FF8/WorldMap wmsetxx

Contents

Info

WMSETxx.obj (where xx may refer to gr,us,it,fr,sp) is a multi-data world map file containing many core functions and 3D objects. This file contains almost everything: sounds, scripts, dialogs, texts, textures, models- all contained in one file. Main differences between en/it/gr/sp/fr are localized dialogs, so next sections have different offsets. Offsets before this are all the same. Wmset.obj is probably never used in-game and is leftover. Dialogs in lang-en/wmset.obj are in english, but the file is different from wmsetus.obj.

General structure

WMSETxx.obj is made from 48 sections. File starts with header, that has 48*4 bytes. Every offset is 4 bytes long.

Offset	Length	Description
0	4 bytes	Section 1
SectNmbr * 4	4 bytes	Section SectNmbr

The last section is offset 188.

Section 1: World map encounter data supplier

Offset	Length	Description
0	4 bytes	FileSize (this+4)
4 + (entryID * 4)	4 bytes	EncounterIdSupplierDataProvider_Entry

EncounterIdSupplierDataProvider_Entry:

Offset	Length	Description
0	Byte	regionID
1	Byte	groundID
2	Byte	ESI*
3	Byte	unused

• ESI is the name of the register that holds the third byte parameter of section1. It is used later to determine the encounter. When the character makes a step on worldmap, the game loops through whole section1 data and tests:

if the character is walking on groundID and regionID, if yes, then ESI is our multiplier to section4 containing encounters. Example entry:

00 06 00 00:

If Squall is in region = 0 and walks on ground with ID 6 (as far as I remember it's Balamb Plains or forest) then get encounters from section4 that start at 0*8; Other example:

04 1B 24 00:

If Squall is in region = 4 and walks on ground with ID 0x1B, then get encounters from section4 that starts at 0x24*8 = 288

That way the engine can play encounter based on place you are, because if you're walking on Balamb beach, then engine should play encounter with beach, not snow plains. That's why if you change the for one map portion you can totally erase encounters in this region, because in example region 4 that may be Centra regions does not contain any BalambPlains, so there is no entry in section1 and therefore the engine finds the region encounters, but doesn't find the encounter entries for BalambPlainsGround in Centra ruins (this is totally an example).

Section 2: World map Regions

Nothing much to write here. 32x24 world map. Just open it via hexEditor. It's just bitmap (you can even convert bytes to image and mini worldmap will show) Every single byte is regionID used for example in section1 for encounters.

Section 3: World Map Encounters Rates

One byte per encounter group in section 4. Maybe Rates, if 0, battle is disabled (railways/roads).

Section 4: World Map Encounters

Offset	Length	Description
section1.ESI * 16	16 bytes	2 * 8 bytes of encounters from scene.out

It's as simple as that: Squall makes step on worldmap, game gets Squall position and tests it with section2 containing region, then loops through section1 and tests groundID and regionID to find ESI multiplier, if random number generates battle, then game gets to section4 using ESI determined earlier with Squall step on world map and plays randomly one of the eight encounters (because one ESI/encounterEntry is 16 bytes, where first four words are the most common, other 2 medium and last 2 rarest)

Section 5: UNUSED Encounter Rates (after Lunar Cry)

Unused in-game

One byte (always 0x08 here) per encounter group in section 6. Analog to section 3, but for Lunar Cry encounters.

Section 6: World Map Encounters (after Lunar Cry)

Same format as Section 4, but only with Lunar Cry encounters.

Section 7-8: roads, train track, bridge

Related with Section 39. Maybe scripts in section 8. (like sections 10, 12 and 32)

Script format (ScriptsCount must be guessed):

Offset	Length	Description
0	4 * ScriptsCount + 4	List of script positions, not always sorted (ended with 0x00000000)
4 * ScriptsCount + 4	Varies + 4	Scripts data (ended with 0x00000000)

In script data you have 4-bytes opcodes, the first byte is the identifier, and the last two bytes are the parameter (the second byte is always 0xFF). Scripts always start with 0x01 opcode, and finish with 0x16 opcode. There is always one 0x04 opcode inside. For now most is unknown, I only understood that 0x2B opcode refer to scene ID in its parameter (you can find UFO, Koyo-K and Lac Obel battles in Section 32).

