A YDD to OBJ converter functions as a bridge for Grand Theft Auto V
modders, allowing them to extract proprietary "Drawable Dictionary" (.ydd) files—typically used for 3D clothing, props, or building LODs—and convert them into the industry-standard Wavefront (.obj) format for editing in software like Blender or 3ds Max. Key Conversion Workflows
Because .ydd is a complex "dictionary" format that can contain multiple models and Level of Detail (LOD) versions, the conversion often requires intermediate steps:
OpenIV to Open Formats: In OpenIV, you can right-click a .ydd file and select "Export to open formats" to create an .odd (Open Drawable Dictionary) file. These can then be imported into 3ds Max using plugins like GIMS EVO to be exported as an .obj. ydd to obj converter work
CodeWalker XML Export: Users often use CodeWalker to export the .ydd as an XML file. Specialized plugins like Sollumz for Blender can then import these XMLs directly into Blender, where the model can be saved as an .obj.
Direct Command-Line Tools: Tools like v2objconv on GitHub provide a more direct way to convert RAGE resources (including .ydd) into .obj files, with features for handling separated components and body colors. Essential Converter Features
To be effective, a YDD converter should handle the unique data stored within the original game file: A YDD to OBJ converter functions as a
LOD Management: High-quality converters can separate and extract different LODs (High, Medium, and Low) so modders can optimize performance for different viewing distances.
Texture Mapping: While .ydd files contain geometry, they rely on .ytd (Texture Dictionary) files for appearance. Advanced workflows ensure that UV coordinates are preserved so textures can be easily relinked in the 3D editor.
Rigging and Vertex Data: For clothing and characters, preserving vertex groups (used for movement) and vertex colors (used for in-game lighting/tints) is critical. ydd2obj
Unlock Functionality: Some .ydd files are "locked" by their original creators; tools like CodeWalker are often used to bypass these locks by exporting to XML and re-importing them as unlocked files.
Are you planning to edit existing game assets or are you trying to create a new mod from scratch? TUTORIAL: How To Unlock .YDD Models
ydd2obj.py (Python script)ydd2obj.exe (Windows standalone)README.md)