Homeworld 2 Models
So, you've made some models on your own and now you want to make a model from Homeworld 2. But you can't seem to get the models out of the homeworld2.big file. Well, that's the first of your problems. Not only is the .big file a different format, but the models aren't all in one file, the textures aren't in .lif format, and there can be some pretty interesting things wrong with a model. So let's dig in and see what you need to do to get a Homeworld 2 model from the game to your desk.
In keeping with the theme, we are going to make the Hiigaran Attack Bomber. It's relatively simple to make, so we shouldn't have too many problems with it. But as you probably guessed by now, we need to get some more programs to do the work we need to on this model. The basic steps are the same, but how we do them are different. So, like the first step before we download all the programs we need. Both of these programs are freeware so no need to worry there.
What you need
- Relic Archive Tool v2.0.0 by Spooky: Freeware, used to extract data from homeworld2.big.
Located here. - HOD Tool: Freeware, used to convert the ".hod" files into ".obj" models.
Located here. - DDS plug-in for Photoshop: Freeware, you use this to open the ".dds" textures in Photoshop.
Located here.
This time around I'll explain how to make color changes in both Paint Shop Pro as well as Photoshop. But we'll get to that later. For now, download all those files and save them where you need to. Put the dds plug-in in the Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro plug-in folder and it will work. Ok, on to the first step.