Custom Track Tutorial

Introduction

This is the main page of the Custom Track Tutorial. Here, you'll see a brief overview of the SZS (track) file, a listing of programs you might need to edit them and in-depth tutorials on creating and editing each of the files. The tutorials are presented in an order, however, you will find yourself jumping to previous and later steps, as it's impossible to define a strict "order" of building the track. During this process, it's common, even for advanced track makers, to run into issues or freezes of unknown origin. This is also addressed in the tutorial.

You can use the blue links box at the bottom of each page to navigate faster through the tutorials. If you have any questions, you may post them on the talk page (please sign your posts with --~~~~).

Overview of a Custom Track File

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; they are all required for your track to load and work.

• 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_model.brres and vrcorn_model.brres

BRRES files contain 3D models and textures. They have no solidity of their own. The course_model.brres defines the main course model of the track and vrcorn_model.brres defines the model of the background, usually the sky.

• map_model.brres

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

• course.kcl

This is the 3D model that defines collision data. It 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 is a binary data file which 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.

• posteffect folder

This folder contains data for effects such as fog, glow, bloom and lightning, simulating the natural environment of the world.

An SZS archive typically contains many other files: 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. They might include BRRES files, which contain models, textures, "bones" and multiple types of animation and KCL files for objects with collision (although some solid objects do not use KCLs for collision). 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.

Programs and Files

The following programs and files aide in the track creation process.

• Track Files

You will need to obtain the SZS files of Mario Kart Wii's original tracks to obtain objects and any associated effects. You can see how to extract them from your Wii game disc in the Obtain Original Track Files page.

• Wiimms SZS Tools

These command-line tools can perform many tasks efficiently. 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.

• Wiimm's Tool Manager is a simple GUI for Wiimms SZS Tools.
• You can download a pack of batch files with simple scripts which can be used on this tutorial here.

• 3D Tool

Most 3D model editors can be used to create a Mario Kart Wii track. Common editors include 3ds Max, Blender and SketchUp.

• A BRRES Editor

• BrawlBox/BrawlCrate

Originally created for Super Smash Bros. Brawl, this is the primary tool for editing BRRES files. BrawlCrate is an updated version of BrawlBox.

• RiiStudio

Hottest new editor in the west. Still in alpha, but specifically designed for Mario Kart Wii and features many quality-of-life improvements.

• A KMP Editor:

• Lorenzi's KMP Editor

Most comprehensive editor. Highly recommended.

• KMP Cloud

A 2D editor, with useful features such as a line tool, or display of objects within a spreadsheet format.

• 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. Both tools use an internal compiler to re-create the KMP.

• KMP3D

KMP3D is a plugin for Google SketchUp 6 and later that can help custom track authors with the KMP.

• MagicY

MagicY is a tool which works together with KMP Cloud to automatically calculate Y coordinates for KMP entries.

• Hex Editor

This technique is for experienced devs 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 in cases like these and can lead to greater understanding of these files.

Tutorials

If you're creating your first custom track, you should begin with the Modeling with 3D Editor page or check out the Video Tutorials.

Main Tutorials

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

Model Related

• Texturing

How to import and export textures to and from BRRES files.

• Scale

How to make sure your track will be the right size; not too big or too small. And make sure that all drivable points (or the complete track) use coordinates between -131071 and +131071. Otherwise items will cause problems. While this can be remedied by LEX:HIPT, not all distributions support this.

• Modeling with 3D Editor

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

• Creating a BRRES with BrawlBox

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

• Creating a BRRES with RiiStudio

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

• Creating a Minimap

How to create a minimap for your level.

KCL Related

No dedicated tutorial, but it is fairly common to use Gabriela_'s [[1]] for KCL editing within Blender.

• Solidity

Guidelines on creating an optimized collision model, assigning properties such as boosts, walls, and off road to surfaces in your level.

• Creating a KCL with Wiimms Tools

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

KMP Related

• KMP Editing

How to set up objects, routes, checkpoints and many other important things.

• Object Editing

How to import objects from other tracks.

How to edit other models (sky dome, item boxes, etc.) in your track.

• Camera Editing

How to set up intro and replay cameras in your level for a professional look.

• Cannons

How to set up a cannon using a KCL trigger and a KMP destination point.

