Mozz Editing Kit (MEK)

[Shelly Herself 221]

Mozz Editing Kit

 

The MEK is a powerful easy to use set of powerful tools that can be used to mod Halo 1 and other games based on the blam! engine.

It is fully Windows and Linux compatible.

 

It comes with:

Mozzarilla

 

Mozzarilla is a replacement for Guerilla, it has support for multiple tags directories, exporting single tag blocks, more comment boxes explaining how things work and many tools. Like:

a model compiler,

physics compiler,

animation compiler,

animation decompressor,

an option to import bitmaps directly from DDS,

a batch bitmap converter/optimizer,

bitmap source extractor,

sound compiler (currently only Xbox ADPCM and 16bit PCM),

tag directory error locator,

string list and hud message compilers,

converters that allow you to convert basically any type of model to a gbx model, or any object type to any other object type.

 

It supports Vanilla, Opensauce, Stubbs the Zombie, and (Expirimental) Halo 3 tags.

It also supports some Misc Halo file types like gametypes.

 

It also has highly customizable themes (styles) and settings that allow you to choose exactly how you want to use the tool.

 

 

 

Refinery

 

Refinery is a tool for extracting tag data from maps, but also for viewing tag data in map files.

It supports extracting tags from Vanilla Halo 1 PC, Custom Edition, Xbox, Demo.

But also from OpenSauce and vap maps.

Halo 2 is partially supported, and Halo 3 Xbox 360 maps have experimental support.

 

If a map you want to rip is protected then have no fear! Refinery comes with a powerful deprotection option that can intelligently name tags and repair classes based on many heuristics found inside of the map.

 

It also has a data extraction mode. The data extraction mode instead of extracting tags will extract bitmaps, models, animations, scripts.

This is really useful if you for instance want to use assets from a map in something other than Halo CE.

 

 

 

Pool

 

Pool is a program made to help people who aren't super familiar with tool or command line applications.

It comes with explanations for all commands, helpful templates, and options to for instance run batch jobs, or multiple simultaneous jobs.

It also comes with various patches that you can apply to your tool.exe to for instance remove the map file size limit, increase the vertex and index buffer size, and a multi-language compatible resource maps fix.

 

 

 

But that's not all...
The MEK also comes with a plethora of 3DS Max scripts that are useful for 3D creation with the Halo engine.

And there are more tools being worked on that fill different gaps in the open source Halo 1 modding kit. Ones that I am very excited to show you once they're ready.

 

 

How do I install the MEK?

There is a few ways to do this. But right now the best way is to get either the MEK or MEKE.

 

MEKE (The easier to install windows-only version)

Keep in mind that this version currently updates less frequently.

 

1. Get the MEK_Essentials_Setup.exe

Get it from here from here: [MEK Releases]

 

2. Run the installer (lol)

 

MEK (Python version, most up-to-date version)

Installing the Python version of the MEK is actually pretty easy.

 

1. Get Python from your favorite source.

if you are on Windows I highly suggest getting it from the Windows store [link].

The Windows Store version is nice because it automatically installs the right version (64-bit) and you don't need to do anything but just click the button.

Don't worry, you won't need to log into the store.

 

2. Get the MEK_Installer_Python.zip

Get it from here from here: [MEK Releases]

 

3. Run the MEK Installer

Now watch out, wherever you put your MEK installer is where the MEK will install, UNLESS you pick an installation directory using the "Browse" option

 

4. Click install and wait until it is done

 

After this you are basically set, the files to run the MEK should have appeared in the current folder or whatever folder you chose to install to.

 

Be sure to frequently run your MEK_Installer.py to check for updates.

 

 

Credits

(This section is probably very incomplete)

Direct contributors

 

@Moses_of_Egypt @gbMichelle Mimickal

Other sources of information

@Kavawuvi @Sparky Opensauce

Frequent testers

@Kavawuvi @Vaporeon @MrChromed @Masterz1337 CMT @Jesse @SOI_7 Whix

 

 

Where can I in real time discuss these tools and how to use them?

