WAX File Generator - Revision history

BenDansie: adding troubleshoot tips

2026-05-04T01:40:19Z

adding troubleshoot tips

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:40, 3 May 2026
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	<youtube>M1O69Lgtuwo</youtube>		<youtube>M1O69Lgtuwo</youtube>

			== '''Troubleshooting and General Notes:''' ==

			* If you have been changing a lot of the different parts, colours, options while the render preview is active - some of them might start to preview as solid black. Particularly when working with the Imperial Troopers. I haven't been able to nail down the cause, but the fix is simple. Turn the render preview off, then back on.
			* The officer logics from the base game play their 'recoil' and 'attack' animations in the reverse order to every other character set up. When using the custom logic template for a pistol/officer character, the ranged attack plays as intended. Custom logic is recommended anyway as it will allow custom voice samples if using a different head option, and for the melee at close range. Suggested basic logics are included in the main download. You should still be able to customise which key (or other item) they drop, with more options than the base game logics.
			* Much time has gone in making sure options in the script transition as smoothly as possible with masking out of heads, weapons, etc. However, there may be corner cases still where switching between an animation preset or a type of character (to and from Tusken for example) causes a weapon to double up or be muted. Re-selecting the character type or animation type should bring things back in line for the affected item, if needed.

	== '''Bonus for Blender users - How it works and how to tweak further:''' ==		== '''Bonus for Blender users - How it works and how to tweak further:''' ==

BenDansie: 2nd vid placement

2026-04-14T23:33:10Z

2nd vid placement

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:33, 14 April 2026
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	== '''Adding a custom character to the rig:''' ==		== '''Adding a custom character to the rig:''' ==
	So you might have noticed a Lando Calrissian model in the main download file, with a texture. I have made this model for the following tutorial, which shows you how to add a model and texture to the Blender file and create a .WAX from it!		So you might have noticed a Lando Calrissian model in the main download file, with a texture. I have made this model for the following tutorial, which shows you how to add a model and texture to the Blender file and create a .WAX from it!

			<youtube>M1O69Lgtuwo</youtube>

	== '''Bonus for Blender users - How it works and how to tweak further:''' ==		== '''Bonus for Blender users - How it works and how to tweak further:''' ==
	If you are already somewhat familiar with Blender, the basic idea of the bulk of the script is disabling and enabling objects from view (head options, weapons, etc) , changing numbered masking groups in a mask modifier (different jackets / haircuts etc) and changing certain numerical values like the value of a colour ramp node to change the colours of different components. Either through randomising or drop down selection lists.		If you are already somewhat familiar with Blender, the basic idea of the bulk of the script is disabling and enabling objects from view (head options, weapons, etc) , changing numbered masking groups in a mask modifier (different jackets / haircuts etc) and changing certain numerical values like the value of a colour ramp node to change the colours of different components. Either through randomising or drop down selection lists.

	~~<youtube>M1O69Lgtuwo</youtube>~~

	[[File:Afro mask.png\|frameless\|500x500px]]		[[File:Afro mask.png\|frameless\|500x500px]]

	This means, if you know a particular haircut you like such as the 'fro, you can turn on view-port overlays, select the hair object and set the mask to 17 in the regular Blender UI on the modifier tab. You can also navigate the outliner to enable or disable certain objects if you are familiar with how it works. This could be used to have a Tusken body and a Mandalorian helmet for example, if you wanted to mix and match further than the script allows.		This means, if you know a particular haircut you like such as the 'fro, you can turn on view-port overlays, select the hair object and set the mask to 17 in the regular Blender UI on the modifier tab. You can also navigate the outliner to enable or disable certain objects if you are familiar with how it works. This could be used to have a Tusken body and a Mandalorian helmet for example, if you wanted to mix and match further than the script allows.

