
		Kart & Vehicle Upgrade Notes

   This archive contains several .txd files and related images. The kart.txd file provides a new skin for the go-kart - I call it the LiL Viper. The vehicle.txd file contains new textures that enhance the go-kart and all other vehicles in the San Andreas environment that use this file. View the included images to see the differences/improvements listed below.

   This latest update now also includes 4 different skins for the go-kart and tells you how to add them to the game files. When done, you'll be able to drive the kart into TransFender to change skins, add nitro, etc.. See below for specifics.

	Kart Features

   The kart.txd contains several new textures that alter the appearance of the default go-kart. The default skin itself is designed to resemble the head and body of a snake. The tires have been given a new texture to eliminate the odd look of a couple polygons being mapped differently than the rest (they were backwards). The rims have been retooled to give a brassy/golden tint to match the new skin.

   The most evident change is the restoration of the number plate graphic. It's something I don't think has been figured out/discovered by anyone else! Normally, there was a blank grey area on the rear sides of the kart's skin just ahead of the tires and above the headlight if the kart had the center section. For whatever reason, the developers either forgot or left out this graphic. After some experimenting and failing while trying various things I gave up on the idea. It was only after beginning to change the textures in the vehicle.txd file that I had a 'eureka' moment - the answer to my problem was in this file. So I tested my idea and added a graphic where I thought it should go... Cha-ching! It worked.

	Vehicle Features

   This version of vehicle.txd features several enhancements over the installed default. They include the following:

 - Removal of the grunge texture for clean-looking vehicles
 - New reflection and environment map textures for more realistic appearances.
   Side-effects of this are: Shiny (chrome & glass) surfaces look better. A number of vehicles have more vivid blue tinted glass
 - Higher res, more authentic-looking shattered glass
 - Complete overhaul of the license plate character set. Characters & numbers are far more legible.
   The dash (-) now added as well. Background color now matches the plate
 - Improved graphics for gauges. Optimized for motorcycles
 - Restored graphic for kart number plate (Alternate number images now included)

	Installing Files

   A couple things to note before you begin... You have the option to install either one or both of the files. If you DL'ed this archive just for the vehicle improvements, that's fine. If you want to use the kart skin then I suggest you install the vehicle.txd file too. I put a fair amount of work into creating and tweaking the kart skin to look just the way I wanted and I wouldn't like for it to be shown off with any part missing.

   To install the kart.txd file, you will need an editor that works on .img files. You can find one on any site that supports modifying GTA-San Andreas files. I personally use Txd Workshop V4.5 because of its superior handling of .img & .txd files. It has the ability to replace files in an .img file without the need to 'rebuild' like some other editors. ImgTool V2 and Spark also work well. Use whatever you have and works for you though.

   Begin installing kart.txd by firing up your editor, selecting 'Open IMG' then navigating to San Andreas' models folder. This is usually found at '[Drive Letter]:\Rockstar Games\GTA San Andreas\models'. Select the 'gta3.img' file when you get there. Once the file list pops up on the left side of your screen, do a search for 'kart.txd'. In Txd Workshop, enter the name in the box at the very bottom left of the window.  Now would be a good time to select 'Export' first to save the original file somewhere first so you have a backup. Next, click on the 'Action' button at the top of the list and select 'Replace'. Nav to the folder where you unpacked this archive and open the file. Last, click on the 'Save TXD' button and you're done. If you want to add the new skins now, jump ahead to the instructions for them then return here. Otherwise, close the editor and follow the next step.

   Installing the vehicle.txd file is much easier than the previous one. Start by opening a Windows Explorer window and navigating to '[Drive Letter]:\Rockstar Games\GTA San Andreas\models\generic'. If you want a backup of your original, either rename vehicle.txd to something like 'org_vehicle.txd' or 'vehicle_old.txd' or copying the file to a backup folder elsewhere. Next, copy the vehicle file from this archive into the generic folder. That's all there is to it.

   Should you want to use a different number from the default I've installed, you'll need to use Txd Workshop (or similar). Run the program then click on 'Open Txd'. Navigate to the above-mentioned generic folder and open the 'vehicle.txd' file. Locate the 'carplate' texture in the list shown in the program. Click on 'Import' then goto the 'NumPlates' folder extracted from this archive. Choose the one you want then click 'Save Txd' when done. And just in case you're forming the idea of using your own graphic, you should know this... The ones I've included were chosen because they're the only ones that will mirror properly on the opposite side of the kart! For example, if you try putting a 23 in there, you're just going to get a backward version on the other side. If you want to use a graphic of some sort besides a number, that'll work no problem. Just bear in mind what I've just said.

	Installing Skins

   To add the skins, open the gta3.img file (if it isn't already), select the 'Add' command and add each of the 4 skins(kart[1-4].txd). Close the file and exit the editor if you've completed the previous install steps. Next, use a text editor and open the 'carmods.dat' file found in the game's Data folder. Scroll down until you see the entries for the Intruder and Landstal(ker). Insert the following text on its own line between these two entries:

kart, nto_b_l, nto_b_s, nto_b_tw

Save and exit when done. You're now able to drive the kart into the TransFender shop to check out the skins and make other changes! Note that if you select the Color 1 option, you can give the kart's frame a new color, so that works too.


	Version History

 V1.0 - First public release (Dec/07)

 V1.1 - Changed env map texture to remove brownish color cast. Changed gauge texture to more hi-res version.
	Added locations map & alternate number plate images to archive (Jan/08)

 V1.11 - Figured out the hard way that the fuel filler door on vehicles was stored in vehicle.txd's gauges texture!
	 Had blanked it out in previous version - it's restored now. It's improved with rounded corners now (Jan/08)

 V1.2 - Added 4 skins(paintjobs) for the kart as well as enabling entry into the shop (June/08)


	Final Words

   All updated graphics are copyright by RanxeroX (BML) 2007. You may NOT excerpt, modify or include these graphics in other works without my express permission. Permission is granted to distribute this archive to other sites so long as all files remain intact and together and no charge is applied or profit derived from doing so. Fail to heed this notice and may the laws of karma rain holy retribution down upon your sorry ass!

   If you have any comments or questions, you can either find me on www.thegtaplace.com or send an e-mail to 'ranxerox23@gmail.com'.

   Have fun blastin' around the streets in your upgraded rides!
