Changing the texture in a MDL file (NPC, Enemy, Animated Object etc) info

[HwitVlf]

This is information on how to change the internal texture in an MDL file. MDL files are used for animated parts such as spells, enemies, NPCs, and some Objects.

Download Tim Viewer (TV) from here:
https://rveach.romhack.org/TIMViewer/TIMViewer104b.rar

Copy any MDL file into a separate working folder.

EXTRACTING THE TEXTURE:
In Tim Viewer go to 'File> Scan Raw file' and browse to the MDL file.

A number '1' should appear in TV's window; double click on the '1' (see black arrow below) and you'll see the texture.

Go to 'File> Save Multiple Files' and type '1' in the dialogue box that pops up (red arrow below). TV will then generate two files where the MDL is: 'timextracts.txt' and '1.tim'.




CONVERTING THE TEXTRUE (TIM) TO A BITMAP:
In TV go to 'Convert> TIM to BMP' and browse to the where the MDL is and hit OK. TV will then convert '1.tim' to '1.bmp'.

Edit 1.bmp as you like but don't change its size and make sure the new texture bmp ends up usings 16 or 24 bit color.


COVERTING THE EDITED TEXTURE BACK INTO A TIM:
When you're finished editing, replace '1.bmp' with the new texture bmp and in TV go to 'Convert> BMP to TIM' and browse to the where the MDL is and hit OK.

CONVERTING THE 24BIT TIM TO 16BIT IF NEEDED:
If your new texture uses 24bit color go to 'File > Open TIM' and open '1.tim'. Then go to 'Convert' and select '24bpp>>16bpp'. Then go to 'File > Save TIM File' and save over 1.TIM

REINSERTING THE NEW TEXTURE INTO THE MDL:
In TV go to 'File>Insert TIM File(s)' and select 'timextracts.txt'.

Overwrite the original MDL file with your new MDL. You're done!