Help a RTW modder become a M2TW modder

[PurpleScotch]

Hi guys, first of all, I would want to point out that I have excellent skills at modding anything RTW (except for effects ). But in M2TW so much is different...so much complications in modding M2TW.

Currently I am working up a surprise modification for you guys (ofcourse a TWC specific mod, but I will release it elsewhere). I need help in making this new mod...anyone who helps me here, will be added in the credits of the mod and will gain a rep point (as a reward and not a bribe).

I need help with all basics of modding (no need for mapping, that's still like RTW) my main concern right now isn't traits and triggers...but unit related stuff and other basic modding skills needed to mod M2TW.

I own 3dsmax 9, Milkshape 1.8 (with Grumpyoldman's converter), Photoshop CS, and an unpacked M2TW patched up to 1.2 and the will and determination to mod.

So guys, help the soldier in the journey to become up to date like all the other fellow soldiers.
Thanks guys.

PS.Yes I know, I did a M2TW modding breakthrough, but editing the banner txt's were my specialty, I'm looking for the basics and other unit-related stuff now.

[PurpleScotch]

Anyone?

[Imperator_Maximus]

Look in the Tools, Tutorials, and Resources section of the Mod Workshop. There you will find tutorials for modding aspects of the game. If your having help just holler.

[B. Ward]

well dealing with units your most important files will be modeldb (where you add the unit to the game - the most complicated file dealing with units), edu (giving the unit it's stats and ownership, upgrades. all reflected in the modeldb file), export_units (text file that tells the game the units name and description so it shows up in the game), and edb (building you can recruit units from and conditions allowing for unit's recruitment). And of course you have to create textures and such for your units. hope that gives you a start on what to look for in the tutorials section.

[selenius4tsd]

Asking some of the modders in the Modding Classifieds forum for advice is the way I would go.

[SigniferOne]

Be sure to ask more pointed questions, like what area you specifically need help with. Adding a unit, as previously said, has to do with editing modeldb, and adding a unit entry in EDU. GUIs are contained in the /ui folder. Etc. A ton more stuff is unlocked in text files, so that for instance you can with one click make all mountains on the strat map higher or lower using descr_geography_new.txt (by changing the height_scale). Etc, just ask questions.

[Douchebag]

You should make a LOTR mod. PM Gondor Warrior for more info.

[PurpleScotch]

My question is related to unit addition, I do not know how to use the modeldb...the EDU part is easier...way easier.

The modeldb tutorials start from a point unknown to me, I need the basics of the basics of modeldb...it is my only obstacle to full scale modding.

[Ralendil]

Edit:
Before editing battle_models.modeldb:
with the 1.2 patch the modeldb file was modified sightly
So you need to use a tool to format the modeldb
Get it here: http://www.twcenter.net/forums/downl...o=file&id=1180
Read the instructions for it. You will need to install Python also

Now the explanation of the file:
For the exemple, we will take something easy:

22 mercenary_arquebusiers 
1 4 
66 unit_models/_Units/RN_Light_Lmail/mercenary_arquebusiers_lod0.mesh 121 
66 unit_models/_Units/RN_Light_Lmail/mercenary_arquebusiers_lod1.mesh 900 
66 unit_models/_Units/RN_Light_Lmail/mercenary_arquebusiers_lod2.mesh 2500 
66 unit_models/_Units/RN_Light_Lmail/mercenary_arquebusiers_lod3.mesh 6400 
1 
4 merc 
71 unit_models/_Units/RN_Light_Lmail/textures/RN_Light_Lmail_mercs.texture 
72 unit_models/_Units/RN_Light_Lmail/textures/RN_Light_Lmail_normal.texture 
51 unit_sprites/merc_Mercenary_Arquebusiers_sprite.spr 
1 
4 merc 
66 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final European CB Gun_merc_diff.texture 
66 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final European CB Gun_merc_norm.texture 0  
1 
4 None 
18 MTW2_Fast_Arquebus 
20 MTW2_Non_Shield_Fast 1 
21 MTW2_Arquebus_Primary 1 
18 MTW2_Sword_Primary 
16 -0.090000004 0 0 -0.34999999 0.80000001 0.60000002

In green => the name of the soldier model
In red => the animations
In blue => the texture files
In orange => the attachments
In purple => the mount type
In dark red => weapons, shields and type of skeleton used

As you can see in this exemple there's only 1 faction (it is intentional).
Now let's study the numbers.
Each number that start a line informs the game how many characters there's in this line.

