Introduction

RedM, the Wild West counterpart to FiveM, allows players to immerse themselves in a captivating frontier world. Just like FiveM, RedM provides the opportunity to create custom interiors, or Map Loading Objects (MLOs), to enhance the gaming experience. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the process of creating MLOs for RedM, from the necessary tools to advanced techniques.

What are MLOs?

MLOs, short for Map Loading Objects, are custom interiors that can be seamlessly integrated into the RedM game world. These objects allow server owners and developers to create unique spaces such as shops, saloons, jailhouses, and more, providing players with an immersive and tailored gaming experience.

Tools Required

Before diving into MLO creation, ensure you have the following tools:

1. CodeWalker or OpenIV: These are essential tools for creating and editing MLO files. CodeWalker is a more user-friendly option for beginners, while OpenIV offers advanced features for experienced developers.

2. 3D Modeling Software: To create custom assets for your MLO, you'll need a 3D modeling program such as Blender, 3ds Max, or Maya. Blender is a popular choice as it's free and open-source.

3. Red Dead Redemption 2: Since RedM is based on Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2), you'll need a copy of the game to access the necessary files and test your MLOs.

4. RedM Server: To test and implement your MLOs, you'll need access to a RedM server. You can either set up your own or join an existing community.

Planning Your MLO

Before starting the creation process, it's crucial to plan your MLO thoroughly. Consider the following aspects:

1. Purpose: Determine the function of your interior. Will it be a shop, a hideout, or a public building? This will help guide your design choices.

2. Layout: Sketch out the floor plan of your MLO, including the placement of rooms, doors, and windows. Consider the flow of movement and the overall user experience.

3. Theme: Choose a theme that fits the purpose and atmosphere of your MLO. This will influence your choice of assets, textures, and lighting.

4. Assets: Make a list of the necessary assets, such as furniture, decorations, and props. Determine which assets you'll need to create from scratch and which ones you can source from existing libraries.

Creating the MLO Structure

With your plan in hand, it's time to start building your MLO. Follow these steps:

1. Set up your project: Create a new project in your 3D modeling software and set the units to match the scale of the RedM world.

2. Create the basic structure: Begin by modeling the walls, floors, and ceilings of your MLO. Use primitive shapes and modify them to fit your layout.

3. Add openings: Create doors and windows by cutting holes in the walls and adding appropriate frames and props.

4. Create custom assets: Model any unique assets that you can't find in existing libraries, such as specific furniture pieces or decorations.

5. UV mapping: Unwrap your models to prepare them for texturing. Ensure that your UV maps are optimized for efficient texture usage.

6. Export: Export your models in a format compatible with CodeWalker or OpenIV, such as .ytd or .ydr.

Texturing and Detailing

With your MLO structure in place, it's time to add textures and details to bring it to life. Here's how:

1. Source textures: Gather textures for your MLO, either by creating them from scratch or sourcing them from existing libraries. Ensure they are seamless and optimized for the RedM engine.

2. Apply textures: Use your 3D modeling software or a dedicated texturing tool to apply the textures to your models. Pay attention to texture resolution and compression to optimize performance.

3. Bake textures: Use texture baking techniques to combine multiple textures, such as diffuse, normal, and specular maps, into a single texture for better performance.

4. Add details: Use decals, props, and particles to add visual interest and realism to your MLO. Consider adding wear and tear, dirt, or other signs of age to match the setting.

Lighting and Atmosphere

Proper lighting is crucial for creating the desired atmosphere in your MLO. Follow these tips:

1. Ambient lighting: Set up ambient lighting to match the time of day and the location of your MLO. Use warm tones for interior lighting and cooler tones for exterior lighting.

2. Local lights: Add local light sources such as lamps, candles, or fires to create a realistic and immersive environment. Adjust the intensity and color temperature to match the desired mood.

3. Shadows: Configure shadow settings to ensure that your MLO casts realistic shadows based on the lighting setup. Optimize shadow resolution and distance to maintain performance.

4. Environment probes: Use environment probes to capture the lighting and reflections of your MLO's surroundings. This will help your interior blend seamlessly with the exterior world.

Collision and Interaction

To ensure that players can navigate and interact with your MLO properly, you'll need to set up collision and interaction. Here's how:

1. Collision meshes: Create simplified collision meshes for your MLO's structure and props. These meshes define the boundaries and obstacles that players and objects can't pass through.

2. Portals: Set up portals to define the transition points between your MLO and the exterior world. Portals ensure that players can seamlessly enter and exit your interior.

3. Interact points: Add interact points to objects that players can interact with, such as doors, drawers, or switches. Define the appropriate animations and scripts for each interaction.

4. Navigation mesh: Create a navigation mesh to define the walkable areas within your MLO. This allows NPCs and AI-controlled entities to navigate your interior realistically.

Optimization and Testing

Before releasing your MLO, it's essential to optimize its performance and test it thoroughly. Follow these guidelines:

1. Polygon count: Keep the polygon count of your models as low as possible without sacrificing visual quality. Use LODs (Level of Detail) to reduce the polygon count of distant objects.

2. Texture optimization: Ensure that your textures are optimized for size and compression. Use texture atlases to combine multiple textures into a single image, reducing draw calls.

3. Occlusion culling: Set up occlusion culling to hide objects that are not visible from the player's perspective, improving performance.

4. Streaming: Configure streaming settings to load and unload assets based on the player's proximity, reducing memory usage and loading times.

5. Playtesting: Test your MLO extensively in-game, checking for visual glitches, performance issues, and gameplay bugs. Gather feedback from other players and make necessary adjustments.

Advanced Techniques

Once you've mastered the basics of MLO creation, you can explore advanced techniques to take your interiors to the next level:

1. Scripting: Use RedM's scripting language to add custom functionality to your MLO, such as interactive puzzles, dynamic lighting, or custom game mechanics.

2. Particles and effects: Incorporate particle effects and post-processing to enhance the atmosphere of your MLO. Add dust motes, smoke, or weather effects to create a more immersive experience.

3. Audio: Use ambient sounds and spatial audio to bring your MLO to life. Place sound emitters strategically to create a realistic soundscape that reacts to the player's actions.

4. Blending with the world: Ensure that your MLO blends seamlessly with the surrounding world by matching the terrain, vegetation, and lighting. Use environment probes and skybox matching to create a cohesive visual experience.

Conclusion

Creating MLOs for RedM is a rewarding and challenging process that allows you to bring your creative visions to life. By following the steps outlined in this guide and mastering the necessary tools and techniques, you'll be well on your way to creating stunning and immersive interiors that enhance the RedM gaming experience.

Remember to plan carefully, pay attention to detail, and optimize your MLOs for performance. Don't be afraid to experiment and iterate on your designs based on feedback from the community. With practice and dedication, you'll become a skilled MLO creator, contributing to the vibrant and ever-expanding world of RedM.

Resources

• CodeWalker
• OpenIV
• Blender
• [Tutorial] How to create custom MLO for RedM
• How to create custom models/objects for RedM with collision
• Understanding Lua Annotations: A Complete Guide for Beginners
• What is RedM? A Comprehensive Guide to RDR2 Modding Platform