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War3 Model Editor

This bundle is marked as director's cut. It exceeds all expectations and excels in every regard.
//MOD EDIT// - PLEASE CHECK "UPDATE 2" below before posting if you have ISSUES USING MAGOS

This Model Editor is not made by me, but is made by Magos.

War3 Model Editor is as the name suggests a Model Viewer and a Model Editor dedicated to Warcraft 3. It supports both loading and saving of .mdl and .mdx model formats which are used in Warcraft 3. It also supports .bmp, .tga, .png, .jpg, .jpeg, .pcx and .blp texture formats.

There is a built-in MPQ Browser that allows you to browse any MPQ archive, which also includes Warcraft 3 map files (.w3m and .w3x). The MPQ Browser has been optimized for speed and is very fast to load and use. The Browser is customizable so you can add/remove your own icons and filters.

Features

* Model Viewer
* Model Editor
* Geoset Importing/Exporting
* Can save/load the model formats *.mdl and *.mdx
* Can save/load the texture formats .bmp, .tga, .png, .jpg, .jpeg, .pcx and .blp
* Can import other model formats (importers stored in DLLs)
* Ability to convert between the model formats
* Ability to convert between the texture formats
* MPQ Browser (very fast loading)
* Support for custom listfiles
* Support for custom MPQ filters & icons

Extras

* Loading Screen Creator
* A tool to create colored text for Warcraft 3

Supported Importers

* md2 (Quake 2)
* ms3d (Milkshape)


UPDATE 1 //by Rui​

Hey people, it's Rui. I have updated the tool to v1.07 and added some keywords for searching. Enjoy!


UPDATE 2 //by Khyrberos​

In recent years, both with modern OSes & with Reforged, W3ME might require a few adjustments to work properly.

(Made redundant by update 3)
One common issue over the years was missing DLLs; as described in this post by Hero_Lief and this message by Pyf, the DirectX Installer can be downloaded here. (Alternatively, as Hermit describes here, you can Google & download the specific file 'd3dx_9.dll' needed by W3ME.)

(Doesn't apply to beta v1.08)
A new issue with 1.30+ is its use of the CASC data system, replacing the old MPQ system. As described by Hermit in this post, you will need to have/find a copy of the old MPQs & put them where War3 Model Editor can find them in order for it to work properly. It appears 1.28 files work the best in v1.07

UPDATE 3 //by BogdanW3​

The v1.07 zip has been repacked to include the dll needed to make it run without having to install the DirectX runtime, thank you to @Dr Super Good for noting that that's the proper way to do things now with deprecation of Direct3D9 taking place.

You can now also download a new version, v1.08 beta, which was updated by me (@BogdanW3) and has some nice new, albeit still to be thoroughly tested, features:

* Edit texture paths directly from the textures window (no need for MDL for this)
* Support for v1000 (1.32) and v1100 (1.33, only loading for now) SD MDX models
* DDS texture support
* Hierarchical loading of textures (a texture referenced as tga in a model will no longer fail to load if the file is for example blp)
* Loading assets from CASC (no CASC browser at this time due to library limitations)
* 24 team colours
* Replaceable IDs 36 and 37, as well as a few more event objects are added from entries in the game data (thank you @Hermit)
* And more!

Feel free to contact me if there's any bugs or regressions you wish to report. MagosX has given me permission to post it, so I would like to thank him for that as well as making a great model editor with a very readable codebase!
This version currently works best with 1.29 MPQs or 1.31+ CASC.
Requires the 64-bit Visual C++ 2015 runtime.

PS, applies to all versions of W3ME:​

To set up the War3 Model Editor to load data (be it MPQs, or CASC in v1.08) from a specific folder, you will want to set up the string Registry value InstallPath in the registry key HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Blizzard Entertainment\Warcraft III\ to point to the Warcraft 3 data folder you wish to use.
For a more step-by-step explanation, check this comment by StormKnight.

Keywords:
warcraft, 3, III, magos, w3me, editor, model, war3, wc3, mdx
Contents

War3 Model Editor v1.07 (Binary)

War3 Model Editor v1.08 (64-bit, beta) (Binary)

Reviews
PurplePoot: Approved for extreme usefulness, whether as a mapper or a modeler.
Level 1
Joined
Apr 6, 2008
Messages
3
Hmm... Just wondering how to replace the MDX texture. For example, for the Jaina mdx model I imported my edited blp and removed the original one. But..didn't work. Any suggestions or even other programs to use?
 
