How to Extract a Paper Model From "StarCraft"

Paper models originate in oragami but include the game's textures on the paper.

A growing fad in the video game industry, paper model making is the art of extracting the model and texture files of a unit from a video game and printing them out to be folded into 3D paper models. Fans of “StarCraft 2” have made paper models of many different units and structures by extracting the proper files from the game into a 3D modeling program. Once you know how to extract an item, such as the Battlecruiser, you can apply the method to any in-game item.

Things You'll Need

• 3D modeling program
• MPQ editor

Instructions

1. Locate the file "base.SC2assets" in the "StarCraft 2" directory under "Program Files(x86)/Starcraft 2/mods/Liberty.SC2mod."

2. Right-click the "base.SC2assets" file and select "open with..." to find the MPQ editor. Select "Browse" to search your computer for the program, as it will not be on the list the first time you use it.

3. Find the file "BattleCruiser.m3" in the "base.SC2Assets/Assets/Units/Terran/Battlecruiser" directory, in the list of files in the right column. Right-click the file and select "Extract." Note where the program sends the file.

4. Open the "base.SC2Assets/Assets/textures" folder in the MPQ editor and find the "battlecruiser.dds" texture file. Extract this file the same way you extracted the ".m3" file.

5. Open the files you extracted with your chosen 3D modeling program to see the structure and textures of the Battlecruiser unit.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the 3D modeling program to print out the proper dimensions and textures onto paper so that you can fold the printout into a paper model. Download the m3 plugins from sc2mapster.com if you use 3DS Max Autodesk.

• Many file names have "battlecruiser" in them. Be careful to choose the specific file you need.

References

• Blizzard Entertainment: StarCraft II