BenDansie: Updating with the youtube tutorials

2026-04-14T23:31:20Z

Updating with the youtube tutorials

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:31, 14 April 2026
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	While everything you need has been documented on this wiki, many prefer to follow along the process in video tutorial form:		While everything you need has been documented on this wiki, many prefer to follow along the process in video tutorial form:

	<youtube>~~kvbzYAiFZLA~~</youtube>		<youtube>w9e2eC3PP7M</youtube>
	== '''Overview:''' ==		== '''Overview:''' ==
	[[File:CharacterCreator Main.png\|right\|frameless\|500x500px]]Enemies and other sprites in Dark Forces are in the WAX file format. Effectively they are a series of bitmap images, adhering to a set palette, with position data and ordered in to sequences - ie Walking Side Left, Ranged Attack Front, and so on. Editing these or creating a new one from scratch has generally been a very time consuming process. Especially with early tools available to the mod community. The goal of the Wax File Generator is to streamline that process with a purpose built collection of rigged 3D models, easy customisation options and templates for the various enemy types in the game, with added idle loop options for animated background characters.		[[File:CharacterCreator Main.png\|right\|frameless\|500x500px]]Enemies and other sprites in Dark Forces are in the WAX file format. Effectively they are a series of bitmap images, adhering to a set palette, with position data and ordered in to sequences - ie Walking Side Left, Ranged Attack Front, and so on. Editing these or creating a new one from scratch has generally been a very time consuming process. Especially with early tools available to the mod community. The goal of the Wax File Generator is to streamline that process with a purpose built collection of rigged 3D models, easy customisation options and templates for the various enemy types in the game, with added idle loop options for animated background characters.
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	== '''Bonus for Blender users - How it works and how to tweak further:''' ==		== '''Bonus for Blender users - How it works and how to tweak further:''' ==
	If you are already somewhat familiar with Blender, the basic idea of the bulk of the script is disabling and enabling objects from view (head options, weapons, etc) , changing numbered masking groups in a mask modifier (different jackets / haircuts etc) and changing certain numerical values like the value of a colour ramp node to change the colours of different components. Either through randomising or drop down selection lists.		If you are already somewhat familiar with Blender, the basic idea of the bulk of the script is disabling and enabling objects from view (head options, weapons, etc) , changing numbered masking groups in a mask modifier (different jackets / haircuts etc) and changing certain numerical values like the value of a colour ramp node to change the colours of different components. Either through randomising or drop down selection lists.

			<youtube>M1O69Lgtuwo</youtube>

	[[File:Afro mask.png\|frameless\|500x500px]]		[[File:Afro mask.png\|frameless\|500x500px]]

	This means, if you know a particular haircut you like such as the 'fro, you can turn on view-port overlays, select the hair object and set the mask to 17 in the regular Blender UI on the modifier tab. You can also navigate the outliner to enable or disable certain objects if you are familiar with how it works. This could be used to have a Tusken body and a Mandalorian helmet for example, if you wanted to mix and match further than the script allows.		This means, if you know a particular haircut you like such as the 'fro, you can turn on view-port overlays, select the hair object and set the mask to 17 in the regular Blender UI on the modifier tab. You can also navigate the outliner to enable or disable certain objects if you are familiar with how it works. This could be used to have a Tusken body and a Mandalorian helmet for example, if you wanted to mix and match further than the script allows.

BenDansie: link update, section added

2026-04-13T05:20:58Z

link update, section added

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:20, 12 April 2026
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	Note: Requires .NET 6.0 - Version 3.2 - June 2024 Release		Note: Requires .NET 6.0 - Version 3.2 - June 2024 Release

	3) The template files, available here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/~~v8i2rsd9dfw0jdfcu50wh~~/DarkForces_Wax_CharacterCreator.7z?rlkey=~~ayhxl2z4uly3a1svmylm0plpl~~&st=~~12ueyskv~~&dl=0 (7zip archive, ~~476mb~~)		3) The template files, available here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/7dq78mx8qmm40d23b8527/DarkForces_Wax_CharacterCreator.7z?rlkey=28rogcav035mx2jjhb17we442&st=541l7fzg&dl=0 (7zip archive, approx 470mb)


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	Civilian Armour Options control the shoulder pads, shin guards and so on for civilian characters. Imperial and other categories have their own specific armour such as Stormtroopers and their variants.		Civilian Armour Options control the shoulder pads, shin guards and so on for civilian characters. Imperial and other categories have their own specific armour such as Stormtroopers and their variants.

			Head scale options have been added for minor tweaking purposes if you wish to use them. This may have an affect on frame positioning in Wax Convertor.

