Beware Of Corrupted Model Files!

[Wolverabid]

During the model creation and development process certain model files may become corrupt. These rare types of models: Do not display or function properly in Warcraft III itself; can inflict temporary changes upon the World Editor shell; may completely destroy maps into which they are imported! BEWARE! Model files become corrupted for these reasons: GeosetAnims that do not point to a geoset (ie no 'GeosetId' line). Dodgy extents -- negative maxes and positive mins (beware when editing the Marine and Tauren). Team-colored particles (when not modified from an existing emitter). Animations which last 0 seconds. Lights when attached to root bone (only sometimes). Certain texture animations (if not done properly). Polycount (if higher than 100000). Faulty Ribbon Emitters. All Warcraft III mapmakers are strongly encouraged to: Download only reliable, fully tested models from sites like The Hive Workshop. Carefully test each downloaded model before using it. Backup important maps (save using a different filename) BEFORE importing any new .mdx file. Maps damaged by corrupted models may be repaired using this procedure: Obtain and install MPQ editing software. MPQ master v1.2.0 MPQ2K 1.020 Open the MPQ editor and select: Open File. Set the file type selector to All File Types. Browse to the folder that contains the damaged map and open it. Remember to open the correct .w3m or .w3x map, NOT a .mpq file. View the map's list file which displays all imported resources. Note: Occasionally, especially during protection / optimization, files are renamed so they are not recognizable. In this case, you should make quite a few backups, and perform trial & error tests until you get the right one. Delete each and every .mdx file (and any associated .blp texture files) which are suspected of being corrupt. Exit the MPQ editing software; no need to save the map: once the unstable files have been deleted, the map's MPQ archive will be restored. Test the map in Blizzard's World Editor and in Warcraft III.

 

[Rao Dao Zao]

1. GeosetAnims that do not point to a geoset (ie no 'GeosetId' line).
2. Dodgy extents -- negative maxes and positive mins (beware when editing the Marine and Tauren).
3. Team-coloured particles (when not modified from an existing emitter?).