[Guide] Level.BLK modding

Alongside Entites.blk, Level.blk can also be a file of significant importance when modding.

What is level.blk? Simply put, Level.BLK contains map config data. I have covered some of this in my Replacing vegetation and textures - Guide.

Level.BLK can be used to:

  • Load level binary files (Currently has no use)
  • Override LOD for Ri
  • Override Microdetails such as grass for any map
  • Remove the map border fog.

To use custom level.blk first download this, (or get one from the game):
levels.zip (60.9 KB)

Place the correct blkx into next to the scene.blk (or in a folder) and rename the blkx to blk.

In my case its inside level folder and has the name customLevel.blk.
kép
kép

Open your scene.blk, find your level entity and replace the path, so it points to your blk file:

kép

That’s all.

Level Of Detail override

What is LOD?

Sometimes the assets or Ri (RenderInstace) placed on the map, were designed to be interior objects and will refuse render at a longer distance.
Or another example when you should do this is when a certain asset’s LOD 0 setting is too low, and it switches to a lower level of detail, resulting in subpar visuals.

LOD 0 - Highest level of detail

LOD 3 - Lowest.

Base code:

overrideRiLodRange{

  render_instance_name_here{
    lod0:r=0.0
    lod1:r=0.0
    lod2:r=0.0
    lod3:r=0.0
  }
}

Be wary! LODs were designed for a reason! Setting any of the levels, especially LOD 0 to a high distance can cause performance issues! Only change LOD where it’s really neccessary!

Example:


RI splash_pool_pipe_big_b has short LODs and become invisible.

By modifying LOD distances pipes are now visible.

Code for this particular example:

overrideRiLodRange{

  splash_pool_pipe_big_b{
    lod0:r=800.0
    lod1:r=850.0
    lod2:r=1500.0
    lod3:r=4000.0
  }
}

You can place this anywhere inside level.blk.

Grass

Most level.blks contain a grass section:

grass{
  pacific_gavutu_det_tex_d:t=""
  grass_grid_size:r=0.0938 //smaller the number, the denser the grass will be. Don't reduce below default value, think of console players...
  grass_distance:r=120.0 //grass render distance. Set the setting too high and watch your PC explode
  grassMaskResolution:i=1024
  hor_size_mul:r=1.0

  grass_types{

    generic_grass_tall_a{
      diffuse:t="grass_generic_grass_tall_a_tex_d"
      normal:t="grass_generic_grass_tall_a_tex_n"
      variations:i=1
      height:r=0.4
      ht_rnd_add:r=0.2
      hor_size:r=0.5
      hor_size_rnd_add:r=0.0
      color_mask_r_from:c=76, 100, 43, 90
      color_mask_r_to:c=130, 112, 86, 90
      color_mask_g_from:c=31, 31, 31, 90
      color_mask_g_to:c=121, 136, 85, 90
      color_mask_b_from:c=77, 93, 50, 90
      color_mask_b_to:c=111, 110, 44, 90
      height_from_weight_mul:r=0.3
      height_from_weight_add:r=0.7
      density_from_weight_mul:r=6.0
      density_from_weight_add:r=-0.5
      vertical_angle_add:r=0.1
      vertical_angle_mul:r=0.7
    }
//and so on

Examples:

grass_distance:r set to 30 in normandy


grass_grid_size:r set to 1, grass is barely present.
SHOULD ONLY BE INCREASED FROM DEFAULT VALUE


Normandy with volokolamsk grass properties

You can remove or replace individual vegetation types from grass generation, or you should just use the other level’s grass properties.

Border Fog

The following defines the border fog for every map:

volFog{
  rootFogGraph:t="content/e_normandy/shaders/fog_normandy_urban_area.json"
}

Removing this from level will remove the fog. You can also add border fogs from other maps, but that has very little use.

Level Binaries

You can load compatible level.bins by editing the first line of level.blk:

levelBin:t="PATH/level.bin"

for example:

levelBin:t="content/base/levels/normandy_urban_area_2x2.bin"

or

levelBin:t="%ugm/.../level.bin"

Only level.bin that is any interesting is the removed tunisia hangar level.
tunisia_menu_background.bin.txt (1.9 MB)

You cannot load CRSED level.bin because of missing terrain data.

8 Likes

Strange, I do the same thing and get a crash error.
customlevel

Did you create level folder inside your mod folder? And your level blk file is customlevel? Also it may happened because of wrong path inside levelBin.

It would be nice to see crash message. Iirc it usually show error if you use wrong files. Or would be nice to see map blk file code. Maybe you did some mistake there?

It looks like this to me, where am I going wrong?


customlevel

1 Like

where am I going wrong?

%ugm/level/customLevel.blk

You don’t have a level folder. Change to: %ugm/customlevel.blk

Not sure if .BLK files are case sensitive.

1 Like

helped, thanks.

2 Likes

question, is it possible to load older versions of maps? for example, the ardenne?

because someone thought it was funny to fuck up the whole level. and screwing over most of my mission with flying object, removed roads, and added holes of trenches:




“”“funny”“” to mention that i specifically placed my map the furthest possible from any already placed surroundings. literally in empty fields.

like, legit, why adding or changing stuff in the middle of no where.

but yeah, beside these fucks up, i’d like to access to older berlin.

question, is it possible to load older versions of maps? for example, the ardenne?

If you have a backup of an older version of Enlisted then yes.

Level files only contain heightmap and assets; The textures will remain.

I do not recommend uploading custom missions with level.bin larger than 30-50mb though, because it will make loading MUCH MUCH longer.

i’d like to access to older berlin.

So you need Ardennes or Berlin?

I forgot to back up ardennes update i only have older Berlin.

2 Likes

well shit.

well, given the lack of support from officials anyway, i’ll take what i’ll can get.

so, planning on doing mods offline/locally

both, if possible.

great… just my luck.

wait, maybe i do.

the test server shouldn’t have changed

at least, i didn’t updated it.

where can i find the entire maps levels?

EDIT. let me check…

nope.

i’m screwed.

even in the test server the map was changed

fuck me …

devs are keen on sure making my mods are barely functional or broken.

1 Like

both, if possible.

All 3 berlin maps

where can i find the entire maps levels?

Enlisted\content\base\levels

2 Likes

thanks friend…

appreciated.

2 Likes