[Aion] (Naduron) - How to mod Aion

[Naduron]

Found my old guide in my dusty HDD. ^^


Programs needed for Mod'ing Aion

Extract .Pak

To extract/convert the files you will need any of these below, with RTU so will you need to convert one file at the time while RPG Viewer can extract a whole map.
I'm using RTU tho, cause it's easy and fastest way to convert a single file.

RTU modify aion.pak
RTU modify aion.pak.rar

RPG Viewer AION
NOTICE

P.S You don't need to pack the files back to .pak after you have extracted them.
Just use any of the mods that has been uploaded on the Aion forum and use their .pak file (It's actuly a winrar file, just empty the winrar file and then throw your files inside and it's done for use.)

Painting .DDS files

Photoshop

Or any other painting software that can handle .DDS files.

NVIDIA Plug-ins for Adobe Photoshop
NVIDIA Texture Tools for Adobe Photoshop | NVIDIA Developer Zone

DDS Thumbnail Viewer
Legacy Texture Tools | NVIDIA Developer Zone

Working with 3ds Max

For the moment so can you convert .cry to any file, but you can't revert it back to .cry

3ds max DDS Plug-ins
Search | NVIDIA Developer Zone

Preview

You can use the link below to preview the mesh file.

3D Object Converter
3D Object Converter

Folders

Level folder = Map and minimap of that realm, also some other data about it.
L10N = Sound and UI
Sounds = Ignore it, it's not being used. Aion engine uses the L10N instead.
Textures = Global textures
Objects = Textures, meshes and animations of all monster, characters and buildings.

PC folder

df = Asmodian Female
dm = Asmdian Male
lf = Elyos Female
lm = Elyos Male
Wing = Do i need to?

Aion Files

.DDS
DDS file = The main texture, those areas with black/white are body colors.
(Sub files)
Illu = It add glow effect that doesn't change by the global light, even if it's very dark or bright, it will always have the same color.
sp = It add "glossy" (like metal) or just mat. The brighter, the more. (pvpseeker)
ddn = The "_ddn" files create some sort of bumpmap; they help shading the object / surface. (pvpseeker)
mask = with "_mask" define areas where the body color should be applied (or where it is located); red areas are affected by the skin color. And blue are not. (pvpseeker)
.Cry
Cry = Main mesh file
_lod1 = Line of Distance, they are the meshes that are being loaded at far away.
_lod2 = See lod1, but at maximum distance.

How does the _illu file work

Paint the color you want it to "glow".
Remember that this doesn't override the color, think it as you have a bright light inside the character and as you add red color so will the area shine more red color.
This color will never change, only to the global light ingame.
The brighter the global light is the harder it is to see it, go to a dark room to see it easier.

How does the _sp file work

This one can be hard to master cause you can use many different colors and they all adds different effect of gloss.
But i would just recommend using weak blue or yellow colors to start with, around 15-20% strenght.
Or add more if you want to, but you will be a shining ball.

blue = "metal" gloss
yellow = "wet/oily" gloss

How does the _ddn file work

Seen a Black/White bumpmap before?
It's the same thing but with Blue/Purple/Pink instead, so it's harder to understand then the normal Black/White.
The best thing to do is to google it or just leave the _ddn alone or upload it on the forum and ask someone to edit it for you.

Pink = top layer with good sun light

How does the _mask file work

Easy and simple:

Red = Adds body color
Blue = Removes Body color

Things to know before starting

1. = Textures are linked to the mesh files, for exempel; if you are going to switch pets for the SM and going to make a nude version of it so don't you need to touch the Texture files, only edit it for the nudity.

2. = Some objects may not have _sp or _illu, if they don't have it so can you just add the files.

Finding out what the mesh name is for a certain item.


1. Go to AionArmory - Aion Database and search for the item you want to modify.
2. On the item page click on the (3D Preview) button. This will bring up the Model Viewer (Beta) in-window popup.
3. Make sure you have the right drop menu choices selected (Asmodian/Elyos) + (Male/Female).
4. Right click on the 3D Armor piece. (Do not right click on the black background)
5. Select Away3D Project stats.
6. There is a bluish window that pops up in the top left of the window. Click and drag the window (By click'n'dragging the dark blue menu bar) to the center of your window.
7. Click on the gray cube button (Mesh Info).
8. It will now say something like.

- Obj , elements: 2290, url:
./assets/meshes/items/dfrb_u104_bodyc.obj


The file name in this case is dfrb_u104_bodyc

I hope this guide is helpful in some way to you.

(- medarrow)

How to make your own nude version

Find any Clothing you want to make a nude version of it.
If you ain't good at painting at all or just some mody parts, so can you copy them from other nude patches.
Just make sure that those areas that are going to be nude that they are only black/white colors, cause the body color will do all the painting afterwards.

When you are done with the painting so will you need to update the _mask file or it won't look pretty.
Paint those areas that are going to be nude with Red and those that are going to be clothing with Blue.

And then you are done, wasen't that hard right? ^^

How to add sexy gloss:

Simple, pick any _sp file and add around 25% more yellow color.

How to add Glowing Effect:

Pick any DDS you want to paint on, for exempel: xxxx_xxxx_leg
create a new layer and paint the color you want it to glow, this is the base color of the glow.

When you are done painting, copy the layer from xxxx_xxxx_leg and then open the xxxx_xxxx_leg_illum and paste the layer over it, illum is the key file to make it glow.
If you used a dark color, change it to something more brighter color to make it glow better or it won't glow at all if it's to dark.
I would recommend light blue or yellow for the perfect glow.

When you are done with the xxxx_xxxx_leg_illum, open the xxxx_xxxx_leg_mask and copy the layer from xxxx_xxxx_leg onto xxxx_xxxx_leg_mask.
You can make glow effect without the _mask, but i would recommend using it, cause the base colors you use on the xxxx_xxxx_leg will change due to the body color.

P.S When you are testing it, do it some where dark, it's harder to see it on areas with bright light.