Section 9: UNKNOWN

Section 10-11: UNKNOWN (Related to Squall model)

Maybe scripts in section 10. (like sections 8, 12 and 32)

Section 12-13: UNKNOWN

Maybe scripts in section 12. (like sections 8, 10 and 32)

Section 14: Side quests texts/tialogs

This section provides dialogs on world map used in side quests.

This section starts with header pointing to relative offsets to dialog/text portions.

Dumped data from wmsetus.obj:

…+-1 Airstation5 … 7  Get off…YesNo5 + 7  Get off…YesNo5 - 7  Get off…YesNo”Bound for 5 4 7“Pay 4111 Gil to rideDon't ride”
Bound for 5 3 7“Pay 4111 Gil to rideDon't ride”Bound for 5 ! 7“Pay 4111 Gil to rideDon't ride7 ”You don't have enough money“
Selphie ”C'mon?  To the 5Missile Base7?“ n Soldier”Give it up“ n Soldier”I'm busy“ n Soldier”There's no way you're getting 
through?“ n Soldier”This is our duty“ n Soldier”Just like always“ n Soldier”How 'bout a date…“Found a draw point?But no one 
can drawFound a draw point?Nothing thereFound a draw point? foundCan't carry anymoreYou do not have DrawWho will draw…Don't 
draw  stocked 1+-=*&??()·.71Out of/  …?3  7remaining …YesNo#‘2 How to drive 7          4!Back  7!Forward          6!Get on
:off Steer with directional button 1!Change POV2 Garden Controls 7          4!Back  7!Forward  5!To cockpit          6!Get on
:off Steer with directional button 1!Change POV2 How to ride a Chocobo 7 6!Get off Run with directional button 1!Change POV2
 Spaceship Controls 7          4!Back  7!Forward  5!To cockpit          6!Get on:off Directional button to go up:down:steer 1!
Change POV)This place looksfamiliar·It looks abandonedand run=down”Huh?…“Nida”The gauge is going berserk?…“)Shouldn't be getting
 off·This must be Obel LakeThrow a rockTry hummingIt's Obel LakeThrow a rockTry hummingA black shadow rose to the surfaceThrow
 a rockTry humming againThe black shadow disappearedThe rock sank .The rock skipped once . .The rock skipped twice . . .The 
rock skipped 4 times . . . .The rock skipped 5 times . . . . .The rock skipped 6 times . . . . . .The rock skipped 7 times . 
. . . . .The rock skippedmany many timesBlack Shadow”Hello human  What a lovely tune“A black shadow rose to the surface”Hello?“)
There's something large there·”Thanks for speaking to me again?“”Umm“”Can you do me a favor…“)What is it·)I don't want to hear 
it·”It's my friend Mr Monkey Can you find him for me…“”Please“”“”Mr Monkey should be in a forest somewhere Keep walking around 
and I'm sure you'll find him“”Oh yeah do you know what…“”Oh yeah“”What a beautiful day“”I wonder what it means…“”Mysterious 
writing on the rock“”Mr Monkey had a rock like this I think“”Take a break at the railroad bridge“”Take some time off at Eldbeak
 Peninsula“”I bet it's a wonderful place“Relayed the whereabouts of Mr Monkey”Thank you?“There's the monkey?Throw a rockSing”
You suck?“The monkey disappeared into the forestThe monkey told you off and disappeared into the forest”Ahhh?  Darn it? 
Y=You're just a big loser?  I'm able to skip the rock as many times as I want? So there? Ha=Ha? Loser? Dork? Idiot? Your mom 
wears combat boots?“”OUCH? D=Darn it? You're gonna pay for that?“The monkey threw a rock at you and ran?Upon inspecting the 
rockit looks man=made andhas some carving on itYou found the monkey”You big dork???“Almost?The monkey ran awayWhat's this?…You
 found a piece of rock by your footIt looks man=made andhas some carving on itBut it was just a rockA bird is warming an egg
Check it outLeave it aloneIt seems that the birdwent to go look for foodYou found a piece of rock thereNothing there1  
S T S L R M 1  U R H A E O 1  R E A I D R 1  E A S N P D 1  S T S L R M 71  U R H A E O 71  R E A I D R 71  E A S N P D 7”
At the beach in 2 something special washes ashore at times“”You'll find something on an island east of 4 too“”There's also 
something on top of a mountain with a lake and cavern“”Back in the day south of here there used to be a small but beautiful 
village surrounded by deep forests Everyone lived a happy life there“There is a stone pillarIf you look closelythere's something
 written on it”TRETIMEASUREAT MINOFFDEISLE“)…·Found 9?Found L?Found ?Found 1?That sound disappeared into the lakeThere are many
 multicoloredrocks with faces all over the placeThe black=faced rock tells you sternly”The treasure is probably in the direction
 of the North Star“The white=faced rock tells you coldly”It's east“The white=faced rock tells you coldly”It's west“The white=
faced rock tells you coldly”It's south“The white=faced rock tells you coldly”It's north“The red=faced rock tells you angrily”
The blue one's a liar?“The red=faced rock tells you angrily”The treasure's to the east?“The red=faced rock tells you angrily”
The treasure's to the west?“The red=faced rock tells you angrily”The treasure's to the south?“The red=faced rock tells you angrily
”The treasure's to the north?“The red=faced rock tells you angrily”The treasure's not here?“The blue=faced rock whispers”
I don't know where the treasure is“The blue=faced rock whispers”People call us ‘The Liar Rocks'“The blue=faced rock whispers”
Some of us just repeat the same thing“The blue=faced rock whispers”Some of us just talk nonsense“The blue=faced whispers”
Some of us just say the opposite of what we mean“This place just has rubble lying among the grassAbsolutely nothing)
Is thispart of something…·)Seems like the same rock     I picked up before·)This must be all of them·”This must be all the rocks““
If he's not around perhaps he took a train towards Dollet…“)I remember now This is Edea's house I get the feeling there's something
nearby Something hugenearby·