You can do so in the CE Reclaimers Discord Server [link]

Of course this thread is also a good place to discuss the tools, but keep in mind that the Discord is more frequently checked.

How can I contribute?

You can find the sources at our GitHub organization, Sigmmma! [link]

You can also report bugs on the GitHub repositories' issue pages, here, or in the Discord server. [link]

You can also tell us what you'd like to see added, or what kind of tools you'd like to see in the future.

 

Most of the libraries and programs in the MEK are licensed under the GNU General Public License v3.0. [link]

 

Shout out to invader, another Opensource toolkit made by people who frequently help us out. [link]

 

Edited February 10, 2020 by gbMichelle

[Sunstriker7 698]

We're on the cusp of a golden age of halo modding.

Edited February 12, 2020 by Sunstriker7

[Shelly Herself 221]

(PYTHON MEK) Update (Run your MEK_Installer.pyw to get this if you have the Python MEK)
Added

• tools_misc/wrl_to_obj.py courtesy of Conscars.

Changed

• renamed install instructions to README.TXT
• Simplified install instructions.
• Updated installer to have bigger GUI and in preparation of the MEK Essentials Update.
• Updated get_pip.py

wrl_to_obj.py (by Conscars)
This is a simple tool that allows you to convert WRL files to OBJ. This allows you to view error meshes in Blender because Blender's internal WRL importer does not support Halo WRL files. This is a bit of a transitional step for now until we have this implemented in Blender.

Limitations:

• Colors are not preserved.

Read more about it here https://github.com/Sigmmma/mek/blob/master/READMES/tools_misc_readme.md

 

A new version of the MEK Essentials is also in the works. This one will also be able to auto update, so you won't need to reinstall after you've installed that one (when it is available)

Edited March 7, 2020 by gbMichelle

[PopeTX28 215]

nice map. uwu

[Shelly Herself 221]

That's a map being made by Conscars!

[WaeV 5,049]

Yooo this looks excellent!

[Enclusion 163]

Just downloading, having errors. I am running on arch linux, python 3.9.1. Installer works fine, but running python Refinery.py causes this:

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/home/adam/.local/lib/python3.9/site-packages/refinery/__main__.py", line 26, in main
    from refinery.main import Refinery
  File "/home/adam/.local/lib/python3.9/site-packages/refinery/main.py", line 34, in <module>
    from refinery.widgets.explorer_hierarchy_tree import ExplorerHierarchyTree
  File "/home/adam/.local/lib/python3.9/site-packages/refinery/widgets/__init__.py", line 10, in <module>
    from refinery.widgets import explorer_class_tree, explorer_hierarchy_tree,\
  File "/home/adam/.local/lib/python3.9/site-packages/refinery/widgets/explorer_class_tree.py", line 18, in <module>
    from refinery.widgets.explorer_hierarchy_tree import ExplorerHierarchyTree
  File "/home/adam/.local/lib/python3.9/site-packages/refinery/widgets/explorer_hierarchy_tree.py", line 18, in <module>
    from mozzarilla.widgets.directory_frame import HierarchyFrame
  File "/home/adam/.local/lib/python3.9/site-packages/mozzarilla/widgets/__init__.py", line 14, in <module>
    from mozzarilla.widgets import field_widgets, field_widget_picker,\
  File "/home/adam/.local/lib/python3.9/site-packages/mozzarilla/widgets/field_widgets/__init__.py", line 12, in <module>
    from binilla.widgets import field_widgets
  File "/home/adam/.local/lib/python3.9/site-packages/binilla/widgets/field_widgets/__init__.py", line 17, in <module>
    from binilla.widgets.field_widgets.color_picker_frame import ColorPickerFrame
  File "/home/adam/.local/lib/python3.9/site-packages/binilla/widgets/field_widgets/color_picker_frame.py", line 4, in <module>
    from tkcolorpicker import askcolor
  File "/home/adam/.local/lib/python3.9/site-packages/tkcolorpicker/__init__.py", line 21, in <module>
    from tkcolorpicker.colorpicker import ColorPicker, askcolor
  File "/home/adam/.local/lib/python3.9/site-packages/tkcolorpicker/colorpicker.py", line 43, in <module>
    if getdefaultlocale()[0][:2] == 'fr':
TypeError: 'NoneType' object is not subscriptable

