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 a listing of in-depth tutorials on creating Custom Tracks and related topics. If you plan to create your first custom track, please read each page and topic thoroughly and follow the tutorial steps. If you have any questions, you may post them on the talk page (please sign your posts with --~~~~).

Note that, when creating a custom track, it is important to know what each file you are working with does and how each section of it works. The files are combined together to build a track and even though this tutorial presents each one of them in an order, you will most likely find yourself going back to previous steps of the tutorial to change something in the track. It is common, even for advanced track makers, to run into issues or crashes that they don't know where they are coming from, or even simple stuff that requires a fix, such as a turn that is too tight for vehicles with outer drifting or long straight sections that get too boring in 50cc.

Overview of a Custom Track File

File:Soliditykh.png

A view of SZS Explorer showing SZS file structure.

Mario Kart Wii uses SZS files to store track data; all of the original tracks can be found and extracted from the game's ISO using a program such as WiiScrubber or Wiimms ISO Tools. You will mainly be working with the following files when creating a custom track.

Your SZS

SZS is an archive format used by Nintendo for many types of data, and is similar to a ZIP or RAR file. Your SZS file will contain all the files needed by your track, including:

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.kmp

This file controls the placement of all objects in a level, including item boxes and other animated objects such as trees, as well as enemy routes, start positions, checkpoints, and intro and replay cameras.

course_model.brres

This is the model of the level displayed in-game. It has no solidity of its own, but can be used by programs such as SZS Modifier or Wiimms SZS Tools to generate collision data into a KCL file.

map_model.brres

This is the minimap, which is a textureless 3D model that is displayed in-game from a birds-eye viewpoint.

vrcorn_model.brres

This is the background of the track, often a 3D model of the sky.

An SZS archive typically contains many other files. The posteffect folder contains data for effects such as fog, glow, bloom and lightning, simulating the natural environment of the world. Objects are usually composed of one or more files, and all associated files must be present for the track to load and the object to function properly, otherwise your level will freeze on load. These files usually include BRRES files. BRRES files usually contain models, textures, "bones" and multiple types of animation. You may also find folders labeled effect and brasd. Effects include water splashes (Pocha), snow and fireworks (Hanabi). The brasd folder contains animations, needed for Goombas (Kuribo), Chain Chomps (Wanwan), flags, cannons and other items. Files can also be imported, exported or deleted from an SZS file as needed.

Required Programs and Files

You will need to download these programs and obtain the original track files to use as a base for your new level.

SZS Explorer

This program is used to load an SZS file archive and manage the files inside, such as the course and map models. Double clicking on an object inside an SZS archive will open it in an external editor, if available.

Model Editor

Google SketchUp (Recommended)
3DS Max (Recommended for advanced modellers or for proper texture mapping of Sketchup models)
Any other 3D modeler program; usually needs to be used along with Blender or 3DS Max.

BRRES Editor

CTools Pack's BRRES Editor

This program is used to view models and convert OBJ-format models (exported with 3D modeling programs) to the BRRES model format used in Mario Kart Wii. It is also used to import and export textures without otherwise altering a model.

BrawlBox

This program is originally designed for Brawl, but can edit Mario Kart Wii's BRRES files aswell. You can convert DAE files, which hold a better texture mapping and have more features than OBJ files, to the BRRES model format. This way other features that the BRRES model format supports, like vertex painting and more complex materials, can be converted too.

KMP Editor

KMP Cloud

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

KMP Modifier

A tool giving an overview of the whole KMP file and is able to add/delete/move points with a click of the mouse button. For more complex models an imported map model OBJ file can be used to directly calculate the height values.

wkmpt or wszst (Wiimms SZS Tool)

Both tools convert a KMP file into a text file, which can be edited with any text editor. And both tools use an internal compiler to re-create the KMP.

Wiimms SZS Tool

These command-line tools can perform many tasks and surpasses many of the capabilities of other programs. They allow the creation of compressed SZS files automatically using scripts (batch files) and checking/fixing errors in KMP, KCL and SZS files. It can adjust the minimap automatically and can generate KCL files directly from OBJ imports. It does not, however, possess any model importing or viewing functions (for BRRES files) and does not have any visual form of KMP editing.

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. This option is usually preferable, as long as you have access to the original files.

You can also base your track off of another custom track. Rooster Island works well 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 checkpoints, item routes and enemy routes. Or you can create an SZS file from scratch using CTools or Wiimms SZS Tools. If you create the SZS from scratch you will need to import some of the files from another Nintendo or custom track into your SZS. Some dedicated CT creators have managed to create their own glitch-free KCL or KMP files, such as the KCL at Sunset Ridge.

Optional/Advanced

These are helpful programs that can enhance your track.

Image Editor

Photoshop, GIMP, and Paint.NET are just a few examples. Since they are free, GIMP and Paint.net are recommended; Paint.net is much faster and lighter while GIMP is slower but more powerful.

SZS Modifier

This program is the predecessor of CTools. It can be used for editing things that CTools currently cannot. It is also better for certain tasks that CTools can handle, such as creating minimaps and editing KCL data, as both of these features in CTools have problems that will produce glitches in-game. Unlike CTools, SZS Modifier cannot expand files to make them larger than the originals.

Hex Editor

A Hex Editor is included with CTools, but this technique is 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.

Main Tutorials

These tutorials cover all the normal procedures for making a Custom Track.

Texturing

How to import textures to and export textures from BRRES model files. Useful information even if you aren't creating a texture hack.

Modeling with 3D Editor

Guidelines on making your track's model with a 3D model editor.

BRRES Creating

How to convert your model to a BRRES file that Mario Kart Wii can load.

Solidity

How to create an optimized collision model, assign properties such as boosts, walls, and off road to surfaces in your level and generate a KCL file.

KCL Tutorial (Wiimms Tools)

How to convert your optimized collision model into a KCL using Wiimms SZS Tools.

Creating a Minimap

How to create a minimap for your level. A minimap not only helps players by showing their location on the track, it is needed as a guide to place objects in your level.