Tutorial/Extracting with DataTool

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Datatool is the successor of OverTool (pre 1.14 Overwatch datamining tool). Datatool is a great way of extracting game assets such as sprays, voicelines, player icons and even larger stuff like models and maps.

Overview

DataTool extracts data into sorted directories, using the in-game names. This means that rather than having to sort through all the files using the CASCExplorer extraction method, or TankView, all the files have been placed in one spot for you. Pulling out Tracer, for example, puts the model, it's textures, and all associated animations into a single folder labeled Tracer. Further, each skin is in it's own subdirectory, so the Slipstream skin and all it's files will be in a Slipstream subfolder.

There are two formats you can extract the models to:

  • Raw, original formats. These are what Overwatch reads directly.
  • The custom OWM formats. While a WIP, these contain the most usable data for models and maps. They can be imported by Blender 2.7,Blender 2.8, Maya, and 3DS Max. Blender should be always updated, I don't know if that's the case with Maya and 3DS Max

By default, the OWM format is used while exporting. You can use the a flag to export the raw files instead.

You can find additional modes, flags and details on the DataTool page!

Software Needed

Optional software

The tutorial for this software is not included, but since these are just GUIs. They dont support the latest features since they are no longer updated.

NOTE: The gui's are no longer supported by the looks of it. Some problems may occur if you use them. To test if your datatool works, use it in the cmd


Steps

This will show you how to set up and use the datatool using the cmd.

Prep

  1. Extract Datatool in a folder.
  2. Open the Datatool folder, then click in the address bar at the top (where your current directory is displayed. Type cmd then press enter. This will open a command-prompt window in the current directory.
    • If it doesn't work for you, click the start button, type cmd then hit enter. Type e: to switch to the E: drive (or whichever drive you have DataTool installed on). Once on the right drive, type cd <your DataTool directory>. You should be in your Datatool directory now.
  3. Install the Blender, Maya, and/or 3DS Max plugins/scripts. (Not covered by this tutorial, but highly recommended.)

Common Usage

No matter how you use OverTool, it always follows the same sintax: 

datatool "<OW directory>" mode "<output directory>" "arguments"

In general, there are two types of modes: list and extract. You can check them all out on the modes page.

  1. Listing will show you the available heroes/items/skins that you can extract (you do not need need any output directory or arguments).
  2. Extracting will extract the files and thus needs an output folder, and arguments if you are looking to extract something specific.

Please note that if you have a space in your directory paths, you need to put quotes around the paths. An example of this would be datatool d:\Overwatch extract-maps "E:\Overwatch maps". The following sections will go into these modes and arguments in greater detail.

Characters and arguments

Datatool has several functions useful for extracting characters.

  1. The first thing to do is list all of the characters, to see what's available, and how to spell the character's names. Use the list-heroes mode to list all of the characters and their abilities. Example command: datatool d:\Overwatch list-heroes
  2. Choose the character you want to export. We'll go with everyone's favorite: Tracer.
  3. To export a character's data, you need to use mode extract-unlocks. We can export specific things by using types:
    • All of the types are: skin, icon, spray, victorypose, highlight intro and voiceline.
    • Writing tracer in the argument, will extract all of the tracer items (icons, sprays and the models). Example: datatool d:\Overwatch extract-unlocks "E:\Datatool output" Tracer
    • We can also limit which skins are extracted by using the Skin type. An example of this would be "Tracer|skin=Slipstream" to only export Tracers's Slipstream skin.
    • We can do the same with icons and the icon type. But since we would want all of the icons, we will use * to extract all of the available icons (this works with everything though-if you want to extract all heroes, maps...). Example: datatool D:\Overwatch extract-unlocks "E:\Datatool output" "Tracer|icon=*"
    • Sprays work exactly the same, but let's try to extract only summer games sprays. datatool D:\Overwatch extract-unlocks "E:\Datatool output" "Tracer|Spray=(event=summer games)"

You can also extract all of the Character's voice lines:

  1. Using the extract-unlocks mode and the voiceline type to extract a character's voice lines. Example command: datatool d:\Overwatch extract-unlocks "E:\Datatool output" "Tracer|voiceline=*" will export all of Tracer's voice lines into the E:\Datatool output folder.
    • NOTE: This dumps only the voicelines from the store (that you can purchase with credits). If you want all of the sounds for a hero, you have to use the extract-hero-voice mode (you can select the hero just as you could with the other stuff). Example: datatool d:\Overwatch extract-hero-voice "E:\Datatool output" Tracer

Maps

NOTE: Currently, OWMap files can only be imported into Blender, via the Blender Script.

  1. Use mode list-maps to get a list of all the available maps. Example command: datatool d:\Overwatch list-maps
  2. Find the map you want to export. Our example will be Eichenwalde. Remember to put quotes around it in the command if there are spaces in the name.
  3. Type datatool d:\Overwatch extract-maps "E:\Datatool output" "Eichenwalde" to extract into the E:\Datatool output folder.
  4. Once the command has finished, all of the models, textures, materials and the map itself should be available for importing.

NOTE: All of the files will be converted into formats that are easiest for further use (Blender), as Maya and 3DS Max importers are underdeveloped (if anyone wants to make importers, feel free to do so).

  • Animations: .seanim
  • Models: .owmdl
  • Effects: .oweffect
  • Entities: .owentity
  • Maps: .owmap
  • Materials: .owmat
  • Sprays, icons, textures: .TIF
  • Sound files: .ogg

Modes

Datatool has different modes for interacting with Overwatch assets. Some were presented in the text above, but you can check out all of the available modes here


Troubleshooting

Problem Solution
Why can't I extract Soldier 76, Torbjorn or Lucio? Datatool is very exact with their names. You need to use the names exactly as they appear in the character/map listing. This means Soldier 76 needs to be "Soldier: 76", Torbjorn needs to be Torbjörn, and Lucio needs to be Lúcio.
I can't find the skin/map I want! Make sure you have the latest Datatool, and have updated Overwatch. If you still can't find it, try using the list-heroes option to look at the included characters, or list-maps to inquire about maps.
I got a weird error while extracting! Make sure you have the latest Datatool, and have updated Overwatch (and have played it for a bit). If you have your overwatch install in another language, make sure you use the correct flag in your command (such as --L=deDE).
I can't see/read/load any texture maps! Datatool exports textures by default in a .TIF format. Using is in Blender should work, if you set the ball (bottom of the screen, next to object mode) to either rendered (slow and will suffocate your GPU) or material (better) or textured (real fast)
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