BattleForge / Skylords Reborn Blender Add-on for 3D Model Import & Export

SR-ImpEx is a Blender add-on for importing and exporting BattleForge and Skylords Reborn 3D models, animations, skeletons, materials, and collision data in .drs, .bmg, and .ska formats.

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🚀 Installation

Follow these steps to install the add-on into Blender:

1. Download the latest release (Battleforge_Blender_*.zip) from the Releases section.
2. Open Blender.
3. Navigate to Edit > Preferences > Add-ons.
4. Click on the Install... button.
5. Select the downloaded .zip file and click Install Add-on.
6. Ensure that the checkbox next to Battleforge Model Importer/Exporter is enabled.

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📖 Usage

Importing Models

1. Open Blender.
2. Go to File > Import.
3. Choose the Battleforge (.drs/.bmg) file type.
4. Select your desired model file to import.

Exporting Models

1. Open Blender
   Launch Blender as you normally would.

2. Import Battleforge Scene

   • Go to File > Import > New Battleforge Scene (no file selection needed).

3. Choose Model Type & Collision

   • In the import panel, select:
     • Model Type: Static or Animated
     • Collision: Box, Sphere, or Cylinder if required

4. Create New Battleforge Scene

   • Click the New Battleforge Scene button.
   • Blender generates the required DRSModel_* collection hierarchy.

5. Organize Collections

   • (Optional) Delete the original Collection hierarchy.
   • Work within the Battleforge collections.

6. Rename Your Model Collection

   • In the Outliner, rename DRSModel_object_CHANGENAME to your model name.

7. Add Meshes

   • Create/import meshes and move them into Meshes_Collection.

8. Assign Materials

   • Switch to the Shading workspace.
   • Open the Asset Browser and under Battleforge Asset Lib, drag-and-drop:
     • ColNorPar for Color, Normal, Parameter maps
     • ColNorParRef to include Refraction map
   • Ensure all wanted texture nodes feed into the DRS Material node.

9. Generate Collision Shapes (optional)

   • Add a primitive (Box/Sphere/Cylinder), scale/position around your mesh, and put it inside the right sub-collection.

10. Export to .drs

    • Select your model collection.
    • Go to File > Export > Battleforge (.drs).
    • Verify File Name and options:
      • Apply Transform (default)
      • Split Mesh by UV Islands (default)
      • Flip Normals (default): Sometimes your model appears to be inside-out, change this optio to fix it
      • Keep Debug Collection
      • Model Type: static/animated with/without collision
    • Click Export DRS.

🎯 Supported Features

✅ Supported Features

• DRS/BMG import: Meshes, materials (color/normal/parameter/refraction), collision shapes, armatures/skins, animations; building mesh-grid states for BMG assets.
• DRS export: Static and animated models with collision, UV island splitting, transform application, debug collection retention.
• SKA animation export/import: Create or edit SKA clips, map actions to abilities and animation types.
• Material helpers: DRS shader node group, texture suffix conventions (_col, _nor, _par, _flu), parameter/flow controls, alpha/decal toggles.
• Collision + OBB tools: Generate and visualize OBB trees, manage collision shape collections.
• Data editors (View 3D > Sidebar > DRS Editor unless noted):
  • Animation Set Editor: map Blender actions to DRS animation types/abilities, manage ability metadata and visibility jobs.
  • Effect Set Editor: edit EffectSet blobs (animations, variants, sounds) stored on DRSModel_* collections.
  • Locator Editor: manage CDrwLocatorList entries (bone-local/world locators) with per-locator transforms and IDs.
  • Material Flow / Flags Editor: drive DRS shader inputs (flow speed/scale, alpha/decal flags, normal/parameter/refraction toggles).
  • OBB Debug Tools: build and depth-filter OBBTree visualizations under Debug_Collection.
  • BMG State Editor (View 3D > Sidebar > BMG Editor): toggle building states (S0, S2, debris, destroyed) and collision visibility.

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🎥 Showcase

Demonstration of the Battleforge Model Importer for Blender in action:

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🔜 Roadmap (Current Focus)

• Bug fixing and stability for import/export and editor panels.

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⚠️ Compatibility & Support

• Compatible with Blender 4.x; 3.x may work but is not a primary target.

Encountering issues or have suggestions?
Please report them by opening an issue on the GitHub repository.

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📜 License

This project uses a custom license: non-commercial use only, no modifications without consent, and redistribution of unmodified copies must keep notices intact. Format rights and game assets remain with their respective owners; see the license file for full terms.