Custom Track Tutorial

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This tutorial will explain you how to create your own custom track. If you only want to create a Texture Hack, you only need to follow the Texturing tutorial.

If you have any doubts or can't understand something of the tutorial, you can write it in the Discussion page. Someone will clarify it for you and possibly edit the tutorial so the understanding of that part is easier.

What You Need

• SZS Explorer
  This program will let you manage the files inside a SZS archive (such as objects, route data, and textures), and convert OBJ files (exported with 3D modeling programs) to the format used in Mario Kart Wii.
• SZS Modifier
  This program will let you edit all the files required for custom track making. It's required for editing the things that CTools currently cannot edit, however it cannot expand files.
• KMP Modifier
  This editor will let you edit things in the KMP files (map data such as routes and object positions) that the SZS Modifier can't (such as adding points or sections). Consult the KMP editing page for more info.
• For creating the model, you can choose between:
  • Google Sketchup (Recommended)
  • Any other 3D modeler program; must be used along with Blender
  • MS Paint (Obsolete, NOT recommended anymore)
• The track's files. How do I get then?

If you are only going to texture hack the track, you only need CTools and the track's files (along with an image editor if need be, such as MS Paint, Photoshop or a tool called Paint.NET (this one is actually more recommended, this can edit pictures in a better way; which replaces MS Paint, and it can make transparent backgrounds; which replaces Photoshop, also it doesn't use too much space on your disk.)).

Optional

• Wiimms SZS Tools
  This tools are optional and replace SZS Modifier and/or SZS Explorer ins some aspects. They allow to create SZS files automatically using scripts (batch files).
• Hex Editor
  For experienced hackers only. You might need this for some more advanced hacks, however it will be needed less often as CTools is updated.

Tutorials

You need to follow all of then, and in order, as all are needed to create a track. But you can choose if you are going to create a track with Paint or with a 3D modeler. 3D modeled tracks are usually better, but it depends on your skill and resources.

If you're going to create a Texture Hack you only need to follow the Texturing tutorial.

• Modeling With Paint
  • How to make your track with MS Paint and import into SZS Modifer
• Modeling With 3D Editor
  • How to make your track with a 3D model editor and import into SZS Modifer
• Texturing
  • How to change the colors and textures of your track to be the way you want to.
• Important Stuff
  • How to make the minimap
  • How to generate the KCL
  • How to make a cannon
  • How to texture and model hack things other than the course (e.g. objects, skybox)
  • How to port objects between courses
  • How to edit posteffects
• KMP Editing
  • Will explain to you all the sections of the KMP file, and what each does

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