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Thread: [TUTORIAL] Using 3rd party skins with TROM

  1. #1
    Johan217's Avatar Campidoctor
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    Icon4 [TUTORIAL] Using 3rd party skins with TROM

    A quick guide on using unit skins with the TROM mod.

    Compatibility
    Most third party skins or skins sets are compatible with TROM, and do not require much work to set up.
    In short:
    • Skin sets that only change textures are always compatible
    • Skin sets that change not only textures, but also data files, will generally not be compatible

    Skin sets that change not only textures, but also data files, are usually mods that also change unit stats or add new units to the game. Popular examples include the Additional Units Mod (AUM) by SwissHalberdier and the Stand Alone Unit Packs by Legofingers. Using such mods in combination with TROM may cause problems, such as missing text, graphics corruption, changed unit stats or even game crashes. Since we cannot make separate TROM versions for all the different mods out there, we recommend not using them in combination with TROM.

    Installation
    It is recommended you use the ModManager tool. It can be downloaded here.

    So you found a texture set that you like, you checked that it doesn't change anything other than just the textures (you'll usually find this information in the maker's Readme file).

    Putting the mod files where they belong is easy, just follow the instructions provided with the texture set. Then, run ModManager and change the load order of the mods so that your skins mod is loaded AFTER TROM. It should look like this:
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Finally, start the game by clicking the Launch button in ModManager. That's all

    Note: texture packs in Patch format
    If you cannot see the texture pack in ModManager, it means the skin pack uses the Patch format. These files are loaded intpo the game with a lower priority, and therefore may not show up correctly. (This applies not only for TROM but for all mods). Changing the Pack type to Mod resolves this.

    - Open the pack with PackFileManager (download HERE) and change the Pack Type to Mod.
    - Then enable the skin pack on top of TROM with ModManager

    Note about AOR units
    The new units in TROM use their own models and textures, and will not be affected by third party texture mods. In the future we may update their textures to something more artistic and historical, so for now you'll have to put up with them

    Tutorial: enabling 3rd party skins with TROM
    As an example we will use the Dutch retexture pack from Regalia of Nations. You installed this pack into your empire total war\data directory and you run ModManager. It doesn't show up in the list. This is because the texture pack uses the "patch" format. If we want to make it work correctly with TROM, we will have to change it to "mod" format.

    Start PackFileManager and open the texture pack (in this case: patch_up_retextures.pack)
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Click Choose a Pack Action and select Change Pack Type > Mod from the menu
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Now select File > Save from the menu to save your changes, and exit PackFileManager.
    When you run ModManager next time, the texture pack will show up in the list.

    Now move the texture pack up in the list by clicking the arrow button, until it is on top of the list.
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Click the Launch button, and ETW will load all the mods you have selected in ModManager. The mod on top of the list (the texture pack) takes precedence over all the others, and this ensures your new skins will show up correctly.

    Tutorial: using separate skin sets for Named, Reserve and Colonial Regiments of Foot
    A special feature in TROM is that we are using separate skin sets for the Named, Reserve and Colonial Regiments of Foot in the game. This allows more variety on the battlefield. It also means that you can choose different historical skins for these units.

    For this we use the following naming pattern ("nationname" can be "austria", "britain", "netherlands", "wurttemberg" etc)

    (Named) Regiment of Foot: euro_line_infantry_nationname
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Reserve Regiment of Foot: aor_line_infantry_nationname
    If there is no nation name in the texture, the texture is shared by multiple (or even all) nations.
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Colonial Regiment of Foot: euro_colonial_infantry_nationname
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 


    Let's say we want to use the line infantry skin of the Regalia of Nations Dutch retexture pack for the Dutch Colonial Regiment of Foot in TROM.

    Start PackFileManager and open the texture pack (in this case: patch_up_retextures.pack)
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Find the line infantry textures: euro_line_infantry_netherlands_diffuse.dds, euro_line_infantry_netherlands_gloss.dds, euro_line_infantry_netherlands_normal.dds
    In this case there are 3 textures. In some packs it's possible that there are 2 or only 1. This is not a problem.

