The battle_models.modeldb file is where the various models(units/soldiers) are defined that show up on the battlefield. This is where a Dismounted Feudal Knight is defined as to what textures and models represents it. Understanding this file allows new types of units to be made (or at least new units based on existing textures and model parts).
I'm hoping others will jump in and provide info as well.
Here is an example entry from the battle_models.modeldb file along with my comments as to what I think things might mean. These are just guesses on my part.
I have no idea if CA is planning to release a tool that will aid in creating/modifying this file. If so, great! I would still like to try and understand the file however.
The file is one long string (no breaks). I broke the file into lines that seemed like the right place. I probably made mistakes somewhere.
My comments are in ().
Code:
16 -0.090000004 0 0 -0.34999999 0.80000001 0.60000002 (End of Last Entry or Beginning of this one?)
25 dismounted_feudal_knights 1 4 (Number of characters in the name) (Name of Entry used in EDU) (??Scale??) (Number of Mesh Entries)
69 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/dismounted_feudal_knights_lod0.mesh 121 (Number of Characters in mesh path/name)(Mesh)(LOD distance)
69 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/dismounted_feudal_knights_lod1.mesh 900
69 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/dismounted_feudal_knights_lod2.mesh 2500
69 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/dismounted_feudal_knights_lod3.mesh 6400
(Model Texturing Section)
11 (Number of Faction Entries)
7 england (Length of Faction Name) (Faction Name)
73 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/textures/EN_Lmail_Hmail_england.texture (Length of Texture Path/Name) (Path to Faction Texture)
72 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/textures/EN_Lmail_Hmail_normal.texture (This is the normal map texture)
57 unit_sprites/england_Dismounted_Feudal_Knights_sprite.spr (this is the sprite for this faction)
8 scotland
74 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/textures/EN_Lmail_Hmail_scotland.texture
72 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/textures/EN_Lmail_Hmail_normal.texture
58 unit_sprites/scotland_Dismounted_Feudal_Knights_sprite.spr
6 france
72 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/textures/EN_Lmail_Hmail_france.texture
72 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/textures/EN_Lmail_Hmail_normal.texture
56 unit_sprites/france_Dismounted_Feudal_Knights_sprite.spr
3 hre
69 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/textures/EN_Lmail_Hmail_hre.texture
72 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/textures/EN_Lmail_Hmail_normal.texture
53 unit_sprites/hre_Dismounted_Feudal_Knights_sprite.spr
7 denmark
73 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/textures/EN_Lmail_Hmail_denmark.texture
72 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/textures/EN_Lmail_Hmail_normal.texture
57 unit_sprites/denmark_Dismounted_Feudal_Knights_sprite.spr
5 spain
71 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/textures/EN_Lmail_Hmail_spain.texture
72 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/textures/EN_Lmail_Hmail_normal.texture
55 unit_sprites/spain_Dismounted_Feudal_Knights_sprite.spr
8 portugal
74 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/textures/EN_Lmail_Hmail_portugal.texture
72 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/textures/EN_Lmail_Hmail_normal.texture
58 unit_sprites/portugal_Dismounted_Feudal_Knights_sprite.spr
5 milan
71 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/textures/EN_Lmail_Hmail_milan.texture
72 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/textures/EN_Lmail_Hmail_normal.texture
55 unit_sprites/milan_Dismounted_Feudal_Knights_sprite.spr
6 venice
72 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/textures/EN_Lmail_Hmail_venice.texture
72 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/textures/EN_Lmail_Hmail_normal.texture
56 unit_sprites/venice_Dismounted_Feudal_Knights_sprite.spr
12 papal_states
78 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/textures/EN_Lmail_Hmail_papal_states.texture
72 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/textures/EN_Lmail_Hmail_normal.texture
62 unit_sprites/papal_states_Dismounted_Feudal_Knights_sprite.spr
7 hungary
73 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/textures/EN_Lmail_Hmail_hungary.texture
72 unit_models/_Units/EN_Lmail_Hmail/textures/EN_Lmail_Hmail_normal.texture
57 unit_sprites/hungary_Dismounted_Feudal_Knights_sprite.spr
(Attachment Texture Section)
11 (Number of Faction Entries)
7 england (Length of Faction Name) (Faction Name)
60 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Heater_england_diff.texture (Length of Texture Path/Name) (Texture)
60 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Heater_england_norm.texture (normal map)
0 (Declares end of this faction's entries)
8 scotland
61 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Heater_scotland_diff.texture
61 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Heater_scotland_norm.texture 0
6 france
59 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Heater_france_diff.texture
59 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Heater_france_norm.texture 0
3 hre
56 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Heater_hre_diff.texture
56 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Heater_hre_norm.texture 0
7 denmark
60 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Heater_denmark_diff.texture
60 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Heater_denmark_norm.texture 0
5 spain
58 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Heater_spain_diff.texture
58 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Heater_spain_norm.texture 0
8 portugal
61 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Heater_portugal_diff.texture
61 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Heater_portugal_norm.texture 0
5 milan
58 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Heater_milan_diff.texture
58 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Heater_milan_norm.texture 0
6 venice
59 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Heater_venice_diff.texture
59 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Heater_venice_norm.texture 0
12 papal_states
65 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Heater_papal_states_diff.texture
65 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Heater_papal_states_norm.texture 0
7 hungary
60 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Heater_hungary_diff.texture
60 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Heater_hungary_norm.texture 0
(Attachments)
1 (Number of Mount types?)
4 None (lengh of entry) (Mount Name)
14 MTW2_Swordsman
0 (Number of somethings)
2 (Number of Attachments?)
18 MTW2_Sword_Primary
14 fs_test_shield
0
16 -0.090000004 0 0 -0.34999999 0.80000001 0.60000002 (??? End of This Entry or Beginning of Next)
Update: I think the numbers at the begining of a faction line are the number of characters for that factions name.
3 hre
5 spain
7 england
In the Attachments section, this appears to be true as well.
14 MTW2_Swordsman
18 MTW2_Sword_Primary
14 fs_test_shield
Textures as well:
58 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Heater_milan_diff.texture
60 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Heater_england_norm.texture