Creating a custom placeable from a model tutorial

This tutorial describes how to create a custom Placeable based on a Model that is already active in your toolset. This process should work with any model, whether custom or packaged with the game. It is assumed that the reader is familiar with the Toolset.

Set-up your 2DA file

The Placeables.xls file contains the placeable_types xls sheet that you will need to edit. The 2DA page describes the process of creating the 2da file that you will need.

Create your GDA file using Excel Processor and put it in Dragon Age/packages/core/override.

Tip: Excel Processor will generate a GDA file for every tab (xls sheet) within the 2da/m2da. You do not need all of these. Only keep the one that you edited (in this case it would be placeable_types) and place that one in the override folder.

Extract model files

Use DATool by Adinos ([[1]]) to extract the DDS, MAO, PHY, MMH, and MSH files for the model you want to make into a placeable. Put them some place easy to access so you can work on them.

Change the names of your MAO, MMH, and PHY files

Change the names of your MAO, MMH, and PHY files so that they start with plc_ instead of prp_. The new name must have the same number of letters as the old name.

Edit your MAO file

Open the MAO file using a text editor like Notepad.

• In <MaterialObject Name="filename"> change filename to the new name of the MAO file.
• In <Material Name="static.mat"> replace static.mat with Prop.mat.
• Delete the line that starts with <Texture Name="mml_tLightmap
• Delete the line that starts with <SoundType Name=
• Add a line that says <Texture Name="mml_tTintMask" ResName="Default_White.dds"></Texture>
• Save and close the MAO file.

Edit your MMH and PHY files

Launch the Toolset.

Open the new MMH file. Change MMH_NAME to match your new MMH file name. Save and close the MMH file.

Open your new PHY file.

• Change MMH_NAME to the name of your new MMH file.
• Change MMH_NODE_COLLISION_OBJ_TYPE from 2 to 1.
• Change MMH_SHAPE_COLLISION_MASK_PLACEABLES from 0 to 1.
• Change MMH_SHAPE_COLLISION_MASK_STATIC_GEOMETRY from 1 to 0.
• Save and close the PHY file.

Close your toolset.

Put files in override folder

Put your new MAO, MMH, and PHY files in Dragon Age/Packages/Core/Override.

Create your custom placeable

You can now create a new placeable in the toolset using your model. The process of creating a new placeable is described in the Placeable page.