MD5 (file format)

Overview

MD5 is a proprietary but open format specific to Doom 3 and allows models to be animated by the use of an internal skeleton. Generally two files are needed to make a functional MD5 model; md5mesh and md5anim. The 3rd, md5camera, allows the creation and use of complex camera paths used during cut scenes. See the different pages for syntax explanation

. MD5MESH
Low resolution polygonal mesh exported from a 3D application.

. MD5ANIM
Contains animation sequence data, the positions of bones etc. during animation.

. MD5CAMERA
Animated cameras for use in cut scenes.

. BMD5MESH
MD5MESH compressed into a binary format. Used by the Doom 3: BFG edition.

. BMD5ANIM
MD5ANIM compressed into a binary format. Used by the Doom 3: BFG edition.

Export

Maya 4.5 was the 3D package primarily used for the creation of animated characters during the development of Doom 3, Quake 4, and possibly Prey. Models were saved in .mb (Maya Binary) format and converted through the use of an export declaration , the console command exportModels , and a DLL by the name of MayaImportx86.

It goes without saying that you stand the best chance for success if you follow the same workflow. However, there are third party tools and alternative versions of MayaImportx86.dll listed below you can use should you be working with a package other than Maya version 4.5.

It’s also important to note that the alternate versions of MayaImportx86.dll were intended for use with Doom 3 and there have been reports that they do not function correctly with other Doom 3 engine based games. In other words, if you only have Quake 4 or Prey at your disposal, you may encounter some compatibility issues that have yet to be resolved. You may be forced to borrow a copy of Doom 3 for export purposes.

For a detailed overview of the conversion from Maya to MD5 please read the corresponding article.

Tools

A list of useful developer and user-created tools for export and import of the various MD5 file formats follows.

Maya

3d Studio Max

Blender

Lightwave

Softimage

DirectX

Modelviewer