About the Gamecube

[Skyye13]

Hey guys!
I looked around this section for a turorial on ripping Gamecube models, and found none... could someone present a tutorial on Gamecube ripping? I have several Gamecube games I'd like to rip from, but I'm not sure how

If someone could tell me how, I'd gladly share my models here for everybody

Thanks!

[Lexou Duck]

it depends on the games, different games have different model filetypes

for most nintendo games though i'd recommend you follow this tutorial

What You Will Need:

GameCube/Wii ISO
Dolphin Emulator (Download)
SZS Tools (Download)

Probably the best Gamecube and Wii emulator available besides maybe private ones by Nintendo. As a side feature, it extracts files from Wii and Gamecube ISO's. Just set your ISO directory by going to Options->Configure, clicking the paths tab, and then click add to select a directory. When that's set up, right click a game in Dolphin's main window click properties, go to the filesystem tab.

The location of the level/character model you are searching for may vary from game to game.

Mario Kart Double Dash, Super Mario Sunshine, & Both Zelda games have their level/object models contained the level's data. For example, if you wished to obtain the Pianta Model from The Daisy Cruiser, then you'd extract the level data for the Diasy Cruiser and locate the model inside.

Super Mario Galaxy & Super Mario Galaxy 2 are a different story however. They have a file named "ObjectData" within the ISO. This contains every model, for each object, planet, and characters found in game.

For each game listed, the models are usually stored within files that end with these extensions:

.yaz0, .rarc, .arc, & .szs.

If the file ends in a .rarc, then drag it directly into the RarcDump.exe incuded with the SZS Tools.

If it ends with a .yaz0, .rarc, or a .szs, then drag it first into yaz0dec.exe, then a new file will be produced, which you will then drag into RarcDump.exe.

The result will be a Folder named after the file you dragged into RarcDump.exe, which will contain either BMD or BDL Model.
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From here there are two methods to actually obtain the model in a editable format. One is harder and preserves vertex colour, and the other is easier but with no vertex colour.

Method 1 (Easy)

Things you'll need:

*BMD Viewer 2 (Download)
*A 3D Editing software (Like Sketchup, Blender, 3DS Max, ECT)

Drag the BMD/BDL into the BMD Viewer 2. Select the "Export" option for the "File" tab. Export the Model as 3DS, then import it into your 3D Editing software.

Method 2 (Hard)

Thing you'll need:

*3DS Max Trial (Or Full Version) (Download)
*BMD 3DS Plugin (Download)
*BDL2BMD.exe (Download)
*AutoDesk FBX Converter (Download)
*BrawlBox (Download)


If you're using a BDL Model, then read the following paragraph. If you are using a BMD Model, then please skip to the next Paragraph. Rename you BDL model "In.bdl". Place it in that same folder as bdl2bmd.exe. Run bdl2bmd.exe. Locate "Out.bmd", and that is your BDL Model converted to BMD

After you add the plugin to 3DS Max, import your BMD file. The only way to preserve the vertex colours would be to export and import as .fbx, and imported into BrawlBox. To do so, first export themodel as FBX from 3DS Max. Use the AutoDesk FBX Converter to convert the FBX to DAE, where you will then import it into BrawlBox and save it as a BRRES.

[Skyye13]

Wow, thanks, Duck!!!! You rock buddy! *Gives you a big hug, and then clicks "thank"* This will help a lot, I'll try some model ripping later this weekend
Are all gamecube games generally the same formats in terms of models and such? I've noticed some games store stuff in compressed containers, with all kinds of funky names... for example, Crash Nitro Kart for gamecube stores its character models in a .gfc file. Another game, the one I really want to rip from (Custom Robo) Stores its models in .BIN files. Any ideas on this stuff? Thanks again for your help

[Silus]

Can this method also be used to rip the bones from the model/mesh to make a rigid body?