	Finally in this panel we have options for creating Mandalorians with the '''RandoMando TM''' button and colour options, as well as Tusken Raiders. Tuskens will always adhere to the standard Dark Forces colour palette and there are only so many combinations, which is why no further colour tweaking options are implemented at this point.		Finally in this panel we have options for creating Mandalorians with the '''RandoMando TM''' button and colour options, as well as Tusken Raiders. Tuskens will always adhere to the standard Dark Forces colour palette and there are only so many combinations, which is why no further colour tweaking options are implemented at this point.
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	== '''Adding a custom character to the rig:''' ==		== '''Adding a custom character to the rig:''' ==
	So you might have noticed a Lando Calrissian model in the main download file, with a texture. I have made this model for the following tutorial, which shows you how to add a model and texture to the Blender file and create a .WAX from it!		So you might have noticed a Lando Calrissian model in the main download file, with a texture. I have made this model for the following tutorial, which shows you how to add a model and texture to the Blender file and create a .WAX from it!

			== '''Bonus for Blender users - How it works and how to tweak further:''' ==
			If you are already somewhat familiar with Blender, the basic idea of the bulk of the script is disabling and enabling objects from view (head options, weapons, etc) , changing numbered masking groups in a mask modifier (different jackets / haircuts etc) and changing certain numerical values like the value of a colour ramp node to change the colours of different components. Either through randomising or drop down selection lists.

			[[File:Afro mask.png\|frameless\|500x500px]]

			This means, if you know a particular haircut you like such as the 'fro, you can turn on view-port overlays, select the hair object and set the mask to 17 in the regular Blender UI on the modifier tab. You can also navigate the outliner to enable or disable certain objects if you are familiar with how it works. This could be used to have a Tusken body and a Mandalorian helmet for example, if you wanted to mix and match further than the script allows.

BenDansie: link to files added

2026-04-11T07:47:23Z

link to files added

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:47, 11 April 2026
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	Note: Requires .NET 6.0 - Version 3.2 - June 2024 Release		Note: Requires .NET 6.0 - Version 3.2 - June 2024 Release

	3) The template files, available here: ~~'''''~~(~~Insert link here when files complete~~)~~'''''~~		3) The template files, available here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/v8i2rsd9dfw0jdfcu50wh/DarkForces_Wax_CharacterCreator.7z?rlkey=ayhxl2z4uly3a1svmylm0plpl&st=12ueyskv&dl=0 (7zip archive, 476mb)

BenDansie: minor formatting up top

2026-04-11T05:48:24Z

minor formatting up top

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:48, 10 April 2026
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	While everything you need has been documented on this wiki, many prefer to follow along the process in video tutorial form:		While everything you need has been documented on this wiki, many prefer to follow along the process in video tutorial form:

	<youtube>kvbzYAiFZLA</youtube>~~[[File:CharacterCreator Main.png\|right\|frameless\|500x500px]]~~		<youtube>kvbzYAiFZLA</youtube>

	== '''Overview:''' ==		== '''Overview:''' ==
	Enemies and other sprites in Dark Forces are in the WAX file format. Effectively they are a series of bitmap images, adhering to a set palette, with position data and ordered in to sequences - ie Walking Side Left, Ranged Attack Front, and so on. Editing these or creating a new one from scratch has generally been a very time consuming process. Especially with early tools available to the mod community. The goal of the Wax File Generator is to streamline that process with a purpose built collection of rigged 3D models, easy customisation options and templates for the various enemy types in the game, with added idle loop options for animated background characters.		[[File:CharacterCreator Main.png\|right\|frameless\|500x500px]]Enemies and other sprites in Dark Forces are in the WAX file format. Effectively they are a series of bitmap images, adhering to a set palette, with position data and ordered in to sequences - ie Walking Side Left, Ranged Attack Front, and so on. Editing these or creating a new one from scratch has generally been a very time consuming process. Especially with early tools available to the mod community. The goal of the Wax File Generator is to streamline that process with a purpose built collection of rigged 3D models, easy customisation options and templates for the various enemy types in the game, with added idle loop options for animated background characters.

