Custom Track Tutorial

Introduction

This page contains a brief overview of custom track files, a listing of the programs used to create Custom Tracks, and links to in-depth tutorials.

If you have any questions, you may post them on the Talk page or in the custom track thread at mariokartwii.com.

Overview of a Custom Track File

File:Soliditykh.png

A view of SZS Explorer showing SZS file structure.

The main files you will need be concerned with are the following:

• SZS

Your custom track will have a name like MyTrack.szs. SZS is an archive format used by Nintendo, similar to a zip file. It contains all files needed by a track, including:

• • course.kmp

This is file controls the placement of all objects in a level, including item boxes, trees, enemy routes, start position, checkpoints and intro and replay cameras.

• • course.kcl

This is collision data. This file determines what parts of the level can be driven on, where the walls and boost pads are, and which parts of the level are out of bounds.

• • course_model.brres

This is the model of the level displayed in-game. It has no solidity of its own, but can be used to generate collision data.

• • map_model.brres

This is the minimap.

The SZS contains many other files, including many BRRES files, which are the models of objects used in the level. You will also find a folder labeled posteffects, and sometimes folders labeled effects, brasd. Post effects include fog (BFG files) and bloom settings (BBLM). Effects include watersplashes (Pocha) and fireworks (Hanabi.) The brasd folder contains animations, needed for Goombas (Kuribo), Chain Chomps (Wanwan), flags, banners and other items. Please note that you will also need the corresponding BRRES file in your SZS if you plan to use any item with effects or brasd animations, otherwise your level will not load.

What You Need

• CTools Pack

This is a collection of Custom Track tools including:

• • SZS Explorer

This program will let you manage the files inside an SZS archive (such as objects, route data, and textures, etc.)

• • BRRES Editor

This program will allow you to view models and import OBJ files (exported with 3D modeling programs) to the BRRES format used in Mario Kart Wii.

• SZS Modifier

This program is the predecessor of CTools. It's required for editing things that CTools currently cannot edit, such as the object and route data in KMP files. It is also better for certain tasks that CTools can handle, such as creating minimaps and editing KCL data. Unlike CTools, SZS Modifier cannot expand files.

• KMP Modifier

This program can edit and expand KMP data. It allows you to add extra objects, checkpoints, respawn points, etc.

• For creating the model, you can choose between:
  • Google Sketchup (Recommended)
  • Any other 3D modeler program; must be used along with Blender

• Track files

You can base your level on one of Mario Kart Wii's track files, such as beginner_course (Wii Luigi Circuit), castle_course (Wii Mario Circuit) or old_mario_64 (N64 Mario Raceway.) These levels all have fairly easy to understand KMPs. (How do I get them?) You can also base your track off of another custom track. Rooster Island works very well for this as it can replace almost any track and is based on castle_course's KMP. Fishdom Island is another good choice if you need more complex item and enemy routes. Or you can create an SZS file from scratch using CTools. If you create the SZS with CTools you will need to extract the KMP and the KCL file from another custom or original track.

Optional

• Image Editor

Photoshop, GIMP, and Paint.NET are just a few examples. Since they are free, GIMP and Paint.net are recommended.

• Wiimms SZS Tools

These command-line tools replace some functions of SZS Modifier and SZS Explorer. They allow the creation of SZS files automatically using scripts (batch files.)

• Hex Editing

For experienced hackers or experimental purposes only. Some files, such as post effects and animation files, cannot be edited with the current suite of programs. Hex Editing is the only option is cases like these, and can lead to greater understanding of these files.

Tutorials

If you're going to create a Texture Hack you need to follow the Texturing tutorial. Otherwise you should begin with the Modeling With 3D Editor tutorial.

Basic

• Texturing
  • How to import and export from BRRES files.
• Modeling With 3D Editor
  • How to make your track with a model editor and convert it to a BRRES file that Mario Kart Wii can load.
• Solidity
  • How to make your track solid.
• Important Stuff
  • How to create the minimap
  • How to make a cannon
  • How to texture and model hack things other than the course (e.g. objects, skydome)
  • How to import objects from other levels
  • How to swap out posteffects
• KMP Editing
  • How to set up objects, routes, checkpoints and many other important things using SZS Modifier. Expanding KMP files is also covered in this tutorial.

Miscellaneous/Advanced Tutorials

• How To Swap Animations
  • How to swap texture animations out from other models and import model animations.
• Modeling With Paint (OBSOLETE AND NOT RECOMMENDED)
  • How to make your track with MS Paint and import into a BRRES file.
• Remaking Paint Levels in SketchUp
  • How to remake a MS Paint level in SketchUp.
• Custom Music
  • How to convert music into BRSTM files, readable by many Nintendo games.

Links

Custom Track Tutorials

Main Tutorials
Introduction – Textures – Scale – Modeling ⇒ Using Blender – BRRES: CTools
BRRES: BrawlBox – BRRES: RiiStudio – Minimap – Solidity – KCL: Wiimms Tools – KMP Editing
Object Editing – Cameras – Cannons – Post-effects – Videos

Battle Arenas
Battle Arenas – Enemy routes in battle arenas ⇒ Using Wiimm's Tools – Coins

Misc. Tutorials
Getting Files – BrawlBox Tricks – Animations – Shadows – Mipmaps
Custom Effects – Moving Terrain – Music – Ports – Paint Remakes – Tutorial Archive
Extended presence flags: Track Tutorial – LE-CODE Track FAQ

Testing and Reviewing
Testing a Track – Visual Review – Track Transformation – Fixing Errors

Software
3D Tools – BrawlBox – CTools Pack – KMP3D – KMP Cloud – KMP Modifier
Lorenzi's KMP Editor – MagicY – Material Tool – Post-Effect Editor – Wiimms SZS Tools – Wiimm's Tool Manager

Other
KMP Objects – Custom Objects – Model Database – Tutorial Archive