I've done some searching around on the web and the forums, but not really finding anything. There's this thread, but it didn't seem to say much. What is the .papa file type and what software is required to open it?
From memory, it's Uber's custom-made stuff. [EDIT:] https://forums.uberent.com/threads/unofficial-papa-file-format.46767/#post-739566 This post in particular is useful.
I know at least some of the papa files are used for 3D models of units and such. Raevn made a bender add on that can open them here: https://forums.uberent.com/threads/rel-blender-importer-exporter-for-papa-files-v0-5.47964/
Papa files also store textures now, but I haven't been able to reverse engineer them yet. There's a tool called papadump.exe in the PA\bin_XX\tools\ folder that gives information on the content of a papa file. There's also papatran.exe, but I haven't got it to work yet for textures.
Cool. I'll need to get my windows dualboot working and give that a go. It'd be fun to dig around in there.
If you enjoy digging, I suggest downloading the program "010 editor" and opening a papa file using the template in the thread bulletmagnet linked to.
I want to render some better PA scenes in blender, but UV textures for PA models are locked in papa files. There is an importer for papa model files to blender, but nothing for papa textures. If anyone finds a way to convert papa textures to jpg or png or something, please make sure I know...
What is actually the reason why textures are in those papa file by now? From our perspective it is just horrible. Good times in alpha when I could just replace the mex image.