	While it is a Blender based tool, it has been created to be simple for users with no prior 3D knowledge required. All the core functionality is in a custom UI panel on the right hand side of the main 3D view-port. Switching enemy animations, randomising full outfits, selecting a specific alien species or Imperial armour type - it's all there.		While it is a Blender based tool, it has been created to be simple for users with no prior 3D knowledge required. All the core functionality is in a custom UI panel on the right hand side of the main 3D view-port. Switching enemy animations, randomising full outfits, selecting a specific alien species or Imperial armour type - it's all there.
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	1) Blender: https://www.blender.org/download/ - current version (4.4 at time of writing, multi platform)		1) Blender: https://www.blender.org/download/ - current version (4.4 at time of writing, multi platform)
	or if need be https://download.blender.org/release/ for any and all previous releases.		or if need be https://download.blender.org/release/ for any and all previous releases.
			Note: There is a syntax issue with changes in Blender 5, so the script won't run at this stage. Please use Blender 4.x

	2) WAX/FME Convertor (by Jereth Kok): https://df-21.net/downloads/utilities/waxconverter/waxconverter.zip (Windows specific)		2) WAX/FME Convertor (by Jereth Kok): https://df-21.net/downloads/utilities/waxconverter/waxconverter.zip (Windows specific)

BenDansie: everything there, just need updated videos

2026-04-11T05:44:42Z

everything there, just need updated videos

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-== '''Overview:''' ==
+== '''Video Tutorial:''' ==
-The tool is under development, as is the documentation. Here is a video update on the progress:
+While everything you need has been documented on this wiki, many prefer to follow along the process in video tutorial form:
-<youtube>kvbzYAiFZLA</youtube>
+<youtube>kvbzYAiFZLA</youtube>[[File:CharacterCreator Main.png|right|frameless|500x500px]]
-Please check back soon for more information.
+== '''Overview:''' ==
 Enemies and other sprites in Dark Forces are in the WAX file format. Effectively they are a series of bitmap images, adhering to a set palette, with position data and ordered in to sequences - ie Walking Side Left, Ranged Attack Front, and so on. Editing these or creating a new one from scratch has generally been a very time consuming process. Especially with early tools available to the mod community. The goal of the Wax File Generator is to streamline that process with a purpose built collection of rigged 3D models, easy customisation options and templates for the various enemy types in the game, with added idle loop options for animated background characters.
@@ Line 528: / Line 527: @@
 Next, load the palette you are using for your level if it is not the usual SECBASE.PAL, which you will need to do if you used any of the (EXTRA) colours like purple or teal in the provided X-GENERIC palette files. This is done in the top left with the Load PAL button.
-All that should be left to do is select 'Compress cells' and directly below it, 'Create WAX!'
+All that should be left to do is select 'Compress cells' and directly below it, 'Create WAX!' There will be a dialogue box asking about PAL options, check '''<nowiki/>'Use full-bright colours (1-23) - by alpha value'''<nowiki/>' for glowing elements (which are present in basically all WAX files. If you are not using the (EXTRA) colours and custom palette, check '<nowiki/>'''Only use common PAL colours'''<nowiki/>'. Then click ''''Proceed'''<nowiki/>'.
-Congrats - you have created a custom character for Dark Forces!
+When you are done, it is recommended to use something like https://jsonlint.com/ as a free service to verify your .json file, as a comma in the wrong spot and so on will break the process outright.
-== '''Using in game with custom logics:''' ==
+== '''Adding a custom character to the rig:''' ==
-Many options.
+So you might have noticed a Lando Calrissian model in the main download file, with a texture. I have made this model for the following tutorial, which shows you how to add a model and texture to the Blender file and create a .WAX from it!

BenDansie: bulk of it complete, need to add section on logics

2026-04-09T05:29:52Z

bulk of it complete, need to add section on logics

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:29, 8 April 2026
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	By default - you don't need to touch any of these, but they are there if needed.		By default - you don't need to touch any of these, but they are there if needed.

	~~NOTE -~~ '''Render Character Animation~~'''~~ will lock up the UI until the render is done. Using the normal render animation option in the Blender UI won't and you can view a progress bar per frame. It's only an ease of use option so you don't need to know any of Blender's native UI. Either way works, just know that Blender isn't broken while it's rendering.		<u>'''NOTE - Render Character Animation will lock up the UI until the render is done.'''</u> Using the normal render animation option in the Blender UI won't and you can view a progress bar per frame. It's only an ease of use option so you don't need to know any of Blender's native UI. Either way works, just know that Blender isn't broken while it's rendering.

