HOW TO - individual units' movement speed

**adonys** · October 11, 2004, 07:54 PM

in the file descr_skeleton.txt there are made presets of animations for different in-game uses.

I will only talk in here about the walk, run and charge animations, but other animation can be used in the same way as well (stand_turn_cw_1, stand_turn_ccw_1, ready_turn_cw, ready_turn_ccw - all four used for turning, they'll give unit's turn speed; advance, retreat, charge_attack, charge_jump_attack, run_attack etc - each with its obvious use).

There are some different animations for all walk, run and charge anim events:

WALK:
strat_named_with_army* * SG 03 MARCH.cas
strat_spy* * * * * * * * * * * * * LID 106 Spy walk loop.cas
strat_assassin* * * * * * * * * ASS_walk.cas
strat_diplomat* * * * * * * * * SM_D06 Diplomat walk loop.cas
strat_navy* * * * * * * * * * * * navy_move.CAS

fs_swordsman* * * * * * * * * LIS 03 March.cas
fs_fast_swordsman* * * * * * LIS 03 March.cas
fs_standard_bearer* * * * * * SG 03 march.cas
fs_dagger* * * * * * * * * * * * LID_03 March loop.cas
fs_fast_dagger* * * * * * * * * LID_03 March loop.cas
fs_javelinman* * * * * * * * * LIS 03 March.cas
fs_fast_javelinman* * * * * * LIS 03 March.cas
fs_spearman* * * * * * * * * * LIS 03 March.cas
fs_fast_spearman* * * * * * * LIS 03 March.cas
fs_2handed* * * * * * * * * * * 2HS_03 march.cas

fs_archer* * * * * * * * * * * * LID_03 March loop.cas
fs_fast_archer* * * * * * * * * LID_03 March loop.cas
fs_slinger_new* * * * * * * * SLG 03 March.cas

fs_chariot_sword* * * * * * * CD Reins 28 chariot moving at walking pace.cas
fs_chariot_archer* * * * * * CD Reins 28 chariot moving at walking pace.cas

fs_horse* * * * * * * * * * * * * Horse_walk.CAS
fs_fast_horse* * * * * * * * * Horse_walk.CAS
fs_forest_elephant* * * * * * F_elephant_walk.cas
fs_indian_elephant* * * * * I_elephant_walk.cas
fs_african_elephant* * * * * A_elephant_walk.cas
fs_indian_giant_elephant* I_elephant_walk.cas
fs_camel* * * * * * * * * * * * Camel_walk.CAS
fs_dog* * * * * * * * * * * * * * Wardog_Walk.CAS
fs_pig* * * * * * * * * * * * * * unit_pig_walk.CAS

RUN:
strat_named_with_army* * SG 04 Run loop.cas
strat_navy* * * * * * * * * * * * navy_quicksail.CAS

fs_swordsman* * * * * * * * * LIS 04 RUN Loop cycle.cas
fs_fast_swordsman* * * * * * LIS 04 RUNFast Loop cycle.cas
fs_standard_bearer* * * * * * SG 04 run.cas
fs_dagger* * * * * * * * * * * * LID_04 Run Loop.cas
fs_fast_dagger* * * * * * * * * LID_04 RunFast Loop.cas
fs_javelinman* * * * * * * * * LIJ 60 run.cas
fs_fast_javelinman* * * * * * LIJ 60 RunFast.CAS
fs_spearman* * * * * * * * * * LIJ 60 run.cas
fs_fast_spearman* * * * * * * LIJ 60 RunFast.CAS
fs_2handed* * * * * * * * * * * 2HS_04 Run.cas

fs_archer* * * * * * * * * * * * LID_04 Run Loop.cas
;fs_archer* * * * * * * * * * * * LID_04 Run_20pc_faster_4light.CAS
fs_fast_archer* * * * * * * * * LID_04 RunFast Loop.cas
;fs_fast_archer* * * * * * * * LID_04 Run_20pc_faster_4light.CAS
fs_slinger_new* * * * * * * * SLG 04 Run.cas

fs_chariot_sword* * * * * * * CD Reins 29 chariot moving at running speed.cas
fs_chariot_archer* * * * * * CD Reins 29 chariot moving at running speed.cas

fs_horse* * * * * * * * * * * * * Horse_canter.CAS
fs_fast_horse* * * * * * * * * Horse_Canter_1250cm_sec.CAS
fs_forest_elephant* * * * * * F_elephant_run.cas
fs_indian_elephant* * * * * I_elephant_run.cas
fs_african_elephant* * * * * A_elephant_run.cas
fs_indian_giant_elephant* I_elephant_run.cas
fs_camel* * * * * * * * * * * * Camel_run.CAS
fs_dog* * * * * * * * * * * * * * Wardog_Run.CAS
fs_pig* * * * * * * * * * * * * * unit_pig_run.CAS