Level 1
Joined
Apr 10, 2008
Messages
2
Well, i solved problem with replacing textures this way:
Each texture in warcraft 3 has it's path within mpq archives, which we can find out in <texture manager> of this model editor. So, we just paint our own texture, then import it into Warcraft 3 World Editor, then at <import manager> we should change the path of our texture to a path of the texture we want to substitute...
(sry for my english)
 
Level 1
Joined
Apr 6, 2008
Messages
3
Lol Dark, your English ain't got a problem ;)
I've solved the problem already but thanks anyway. And btw, this website and the programs it has are quite useful (if you havn't already checked it out.)
http://www.oinkerwinkle.com/tools/index.html

Thanks again, but I want to ask: do you know a program that is simple but effective in adding, merging, and creating vertexes, creating faces, etc., whilst keeping the addition with the bone?
 
Level 1
Joined
Apr 10, 2008
Messages
2
Sorry, Helion... i create geometry with use of 3ds max as it's the most comfortable for me...now i'm also working with milkshape trying to find out, how to set up bone systems appropriable to mdl...
Btw, thx for the link you posted here. I found that tools useful :)
 
Level 1
Joined
Apr 18, 2008
Messages
1
it locks cool in all pictures but how do I use it?help pls

{EDIT}
cant yow make a tutorial ore something?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Level 3
Joined
Sep 17, 2007
Messages
45
Very nice program. I've been trying to learn how to model edit with so many programs for several months now. I open this and bam, 10 minutes later I'm completely changing the look of a crypt fiend. Thank you so much for making this.

And for everyone who says "its just a gray box, how do I import a model?", you also need warcraft 3 viewer in order to extract the .mdx file from blizzard models. Modeling takes multiple programs, and truly isn't that difficult if you follow the tutorials here on the hive. Go here for a list of modeling tutorials.
 
Level 1
Joined
May 16, 2008
Messages
2
Hello I'm sorry but I get a grey screen. I don't understand what you advice me to do and it still doesn't work. Help!
 
Level 3
Joined
May 24, 2008
Messages
53
Geez!!!!!!

it complains about wc3 path..

I've installed wc3 in a differtent path, this $#~! won't work!!!

any1 can help me?
 
Level 1
Joined
Jun 8, 2008
Messages
7
Help!

hey i have a problem... whenever i try to run it is has an error that says " unable to open " C:warcraftIII\war3patch.mpq"! make sure that warcraft 3 is installed and that the registry key "hkey_current_user\Blizzard entertainment\warcraft III\installpatch"exists" can some 1 help me fix it piz... i rly want to use this program :cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry:
 
Level 3
Joined
Mar 4, 2008
Messages
35
it says "unable to open war3patch"
what should i do now please help

it means you installed game to wrong directory... BUT, i do know how to fix it
HERES how you fix it
Step 1. go to (where you installed game) COPY all of the seen MPQ files (e.g. = war3.mpq, war3Patch.mpq, war3x.mpq, war3xLocal.mpq)
(may take a few seconds)

Step 2. go to C:\\Program Files\(create [or go to] a Folder called Warcraft III" (IN THE C:\\Program Files\ DIRECTORY!!!)

Step 3.Now, Right Click and go to PASTE
... Waiting... Waiting... And...Your done!

Step 4.Now run WC3 MDL EDTR and it should work...
if not then continue

Step 5.(if needed) (now if it didint work i MIGHT be able to help you still) go to C:\\Program Files\ and Create a NEW FOLDER called "Blizzard entertainment" then CUT/DRAG "Warcraft III"
 
Level 13
Joined
Jun 9, 2008
Messages
258
What can I say, I have the very same problem as qwq1234. And my position to this is about the same, too.

If anyone has an idea how to fight the horrible "hkey_current_user\Blizzard entertainment\warcraft III\installpatch"exists", would be nice.
 
Level 5
Joined
Dec 16, 2007
Messages
160
Does This run on vista, or do i have to download it to my network drive and run the install on my XP, then run the actual program on the Vista OS?
 