Other

• Editing post-effects

How to change data for effects such as fog, glow, bloom and lightning of the world.

• Video Tutorials

Index of video tutorials on various subjects.

Miscellaneous Tutorials

These tutorials cover additional topics.

Model Related

• BrawlBox Tricks

Various things that can be done with your BRRES in BrawlBox, either to make the track look better or fix issues.

• Animations

How to create and edit model or texture animations using BrawlBox.

• Shadows

How to add shadows so your track doesn't look like the floor emits its own light.

KCL Related

• Moving Terrain

How to create moving terrain in your track.

KMP Related

• Battle Arena

How to create a custom battle arena.

• Extended presence flags: Track Tutorial

How to setup objects with Extended presence flags

Other

• Custom Music

How to convert music into the BRSTM format used by Mario Kart Wii and many other Nintendo games.

• Importing 3D models

How to extract an existing model (such as from Nintendo or another custom track) from a BRRES back into the 3D model editor.

• Porting Tutorial

How to port 3D levels from other games such as Mario Kart 64, Mario Kart: Double Dash!! or Super Mario 64.

• LE-CODE Track FAQ

How to add advanced features provided by LE-CODE.

• Custom Effects

How to edit on-screen effects (such as Blooper ink or Lightning).

Testing and Reviewing

In all phases of the development, it is important to test the track. This is especially true before releasing the new track.

• Testing a Track

Testing check list.

• Visual Review

Create an OBJ file and import it in a 3D tool to make a visual review of your track.

• Track Transformation

Scale your track, if it is too small or too large.

Crashes and Bugs

These pages cover various glitches and errors that may occur in your course.

• Common Crash Causes

Common reasons why your track might freeze the game.

• Harry Potter Effect

Problems with transparent textures.

• KCL Glitches

A little discussion about often found KCL glitches.

• Moiré pattern

A visual artifact caused by repeated textures.

• Position Jump Bug

How to fix various problems with checkpoints.

• Slow Motion Bug

Slow frame rates can make a fun level a dread to play.

• Ultra Shortcut

A way to skip a large portion of a course by a glitch or skipping the first checkpoint.

• Underground Camera Bug

If your viewpoint when playing gets stuck under your level, this tutorial is for you.

• Z-fighting

When two overlapping polygons/faces "fight" to be seen, which causes flickering in-game.

Tutorial Archive

The following programs and tutorials are outdated and/or obsolete and not recommended.

Software

• 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.

Tutorials

• Creating a BRRES with CTools

How to convert your model to a BRRES file that Mario Kart Wii can load using the CTools Pack BRRES Editor.

• Adding Mipmaps for CTools Models

How to add mipmaps to BRRES files created in CTools.

• KCL Tutorial (CTools and SZS Modifier)

How to convert your collision model into a KCL using CTools and SZS Modifier.

• Remaking Paint Levels in SketchUp

How to remake a Paint level in SketchUp using an image, while maintaining the original scale and position of the track.

• Modeling with Paint

How to make your track with MS Paint and import into a BRRES file.

• Creating a Minimap with SZS Modifier

How to make your minimap using SZS Modifier and/or BRRES Editor.

Links

Custom Track Tutorials

Main Tutorials
Introduction – Textures – Scale – Modeling ⇒ Using Blender – BRRES: CTools
BRRES: BrawlBox – BRRES: RiiStudio – Minimap – Solidity – KCL: Wiimms Tools – KMP Editing
Object Editing – Cameras – Cannons – Post-effects – Videos

Battle Arenas
Battle Arenas – Enemy routes in battle arenas ⇒ Using Wiimm's Tools – Coins

Misc. Tutorials
Getting Files – BrawlBox Tricks – Animations – Shadows – Mipmaps
Custom Effects – Moving Terrain – Music – Ports – Paint Remakes – Tutorial Archive
Extended presence flags: Track Tutorial – LE-CODE Track FAQ

Testing and Reviewing
Testing a Track – Visual Review – Track Transformation – Fixing Errors

Software
3D Tools – BrawlBox – CTools Pack – KMP3D – KMP Cloud – KMP Modifier
Lorenzi's KMP Editor – MagicY – Material Tool – Post-Effect Editor – Wiimms SZS Tools – Wiimm's Tool Manager

Other
KMP Objects – Custom Objects – Model Database – Tutorial Archive