CHARGE:
fs_swordsman* * * * * * * * * LIS 05 charge loop.cas
fs_fast_swordsman* * * * * * LIS 05 charge loop.cas
fs_standard_bearer* * * * * * SG 05 charge.cas
fs_dagger* * * * * * * * * * * * LID_05_Charge.cas
fs_fast_dagger* * * * * * * * * LID_05_Charge.cas
fs_javelinman* * * * * * * * * LIJ 02 charge loop.cas
fs_fast_javelinman* * * * * * LIJ 02 charge loop.cas
fs_spearman* * * * * * * * * * SPM 05 charge loop.cas
fs_fast_spearman* * * * * * * SPM 05 charge loop.cas
fs_2handed* * * * * * * * * * * 2HS_05 Charge.cas

fs_slinger_new* * * * * * * * slg_37_charge.CAS

fs_horse* * * * * * * * * * * * * Horse_Gallop.CAS
fs_fast_horse* * * * * * * * * Horse_Gallop.CAS
fs_forest_elephant* * * * * * F_elephant_charge.cas
fs_indian_elephant* * * * * * I_elephant_charge.cas
fs_african_elephant* * * * * A_elephant_charge.cas
fs_indian_giant_elephant* I_elephant_charge.cas
fs_camel* * * * * * * * * * * * Camel_Gallop.CAS
fs_dog* * * * * * * * * * * * * * Wardog_Gallop.CAS

these animations have different speeds, therefore a somewhat limited (but ONLY until we'll have full access to make new animations) individual movement animations / unit can be made by using different animations for walk/run/charge events than the original ones... and of course, adding new preset animations for our use.

then, for example, a faster moving spearmen unit can be made by adding a new block called fs_faster_spearman by copying fs_fast_spearman animations preset, replacing its run event animation with the charge one, and then modifying in the descr_model_battle.txt in that specific unit's block the skeleton line from fs_fast_spearman into fs_faster_spearman.

**adonys** · October 12, 2004, 03:16 AM

bump

**Azurain** · October 12, 2004, 04:53 AM

Magnificent. Thank you. I was just thinking about posting to ask if anyone had figured out how to change infantry units' movement speed.

**MAsta_KFC** · October 12, 2004, 05:30 AM

Originally posted by adonys@Oct 11 2004, 08:54 PM
these animations have different speeds, therefore a somewhat limited (but ONLY until we'll have full access to make new animations) individual movement animations / unit can be made by using different animations for walk/run/charge events than the original ones... and of course, adding new preset animations for our use.

then, for example, a faster moving spearmen unit can be made by adding a new block called fs_faster_spearman by copying fs_fast_spearman animations preset, replacing its run event animation with the charge one, and then modifying in the descr_model_battle.txt in that specific unit's block the skeleton line from fs_fast_spearman into fs_faster_spearman.

I've tried doing that before, albeit on different lines, but it seems to crash the game for me.

I copied the fs_swordsman block and renamed is fs_gladius. I then replaced all the overhand animations with underhand thrusts, booted up the game and everything was ok so far. HOWEVER, I then changed the roman hastati units in descr_model_battle from fs_swordsman to my new fs_gladius and the game wouldn't boot.

So if you guys have had success, then it's either a formatting error on my part or something I've done wrong. I'm pretty sure I double checked my changes.

**Darkmoor** · October 12, 2004, 08:04 AM

just remember that if you change a units speed then you change its damage output potential also:

the faster a unit is moving (charging) the more damage it will cause and the further it can throw objects.

Soapyfrog · October 12, 2004, 11:45 AM

Ok I am not sure I understand 100%. Let us say I wanted to halve the run and charge speeds for a given unit, how exactly would I do that?? Can someone give a step by step idiot's guide?

**Azurain** · October 12, 2004, 03:47 PM

Darkmoor, are you sure that's accurate? Do you have an example from coding or playtesting that shows that units with faster movement have higher charge bonuses independant of the charge bonus value in the export_descr_units.txt? I'm reasonably sure that movement speed has nothing to do with anything but movement speed. I can't imagine why they'd code in an automatic charge bonus for faster moving units rather than just leaving them separate...

Soapyfrog · October 12, 2004, 05:03 PM

I agree... I am sure the physics engine will use the animated movement speed to calculate how far bodies are thrown, but I think damage is caused according to the stats.

ShootyGun · October 12, 2004, 05:10 PM

Though I am not 100% sure on this, the setting for mass for mounts and units seems to control throw distance. For example you can increase the mass a unit of charging peasants has, but what effect this has is totally beyond me, what I do know is increasing the mass of projectile weapons such as rocks or arrows or mounts such as horses or elephants throws units further if the attack is set to be a "launching attack". ex.an elephant's mellee attack is launching therefore the attack if lethal will cause the unit to be thrown back occourding to the set mass of the elephant.