	Render quality should be on 100 by default. More samples means less noise and higher render times. This can be set in the regular Blender UI, but I have included some easy presets. Rim light is on mid (50) by default and is purely an aesthetic choice to help certain characters stand out more against the background. Barrel Glow means a glowing point inside the weapon visible at all times, defaulted to off.		Render quality should be on 100 by default. More samples means less noise and higher render times. This can be set in the regular Blender UI, but I have included some easy presets. Rim light is on mid (50) by default and is purely an aesthetic choice to help certain characters stand out more against the background. Barrel Glow means a glowing point inside the weapon visible at all times, defaulted to off.
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	== '''Panel 3: Civilian / Mercenary Options:''' ==		== '''Panel 3: Civilian / Mercenary Options:''' ==
	It's the bulkiest panel of options, but hopefully it's pretty easy to understand. For working with aliens and humans that are not Imperial or Rebel. Random Clothes keeps the same colour scheme and changes the body meshes. Clothing Colours does the reverse - keeps the body meshes and randomises the clothing colours. Because there are quite a variety of colours in the extended palette (included in the download) and it is a true random, many of the colour combinations don't work too well. Options to specifically dial in the colours have been added.		It's the bulkiest panel of options, but hopefully it's pretty easy to understand. For working with aliens and humans that are not Imperial or Rebel. Random Clothes keeps the same colour scheme and changes the body meshes. Clothing Colours does the reverse - keeps the body meshes and randomises the clothing colours. Because there are quite a variety of colours in the extended palette (included in the download as X-GENERIC.PAL and .CMP, recommended) and it is a true random, many of the colour combinations don't work too well. Options to specifically dial in the colours have been added.

	[[File:Colour menu.png\|frameless\|438x438px]]		[[File:Colour menu.png\|frameless\|438x438px]]
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	== '''Panel 6: Droid Options:''' ==		== '''Panel 6: Droid Options:''' ==
	~~Many~~ options.		Hoping to add more options later on, but for now it's pretty straight forward. Three types of droid - '''HK Assassin, Protocol''' and '''KX Series''' - with relevant colour selection options. A word on the KX series though - you will probably want to scale them up in the WAX convertor file, which may or may not look out of place if you also give them a weapon.

	== '''IMPORTANT - Trimming frames in Photoshop / Gimp:''' ==		== '''IMPORTANT - Trimming frames in Photoshop / Gimp:''' ==
	If you skip this step, your character will be broken in .		'''<u>If you skip this step, your character will be broken in game.</u>''' Blender renders an image sequence with all frames the same dimensions. Which for rendering animations is what you would want and makes sense in general.

	== '''Wax Convertor Template:''' ==		Dark Forces doesn't have fancy ray based hit detection for sprites, so '''transparent pixels in a sprite count as a hit''' from weapons, walls and doors. Solution is to trim the frames a bit.
	~~Many options~~.
			Provided in the main download is a Photoshop action script. Run this on the rendered character frames in the Wax Convertor Template folder (ie, the right subfolder inside 'Render') and it will trim the excess pixels per frame.

			DFCharCreator.atn

			If you are using GIMP, there is an equivalent method. Naturally, it's a bit less straight forward.

			https://kamilburda.github.io/batcher/docs/installation/ - Batcher, batch script for GIMP similar to Photoshop with recorded actions.

			This is covered in the video tutorial at the top of the page. You will need to install Batcher, then run a batch to trim the pixels.

			You will probably notice some black alignment pixels have been left in. Wax Convertor (in the next step) will convert anything true black (0,0,0 RGB) to be transparent in game so this is ok. They are there to give a little padding as certain armour options are a touch wider than others and would otherwise need to be realigned most times you made a character. Avoiding that is one of the main goals of this process.

	Wax Convertor ~~Template:~~		After the batch trimming is complete in either Photoshop or Gimp (or your tool of choice to trim transparent pixels from top, left right), you can safely load the Wax Convertor file to continue with exporting in to a WAX file for use in the game.