Level 2
Joined
Apr 21, 2008
Messages
4
Error


A model was opened from wc3 and when "Save As" was clicked on it said
"C:probram Files\Warcraft III\Nerubian", unknown extention ""!
and it did not let me save *. If anyone knows how to fix it then please tell me *.
:sad:
 
Level 5
Joined
Dec 16, 2007
Messages
160
Well, I cant use my XP computer, My mom has kidnapped it! And so, Im left here with my Vista Laptop, doomed to never try modeling.
 
Level 1
Joined
Jun 25, 2008
Messages
1
when i open it, it says:

Unable to open "C:\Program Files\Warcraft III\War3x.mpq"!
Make sure that Warcraft 3 is installed and that the registry key
"HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Blizzard Entertainment\Warcraft III\InstallPath* exists!

wuts that mean?
 
Level 5
Joined
Dec 16, 2007
Messages
160
Solution

when i open it, it says:

Unable to open "C:\Program Files\Warcraft III\War3x.mpq"!
Make sure that Warcraft 3 is installed and that the registry key
"HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Blizzard Entertainment\Warcraft III\InstallPath* exists!

wuts that mean?


Those of you who have this problem, (Its known as a registry conflict.) Take a look at post #91 (Top of page 7) For the solution.

IT says that because the path that the HK_CU is referring to is broken (It cant find the files) So. You either have to edit the registries (Hard and painful) Or Recreate the path that the file is looking for (What the top of page 7 says)

Good luck with your problems.
 
Hmm... Just wondering how to replace the MDX texture. For example, for the Jaina mdx model I imported my edited blp and removed the original one. But..didn't work. Any suggestions or even other programs to use?

What are you really doing i wonder, isn't the prgrm using the MDL files? Yo gotta find the converter:grin:
 
Well, I cant use my XP computer, My mom has kidnapped it! And so, Im left here with my Vista Laptop, doomed to never try modeling.

Really, what's the problem with Vista 0_o? too many bugs. ("and they say Blizzard games have bugs") (CryptLord speech, my favorite):grin:

Anyway, you gotta try to negotiate the hostage release. (your comp. from your mom)lol:grin:

PS, rep me please:ned:
 
Level 1
Joined
Feb 1, 2008
Messages
3
Okay so after 5 hours of this crap I finally was able to install it and get it stop saying it cant open. But now there is a new error message! Something aboot Splat Data. WTF is splat data. I'll tell you what it is. Its designed so that when you open the Art tools the file goes SPLAT. Sorry for the crappy joke its aboot 2:30 AM where I live right now and I just watched that guy who does the 7 words you cant say act like 50 times on youtube along with many other skits.
But I digress.
I need help and I need help badly. I want to how to get this thing up and running by at least next week. So if you can, please E-Mail me at (i made this when i was six, don't laugh) [email protected] and plz dont spam me.
OR you could just be cool and reply to this comment. So ehlp me nao or I will go to your house and beat you with a stick.
 
Level 1
Joined
Feb 1, 2008
Messages
3
I'm talking to you Needles. About the help part not the beating part. Unless your into that.
 
To all of those who can't change an downloaded model

I discovered after many MANY tries that it's almost impossible to do if it says "can't find Textures\blahblah.blp" but if you change the file format to mdl instead of mdx you may change so that it doesn't use a downloaded texture, but instead as example arthas' texture (Textures\Arthas) then you save. you may then convert it back to mdx and change it all you wich. Then when you are done do the whole prosses backwards make it mdl change the texture name back to the downloaded one and convert it to mdx. You should now have your own modified downloaded model.
This is just what I wanted to say cause I had a huge problem with this my self.

Thanks for this wonderful Utility btw.
/Conny
 
Level 2
Joined
Aug 14, 2007
Messages
28
Okay here's the REAL way to fix that C:warcraftIII\war3patch.mpq hkey_current_user\Blizzard entertainment\warcraft III\installpatch error.
I tired all previously said methods that did no good at all. Then tried taking all the sutff out of the "War3ModelEditor" folder and putting it into the main War3 folder. It now works with grey screen and all. I also loaded a model I just downloaded to test it and yeah nothing is wrong at all.
 
Level 23
Joined
Jan 25, 2008
Messages
7,799
Ok, I have loved this program for 6 months now and ONLY NOW do I run into a problem. I can't save or open mdl files. >< Which means i can't use the VertexModifier made by OikerWrinkle either. :/ They both have the same problem, so I was wondering if it was linked. Changing the file location doesn't do anything to help either. :(
 
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