The popping errors could be fixed either way, you are absolutely right. Using the mdl/mdx files allowed for me to move certain assets to a submodule that made more sense (like moving the landing pad crates to the landing pad), and to improve models that were not originally designed to be viewed from areas they should be viewable from. I was also very stoked to have an available fix for the ramp issue in the Refugee Sector. For anyone else reading this who has not checked it out already, I definitely recommend Thor110's Visibility File Fixes, it will fix a lot of similar issues of assets disappearing before your eyes in other areas of the game.