    Right click on the texture and choose Rename from the context menu.
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 


    Rename the textures as follows:
    euro_line_infantry_netherlands_diffuse.dds > euro_colonial_infantry_netherlands_diffuse.dds
    euro_line_infantry_netherlands_gloss.dds > euro_colonial_infantry_netherlands_gloss.dds
    euro_line_infantry_netherlands_normal.dds > euro_colonial_infantry_netherlands_normal.dds
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 


    Now select File > Save from the menu to save your changes, and exit PackFileManager. You're done
    Last edited by Johan217; October 01, 2009 at 05:51 AM.
    Rock 'n' roll is the only religion that will never let you down

  2. #2

    Default Re: Using 3rd party skins with TROM

    Thanks Johan, this was a big help. More power to your mod!
    I am an Imperial commissar. I will enflame the weak, support the wavering, guide the lost. I will be all things to all men who need me. But I will also punish without hesitation the weak, the incompetent, and the treasonous.
    - Colonel-Commissar Ibram Gaunt






  3. #3
    tomsin's Avatar Miles
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    Default Re: Using 3rd party skins with TROM

    change the load order of the mods so that your skins mod is loaded AFTER TROM. It should look like this:
    So the first in list of mods is loaded last? I thought opposite way

    "When desperately wounded, the Russian soldier would drag himself eastward simply to die a few yards nearer his homeland." (- Haythornthwaite - "Russian Army" Part I)

  4. #4

    Default Re: Using 3rd party skins with TROM

    This has caused more confusion......

    OP is correct, the mod on the top of the "MOD MANAGER LIST" loads last.

    On the User Text script, it is the opposite which is what is causing confusion. in the script, the bottom mod loads last. The mod manager automatically "flips" the list when it writes your user script.

    Hope that helps
    In God we trust...everyone else gets searched.

  5. #5

    Default Re: Using 3rd party skins with TROM

    Hey folks,

    Just a quick note regarding compatibility: the Regalia of Nations skin pack, d'l here: http://files.filefront.com/13732867 , is fully compatible with this mod, as is the 7 year's war mod.

    Sage

  6. #6

    Default Re: Using 3rd party skins with TROM

    Could someone please put up a pic of what they have checked in modmanager to get the Regalia of nations uniforms pack to work with TROM? I can't get the textures to show up properly and I think its cuz I'm not using them mod manager correctly.
    "Aut viam inveniam, aut faciam." -Hannibal Barca
    http://[IMG]http://img52.imageshack.....png[/IMG]

  7. #7

    Default Re: TUTORIAL: Using 3rd party skins with TROM

    Johan this was exceptionally thorough and kind - your TROM team are splendid!

  8. #8

    Default Re: Using 3rd party skins with TROM

    Here is an overview of full retexture mods for the main factions that I use myself and can recommend.

    Prussia: Prussian Full Retexture v1 by Remo
    http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=239486
    also included in Regalia Uniforms: http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=259304
    Austria: Austrian Full retexture by Remo
    http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=239486
    also included in Regalia Uniforms: http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=259304
    Ottomans: Ottomans Full Retexture by Remo
    http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=239486
    also included in Regalia Uniforms: http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=259304
    United Provinces: United Provinces Retexture Project - "Light Edition" (v1.0)
    http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=263541
    Great Britain: BRITISH Re-Texture.pack by Legofingers
    http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=250929
    Russia: TGOTRE Light 1.1 by HellFell
    http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=248686
    also included in Regalia Uniforms as Russia Full Re-Texture v. 1: http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=259304
    France: Ancien Régime France v04 by 33Orion77
    http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=245857
    Sweden: Sweden Complete Re-texture Pack by General Cornwallis
    http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=265606
    Spain: SPAIN RETEXTURE by Waronmars
    http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=237704
    Bavaria: Bavarian Complete Retexture by General Cornwallis
    http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=265606
    Courland Courland-Real by Jared the Piper
    http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=268066
    Last edited by Yarkis de Bodemloze; June 11, 2009 at 07:28 AM.

  9. #9
    Johan217's Avatar Campidoctor
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    Default Re: Using 3rd party skins with TROM

    Quote Originally Posted by Yarkis View Post
    Here is an overview of full retexture mods for the main factions that I use myself and can recommend.
    Nice collection!
    Rock 'n' roll is the only religion that will never let you down

  10. #10

    Default Re: TUTORIAL: Using 3rd party skins with TROM

    Is there any reason why all of the reskins I look at still retain the 'boy scout' beret's for the militia. Are they fused to the militia's model or something, I've never seen anything remotely like them in a uniform plate and would dearly like to get shot of them?

