VRS v1.0 - COMBINING MODELS

I will start this tutorial by saying that it's a very technical process. If you are unfamiliar with Modding or VRS, this is not the first project you want to tackle. If, however, you feel that you are Godly in your Modding powers then please enjoy my sacrifice unto thee.
Combining Models gives you a whole new range of projects dealing with FFXI Modding. You can do what everyone wants an get that ultra-rare NPC armor you've always wanted. You can do like few have and impale a [insert favorite MOB here] on your [insert Weapon of choice here]. Or, you can do like me and give your old pal Grumpy Rarab a friend to play with. Whatever you choose, the process is usually time consuming and the outcome hilarious. Drum roll prz!

Can you guess what the first step is? If not, once again, you might be in the wrong place. Contact [GM]Dave for further assistance.
Let's start this one out by Zooming way out on our Work Space. Most of your detail work is going to be done in the Structural Drawing window anyway.
You've already loaded your Original Model that you want to add on to. Now let's load the new addition.
You need to load both the Model and Skeleton file so you don't end up with a pile of crap underneath your Original.
After the new Model finally loads, check out your Structural Drawing window.
Your Original Model should be on the left side with your new addition being attached to the right. This is when you want to start paying attention.
Select the New Model file in the Structural Window.
This will allow us two things. The first, to verify in the Spacial Figure window that the New Model is highlited. Second, to move this new intrusion a little bit away from the Original so it can easily be externally manipulated.
Now that you have the New Model selected, you need to pull up the Coordinate Tool Box.
I moved mine only a little, but you can push yours off the end of the Earth if you want.
Ok, time to regain some interest here. Make sure once again that your New Model is selected.
Now copy the New Model in the Structural Drawing Window.
Move over to your Original Model...
...and Select the Origianl Model file.
Paste the New Model onto the Original. When done, your Structural Drawing should look like this :
What you've just done is copied the New Models Polygons, Materials, and Textures over to the new one.
Now go back to the New model area in your Structural Drawing.
See that top, or "Parent", box. Highlite it and hit Delete.
You will end up with a much smaller and less confusing lookingStructural Drawing.
Now it's time to do some Spatial Figure work.
Single Select only the New model.
Then, using the Vertex option in the Object Tool Box, multi select the entire New Model. I recommend that you have "Rear Indication' turned on at this time, so you don't have to Rotate all around the Model to make sure you have every Vertex.
Now get ready to set some Skeletal Weights. I suggest just picking one Vertex to weigh on from your Original, but if you want something more hi-tech, it's your time. BTW, if you're lost, this is not the Skeletal Weight Tutorial.
I just set all mine to focus on 1 point. Give G.R.'s buddy a cool hover effect.
After making damn sure I set a weight to every Skeletal Point of my New Model, I'm ready to save the whole thing.
Back to the Structural Drawing window, where you're going to select the Original Model's file.
At this point, some people like to change the filenames to match the Original. This will in effect, truly combine the Models into one workable Model file. However, if you leave them as is and Export, you will find that having the .DAT internally broken down into several smaller workable Model and Texture files makes for a much quicker and easier project.
When you're ready to do some waiting, Export your Model.
Then, you can load up Model Viewer, Export from there, and fix up your New shiznit. Maybe come up with something as cool as this :
But I doubt it.

Š2006 Grumpy Rarab Ltd.