Blizzard MDX Import/Exporter

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With the WarCraft III World Editor, Blizzard Entertainment has provided the community around its games an excellent means of creating additional maps, campaigns and new gaming experiences to share with other users. The use of standard formats such as text files and slk spreadsheets has greatly magnified the ease in which the community can edit things that they cannot accomplish with the World Editor alone.
This is not and has never been in debate.

However, Blizzard Entertainments MDX polygon model format, a compressed format that contains within it an ASCII model format under the file extension MDL, is still to this day unable to be easily edited by the community without extensive work. Several attempts by members of the community to develop tools and parsers that would allow for direct model import and export through Discreets 3D Studio MAX and tools such as Milkshape 3D have met with limited success.

In any modification or expansion project graphics-before gameplay or storyline-are first and foremost the part that attracts players and impresses them prior to release. In order to create additional jaw-dropping graphics for these community projects, it is a requirement that the developers behind maps and expansions to Blizzard Entertainments games be capable of creating additional models in MDX/MDL format, the format recognized by the WarCraft III graphics engine.

Any previous contact with modelers or other artists from Blizzard Entertainment has suggested to us that Discreets 3D Studio MAX was utilized for the creation of unit and building models for WarCraft III: The Reign of Chaos and WarCraft III: The Frozen Throne.

We, the Undersigned, feel that in keeping with Blizzard Entertainments promise and commitment to the growth of an editing community around its games, is obligated to freely release and distribute the tools necessary to create MDX models from within standard 3D modeling applications, preferably Discreets 3D Studio MAX.
We are willing to accept a plug-in, script, or standalone conversion application, provided the tool provided is not limited in any way, able to convert animations, geometry, particle emitters, cameras, and lights as normally exist within MDX models included with the retail game. We expect no more support in the use of these tools from Blizzard Entertainment than that which was provided for the WarCraft III World Editor, as ours is a community of many helpful and intelligent individuals.

1754 Signatures

  • Ron DeFreitas
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Mike Schwartz
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • xttocs
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Robert Shultz (aka Electromancer)
    • Comments
    • It seems that this is the only thing currently not doable in TFT. This would be an awesome feature for the game.
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Jared
    • Comments
    • Blizzard, for months I have been trying to be able to edit the models in warcraft iii. The current process is very clumsy and time consuming and me and the rest of the huge modding community would love to see some support from you to help us make your game, A GAME THAT LASTS.
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • kyle walker
    • Comments
    • With the success of many other companies supporting modding communities in this way I believe Blizzard would be well served to help out.
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Ilias Karim
    • Comments
    • Yea!
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Drycopas
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • RIIC
    • Comments
    • Heh, here's to hoping
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Alex Wang
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Emanuel Egerickx
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Liam Barney
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • David Ricchiazzi
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • ELfeNOiR
    • Comments
    • I want to create model but I'm too noob !!! =(
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Chris Schnefke
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Mike Jacobs
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Lord_Deathwing
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Dizzy Lyons
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Kenneth Ma
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Blake
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Alpha
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Lucas Shashek
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Vuen
    • Comments
    • MDX conversion tools released to the community would allow for literally endless possibilities of new maps, campaigns, and mods for Warcraft III.
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • David Reid
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Iron_Ian
    • Comments
    • There are many talented modelers in the Warcraft 3 editing community. Though they are limited by not having the proper tools and plugins to do this. It would really be awesome if more people could create models with a less painstaking process.
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Josh Hurst
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Steve T
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Kiloz1
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Mitchell Way (Aerolus the Swift)
    • Comments
    • I "n-th" that notion fully!!
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Jean Bherer Simard
    • Comments
    • Easier for us if they put it in because the tools already exits.
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Edward F, Van Loon
    • Comments
    • This would be an exciting tool for the modding community
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Sean
    • Comments
    • : )
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Deathblood
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Francis Sferrazza
    • Comments
    • Blizz has always been supportive of us Modders. Hear our pleas for help and extend the lifespan of WCIII! Grant us the power to explore every facet of this wonderful game!
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Brett Fuoco
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Andy
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Simon
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Jason Schwendinger
    • Comments
    • It would greatly influence how many extras I can add to a WC3 Project.
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Joey Taylor
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Ryan
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Andrew Hansen
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Jonathan Thomas
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Eric Oliver
    • Comments
    • Please, think of the children!
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Advanced
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Heero Yuy
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Vlad
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • SpectreReturns
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Kyle Wyss
    • Comments
    • wheres the "support"?
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • David
    • Comments
    • Blizzard this mod will help out alot
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No
  • Julian
    • Comments
    • Blizzard has always made good products, adding this type of support would be icing on the cake
    • I use the WarCraft III World Editor
    • No
    • I plan to create new models for WarCraft III
    • No