			== '''Wax Convertor Template:''' ==
	Wax Convertor is the program that will take the sequence of png images rendered out of Blender, give them placement coordinates and assign images to sequences, and sequences inside actions. This should already be set up and ready to go for you! However, some background information on how it all works in case you need to make minor adjustments.		Wax Convertor is the program that will take the sequence of png images rendered out of Blender, give them placement coordinates and assign images to sequences, and sequences inside actions. This should already be set up and ready to go for you! However, some background information on how it all works in case you need to make minor adjustments.

			The process is covered in the video tutorial at the top of the page. Firstly you will need select Create - '''Build WAX manually''', which will load another UI for creating a WAX. Then, navigate to \Render\_TROOP_LH_Template to load for example, the left handed TROOP character you just rendered. Each template has different pixel offsets and in some cases, different frame ranges. Which is why having all these templates is important instead of just the one.

			The following lengthy chart is only for reference of how the frames and actions are generally laid out. You shouldn't need to worry about changing them!

	TROOP Replacement Template - Frame Ranges:		TROOP Replacement Template - Frame Ranges:
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	\|}		\|}
	(Note: If making animations to be compatible with the original game, avoid re-using individual frames.)		(Note: If making animations to be compatible with the original game, avoid re-using individual frames.)

			Most of the frame ranges on the different ground based options are the same as the above, with the actions being in the same order also. The main reason for the sheer amount of frames compared to the base game is that the characters now work in eight different view directions fully and also have animated idles rather than static frames.

			Once a project is loaded, click the '''Position frames''' button and give the character a quick once over. Some adjustments will be needed from time to time. Mostly if the character is taller like an Ithorian or Mon Calamari. The quick solution for this (don't save, unless saving as a copy!) is to use the % of height option and set to about 4% for all frames. Then check the Dead (Corpse) frame, which is usually frame 131 and tweak if needed.

			Leave the width ones alone unless individual ones need tweaking, '''<u>don't batch move them!</u>'''

			Next, load the palette you are using for your level if it is not the usual SECBASE.PAL, which you will need to do if you used any of the (EXTRA) colours like purple or teal in the provided X-GENERIC palette files. This is done in the top left with the Load PAL button.

			All that should be left to do is select 'Compress cells' and directly below it, 'Create WAX!'

			Congrats - you have created a custom character for Dark Forces!

	== '''Using in game with custom logics:''' ==		== '''Using in game with custom logics:''' ==
	Many options.		Many options.

BenDansie: up to panel 6 done

2026-04-09T05:00:06Z

up to panel 6 done

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:00, 8 April 2026
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	It's the bulkiest panel of options, but hopefully it's pretty easy to understand. For working with aliens and humans that are not Imperial or Rebel. Random Clothes keeps the same colour scheme and changes the body meshes. Clothing Colours does the reverse - keeps the body meshes and randomises the clothing colours. Because there are quite a variety of colours in the extended palette (included in the download) and it is a true random, many of the colour combinations don't work too well. Options to specifically dial in the colours have been added.		It's the bulkiest panel of options, but hopefully it's pretty easy to understand. For working with aliens and humans that are not Imperial or Rebel. Random Clothes keeps the same colour scheme and changes the body meshes. Clothing Colours does the reverse - keeps the body meshes and randomises the clothing colours. Because there are quite a variety of colours in the extended palette (included in the download) and it is a true random, many of the colour combinations don't work too well. Options to specifically dial in the colours have been added.

	[[~~?title=~~File:~~Colour_menu~~.png~~\|alt=Drop down menu of colours.~~\|frameless\|~~500x500px~~]]		[[File:Colour menu.png\|frameless\|438x438px]]

	Any options where 'Col1, Col2, etc' are provided, a drop down menu will appear with a list of 20 colours.		Any options where 'Col1, Col2, etc' are provided, a drop down menu will appear with a list of 20 colours. The later options are marked (Extra) because they use the extended palette. As in the base game of Dark Forces doesn't have purple in most levels by default. The other colours (White through Dark Blue) will work in effectively any level palette as they are only using the common colours that all levels of the base game use and the vast majority of custom missions.

			The options for '''Solid Torso Colour''' or '''Solid Legs Colour''' will change all colour slots on the Torso and Legs respectively.

			Cloth and Belt Width options are more for troubleshooting corner cases with robe style cloth on the Legs. Use as needed if you see intersection issues on the legs, which should be minimal.

			Civilian Armour Options control the shoulder pads, shin guards and so on for civilian characters. Imperial and other categories have their own specific armour such as Stormtroopers and their variants.