Section 15: NULL

4 Bytes NULL

Section 16: World map objects data

Offset	Length	Description
0	4 bytes	Relative offset to Model structure (below)
Various	4 bytes	'00 00 00 00' - offset list end
Offset pointed by header	Various	Models (see below)

Researched by: Vehek (http://forums.qhimm.com/index.php?topic=13799.msg193791#msg193791)

struct
{
u16 triangle_count;
u16 quad_count;
u16 texture_page;
u16 vertex_count;
triangle triangleData[triangle_count];
quad quadData[quad_count];
vertex verticeData[vertex_count];
} model

struct
{
u8 vertexIndices[3];
u8 semitransp; //Sets semitransparency if bit 0x01 is set
u8 texcoords1[2];
u8 texcoords2[2];
u8 texcoords3[2];
u16 CLUT_ID;
} triangle

struct
{
u8 vertexIndices[4];
u8 texcoords1[2];
u8 texcoords2[2];
u8 texcoords3[2];
u8 texcoords4[2];
u16 CLUT_ID;
u8 semitransp;//Sets semitransparency if bit 0x01 is set
u8 unknown
} quad

struct
{
s16 coordinates[3];
u16 unknown;
}vertex

Section 17-19: UNKNOWN

UNKNOWN

Section 20: UNKNOWN

Bunch of AKAO frames headers packed

Section 21: AKAO

Starts with AKAO header

Section 22-28: NULL

4 Bytes NULL

Section 29: World map "water block"

Section 29 is a duplicate segment from "full" water block (not segment!) used in world map (wmx.obj).

