Extended Question on Adding a New Unit

[T.W. Stanforth]

Hello guys,

I'm attempting to create a new unit from scratch in both the export_descr_unit and the battle_models.db files. I've read and re-read Mushashi's tutorial, Hesford's Q&A, guides explaining the individual files themselves etc. and I'm still stumped.

I managed to create a unit model using MilkShape and GOM for conversion/merging. The model works (minus some issues with the bowstring) pretty well, and functions fine if I delete another unit's skin and replace it my custom one. (Figure 1, renamed ND Dunedain Steel Archers) https://imgur.com/gallery/3vObWRI

However, once I've created a bm.db and edu entry for them, the game crashes on launch dt the soldier line of edu (soldier fountain_archer, 40, 0, 1.2), though does not crash if I apply the ND Dunedain Steel Archers soldier line; instead, they appear as invisible models on the new unit only. (Figure 2 and 3) https://imgur.com/gallery/3vObWRI

Does anybody have some advice on where I am going wrong? Why does it crash when I input the soldier line? Also, why does it turn invisible only on the new models? Thank you for any and all advice in advance.


[CONTENTBOX][/CONTENTBOX]
type Gondor Fountain Archers
dictionary Fountain_Archers
category infantry
class missile
voice_type Heavy
accent GondorFountainGuard
banner faction main_missile
banner holy crusade
soldier fountain_archer, 40, 0, 1.2
officer gondor_captain_early_flag
officer kingsguard_ug1
mount_effect camel +1, elephant -2, mount_light_wolf +2
attributes sea_faring, hide_forest, extreme_range, very_hardy, can_withdraw, stakes, cannot_skirmish, free_upkeep_unit
formation 1.2, 1.2, 2.4, 2.4, 4, square
stat_health 1, 3
stat_pri 7, 3, elven_ranger_arrow, 230, 32, missile, missile_mechanical, piercing, none, 0, 1
stat_pri_attr no
stat_sec 14, 6, no, 0, 0, melee, melee_blade, slashing, sword, 40, 1
stat_sec_attr no
stat_pri_armour 16, 6, 0, metal
stat_sec_armour 0, 0, flesh
stat_heat 4
stat_ground 1, -2, 0, -1
stat_mental 20, disciplined, highly_trained, lock_morale
stat_charge_dist 8
stat_fire_delay 0
stat_food 60, 300
stat_cost 3, 1400, 470, 200, 200, 1410, 2, 141
armour_ug_levels 4, 5
armour_ug_models fountain_archer, fountain_archer, fountain_archer
ownership sicily, denmark, turks
era 0 sicily
era 1 sicily
era 2 sicily
recruit_priority_offset 60
[CONTENTBOX][/CONTENTBOX]

[CONTENTBOX][/CONTENTBOX]
22 fountain_steel_archers
1 1
56 unit_models/_Units/fountain_archer/fountain_archer_lod0.mesh 6400
4
6 sicily
72 unit_models/_Units/fountain_archer/textures/fountain_archer_norm.texture
67 unit_models/_Units/fountain_archer/textures/fountain_archer.texture 0
45 unit_sprites/sicily_fountain_guard_sprite.spr
5 turks
72 unit_models/_Units/fountain_archer/textures/fountain_archer_norm.texture
67 unit_models/_Units/fountain_archer/textures/fountain_archer.texture 0
45 unit_sprites/sicily_fountain_guard_sprite.spr
7 denmark
72 unit_models/_Units/fountain_archer/textures/fountain_archer_norm.texture
67 unit_models/_Units/fountain_archer/textures/fountain_archer.texture 0
45 unit_sprites/sicily_fountain_guard_sprite.spr
5 slave
72 unit_models/_Units/fountain_archer/textures/fountain_archer_norm.texture
67 unit_models/_Units/fountain_archer/textures/fountain_archer.texture 0
45 unit_sprites/sicily_fountain_guard_sprite.spr
4
6 sicily
57 unit_models/AttachmentSets/dunedain_elite_bow_att.texture
62 unit_models/AttachmentSets/dunedain_elite_bow_att_norm.texture 0
5 turks
57 unit_models/AttachmentSets/dunedain_elite_bow_att.texture
62 unit_models/AttachmentSets/dunedain_elite_bow_att_norm.texture 0
7 denmark
57 unit_models/AttachmentSets/dunedain_elite_bow_att.texture
62 unit_models/AttachmentSets/dunedain_elite_bow_att_norm.texture 0
5 slave
57 unit_models/AttachmentSets/dunedain_elite_bow_att.texture
62 unit_models/AttachmentSets/dunedain_elite_bow_att_norm.texture 0
1
4 None
27 MTW2_Fast_Longbowman_String 16 MTW2_2HSwordsman
1
19 MTW2_Bowman_Primary
1
24 MTW2_2HSwordsman_Primary
16 -0.090000004 0 0 -0.34999999 0.80000001 0.60000002
[CONTENTBOX][/CONTENTBOX]

[Vladyvid]

Well, there are no corresponding links to the right model from what i can see.

This line in EDU:

soldier fountain_archer, 40, 0, 1.2

and this line in EDU:

armour_ug_models fountain_archer, fountain_archer, fountain_archer

are using different unit tag, than what you have in battlemodels.db: fountain_steel_archers (in the first line: 22 fountain_steel_archers)

So, you have to use either fountain_archer or fountain_steel_archers in all these corresponding entries to match.

Also, you have 3 upgrade models listed in EDU, but only 2 upgrade levels, so that could be another thing to correct:

armour_ug_levels 4, 5 (meaning 2 levels)
armour_ug_models fountain_archer, fountain_archer, fountain_archer (this indicates 3 levels of upgrades)



edit:

Another thing is the accent you coded in EDU, Im not sure if its gonna work, i guess depends on the mod you are using if it actually has that accent type.