			Finally in this panel we have options for creating Mandalorians with the '''RandoMando TM''' button and colour options, as well as Tusken Raiders. Tuskens will always adhere to the standard Dark Forces colour palette and there are only so many combinations, which is why no further colour tweaking options are implemented at this point.

			Female variations are planned further down the track, but not yet included.

	== '''Panel 4: Imperial Options:''' ==		== '''Panel 4: Imperial Options:''' ==
	~~Many~~ options.		Given that Imperial troopers and personnel are very distinct and a very important part of a game where you fight the Empire... they get their own section. The base game obviously has Stormtroopers and other Imperials already. Now you can give them different weapons, adjust their rank, damage the armour and generally change things up. We have all seen enough of the standard trooper right? Selecting (or randomising) an Imperial gives you options for the following.

	Current Imperial Personnel Options:		Current Imperial Personnel Options:
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	\|		\|
	\|}		\|}
	~~Female variations are planned~~, ~~but~~ not ~~yet included~~.		Base colour in some cases randomises the amount of grime and wear more than the colour options themselves. Some units like the Officer have a few different colour combinations that should line up to Star Wars lore and this will cycle between them. ISB officer white tunic, olive green (though more saturated than the films) and so on. Trim colour allows for some amount of colour to appear on (most) uniforms, similar to the colouring of the Clone Troopers in the prequels. This trim can be selected, randomised or turned off completely. Could be used for highlighting trooper disciplines like Mortar, different squads of troops guarding the Red or Blue key area or to help illustrate some specific story points.

			For units like the Commando that have a shoulder pauldron, this can have a colour selected, the pauldron can be hidden, or reselecting a colour will turn the pauldron back on. This does not apply to all Imperial units.

	== '''Panel 5: Rebel Options:''' ==		== '''Panel 5: Rebel Options:''' ==
	~~Many~~ options.		Why would you need Rebel Alliance Wax files you might ask?

			A few reasons, considering the new options now available to mod makers in The Force Engine. Firstly, you can now have teams for the different Wax logics. This means dynamic battles are now possible similar to the demon in-fighting seen in DOOM. Except you have options that a certain team will always be on the player's side, always against any side that isn't their team number, etc.

			Secondly, if you wanted to have a Rebel controlled area - say the start or end of the mission story wise, these characters can be given idle or non combat animations to detail up a cantina, city or Rebel Base. At any rate, the options are clearly labelled for the six main options. Backpacks can be toggled on or off for the relevant troops in case you want to give one of them a jet pack animation set. Random alien head simply duplicates the options in the earlier panel, it's in this panel for ease of use and to remind mod makers that works. You can also have aliens as Imperial units too! The main colour options are for the '''Rebel Pilot Jumpsuit''' as the colours on other options are pretty set. This also works with the various heads for civilian / mercenary / NPC pilots as the jumpsuit is fairly common in the Star Wars galaxy.

	== '''Panel 6: Droid Options:''' ==		== '''Panel 6: Droid Options:''' ==

BenDansie: image formatting and updates

2026-04-09T02:29:55Z

image formatting and updates

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:29, 8 April 2026
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	== '''Overview:''' ==		== '''Overview:''' ==
	~~The tool is under development, as is the documentation. Here is a video update on the progress:[[File:ScriptScreenshot 03.png\|none\|thumb\|352x352px]]<youtube>kvbzYAiFZLA</youtube>~~

	~~Please check back soon for more information.~~

			The tool is under development, as is the documentation. Here is a video update on the progress:

			<youtube>kvbzYAiFZLA</youtube>

			Please check back soon for more information.
			[[File:CharacterCreator Main.png\|right\|frameless\|500x500px]]
	Enemies and other sprites in Dark Forces are in the WAX file format. Effectively they are a series of bitmap images, adhering to a set palette, with position data and ordered in to sequences - ie Walking Side Left, Ranged Attack Front, and so on. Editing these or creating a new one from scratch has generally been a very time consuming process. Especially with early tools available to the mod community. The goal of the Wax File Generator is to streamline that process with a purpose built collection of rigged 3D models, easy customisation options and templates for the various enemy types in the game, with added idle loop options for animated background characters.		Enemies and other sprites in Dark Forces are in the WAX file format. Effectively they are a series of bitmap images, adhering to a set palette, with position data and ordered in to sequences - ie Walking Side Left, Ranged Attack Front, and so on. Editing these or creating a new one from scratch has generally been a very time consuming process. Especially with early tools available to the mod community. The goal of the Wax File Generator is to streamline that process with a purpose built collection of rigged 3D models, easy customisation options and templates for the various enemy types in the game, with added idle loop options for animated background characters.

