oleg M. 1999-2002