Usage

Whenever landing or entering ragnarok, the engine does not load segments from wmx.obj until the transition is done. Whenever transforming viewport at certain speed, the engine can't keep up with loading the new segments/blocks. The areas that are not loaded but should be rendered in the same time are filled with this block. This can be seen when the camera view is set so that it rotates during ragnarok entering/exiting transition or placing character to different area.

Section 30: NULL

4 Bytes NULL

Section 31: UNKNOWN

UNKNOWN

Section 32: Text- Location names

This section provides location names (probably for Ragnarok landing?)

This section starts with header pointing to relative offsets to dialog/text portions.

Dumped data from wmsetus.obj:

?2344 Forest  Garden  Garden: Station!9Missile Base7WinhillEdea's House%:
51 Seaside Station1 City1: AirstationLunatic Pandora Laboratory=1
Sorceress MemorialTears' Point1 Seaside Station=Tears' PointTears' 
PointLunatic Pandora Laboratory1:Airstation1 Sorceress Memorial

Section 33-34: UNKNOWN

Section 35: World Map draw points

Offset	Length	Description
0x00	0x2C	UNUSED
0x2C + (thisEntryID * 4)	DWORD	DrawPointVariable

DrawPointVariable:

Offset	Length	Description
0x00	WORD	World block X
0x02	WORD	World block Y

Magic contained in world map draw point: (ID is: section35 magic entry+0x80 [add 1 to be correct with list below])

   129 0 1 Cure
   130 0 1 Esuna
   131 0 1 Thunder
   132 0 1 Fira
   133 0 1 Thundara
   134 0 1 Blizzara
   135 0 1 Blizzard
   136 0 1 Fire
   137 0 1 Cure
   138 0 1 Water
   139 0 1 Cura
   140 0 1 Esuna
   141 0 1 Scan
   142 0 1 Shell
   143 0 1 Haste
   144 0 1 Aero
   145 0 1 Bio
   146 0 1 Life
   147 0 1 Demi
   148 0 1 Protect 
   149 0 1 Holy 
   150 0 1 Thundaga
   151 0 1 Stop
   152 0 1 Firaga
   153 0 1 Regen
   154 0 1 Blizzaga
   155 0 1 Confuse
   156 0 1 Flare
   157 0 1 Dispel
   158 0 1 Slow
   159 0 1 Quake
   160 0 1 Curaga
   161 0 1 Tornado
   162 0 0 Full-Life
   163 0 1 Reflect
   164 0 0 Aura
   165 0 0 Quake
   166 0 1 Double
   167 0 1 Break
   168 0 0 Meteor
   169 0 0 Ultima
   170 0 0 Triple
   171 0 1 Confuse
   172 0 1 Blind
   173 1 1 Quake
   174 0 1 Sleep
   175 0 1 Silence
   176 1 1 Flare
   177 0 1 Death
   178 0 1 Drain
   179 1 1 Pain
   180 0 1 Berserk
   181 0 1 Float
   182 0 1 Zombie
   183 0 1 Meltdown
   184 1 0 Ultima
   185 1 1 Tornado
   186 1 1 Quake
   187 1 1 Meteor
   188 1 1 Holy
   189 1 1 Flare
   190 1 1 Aura
   191 1 1 Ultima
   192 1 1 Triple
   193 1 1 Full-Life
   194 1 1 Tornado
   195 1 1 Quake
   196 1 1 Meteor
   197 1 1 Holy
   198 1 1 Flare
   199 1 1 Aura
   200 1 1 Ultima
   201 1 1 Triple
   202 1 1 Full-Life
   203 1 1 Tornado
   204 1 1 Quake
   205 1 1 Meteor
   206 1 1 Holy
   207 1 1 Flare
   208 1 1 Aura
   209 1 1 Ultima
   210 1 1 Triple
   211 1 1 Full-Life
   212 1 1 Ultima
   213 1 1 Meteor
   214 1 1 Holy
   215 1 1 Flare
   216 1 1 Aura
   217 1 1 Ultima
   218 1 1 Triple
   219 1 1 Full-Life
   220 1 1 Meteor
   221 1 1 Holy
   222 1 1 Triple
   223 1 1 Aura
   224 1 1 Ultima
   225 1 1 Triple
   226 1 1 Full-Life
   227 1 1 Meteor
   228 1 1 Holy
   229 1 1 Flare
   230 1 1 Aura
   231 1 1 Ultima
   232 1 1 Triple
   233 1 1 Full-Life
   234 1 1 Meteor
   235 1 1 Triple
   236 1 1 Flare
   237 1 1 Aura
   238 1 1 Ultima
   239 1 1 Triple
   240 1 1 Full-Life
   241 1 1 Meteor
   242 1 1 Holy
   243 1 1 Flare
   244 1 1 Aura
   245 1 1 Ultima
   246 0 1 Blizzard
   247 0 1 Cure
   248 1 1 Dispel
   249 1 1 Confuse
   250 0 0 Meteor
   251 0 0 Double
   252 0 0 Aura
   253 0 0 Holy
   254 0 0 Flare
   255 0 0 Ultima
   256 1 1 Scan

