RF Character Tools

Blender add-on for importing and exporting Red Faction character meshes (V3C/V3M) and animations (RFA).

Features

• V3C/V3M Import: Character meshes with armature, bone weights, materials, collision spheres, prop points, and LODs
• V3C Export: Full mesh export with skeleton, weights, collision spheres, and prop points
• RFA Import/Export: Batch import stock animations, preview in Blender, re-export with byte-exact round-trip
• Custom Mesh Workflow: Bind external meshes to the RF armature, transfer weights from the original, validate weight coverage
• Animation Management: Browse and switch animations, delete individually or in bulk
• Blender 4.0–5.0+ compatible (layered action API supported)

Installation

1. Download the latest release zip
2. In Blender: Edit → Preferences → Add-ons → Install
3. Select the zip file
4. Enable "RF Character Tools (V3C/V3M/RFA)"

Workflow

1. Import a V3C character mesh
2. Find Textures to link materials
3. Batch import animations (or load from the Required Animations list)
4. Import a custom mesh, bind to armature, transfer weights
5. Check Weights to verify full coverage
6. Export V3C (and re-export animations if needed)

Custom Mesh Tips

• Position your mesh to match the original character's proportions at the joints
• After Transfer Weights, use Check Weights to find and fix any unweighted vertices
• Weight paint problem areas (shoulders, hips, knees) for best results
• The original RF mesh stays available for reference via the Mesh visibility toggle

Panel Location

3D Viewport → Sidebar (N) → RF Character

Compatibility

• Blender 4.0 through 5.0+
• Red Faction PC (V3C/V3M format version 0x40000)
• Works with Alpine Faction (DDS textures, no hard caps)

Credits

• Romek - Creating blender add-on
• rafalh/rf-tools (vmesh) — V3C format reference and coordinate conversion verification
• GooberRF/redux — V3C/RFA export reference
• GooberRF/alpinefaction — Enhanced RF client

License

MIT License