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=     Grand Prix 4 GP4 filter v1.0              for ZModeler v1.06    =
=                                               (c) Oleg M. 2002      =
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Last Updated: 25.November.2002

==================================================
        CONTENTS
==================================================
        WHAT'S NEW
        GENERAL INFORMATION
        LEGAL
        FEATURES
        KNOWN BUGS
        REQUIRED TOOLS
        IMPORTING
        EXPORTING
        CONTACT INFORMATION

=========================
      WHAT'S NEW
=========================
- Objects position bug fixed


=========================
   GENERAL INFORMATION
=========================
GP4.zmf is a filter (plug-in) for ZModeler v1.06f and higher. Filter
allows you to open (import) and save (export) GP4 files that are
capatible with Grand Prix 4.

GP4 wasn't intended to support user add-on cars, thus, you can only 
replace stock cars.

Three versions of .gp4 files were found in the game: version 4, 5 and 7.
ZModeler can import all of them, but it exports only 7th version.

ZModeler is not a GP4 editor!


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         LEGAL
=========================
Replacing cars, modifying them or even extracting any files from
WAD files is initially illegal. You are the only resposible for
any consequence it might cause.

Reusing (converting into other games, selling etc.) of any stock
GP4 models (meshes/art) is law-breaking. You have been warned,
be resposible!

Converting any car into GP4 for farther releases requires prior
agreement of the author.

All exported files are initally locked to prevent them from been
imported and/or converted.



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        FEATURES
=========================
GP4 filter provides you the following features:

Importing GP4 files
  + meshes (breacked apart to sub-objects)
  + textures (should be previousely extracted from TEX files into
    according TGA file. For example: MCLAREN_1.TGA from MCLAREN_1.TEX)
  - untextured polygons (probably, not supported by the game)
  - colored materials (known bug)
Exporting scene in GP4 format
  + meshes 
  + generated shadow-mapping
  + files locking
  - multiple files export (not done yet)
  - scene consistance/validation

=========================
        KNOWN BUGS
=========================
  - untextured polygons (probably, not supported by the game) are 
    not exported
  - colored materials not recognized by the game and when importing.
  - game-specific objects like mirrors and disk_glow are exported 
    improperly. E.g. invalid image in mirror is the case.


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     REQUIRED TOOLS
=========================
You need some tools to unpack/pack WAD files and extract TGA files from
the TEX files. visit http://www.grandprixgames.org for more info.



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       IMPORTING
=========================
To import a GP4 file, you need it extracted from WAD file. In order
to import the mesh with textures, you need all required textures in
TGA format, extracted from corresponding TEX file.

To import GP4 file, start ZModeler, hit Import button or
press Ctrl-I, pick the file and click 'Open' in a dialog
box.

Locked GP4 files will be imprted as _blank_ files with an error 
message box displayed. YOU CAN'T IMPORT LOCKED FILE, SO YOU SHOULD
HAVE YOU WORK SAVED AS .Z3D FILE IN ORDER TO MODIFY IT FARTHER.



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       EXPORTING
=========================
GP4 filter allows you to export GP4 files that are capatible
with GrandPrix4. You have to ensure in several things before you 
try to export your car.
  The following things have to be verified:
1) object names
2) assigned materials and textures.

1. OBJECT NAMES

GP4 is VERY senisitive to object's names. import any stock car and
write down the names of the objects to the paper. It will help you
to export your car properly. Names are CASE-SENSITIVE.


2. MATERIAS AND TEXTURES

GP4 filter doesn't support untextured polygons. Thus you have to
ensure that all polygons are texture. Open up material editor and
make sure all USED materials have a primary texture assigned. If
you have some materials that are not used, i recommend to delete
them (according <Default Material>).

Make sure to pack all your TGA files into TEX files.


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   LOCKING FILES
=========================
In certain cases you might need to export .gp4 file without locking.
This is allowed by the filter. To export unlocked file, type it's
name in export dialog box with UPPERCASE extension. E.g. hit Export
and type: car_mclaren_car1_lod_0.GP4




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   CONTACT INFORMATION
=========================
URL: http://www.zmodeler.com
Comments, suggestions and feedback send to <funspeed@softhome.net>

This text file was written by Oleg M.
Source of GP4 stuff and tools: http://www.grandprixgames.org

Other questions concerned ZModeler can be asked on Zmodeler forum.
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                                Zanoza Modeler (c) Oleg M. 1999-2002
