How to open the mdl files?

[NoKillsException]

I would like to open and edit them in Blender, but the old Train-Fever Plugin doesn't work for me. Also, it seems that there is no updated version of the plugin for TpF or am i missing something?

[killakanz]

.mdl file is a lua code file, not the 3D model. It opens in any text editor and defines which meshes the object uses, it's animations, what it does, what it costs, what era it appears etc etc.

The actual 3D files the game uses are .msh.blob files. At the moment there is no way for us to convert them to a format that 3D editing software can open. The train fever plugin is for converting a model to .msh.blob, but doesn't work the other way round.

This is why no vanilla vehicle has been modded cosmetically yet, beyond a retexturing.

[NoKillsException]

Oh my god. thank you. I already coded .con and normal lua-files and didn't realise that this was just a normal lua-code as well.

[mediziner]

Originally posted by killakanz:

At the moment there is no way for us to convert them to a format that 3D editing software can open. The train fever plugin is for converting a model to .msh.blob, but doesn't work the other way round.

This is why no vanilla vehicle has been modded cosmetically yet, beyond a retexturing.

Sorry, but both statements are wrong. Its quite easy to convert msh/msh.blob back to obj using the Converter of BR146: https://www.transportfever.net/filebase/index.php/Entry/177-Train-Fever-Converter-BR146/

Open existing models in Blender using Merks Blender Addon also works with some additional work: The public released blender addon does not support new material files yet. But you can still open these files by removing/replacing material files.

And there are also modifications of original files around. Just have a look at the BR 103 locomotives for example.

[Meneer Kaktus]

I know this post is almost a year old, but maybe this helps someone.

@killakanz is right, you can not open .mdl files. As said, mdl files are lua code files, not 3D models. However, to find the model, you will need to just open the .mdl file with a text-editor and find the path to the mesh inside. From there you can convert the files to a openable file like @medinizer said.

[Steve Emfore]

Originally posted by killakanz:

This is why no vanilla vehicle has been modded cosmetically yet, beyond a retexturing.

Yet again, a year old post, bust for modders wondering if you can alter vanilla vehicles into other models, this is incredibly possible.

[Jones]

And here's the updated version of the script for Blender https://www.transportfever.net/index.php/Thread/7876-Blender-Import-Export-Addon-aktuell-Version-0-5-3-Alphatest/

You can import the mdl file with Blender which then will open the 3d model, lods and groups. This way, the model will have all the information from the imported vehicle, costs, animations etc.

[Meneer Kaktus]

@SteveM4 I do not get why people want to mod the default vehicles, except for price and capacity. The default models are fine, and there are way better models you can download from the workshop. Many double-decker stock from the workshop are altered versions of the vanilla coach, so it has already been done.
@Oniunjack I wasn't aware of that one, that's pretty amazing!

[Steve Emfore]

All of my mods are from vanilla vehicles... just sayin'

[killakanz]

Things have come a long way in a year...

[DustyShinigami]

Sorry to bump an old thread, but I have an MDL mesh I'm trying to open and convert to either an OBJ or FBX. I'm struggling to work out how to install the convertor in Blender or where to go after they've been installed. I've opened a couple of the MDL files in Notepad, but I've no idea what I'm supposed to do with the directory for the model in there. Can anyone help? Thanks.