This tutorial may look big, but the process of creating new settlements and regions is a very quick and easy process. You will get use to it.
I will if time permits, add more information here if neccessary.
Please ask any questions.
Contents:
- Helpfull tips with regions/settlements using Geomod.
- How to check for region errors on your map using Geomod.
- How to create a new region and settlement using Geomod:
What is geomod? Geomod is a tool that can be used to edit your mods, campagin map, the factions, characters and various other peices.
How do I know when I can use Geomod? You need to 'unpack' your medieval II total war game and create a mod folder. Instructions on how to do this can be found around the forum. Geomod will informyou of any missing files that are needed.
When can I use Geomod? When your mod folder is ready (all files are included) then geomod will load properly and you will be able to use its features.
How should I back up my mod and files? Copy hole folders into a backup folder. Regurally backup files when ever you edit your mod BUT only if those files work correctly. Do not backup broken files.
This is general information. Visit Geomods main post to get more detailed information.
Helpfull tips with regions/settlements using Geomod:
1 new region = 1 possiable mistake related to that region/settlement. Easy to fix. Reccomended.
10 new regions = 10 possiable mistakes + more. The errors could be related to anyone of those regions! Thats bad.
20 new regions = 20 possiable mistakes + lots more. You have two options, restart modding or fix each individual region (very hard to do deppending on the error's).
Thats why you create regions one by one. So its easier for you to find and fix any problems.
When adding, editing or deleting new region's/settlement's/character's/mapfeatures (with geomod) your editing multiple files.
They are:
- descr_strat.txt within the world folder.
- Almost every file in the base folder.
- Some files in the text folder including the .txt and string.bin files.
To check for region errors on your map using Geomod:
Open geomod, select your mod. Make sure your mod dosnt have any fatal errors that will cause a in game error (revert back to a working mod version if you have to). Geomod wont tell you all of the errors that your mod has, so test the game first. If geomod cant load the mod because of an error then revert back to a working mod version.
You can use Geomod's Debugger which will repair and notify you of map features that are placed incorrect, are to high or low, and searcc for invalid positions.
Assuming you already have a few regions on your map you can Generate maps of your mod campagin map. These maps show you plenty of information and can also identify non-working regions.
In geomod go to: Tools > select 'generating of maps'. Choose your mod folder. Press ok.
Geomod will now create various maps of your cammpagin. This will take a few seconds (show on the loading bar). If windows says geomod isnt repsonding just leave it. Let geomod load the maps.
A window will popup showing you the maps and the folder they are in.
Select the .tag map's called creators and factions.
The creators.tga map will show you the regions/settlement creators (who 'historically' built them).
The factions.tga map will show you the starting faction of the region (who starts on that regions in the beginning of the game)
Look at the colours of the regions. Factions are displayed by their primiary and secondary colors.
Eg:
England's prim color is red. Secondary yellow.
France """""""""""""""" is blue. """"""""""""" white.
HRE """""""""""""""""""" is black. """"""""""" yellow.
etc....
This can be cause by the region not having a settlement or region name. No faction owner. The region color (used in geomod) dosnt match what is being used in the base files. ESPECIALLY the map_regions.tga and descr_regions file's. There could also be other causes.
The other maps are also there to show other information.
To create a new region and settlement using Geomod:
1. Open geomod, select your mod. Make sure your mod dosnt have any fatal errors that will cause a in game error (revert back to a working mod version if you have to). Geomod wont tell you all of the errors that your mod has, so test the game first. If geomod cant load the mod because of an error then revert back to a working mod version. Its vital your not 'building' over a borken mod.
2. Select the regions tab.
3. Move the screen on geomod to the selected area you want to create your region over. Zoom in if neccessary.
4. Unselect anything you have already sellected. Click the new button.
5. In the regions list at the very bottom will be the name of your new region (named: New_Region). Keep selected on this region.
6. Within the province tab, type in your Region name for both box's and select the city tab and type in your Settlement name for both box's.The region and settlement names can be different.
NOTE: The first (left hand box) of both the province and city tabs must NOT have any spaces.
EG:
Province:
|----- box 1 ---------|---- box 2 -|
[Pomerania_Province/Pomerania] = good.
[Pomerania Province/Pomerania] = bad.
City:
|box 1|box 2|
[Thorn/Thorn] = good.
[T horn/Thorn] = bad.
7. Click the Validate button
Select maps tab. Within maps tab select the draw tab. Select the regions map if it hasnt already been selected.
8. Assuming you have done all the correct steps so far move on. Insure you are using the Regions draw. The Regions box should have already been selected. If it has, then the color has already been randomly selected for your new region. Do not touch this then. Click the pencil botton and draw on the map the area you want your region to cover
You can draw over other factions. (do not draw over another regions settlement or port).
You can completey draw over a regions settlement or port if you plan to replace/remove that region. (this is a good way of removing regions who dont have a region/settlement name to match, hence removing the un-need region color and its area.
9. once you have a sutiable area for your region, select the Regions tab.
10. Within the cordinate area, place your city and port on the map.
Regions not bording water do not need a port.
Regions do not always need a port even if they are next to water.
City's (settlements) should be placed in a area so that characters may access it easily from most directions.
City's should never be to close to another border otherwise you will receive a crash. The error log should inform you if the problem should it happen.
11. Click the Validate button
12. Now you have a new region, new settlement and 4 new names (2 of whch will appear in the game) on your mod. But your not finnished yet.
13. Select the Various tab within the regions tab.
14. Select the appropiate factions/option for: Creator, Owner faction, Rebels, Mercenaries and music.
Creator is the creator of the faction.
Owner faction is the faction who owns the region and settlement in the beginning of the game.
'Creator' and 'owner faction' can be different factions. It is reccomended that the faction character which starts the game inside the settlement is the same faction who owns the settlement/region. Otherwise in the beginning of the mod, it will be counted as 'settlement captured'.
15. Click the Validate button
Now finnaly your settlement is read to play with in the mod.
It is reccomend that you save and test that the mod is still working. If you have had plenty of experience in making new regions and settlement (such as me 
) and your mod is working, you can now in the Development tab, change the settlement to a castle or city, add buildings, edit the population, and change the settlement level. Castle's should have castle buildings (usually identifyed with castle in the buildings name).
NOTE: Remember to add the castle or city core building and that it matches the settlement level. Villages do not have any core buildings.
You can also edit the religions, the cordinates of the settlement/port, the region color, the economy of the region and pratically everything else. Remember to follow the rules of changing the region/settlement names.
Validate always.
Keep Backup copys, espically of the working files.
Backup regurally.
One step at a time.
Thats 1 rep plz
Geomod: How to make new regions. Spot errors using Gmaps + tips.
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Originally Posted by Swe
