This guide is an early look at asset conversion for Legend of Dragoon files. Using our community software, you can convert the game’s assets into a user-friendly file format. It’s for anyone, whether you want to get into LoD modding, make custom/modified content, or even just gawk at the 3D models in all their glory.
At this time, only models, animations, and textures are supported. In the future, more of LoD’s assets will be supported. To go beyond the information in this guide, you may view DooMMetaL’s full guide in PDF format.
You Will Need:
- A computer running Linux or Windows
- Up To 10+GB storage space (if extracting all models)
- Severed Chains
- LoD Asset Conversion Tool [Download – Info] by DooMMetaL
- Blender 4.2 (it must be this version!)
Step 1 – Set Up Severed Chains
If you don’t have Severed Chains yet, follow this guide to get it up and running. Once you have placed your legal backup files of the LoD game discs into the “/isos” subfolder, run SC once via the launch file. The first time SC is run, it will unpack the game’s files into the “/files” subfolder.
Step 2 – Use Asset Converter
Download the conversion tool linked above. Upon opening, it will ask you to specify where the unpacked game files are located. Navigate to where you placed the SC folder, and select the files subfolder within. You will then be prompted to select an output location – select any location, though we recommend a location that is not the aforementioned SC folder.
Choose Which Assets To Convert
There are five buttons for converting assets into a friendly file format. Three types of models, DEFFs, and Texture Only. You may select individual models, or a large batch. Start with the three buttons at the top-right of the screen, then use the checkboxes further down to fine-tune your selection. Once you’re ready, click the Convert button at the bottom-right.
Battle Models
Simply said, this screen will list the models used in battle. It includes models used during cutscenes.
Submap Models
These are the models which appear in all the locations where you generally move around as Dart. The backgrounds are layered 2D assets, but most of the characters are 3D. Some 3D objects are also used, which can range from common objects like treasure chests to unique objects like a canvas painting of Lavitz.
World Map Models
Simply said, this selection covers the 3D models used on the World Map. Dart’s character model, the terrain, miniature locations, and more.
DEFF Models
DEFF is short for Dragoon Effect. These are bundles of assets by in-game use. For example, the act of Dart transforming into a Dragoon is a DEFF, containing all the assets for that scene.
Texture Only
This selection includes an assortment of textures. Main menu, battlefield skyboxes, world map thumbnails, et cetera. At this time, it does not include the hundreds of background images for various locations (i.e. submap BGs).
Step 3 – Ensure Files Were Converted
Check the target location you specified during initial setup. If you see new files in the friendly file format, the conversion was successful! If not, please report any issues to DooMMetaL in the LoD Discord server. We have a channel for the topic – click here.
If you wish to view or modify the converted models, we have a starter guide for importing LoD models into Blender.