TerrainLab

AxonometricLab.py

Updated 1/17/26 – Tested iteratively with CentrED#; designed for ClassicUO-compatible tooling

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Goal and intent

AxonometricLab.py exists to generate a fully legal, structurally valid Ultima Online–style MUL data set that contains no copyrighted content from the original game.

The purpose is to:

• Run CentrED# client and server without relying on original Ultima Online assets
• Build and edit worlds using entirely original tiles, statics, metadata, and art
• Remain compatible in spirit and structure with ClassicUO / ServUO pipelines
• Enable clean import, conversion, or re-encoding into Godot-native formats such as .res, .tres, or custom binary layouts
• Support axonometric and isometric world building while fully respecting copyright

Every file produced by this script is either empty or structurally correct but zeroed.
Nothing proprietary is embedded. All visual assets, names, metadata, and gameplay logic are intended to be authored by the developer.

This is a foundation tool, not a content pack.

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Compatibility status (important)

• CentrED#: Actively tested during development and iteration
• ClassicUO: File structures are based on ClassicUO loader expectations, but direct runtime testing in ClassicUO has not yet been performed
• ServUO / UO-style servers: Structurally aligned, but server-specific behavior may vary

The intent is full compatibility, but this project favors structural correctness and legal cleanliness over unverified claims.

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What this script creates

AxonometricLab.py generates a minimal but structurally complete MUL layout that CentrED# and ClassicUO-derived tooling expect to exist.

Asset metadata and registries

These files allow UO-style editors to boot without missing-file or null-reference errors:

• art.mul
• artidx.mul
• tiledata.mul
• hues.mul
• radarcol.mul

All entries are empty or zeroed. No art, names, or colors are included.

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Texture data (land textures)

Required by CentrED# and ClassicUO asset loaders, even when unused:

• texmaps.mul
• texidx.mul

All texture slots are marked as missing. The container is intentionally blank.

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Lighting data

Required by ClassicUO-derived loaders:

• light.mul
• lightidx.mul

These files contain no light patterns but are structurally valid to prevent loader crashes.

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Multis (houses, boats, large structures)

Required by CentrED# blueprint and multi loaders:

• multi.mul
• multi.idx

All entries are empty. This prevents null-reference errors during multi initialization.

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World and facet data

For a chosen facet number and map size:

• map{facet}.mul
• staidx{facet}.mul
• statics{facet}.mul

The map is filled with a developer-chosen default land tile ID and default Z value, ready to be edited interactively in CentrED#.

Map dimensions must be multiples of 8 × 8, matching the classic UO block structure.

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What this script deliberately does not include

• No original Ultima Online artwork
• No original tile names
• No original statics
• No original color tables
• No sounds, animations, gumps, or UI assets

All creative content is expected to be authored by you.

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Example commands

Create a 512 × 512 blank world for facet 0, overwriting existing files:

python AxonometricLab.py --out ClientMin --force --facet 0 --map-width 512 --map-height 512

Create a smaller test map with a custom default tile and elevation:

python AxonometricLab.py \
  --out ClientMin \
  --force \
  --facet 0 \
  --map-width 256 \
  --map-height 256 \
  --default-land 3 \
  --default-z 5

Map width and height must be multiples of 8.

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Intended workflows

CentrED# client and server

• Point CentrED# client and server at the generated directory
• Load without missing-file or null-reference crashes
• Edit terrain, statics placement, elevations, and multis normally
• Use UO Fiddler to inject your own original art and metadata
• Keep all content original and legally clean

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ServUO or Classic UO–style servers

• Use the generated MUL files as a base world
• Populate gameplay logic server-side
• Replace or extend asset handling as needed

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Godot and modern engines

This script treats MUL files as an intermediate authoring format, not a runtime requirement.

A common pattern:

1. Author world layout in CentrED#

2. Export or parse MUL data

3. Convert into:

   • Godot Resource files
   • Custom chunked binary formats
   • JSON or MessagePack registries

4. Render using your own meshes, sprites, shaders, lighting, and collision logic

Nothing in this repository requires Godot to read MUL files at runtime.

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Why this exists

Classic Ultima Online tooling is mature, fast, and spatially expressive. The file formats are simple, deterministic, and well understood.

AxonometricLab.py allows developers to reuse the structure without reusing the content.

It is intended for:

• Axonometric RPGs
• Isometric sandbox worlds
• World editors for original IP
• Research and tooling experiments
• Education and engine integration

All without copyright risk.

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Legal clarity

This project intentionally avoids distributing or embedding any copyrighted Ultima Online assets.

• File formats are structural facts
• Generated data is zeroed or user-defined
• All content added afterward is the responsibility of the developer

This repository is about format compatibility, not asset reuse.

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Philosophy

Use the past as scaffolding. Build something new. Own your art, your worlds, and your future.

If you extend this script, keep it honest, transparent, and clean.

Limitless peace.