Halfer: X = rowBlockAmount, which is 4 times segment amount so 4 * 32 = 128 or 0x80. The last bit tells which row of the two we are on, first or second. The range of top row is from 0x00 - 0x7F and second row's 0x80 - 0xFF.

Y is incremented whenever X goes over 0xFF.

Section 36-37: UNKNOWN

Maybe scripts in section 37. (like sections 8, 10 and 12)

Section 38: World map textures archive

This section starts with header pointing to relative offsets to .TIM textures. When engine reads offset as 0 (00 00 00 00) then ends reading offsets (so 0 is end of offset list). This is one of the larger sections in file. THIS section is responsible for 1/2 world map textures (Those are really used in-game). There is 36 textures inside as of original release. Also, sea, beach and special effects texture is present.

Offset	Length	Description
0	4 bytes	Relative offset to texture
Various (144 originally)	4 bytes	'00 00 00 00' - offset list end
Offset pointed by header	Various	.TIM texture (10 00 00 00 08)

Section 39: Textures - roads, train track, bridge

This section starts with header pointing to relative offsets to .TIM textures. When engine reads offset as 0 (00 00 00 00) then ends reading offsets (so 0 is end of offset list). THIS section is responsible for train track textures, road textures, bridge train track texture (the one that gets through FH).

Offset	Length	Description
0	4 bytes	Relative offset to texture
Various (52 originally)	4 bytes	'00 00 00 00' - offset list end
Offset pointed by header	Various	.TIM texture (10 00 00 00 08)

Section 40: One world map texture/NULL

This section starts with header pointing to relative offsets to only one .TIM texture. This is the first texture that is in texl.obj or wmsetxx.obj/Section 38.

Offset	Length	Description
0	4 bytes	Relative offset to texture
4	4 bytes	'00 00 00 00' - offset list end
8	Various (16384 originally)	.TIM texture (10 00 00 00 08)
After Texture	Next offset-(header+TIM texture)	NULL data

Section 41: UNKNOWN

UNKNOWN

Section 42: Vehicle and object textures

This section starts with header pointing to relative offsets to .TIM textures. When engine reads offset as 0 (00 00 00 00) then ends reading offsets (so 0 is end of offset list). THIS section is responsible for vehicles, world map objects textures (Balamb mobile, Galbadia mobile, Balamb halo ring, cactuar statue, lunatic pandora...)

Offset	Length	Description
0	4 bytes	Relative offset to texture
Various (132 originally)	4 bytes	'00 00 00 00' - offset list end
Offset pointed by header	Various	.TIM texture (10 00 00 00 08)

Section 43: Sound/music related

Starts with AKAO

Section 44: Music related

Starts with AKAO

Section 45-48: Sound/music related

Starts with AKAO