Unclear on How to Apply Darth's Mods? Read here:
Greetings New User,
Mod Background
The Total War series is a highly modifiable game. There is an executable, art files, sound files, texture files, etc and then there are data files that have many parameters (which can all be changed and tweaked which is what Darth and others do) that can be customized.
In the original installation all of these text files are packed into an encrypted format and are not visible. The modders have used the unpacker program to extract the core game files they need to access in order to effect their own personal mods. That is why you will not see these files from a fresh install of the game.
The M2TW application is capable of using the vanilla original files in the packed, or unpacked format, or by entering a switch in the command line telling it what directory path (like DarthMod's \data) to use instead of original game files. The application compiles the included directory and your custom files and is smart enough to know which vanilla files to use. Each time you launch the application (with or without) all of the data files and resources are compiled into memory and the game will only run properly if all required files are there.
This means that to make a major mod you would only need to make changes to two or three files, put them in the M2TW directory and create a batch file or enter the included path name each time you launch the application. Your files will be included and anything not included in your custom directory will be used from the original game files. It works, it's smart, it's the right way to make a game available to a strong modding community.
I hope that helps you understand what actually happens and why so many mods include different versions of common files like \data\world\maps\campaign\imperial_campaign\descr_strat.txt.
How You Can Keep Your M2TW Running Without Uninstalling & Reinstalling
I recommend you use ShellShock's MedManager program to manage your mods. If you use this tool you can create custom mods, use common mods like Darth or GrandViz's Ultimate AI without tampering with your default game files.
You can download it here: http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=68328
Please take the time to read the instructions on installing it that ShellShock has provided. They are detailed and comprehensive and include how to install a mod.
If you want to combine multiple mods, instead of overwriting all mods on top your existing game files, you can create a new, empty mod template and systematically update the new directory with each mod's files. I do this to create what I think is the best combination of vanilla fixes, enhancements and combat modelling mods available (Darth's, GrandViz's Ultimate AI, Orientis's Vice's and Virtues and Ancillaries fix). These all work together under one mod to provide the ideal, stable, most robust experience I've found with M2TW.
As an example, however, let's look at Darth's mods.
What Does Lord Vader Mean With All His Files with Different Names?
DarthMod Lite is an all encompassing update that includes an installer (to install you just run the installer and follow the directions he has included). It is made to be "standalone" (not requiring anything else). To keep this standalone mod up to date you should download anything he posts under "Open Source" and extract it then copy the contents of the "Open Source" update to the Darth Lite mod folder.
He currently has the following files and verions
1. DarthMod_M2TW_Lite_Version_1.3
2. Darth Formations M2TW Version 2.6
3. Darth DiplomacyCampaign War AI pack version 2.0
This is where things can become confusing, as Darth isn't always clear in English as to what version belongs to where and what should be done with it. (Although he may feel differently, I could hardly provide good descriptions and contextual information in Greek).
For the very current update path (assuming you are using Med Manager as I recommend), you want to download and install to a non-M2TW directory. Such as D:\darthmods\. You will then want to download and extract Darth Formations and Darth Diplomacy. These will be unencrypted and copied over the files in the D:\darthmods\ folder. Once you have completed this, the files in the \darthmods\ directory will be up to date. You can then copy them in their entirety from D:\darthmods\.. (all files and folders) to the Med Manager folder you created for Darth's Mods. You will overwrite all files you are copying over.
I personally play with every file Darth has ever released overwritten by every update he has ever released. This follows the train of thought that I then have every file Darth has modified with his changes and some minor mistake on his part will not result in a mismatch of versions or in strange errors. I noticed this on going from 1.0 and 1.1 Lite versions that unintentional bugs were occuring that he did not know about. When I installed version 1.0 and then 1.1 on top of that, the problems went away. He did not, however, distribute the two together, nor did he recommend people install each version.
If you are new to DarthMods or aren't sure how to update everything, then I recommend you download the link below. Once you have downloaded and installed MedManager you can follow ShellShock's instructions and create an empty template. You can then copy the unencrypted contents of the DarthModVault to that directory and launch the game. See below:
The zip file will create a folder named "DarthModVault-JAN22-2007" with another folder named "DarthModVault-JAN22-2007" inside of it (Sorry about that). Explore to that directory and copy the two files inside "Copy these files to your vanilla data folder" to your vanilla data folder. There shouldn't be anything in there to overwrite as those files are packed inside one of the vanilla game resource packs.
Then copy the \preferences, \packs, \custom, \data folders and paste them into the Mod folder you created for this in Med Manager. That's it. Create a shortcut in Med Manager for the new mod and use that shortcut to launch the game. You will see the latest Darth version as 1.3 Lite and your game is good to go with the all the latest versions of (and prexisting files needed to run) Darth's mods.
The vault currently has:
Lite 1.0, 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3
Open Source 8, 9 and 10
Darth Formations through 2.6
Darth Diplomacy 2.0
I hope this helps clear up confusion on what's going on and how to go about successfully implementing a mod in M2TW.
Yours,
coman
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NoRb4K - Darthmod betatesting team (;-P)
Originally Posted by coman
