Model Alternations

Learn about all possible clothing drawable model variations and their purpose in detail

Introduction

The game utilizes a mechanic known as Alternation Models, or Alternative Models, to improve visual fidelity and prevent clipping issues with clothing items. These models are variations of a base clothing model, optimized for specific scenarios like first-person view or to avoid clipping with other clothing items. This system enhances gameplay by providing smoother visuals, avoiding obstructed views, and ensuring characters’ clothes interact realistically in various game contexts.

Purpose of Alternation Models

The primary goal of Alternation Models is to improve the visual experience when certain clothing items are combined, especially in problematic scenarios. There are two primary use cases for alternation models:

1. First-Person Model: To avoid obstructing the player’s view in first-person mode.

2. Clipping Prevention: To prevent visual glitches like hair or clothing clipping through other items, such as masks, hats, or hoodies.

In GTA V, alternation models are differentiated by appending numbers (_1, _2, _3, etc.) to the base model’s file name. These numbered models serve specific purposes, and while a _1 suffix is often associated with first-person models, this is not a strict rule. Alternate models can serve a variety of purposes based on how they are configured.

Use Cases of Alternation Models

1. First-Person Models

First-person models are the most common application of alternation models in GTA V. When a player switches to first-person mode, clothing items like hoodies or large hats may obstruct the camera view. To solve this, the game loads an alternate version of the clothing that’s optimized for first-person.

Example: A hoodie with the hood up in third-person mode may block the camera in first-person view. The first-person alternation model (_1) removes the hood, ensuring the player has an unobstructed view.

![Example Image: Third-person hoodie with hood] ![Example Image: First-person hoodie without hood]

2. Clipping Prevention (Hair and Masks)

Clothing items like masks or hats often interact poorly with larger hairstyles, causing clipping. To prevent this, GTA V uses alternation models that modify the hairstyle to fit the mask or hat without clipping.

Example: When wearing a hockey mask with an afro hairstyle, an alternate model (_2 or _3) of the hair is loaded. This alternative hair model is slightly pushed back to fit the mask, preventing any visible clipping.

![Example Image: Third-person mask with clipping hair] ![Example Image: Alternation model with adjusted hair]

3. Hood Hair Models

Similar to masks, hoodies or jackets with hoods can cause issues with large hairstyles. In these cases, an alternation model is used to push the hair down or modify it to fit better under the hood, avoiding visible glitches.

Example: A large afro might clip through a hoodie with the hood up. The alternation model adjusts the hair to sit naturally within the hood, eliminating clipping.

![Example Image: Afro clipping through hoodie] ![Example Image: Hair adjusted to fit under hoodie]

Managing Alternation Models with pedalternatevariations.meta

GTA V uses the pedalternatevariations.meta file to configure which alternation models should be loaded for specific clothing combinations. This allows developers to fine-tune how clothing items interact with each other, ensuring smooth visual transitions between different pieces of apparel.

For example, when a mask is worn over a hoodie, an alternative version of the mask or hoodie may be loaded to prevent visual clipping.

Example: You created a mask that clips through hoodies with the hood up. Using the pedalternatevariations.meta file, you can specify that a different model (the alternation) is used when the mask is worn with the hoodie.

Backpack Alternation Models

Some clothing items, such as backpacks, utilize alternation models to ensure they fit correctly over different types of clothing. In GTA V, you may notice that backpacks use alternative models when worn over heavy jackets, armor, or specific heist outfits.

Example: Duffel bags may have alternate models for different clothing combinations. The base model might be invisible, but the alternation models (_1 through _28) are designed to fit over specific types of clothing. These models might have wider straps or different placements to fit various outfits.

Fixing Clipping with Backpacks

To prevent clipping with backpacks, two methods can be used:

• Method 1: Easy — Simply replace the base backpack model with one of the alternation models that has a wider belt, such as the models around _16. These are often designed to fit over various types of clothing, from jackets to armor.

• Method 2: Advanced — Configure the pedalternatevariations.meta file. This involves specifying the alternation models for each piece of clothing in combination with the backpack. For each alternation, you must define the clothing items and their associated IDs that trigger the use of the alternative model. This method allows for greater control over how clothing items interact with each other.

Summary

Alternation Models in GTA V are a powerful tool for avoiding visual glitches and improving character appearance across a variety of scenarios. By leveraging these models, developers can ensure that characters look good whether they’re in first-person mode, wearing masks, or sporting heavy backpacks. The system provides flexibility for tailoring clothing to specific gameplay needs, ultimately leading to a smoother, more immersive gaming experience.