Sid_Quibley · October 15, 2004, 11:09 AM

Originally posted by adonys@Oct 11 2004, 08:54 PM
in the file descr_skeleton.txt there are made presets of animations for different in-game uses.

I will only talk in here about the walk, run and charge animations, but other animation can be used in the same way as well (stand_turn_cw_1, stand_turn_ccw_1, ready_turn_cw, ready_turn_ccw - all four used for turning, they'll give unit's turn speed; advance, retreat, charge_attack, charge_jump_attack, run_attack etc - each with its obvious use).

There are some different animations for all walk, run and charge anim events:

WALK:
strat_named_with_army* ** SG 03 MARCH.cas
strat_spy* * * * * * * * * * * * * LID 106 Spy walk loop.cas
strat_assassin* * * * * * * * ** ASS_walk.cas
strat_diplomat* * * * * * * * ** SM_D06 Diplomat walk loop.cas
strat_navy* * * * * * * * * * * * navy_move.CAS

fs_swordsman* * * * * * * * ** LIS 03 March.cas
fs_fast_swordsman* * * * * * LIS 03 March.cas
fs_standard_bearer* * * * * * SG 03 march.cas
fs_dagger* * * * * * * * * * * ** LID_03 March loop.cas
fs_fast_dagger* * * * * * * * * LID_03 March loop.cas
fs_javelinman* * * * * * * * ** LIS 03 March.cas
fs_fast_javelinman* * * * * * LIS 03 March.cas
fs_spearman* * * * * * * * * ** LIS 03 March.cas
fs_fast_spearman* * * * * * * LIS 03 March.cas
fs_2handed* * * * * * * * * * * 2HS_03 march.cas

fs_archer* * * * * * * * * * * ** LID_03 March loop.cas
fs_fast_archer* * * * * * * * * LID_03 March loop.cas
fs_slinger_new* * * * * * * ** SLG 03 March.cas

fs_chariot_sword* * * * * * * CD Reins 28 chariot moving at walking pace.cas
fs_chariot_archer* * * * * ** CD Reins 28 chariot moving at walking pace.cas

fs_horse* * * * * * * * * * * * * Horse_walk.CAS
fs_fast_horse* * * * * * * * ** Horse_walk.CAS
fs_forest_elephant* * * * * * F_elephant_walk.cas
fs_indian_elephant* * * * ** I_elephant_walk.cas
fs_african_elephant* * * * * A_elephant_walk.cas
fs_indian_giant_elephant* I_elephant_walk.cas
fs_camel* * * * * * * * * * * ** Camel_walk.CAS
fs_dog* * * * * * * * * * * * * * Wardog_Walk.CAS
fs_pig* * * * * * * * * * * * * ** unit_pig_walk.CAS

Descr_skeleton also gives the path to these cas files ie data/animations.There is an 8mb dat file called pack that I cant open.Would be very interested to see what is in there!

**Darkmoor** · October 15, 2004, 01:31 PM

Originally posted by Azurain@Oct 12 2004, 04:47 PM
Darkmoor, are you sure that's accurate? Do you have an example from coding or playtesting that shows that units with faster movement have higher charge bonuses independant of the charge bonus value in the export_descr_units.txt? I'm reasonably sure that movement speed has nothing to do with anything but movement speed. I can't imagine why they'd code in an automatic charge bonus for faster moving units rather than just leaving them separate...

came direct from CA...

object throw distance and damage changes with animation speed

**adonys** · October 15, 2004, 01:35 PM

the point is those CAS files contains animations on specific skeletons.

and animations made for units using the same skeletons should be swapable between them...

therefore, pelacing a unit's run movement animation in that text file with another faster one (from a faster runnning unit) will make that unit run faster than it is... as simple as that!

until we'll create whole new animations using MAX and Vercingetorix's import/export scripts.

BTW, we should already make a list of animations/animations classes/animations speed classes needed to be done, redone, in roder to have a good organized work on them...

Soapyfrog · October 15, 2004, 01:40 PM

Originally posted by Darkmoor@Oct 15 2004, 02:31 PM
object throw distance and damage changes with animation speed

I remember them talking about the throw distance and other animations being affected by velocity, but I dont remember any explicit statement about damage... its possible that units take damage from falling, and the distance thrown will have some kind of impact on that.

**Tsarevna** · December 20, 2004, 08:46 PM

thanks adonys for posting this, i think this should be sticky'ed.

**Element-UK** · October 19, 2006, 06:13 PM

I don't want to mess with the animations, merely the drastically slowed movement of the units in the BI -'Gameplay fix Mod'. I think the mod is ok apart from the painfully slowed down pace of the walking and running. Let alone the fact they all look like their moving on ice. So how can I get that upped please ?

The above seems to be animation only ?

Found it ! I believe. 'descr_battle_map_movement_modifiers'. Data folder.