Complete guide to ETW's localisation files (aka "The Loc")
Introduction: I know there's a lot of guides out there on how to add new units and stuff, and new units make up about 95% of loc edits, but here's something for anyone who's ever wanted to change some obscure bit of text. Actually half this stuff isn't that obscure, but that last part sounds a lot better than if I gave a huge list of examples, right?
I sense agreement. Now onto the huge list of examples.
Okmin's list of stuff you can do while messing with the loc, assuming you know how to mod the DB part of these things:
Add unit names and descriptions
Add technology names and descriptions
Add event names and descriptions
Change said names and descriptions
Change faction names and descriptions
Change character's names but not descriptions (because there aren't any)
You're probably getting bored by now, so I'm going to put you out of your misery and just say
Change every single bit of text you ever come across in Empire: Total War
Now for the actual guide.
Stuff you need:
1x PackFile Manager by LtChambers and basic knowledge of how to use it
1x Working ETW install
Knowledge of some written language (this guide assumes you at least know English... You know, because you're reading this)
The part you actually want to read (aka, The Guide):
And that concludes my guide/catalog/whatever you want to call it thing.
Last edited by Okmin; January 17, 2011 at 01:09 PM.
Re: Complete guide to ETW's localisation files (aka "The Loc")
You should have provide more infos about your pack. Changing region names demands only loc changes so you do not need DbEditor but only PFM. I suppose you have made your own loc pack of "movie" type. If there is not a problem to that then probably the problem is in your entries. Here is an example:
If you want to rename Iceland to, lets say, Neverland you should change the line:
| regions_onscreen_iceland | Iceland | False|
to:
| regions_onscreen_iceland | Neverland | False|
If you think that everything is ok. then zip and upload your pack here to have a look.
Thanks for answering, the part of "| False|" doesnt show up for me only a check box,
I hope i am in the right place.
The db editor was used for tightening the ranks and battle adjustments (I am trying to make empire to my taste and learn how to use the tools, eventually I will try and help modders who have provided me with epic hours of entertainment).
In this movie file the names for the papal state and Venice are changed.
Re: Complete guide to ETW's localisation files (aka "The Loc")
The changes you've done are correct but the file itself is not working (I can't see why). I made a new one and tested (attached):
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Have you added a new faction name with region name as well ? If yes, you should change the faction on screen instead, because vanilla faction name will be still there.
EDIT: I found the problem. You have used local_en.pack as the tutorial says which is wrong. You should always use the patch_en.pack.
Last edited by husserlTW; March 09, 2013 at 05:00 PM.
Re: Complete guide to ETW's localisation files (aka "The Loc")
Fantastic thanks for your time and effort, apologies for the late reply (because of the temporary bad connection the browser kept failing to load). Thanks again.
Re: Complete guide to ETW's localisation files (aka "The Loc")
Ok what do I do after I've created my loc file? I exported the localisation.loc, edited it, put it back into a .pack file in a folder named "text" named the file Modtest1_loc.pack, and left the mod type as movie. I could not see the file in my ModManager. I tried switching the mod type to "Mod" but it still does not show up in mod manager unless I turn on the option to "show all pack types" but then I cannot select it. I tried running the game without turning it on w/ mod manager (because I cant) but the text i put in did not work. My mod pack file "Modtest1.pack" worked and my units appeared in game but the names on the recruitment page and when moused over is blank. They have class names such as "light infantry and Missile Cavalary" and they also had regimental numbers, but they did not have a unit name such as "Jack's Raiders".
How do I activate my new loc pack? AFAIK I have edited the units on screen name in the tag section correctly. Im just testing my first loc mod so I only did the units_on_screen_*MYUNIT_NAME* thing. Did I miss something? Am I not activating the mod pack for the loc? cause I cant see it. Is it something in the DB I missed?
Re: Complete guide to ETW's localisation files (aka "The Loc")
I am trying to change the description for a custom 4 deck naval unit for britain. I have created the new unit and it works, is recruitable and displays the custom name i have given it but for some reason i cannot change the description (background historical info you get when right clicking on a unit). No matter what i do i always get the same description for the santissima trinidad (the unit i cloned to make my custom unit) but here is the thing. After realising these changes to description hadn't work i went back to the loc and changed a portion of the description. This change shows up in the game. So, i assume that somehow the description for the ST is overriding my new custom description so i completely remove it from the loc file. It is still showing up in the game instead of my custom description.
Re: Complete guide to ETW's localisation files (aka "The Loc")
I have a question, if any one knows. or if it is even possible..
can you "append" to the loc file, instead of replacing the whole darn thing?
I tried many different ways to just "append" info to it.
I made 1 mod that changes faction descriptions and such when loading up the game. but doesn't change anything more (this mod obv. uses The Loc file),
so I am now working on a new mod, that changes a factions, units in the factions and their description, but the descriptions are also in The Loc file, and I can't seem to find
a way to simply "append" entries to the Loc file.
so if it is possible to just append the file, the info on how to would be greatly appreciated, also a confirmation that you can't would also be appreciated.