Twisted D.I.R.T. Archive

Tool documentation

Practical guides for preserved track-making and game-modification tools.

Create Topdown 1.02

Download: Setup_CreateTopDown_v102.zip
Game: MX vs ATV Reflex
Purpose: Blend the base/R/G/B terrain textures through a mask map and generate the distant top-down image.

Use

  1. Save the compiler .track file with correct paths to the base and R/G/B overlay BMPs and mask map.
  2. Back up any existing generated top-down file.
  3. Run Create Topdown and open the .track definition.
  4. Let it combine the four surfaces according to the mask channels.
  5. Inspect the output named from the mask map with _Topdown appended.
  6. Add restrained lighting/shadow work if needed, preserving the required dimensions and format.

Mask behavior:

  • black/no RGB selects the base surface;
  • red selects the R overlay;
  • green selects G;
  • blue selects B;
  • intermediate values blend them.

Important limits

  • The utility reads BMP inputs.
  • It overwrites its named output, so preserve manual edits elsewhere.
  • It ignores alpha when assembling the top-down image. Other Reflex maps and later compilation stages may still require BMP alpha.
  • Avoid strong MCM-style baked shadows; they can conflict with Reflex's close-range layered materials and dynamic shading.

Sources