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	First things first, install Blender on your machine. This can be as simple as downloading the .zip option and extracting to a folder on your desktop if you don't intend to use Blender often. Once that is done, there are two settings to check in the preferences to make the process smoother.		First things first, install Blender on your machine. This can be as simple as downloading the .zip option and extracting to a folder on your desktop if you don't intend to use Blender often. Once that is done, there are two settings to check in the preferences to make the process smoother.

	[[File:Blender settings 01.png\|frameless]]		[[File:Blender settings 01.png\|frameless\|500x500px]]

	Go to 'Edit - Preferences' from the top menu bar. Select 'System' on the left, then choose a Cycles Render Device up the top if available. Cycles will run fine on a CPU only, but it's significantly faster if one of these options are available.		Go to 'Edit - Preferences' from the top menu bar. Select 'System' on the left, then choose a Cycles Render Device up the top if available. Cycles will run fine on a CPU only, but it's significantly faster if one of these options are available.

	[[File:Blender settings 02.png\|frameless]]		[[File:Blender settings 02.png\|frameless\|500x500px]]

	Select 'Save & Load' on the left, then check 'Auto Run Python Scripts'. If not selected, you will need to run the rig ui script and character ui script each time you load the Blender file.		Select 'Save & Load' on the left, then check 'Auto Run Python Scripts'. If not selected, you will need to run the rig ui script and character ui script each time you load the Blender file.
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	Render quality should be on 100 by default. More samples means less noise and higher render times. This can be set in the regular Blender UI, but I have included some easy presets. Rim light is on mid (50) by default and is purely an aesthetic choice to help certain characters stand out more against the background. Barrel Glow means a glowing point inside the weapon visible at all times, defaulted to off.		Render quality should be on 100 by default. More samples means less noise and higher render times. This can be set in the regular Blender UI, but I have included some easy presets. Rim light is on mid (50) by default and is purely an aesthetic choice to help certain characters stand out more against the background. Barrel Glow means a glowing point inside the weapon visible at all times, defaulted to off.

			Also, in order to see any of the colour changes on the meshes, you will need to turn viewport rendering on, which is the fourth of four spheres in the top right of the viewport, just above the script.

			[[File:Colour render.png\|frameless\|500x500px]]

	== '''Panel 3: Civilian / Mercenary Options:''' ==		== '''Panel 3: Civilian / Mercenary Options:''' ==
	It's the bulkiest panel of options, but hopefully it's pretty easy to understand. For working with aliens and humans that are not Imperial or Rebel. Random Clothes keeps the same colour scheme and changes the body meshes. Clothing Colours does the reverse - keeps the body meshes and randomises the clothing colours. Because there are quite a variety of colours in the extended palette (included in the download) and it is a true random, many of the colour combinations don't work too well. Options to specifically dial in the colours have been added.		It's the bulkiest panel of options, but hopefully it's pretty easy to understand. For working with aliens and humans that are not Imperial or Rebel. Random Clothes keeps the same colour scheme and changes the body meshes. Clothing Colours does the reverse - keeps the body meshes and randomises the clothing colours. Because there are quite a variety of colours in the extended palette (included in the download) and it is a true random, many of the colour combinations don't work too well. Options to specifically dial in the colours have been added.
	[[File:~~Colour menu~~.png\|alt=Drop down menu of colours.\|~~none~~\|~~thumb~~]]
	Any options where 'Col1, Col2, etc' are provided, a drop down menu will appear with a list of 20 colours.		[[?title=File:Colour_menu.png\|alt=Drop down menu of colours.\|frameless\|500x500px]]

			Any options where 'Col1, Col2, etc' are provided, a drop down menu will appear with a list of 20 colours.

	== '''Panel 4: Imperial Options:''' ==		== '''Panel 4: Imperial Options:''' ==