  11. #11
    Johan217's Avatar Campidoctor
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    Default Re: TUTORIAL: Using 3rd party skins with TROM

    Spanky's Proper Militia mod, which is included in TROM, gets rid of the militia berets. It substitutes the old militia model with the line infantry model. If you want to make new skins for militia you will have to base them on the line infantry texture.
    Rock 'n' roll is the only religion that will never let you down

  12. #12

    Default Re: TUTORIAL: Using 3rd party skins with TROM

    Thats weird I'm already using TROM and I still get the 'boy scouts'. Is it an option sub-mod, I'm still working through those?

  13. #13
    Johan217's Avatar Campidoctor
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    Default Re: TUTORIAL: Using 3rd party skins with TROM

    The new militia models/skins are part of trom_core_part_2.pack
    If you do not see them, it means you haven't installed or enabled part 2.

    The only unit that still uses the berets are the American Minutemen, as far as I know.
    Rock 'n' roll is the only religion that will never let you down

  14. #14

    Default Re: TUTORIAL: Using 3rd party skins with TROM

    Quote Originally Posted by Johan217 View Post
    The new militia models/skins are part of trom_core_part_2.pack
    If you do not see them, it means you haven't installed or enabled part 2.

    The only unit that still uses the berets are the American Minutemen, as far as I know.
    Well I've definately installed and enable Trom Part 2. I suspect the guys I noticed were the minutemen, that would make sense because I'm actually playing the RTI campaign again.

    Any reason why their still wearing berets, I wasn't aware that they did historically, although I suppose most would be wearing civilian clothes which might include a beret if they were French emigres?

  15. #15
    Johan217's Avatar Campidoctor
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    Default Re: TUTORIAL: Using 3rd party skins with TROM

    The reason why they are wearing berets: because their model has them. I could change them to the regular line infantry model, but then they would look exactly the same as the other militias.

    In fact the minutemen texture appears to include a tricorne hat as well as a beret, so I am guessing that CA meant to include more visible variation within a unit. One of those things that didn't make it into the release
    Rock 'n' roll is the only religion that will never let you down

  16. #16

    Default Re: TUTORIAL: Using 3rd party skins with TROM

    Well I can understand the tricorne, I'm just completely flumuxed by the inclusion of berets. I think the Prussian Landwehr wore something like a floppy peaked cap during the Napoleonic Wars but I've never seen any units dressed as French union sellers.

  17. #17

    Default Re: TUTORIAL: Using 3rd party skins with TROM

    hi Johan - I am keen to have my british artillery in blue jackets and found legofingers british retexture project. As it is a mod with no new units, can I add it to load after trom in mod manager? i am worried that it has a loc file that may confuse trom

  18. #18
    Johan217's Avatar Campidoctor
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    Default Re: TUTORIAL: Using 3rd party skins with TROM

    If it doesn't add any new units, leave out the loc file that comes with legofinger's mod (if any) and it should be ok.
    Rock 'n' roll is the only religion that will never let you down

  19. #19

    Default Re: Using 3rd party skins with TROM

    Quote Originally Posted by mikeCK View Post
    This has caused more confusion......

    OP is correct, the mod on the top of the "MOD MANAGER LIST" loads last.

    On the User Text script, it is the opposite which is what is causing confusion. in the script, the bottom mod loads last. The mod manager automatically "flips" the list when it writes your user script.

    Hope that helps
    I know this post is a bit old now but is this still true, was it ever true? I'm really uncertain. See pics of my MM and the script it creates for me:





    This looks to me like it makes a script in the same order as you can see in the main MM window. Does ETW perhaps parse this script from bottom to top??? I did notice for instance that if I put "lodtrickKZ.pack" at the bottom of the script it appeared not to work.... arrgghhh!

    Moopere

  20. #20
    Johan217's Avatar Campidoctor
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    Default Re: TUTORIAL: Using 3rd party skins with TROM

    In ModManager, what appears on top is loaded last and therefore takes precedence.

    In the script.txt, it is the reverse.
    Rock 'n' roll is the only religion that will never let you down

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