Exemple

59 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Heater_sicily_diff.texture

There's 59 characters in the line "unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Heater_sicily_diff.texture"

Now, there's also numbers that indicates how many sections the game will search.
exemple:

18 norman_knights_ug1 
1 3 
63 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/norman_knights_ug1_lod0.mesh 121 
63 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/norman_knights_ug1_lod1.mesh 1225 
63 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/norman_knights_ug1_lod2.mesh 6400 
2 
6 sicily 
73 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/textures/mtw2_EN_Pplate_sicily.texture 
73 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/textures/mtw2_EN_Pplate_normal.texture 
49 unit_sprites/sicily_Norman_Knights_ug1_sprite.spr 
5 slave 
73 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/textures/mtw2_EN_Pplate_rebels.texture 
73 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/textures/mtw2_EN_Pplate_normal.texture 
48 unit_sprites/slave_Norman_Knights_ug1_sprite.spr 
2 
6 sicily 
59 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Heater_sicily_diff.texture 
59 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Heater_sicily_norm.texture 0  
5 slave 
58 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Heater_slave_diff.texture 
58 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Heater_slave_norm.texture 0  
1 
5 Horse 
13 MTW2_HR_Lance 
13 MTW2_HR_Sword 2 
21 MTW2_HR_Lance_Primary 
14 fs_test_shield 2 
18 MTW2_Sword_Primary 
14 fs_test_shield 
16 -0.090000004 0 0 -0.34999999 0.80000001 0.60000002

In red => these are the numbers that indicates the game how many sections (or files) he has to search for
In Dark red=> the scale value
In blue => These are the numbers that tell the game how many characters there's in the line
In green => these numbers design a new line (0 = nothing in the line)
In purple => this number is always "1"

So now, let's add something quickly.
Let's say we will add the unit above to a new faction (let's say england)

18 norman_knights_ug1
1 3
63 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/norman_knights_ug1_lod0.mesh 121
63 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/norman_knights_ug1_lod1.mesh 1225
63 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/norman_knights_ug1_lod2.mesh 6400
3
6 sicily
73 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/textures/mtw2_EN_Pplate_sicily.texture
73 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/textures/mtw2_EN_Pplate_normal.texture
49 unit_sprites/sicily_Norman_Knights_ug1_sprite.spr
5 slave
73 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/textures/mtw2_EN_Pplate_rebels.texture
73 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/textures/mtw2_EN_Pplate_normal.texture
48 unit_sprites/slave_Norman_Knights_ug1_sprite.spr
7 england 
74 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/textures/mtw2_EN_Pplate_england.texture 
73 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/textures/mtw2_EN_Pplate_normal.texture 
48 unit_sprites/england_NE_Bodyguard_ug1_sprite.spr 
3
6 sicily
59 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Heater_sicily_diff.texture
59 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Heater_sicily_norm.texture 0 
5 slave
58 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Heater_slave_diff.texture
58 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Heater_slave_norm.texture 0 
7 england 
60 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Heater_england_diff.texture 
60 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Heater_england_norm.texture 0  
1
5 Horse
13 MTW2_HR_Lance
13 MTW2_HR_Sword 2
21 MTW2_HR_Lance_Primary
14 fs_test_shield 2
18 MTW2_Sword_Primary
14 fs_test_shield
16 -0.090000004 0 0 -0.34999999 0.80000001 0.60000002

In blue => the additions
In red => the numbers modified

I hope it was enough good to make you understand this file

[PurpleScotch]

This is extremely helpful...all I need now is a bit of practice and quite a few tips on modding this file.

Ralendil, you just gained a +rep point and will be included in the Mod's credits!

[Hans Kloss]

To make it easier you can work on KnightErrant formatted model file (make sure to always back up files before doing any editing) - that way you can see what you adding deleting

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/downl...o=file&id=1180

[PurpleScotch]

I am using Tornnight's modding tool, which formats the .modeldb.

[Ralendil]

This is extremely helpful...all I need now is a bit of practice and quite a few tips on modding this file.

Ralendil, you just gained a +rep point and will be included in the Mod's credits!

Glad to be helpfull

Thanks for the + rep

To make it easier you can work on KnightErrant formatted model file (make sure to always back up files before doing any editing) - that way you can see what you adding deleting

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/downl...o=file&id=1180

I had already pointed to this file :p
You're at late (j/k)

[DrJambo]

Is there a formatted 1.2 battle_models file in existence?

[Socal_infidel]

Knight Errant's tool (which Ralendil and Hans Kloss both linked to) works on the 1.2 modelsdb file. So download it!

[grumpyoldman]

Hi Guys

Just a note on the modeldb entries, the red '1' below is actually a scale value.

18 norman_knights_ug
1 3 
63 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/norman_knights_ug1_lod0.mesh 121 
63 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/norman_knights_ug1_lod1.mesh 1225 
63 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/norman_knights_ug1_lod2.mesh 6400

It's used in conjunction with changes to the mesh and the edu file to scale units.

Cheers

GrumpyOldMan

[Ralendil]

Hi Guys

Just a note on the modeldb entries, the red '1' below is actually a scale value.

18 norman_knights_ug
1 3 
63 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/norman_knights_ug1_lod0.mesh 121 
63 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/norman_knights_ug1_lod1.mesh 1225 
63 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/norman_knights_ug1_lod2.mesh 6400

It's used in conjunction with changes to the mesh and the edu file to scale units.

Cheers

GrumpyOldMan

I was thinking it was the number of characters in the line.


I corrected the post.

Thank u