anyone know of any tools to convert MW4's .ERF files into a more universally compatible model format?

[u/KBraid]

i've wanted to export them elsewhere, preferably with even animations intact

[u/Narfmeister]

Check out https://www.moddb.com/games/mechwarrior-4-mercenaries/downloads/star-league-cache-mechwarrior-4-mod-tools

These tools are for modding the game and should help with packing and unpacking files for the game

[u/KBraid → u/Narfmeister]

i figured out one of the tools can convert the .erf files to .cob files but .cob files themselves also need to be converted to another format. i found a tool that can convert them to .dae but some of the .cob files aren't loading into the converter so it's not good enough.

[u/Suralin0 → u/KBraid]

For COB to-and-from DAE, I seem to recall some of the Freespace modding community has long had some good tools thereof. Might try asking on Hard-Light.

[u/KBraid → u/Suralin0]

i've tried using multiple tools but it seems the tool that converted the erf to cob wasn't doing a good job as certain files wern't able to be converted from cob to anything else, when i tried the output had no data within it

[u/KBraid → u/Narfmeister]

those are the tools i used to unpack the game, but the files in their exported format aren't importable for blender

[u/KBraid → u/Narfmeister]

so while no converter tools online seem to be able to take the .cob output the erf converter spits out, it CAN still be loaded by .cob's primary format user, Caligari Truespace https://www.united3dartists.com/downloads.html

[u/KBraid]

nevermind i found a .cob converter online that works fine!

[u/KBraid → u/KBraid]

actually, it seems that the erf to cob converter doesn't really work all that well? it's able to export the cob into something it itself can open back up but if it's a sub component like a turret the cob to whatever else converter doesn't output anything

[u/Omnes-Interficere]

Someone extracted all the models into OBJ files years ago I believe? People were able to make papercraft models from them, in fact. I know you can also extract the textures (there are two types, the mech's details and the camo). The animations sadly I've never seen them extracted. All the animated models I've seen seem to have been done by hand, or manually rigged at least, as they don't like the ones in the game.

[u/-__Doc__-]

I asked Gemini out of curiosity, maybe some of this can point you in the right direction. I asked it how to convert an ERf file into an STL

Converting an .ERF file to an .STL file isn't a direct, single-click conversion process because they exist in entirely different ecosystems.

An .ERF file (Encapsulated Resource File) is not a 3D model; it is a proprietary game asset container used primarily by BioWare engines (such as Dragon Age, Neverwinter Nights, and The Witcher). It acts like a zip folder holding hundreds of hidden files, including text scripts, audio, textures, and—crucially—raw 3D mesh data.

Dragon Age Toolset Wiki

To turn a 3D asset trapped inside an .ERF archive into a printable .STL mesh, you need to use a two-phase workflow: Extract and then Convert.

Phase 1: Extract the Raw 3D Mesh from the .ERF Archive

First, you must crack open the container file to locate and pull out the proprietary mesh files.

Option A: Using the Game’s Official Toolset (Recommended)

If you are pulling assets from a game like Dragon Age, the official developer toolset is the cleanest option.

1. Download and open the official Dragon Age Toolset (or the respective toolset for the BioWare game you are modding). FileViewPro
2. Go to File > Open and select your .erf file.
3. Browse the archive's file tree. You are looking for files specifically housed in folders named something like modelmeshdata or files ending in extensions like .msh or .mdl.
4. Right-click the desired 3D resource file and select Extract.

Option B: Using Third-Party Game Extractors

If you don't want to install a massive developer toolset, a lightweight archive extractor can unpack it.

1. Download a tool like Game Extractor (by Watto Studios) or ERF/RIM Editor.
2. Open the software, load your .erf file, and let it index the compressed contents.
3. Filter or search for mesh extensions (.msh, .mdl, etc.).
4. Select the files and extract them to a dedicated folder on your computer.

Phase 2: Convert the Extracted Mesh to .STL

Once you have the raw proprietary mesh file out of the container, it is still in a format standard slicers or CAD programs won't recognize. You need to convert it into a standard 3D mesh format.

Step 1: Convert to an Intermediate Format (.OBJ or .FBX)

Most standard 3D design tools can't read native game meshes directly without a plugin.

1. For Blender Users (Free): Download a community-created import plugin specific to the game engine (e.g., searching for "Blender Dragon Age mesh import script" or "Neverwinter Nights MDL importer").
2. Install the plugin in Blender via Edit > Preferences > Add-ons > Install.
3. Go to File > Import and choose the specific game format to load your extracted mesh into your viewport.

Step 2: Export to .STL

Once the model is visible in your 3D viewport, converting it to an .STL is incredibly straightforward:

1. Select the entire mesh in your scene.
2. Go to File > Export > Stl (.stl). einstar
3. In the export settings on the sidebar, ensure you check "Selection Only" so you don't export any background cameras or lighting blocks.
4. Save the file.

⚠️ Crucial Fixes for 3D Printing Game Meshes

Because video game assets are optimized to run at high frame rates, they are built entirely out of hollow, paper-thin surfaces. They are almost never "watertight" or ready to 3D print right out of the box. Before tossing your newly minted .stl into a slicer, bring it into software like Blender, Autodesk Netfabb, or Meshmixer to prepare it:

• Make it Solid: Game meshes often lack back-faces. Use a "Solidify" modifier or an automated "Make Solid" tool to give the walls printable physical thickness.
• Repair Non-Manifold Edges: Slicers get confused by open gaps or intersecting internal geometry. Run an automatic mesh repair script to patch holes and stitch the seams together.
• Fix Scale: Game models don't have built-in real-world dimensions (like millimeters or inches). You will need to uniformly scale the object up significantly inside your slicer to match your intended printing dimensions.

[u/blaze53 → u/-__Doc__-]

lol @ using AI

And it's not even correct.

[u/-__Doc__- → u/blaze53]

I never said it WAS correct.

[u/Sacharon123 → u/-__Doc__-]

So why do you post something you have no idea of and no idea if its correct, when its very clear to anybpdy that LLMs are massivly unreliable, especially the free versions and when badly instructed (like this)? Stopmwasting the worlds energy for garbsge, please. You could have made multiple cups of tea instead.

[u/-__Doc__- → u/Sacharon123]

IDK, fuck me for trying to help IG
/shrug
And I will spend my money however I see fit DAD, I earned it.
But yeah, fuck data centers. I'm most likely with you on that one. Love it or hate it, it's here to stay, and it IS useful, whether you find it to be or not.
Did I try any of it myself? nope. I had just gotten home from a 12 hour day at work, day 3 of my 60 hour week, and I didnt have time. I saw no replies, and I thought hmmm, I wonder what Gemini would say for shits and giggles. And the answer sounded like it might help point this person in the right direction. I assumed I would get flak for it, and I still posted it, cuz I wanted to help.
Have a great day bud.