 

[Java 152]

On 1/4/2021 at 4:48 PM, Enclusion said:

Just downloading, having errors. I am running on arch linux, python 3.9.1. Installer works fine, but running python Refinery.py causes this:

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/home/adam/.local/lib/python3.9/site-packages/refinery/__main__.py", line 26, in main
    from refinery.main import Refinery
  File "/home/adam/.local/lib/python3.9/site-packages/refinery/main.py", line 34, in <module>
    from refinery.widgets.explorer_hierarchy_tree import ExplorerHierarchyTree
  File "/home/adam/.local/lib/python3.9/site-packages/refinery/widgets/__init__.py", line 10, in <module>
    from refinery.widgets import explorer_class_tree, explorer_hierarchy_tree,\
  File "/home/adam/.local/lib/python3.9/site-packages/refinery/widgets/explorer_class_tree.py", line 18, in <module>
    from refinery.widgets.explorer_hierarchy_tree import ExplorerHierarchyTree
  File "/home/adam/.local/lib/python3.9/site-packages/refinery/widgets/explorer_hierarchy_tree.py", line 18, in <module>
    from mozzarilla.widgets.directory_frame import HierarchyFrame
  File "/home/adam/.local/lib/python3.9/site-packages/mozzarilla/widgets/__init__.py", line 14, in <module>
    from mozzarilla.widgets import field_widgets, field_widget_picker,\
  File "/home/adam/.local/lib/python3.9/site-packages/mozzarilla/widgets/field_widgets/__init__.py", line 12, in <module>
    from binilla.widgets import field_widgets
  File "/home/adam/.local/lib/python3.9/site-packages/binilla/widgets/field_widgets/__init__.py", line 17, in <module>
    from binilla.widgets.field_widgets.color_picker_frame import ColorPickerFrame
  File "/home/adam/.local/lib/python3.9/site-packages/binilla/widgets/field_widgets/color_picker_frame.py", line 4, in <module>
    from tkcolorpicker import askcolor
  File "/home/adam/.local/lib/python3.9/site-packages/tkcolorpicker/__init__.py", line 21, in <module>
    from tkcolorpicker.colorpicker import ColorPicker, askcolor
  File "/home/adam/.local/lib/python3.9/site-packages/tkcolorpicker/colorpicker.py", line 43, in <module>
    if getdefaultlocale()[0][:2] == 'fr':
TypeError: 'NoneType' object is not subscriptable

 

 

Quote

 

Mia Midol, Perl Witch 2020-12-23 10:26:08 PM

@MEK Notification Squad After doing some digging, we're finding something changed under the hood between Python 3.8 and 3.9 that's causing a core part of the MEK not to be initialized correctly. We're going to need to sit down and isolate the cause of the issue, which is going to take some time, particularly during the holidays. For now, use the MEK with Python 3.8. We will make another announcement here after we figure out what's going on.

 

Shelly  2020-12-23 10:27:08 PM

If you are on Windows you can and should use the meke.zip in #mek-downloads . It comes with its own Python so you don't need to switch Python on your entire system

 

Yeah MEK is been having issues initializing correctly under 3.9. Might have to roll back

[Enclusion 163]

5 hours ago, Java said:

Yeah MEK is been having issues initializing correctly under 3.9. Might have to roll back

Thanks, I'll have to do that. Hate having more than one python version on my computer, I must say.