[Variant Editor] How to add mesh subcategories to a definition?

[Magas of Cyrene]

I've been working with the Variant Editor for a quite a while now, but I still don't know to add a subcategory to a definition. To explain what I mean:



The armour category is broken down to clothing, clothing2 and frill subcategories. How does one add a new subcategory to that tree? Adding mesh or empty mesh doesn't create a new one...

[Commissar Caligula_]

You'll have to edit the variantmeshdefinition file with Notepad++ or a similar tool to manually add in a sub-category.

[Magas of Cyrene]

Thanks, that did the trick! It works like html code:

<SLOT name="cloaks" >
<VARIANT_MESH_REFERENCE definition="variantmeshes\_variantmodels\man\pelts/leopard_pelts.VariantMeshDefinition" />
</SLOT>

[Commissar Caligula_]

Yup. Just be aware there's a cap to how many variants/how much variety a unit can have (I don't know the exact number).
Do you know how imposter models work with variantmeshdefinitions?

[Magas of Cyrene]

No, I don't know about that - I've seen that in the editor, but haven't touched that yet.

[Commissar Caligula_]

Basically imposter models are low-quality models that are used when you're looking at a unit from a distance. If you don't have them, the unit will be invisible at a distance whereas if you do have them, there'll be a low-quality model when viewing at a distance. Generally I'm pretty sure you want as few as possible, since they'll lag the system so just use them for big things such as skin, helmet, chest, legs and shield.

            <SLOT name="armour" >
                <VARIANT_MESH_REFERENCE definition="VariantMeshes/_VariantModels/gondor/clothing/gondor_infantry_armour.VariantMeshDefinition" />
            </SLOT>
            <SLOT name="arm_armour" >
                <VARIANT_MESH model="VariantMeshes/_VariantModels/gondor/arm_armour/gondor_pauldrons.rigid_model_v2" />
            </SLOT>
            <SLOT name="shield" attach_point="weapon_03" >
                <VARIANT_MESH model="VariantMeshes/_VariantModels/gondor/shield/gondor_infantry_shield.rigid_model_v2"  imposter_model="VariantMeshes/_VariantModels/gondor/shield/gondor_infantry_shield.rigid_model_v2" />
            </SLOT>

So above we have three examples from Rise of Mordor for Attila. The first thing is a variantmeshdefinition, the second thing is a model by itself, and the third thing is a model with an imposter model.
When making a unit, you're making a variantmeshdefinition. So a variantmeshdefinition within that variantmeshdefinition is used if you want to group together a collection of models, and you're planning on using it for quite a few units. Its shown below. Also note how that variantmeshdefinition, within the variantmeshdefinition, also has a third layer of variantmeshdefinitions.
The second thing is the model by itself. Because its just a pauldron, and it isn't a very big model, it doesn't get an imposter model to save space.
The third thing is the shield, which does have an imposter model because its a fairly large piece.

Its generally easier to just apply the imposter model manually, using Notepad++ rather than through the Variant Editor/Assembly Kit. To check how the imposter models look, change the quality button in the bottom left corner from High to Imposter Low as shown here with a vanilla unit which changes its tunic. If you have like 5 different helmet models, use the same imposter for each.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

<VARIANT_MESH>
    <SLOT name="armour" >
        <VARIANT_MESH model="VariantMeshes/_VariantModels/gondor/armour/gondor_infantry_armour.rigid_model_v2"  imposter_model="VariantMeshes/_VariantModels/gondor/armour/gondor_infantry_armour.rigid_model_v2"  decal_diffuse="VariantMeshes/_VariantModels/man/patterns/blank/decal_diffuse"  decal_normal="VariantMeshes/_VariantModels/man/patterns/blank/decal_normal" >
            <SLOT name="belts" >
                <VARIANT_MESH model="VariantMeshes/_VariantModels/gondor/accessories/gondor_infantry_belt_01.rigid_model_v2" />
            </SLOT>
            <SLOT name="tunics" >
                <VARIANT_MESH_REFERENCE definition="variantmeshes\_variantmodels\gondor\tunics/gondor_infantry_tunics.VariantMeshDefinition" />
            </SLOT>
            <SLOT name="trousers" >
                <VARIANT_MESH_REFERENCE definition="variantmeshes\_variantmodels\gondor\trousers/gondor_infantry_trousers.VariantMeshDefinition" />
            </SLOT>
            <SLOT name="shoes" >
                <VARIANT_MESH_REFERENCE definition="variantmeshes\_variantmodels\gondor\shoes/gondor_shoes_cut.VariantMeshDefinition" />
            </SLOT>
        </VARIANT_MESH>
    </SLOT>
</VARIANT_MESH>

[Magnar]

general rule of thumb, use the vanilla imposters unless you are familiar enough to know what you are doign with them.

rome 2 has max 5 variants per slot.