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14:26, 14 January 2016 =What are conversion tools and when to use them=
Conversion tools are set of binaries used to convert mid-format files to binary format files which are used by the game. They are needed for in game usage of any 3D assets exported with [[Tools/SCS_Blender_Tools|SCS Blender Tools]].
=What is included in package=
Downloaded archive consists of following folders and files:
*'''conversion_tools''' - conversion tools binaries and predefined folder structure
*'''blender_addon''' - "SCS Conversion Helper" Blender addon for using conversion tools out of the box from Blender
*'''README.md'''
NOTE: Blender addon doesn't have to be used as the addon itself is only helper for using conversion tools directly from Blender.
=Installation=
Before installation download current version of conversion tools from [http://download.eurotrucksimulator2.com/conversion_tools_1_6.zip here]
Installation:
#To install conversion tools binaries simply copy "conversion_tools" folder somewhere on the PC where it can be found and read-write access is granted.
#To install Blender addon named "SCS Conversion Helper" copy "blender_addon/scs_conversion_helper" folder to <pre>< blender_version >/scripts/addons</pre> within Blender installation folder (for other installation procedures please visit [http://wiki.blender.org/index.php/Doc:2.6/Manual/Extensions/Python/Add-Ons Blender wiki]). After installing "SCS Conversion Helper" make sure that addon is enabled!
=Usage=
There are two options of usage for conversion tools:
==Use conversion tools from Blender==
Use "SCS Conversion Helper" addon. This addon actually grabs "SCS Project Base Path" property from [https://github.com/SCSSoftware/BlenderTools/wiki/Global-Settings#path-settings SCS Blender Tools Global Settings] and uses conversion tools binaries to convert resources with simple click of a button.
After enabling of an addon, additional panel in Blender named "SCS Conversion Helper" will appear in properties window under "Scene" tab.
[[File:Scs conversion helper.jpg]]
Panel features:
*'''"Conversion Tools Path" property''' - specified path to extracted conversion tools binaries mentioned above
*'''"Clean 'rsrc' folder" property''' - using this option any content in "conversion_tools/rsrc" will first be removed then conversion will take place
*'''"CONVERT CURRENT SCS PROJECT" operator''' - will write current "SCS Project Base Path" to "extra_mount.txt" and run the conversion.
NOTE: This kind of usage will convert only resources which are in "conversion_tools/base" and resources from "SCS Project Base Path". After conversion is done, content inside "conversion_tools/rsrc" folder can be ZIP-ed and placed into the mod folder of the game as usual.
==Use binaries directly (for advanced users)==
Direct usage of conversion tools is done from command line with execution of <pre>conversion_tools/convert.cmd</pre> script.
Running this script will take any mid-format resources founded in <pre>conversion_tools/base</pre> folder, correctly convert them into binary format files and place them into <pre>conversion_tools/rsrc</pre> folder.
NOTE: Usage of <pre>conversion_tools/extra_mount.txt</pre> file with specified additional <pre>base</pre> folder paths in each line of the file may also be used. This will cause conversion tools to mount all of the paths the same as <pre>conversion_tools/base</pre> folder. With extra mounted directories conversion tools will convert all resources from "base" and all additional paths!
After completed conversion all the content in <pre>conversion_tools/rsrc</pre> folder can be ZIP-ed and placed into the mod folder of the game as usual.
NOTE: if something goes wrong during the conversion, you can find additional information in conversion tools log file <pre>bin/win_x86/mass_convert.log</pre>.