Just apply the jflp patch by adoxa, sdk on steroids, all text files decompiled plus a gazillion fixes. Problem solved

Is this the content from the Ubisoft release a few years back?

FL Explorer is the easiest way of doing paths. You just need to be very very careful when doing them, especially with path numbers which must be consecutive. There's a lot of editing after doing them with Explorer. If you're careful, no issues

This discussion was six years ago...

While i admire your efforts in this Treewyrm, i have no understanding of it and don't wish to, I'm with Schmackbolzen on this regarding the question why?

There are plenty of us, me included who do not have MAX, and have no intention of getting it. The advantage at the moment with those of us who mess with sur files is that the sur tool that Schmackbolzen wrote works for a large percentage of models, both static and those with parts. While I agree a MAX plugin and exporter will be nice for those that have it, plenty of us don't.

If any upgrades need doing, the two of you should discuss what needs fixing (if anything) and update accordingly, so everyone can use the sur utility, instead of limiting any major upgrades to MAX users only.

Have you tried the no cd patch in the downloads section? W10 doesn't use safedisc and the no cd patch then lets you run the game. I'm assuming you are running everything with admin privileges?

That is old

Some good looking ships there