SigniferOne's Animations Pack

[SigniferOne]

SigniferOne's Animations Pack, v0.8 Beta


Permissions:
This mod is available without restrictions for all personal use. Any other use, such as inclusion in other mods, requires explicit permission and is otherwise prohibited.


What's new:
- Complete conversion for fs_s1_gladius. All animations have been converted,
except walking/running anims, and of course turning during battle.
-- charge with gladius held level, not waving above the head
-- block high/block low, dodge high/dodge low much improved
-- matching "impact"/getting hit anims
-- appropriate attack during run
-- hold shield if knocked down
-- no taunting of enemy before battle
-- non-static "idle" animation, now fully matching idle animations
-- no slashing with gladius because it doesn't make sense within game's mechanics
-- etc

- Complete conversion for fs_s1_hoplite. All animations have been converted,
except turning during battle.
-- all crashing associated with using this skeleton has been removed
-- Fixed charge, does not skip any longer
-- Minimized skipping during attacks
-- block high/block low, dodge high/dodge low much improved
-- matching "impact"/getting hit anims
-- appropriate attack during run
-- no taunting of the enemy before battle
-- non-static "idle" animation
-- etc

- New faster and smoother javelinman animations,
-- improved efficiency of Romans and of skirmishers
-- animation is smoother and quicker to respond

- Relaxed swordsman stance available for all swordsmen, not just fs_s1_gladius
-- completely fixed (non jerky) and very smooth idle animations
-- non static, slightly moving "stand" animation

- a total of over 300 animations added to the game
-- All animation skeletons upgraded to be compatible with RTW 1.5/1.6
-- Speed variants for all infantry skeletons



Description:
The following animation skeletons are now available to be used:

FS_S1_HOPLITE (variants: fs_s1_slow_hoplite) click here for explanation and screenshots

- no wild taunting
- classic hoplite stand position
- fully compatible charge

FS_S1_GLADIUS (variants: fs_s1_slow_gladius), click here for explanation and screenshots

- no wild taunting for Romans during startup
- during a fight, holding the shield close and the gladius ready next to it
- stabbing fighting style with the gladius, no slashing

FS_S1_SWORDSMAN (variants: fs_s1_fast_swordsman, fs_s1_semi_fast_swordsman, fs_s1_slow_swordsman)

- holding the sword relaxed
- smooth idle animations
- non-static "stand" animation
- no "feint" animation to make fighting less jerky and more smooth

fs_S1_BARBSWORDSMAN (variants: fs_s1_fast_barbswordsman, fs_s1_semi_fast_barbswordsman, fs_s1_slow_barbswordsman)
- everything included in fs_s1_swordsman
- no thrust for barbarians, only big slashes, as their swords were not designed
for thrusts and even had blunt points

FS_S1_ARCHER (variants: fs_s1_fast_archer, fs_s1_semi_fast_archer)

- aiming vertically to the sky, rather than horizontally, and fully drawing the bow

FS_S1_HC_ARCHER

- when aiming, holding the bow vertically rather than horizontally, and drawing
the bow with full power

FS_S1_FOREST_ELEPHANT_JAVELINRIDER
- javelinmen can stand on elephants and shoot javelins
- good complement to charion javelinman skeleton in 1.5/1.6



Where to download:
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/downloads.php?do=file&id=464


How to install:
Unzip the four files into Data/animations folder, overwriting the existing four files there (always remember to back everything up!).


How to use:
Go into descr_model_battle.txt and change which units use which skeletons (i.e. give fs_s1_hc_archer to Parthian horse archers, change Roman infantry from fs_javelinman, fs_swordsman to fs_javelinman, fs_s1_gladius, etc).

Supplementary note: I strongly recommend that for using fs_s1_hoplite, you remove the soldier's secondary weapon (sword), and also remove the "phalanx" ability; however giving them "shield wall" works great. This is for best results. To do all this, open export_descr_unit.txt, search for your hoplite unit, change his secondary weapon stats to 0, 0 (the rest doesn't matter), delete the word "phalanx" from his abilities (and give "shield wall"). fs_s1_hoplite works really well with this combination.

This version of the mod is released to be 100% stable, and is not expected to interfere with any other part of the game. So, as always, remember to describe what goes wrong, if it does (even if I don't expect anything to).

Enjoy, and have fun!


Revision history:

0.8 Current version, conversion to 1.5/1.6, new skeletons, completed gladius and hoplite
0.7 Updates to fs_s1 hoplite and gladius, new barbswordsman, various fixes
0.65 Resolved bugs with the Campaign map animations
0.6 Fixes to bugs (finally made possible by a new release of Vercingetorix' XIDX program)
0.5 Original release

Credits:
The primary credit and thanks for my release go to CA, both because of the great game they have created, and the wonderful base animations which I used as an invaluable foundation for this project. Literally, they did 90% here (and I did a LOT myself, so that should tell you how much their contribution was).

The second credit and thanks go to Vercingetorix, without whose wonderful programs none of this would be possible. He literally made it possible, so treat him nicely and send him cookies whenever you can.

[avesta]

we can't see the pictures full sized when you go to the link.

[Trajan]

I'm happy about the Animations Pack but the link is not working.

[Turnus]

Great! I can't wait to test these out (hopefully they won't be as buggy as the last release). Please get the download link working.

[plasticfigurine]

good job on everything, signifer...

one question though: Judging from the screen of the hoplite animation, it looks like all you did is use the default javelinman skeleton and pulled the shield closer to their bodies...can you perhaps tell me what you did that is an improvement over the previous version. Do they use phalanx or something, now?

[Martinaz]

the link is very bad! i can't see any pictures

[SigniferOne]

Can someone clarify what link does not work? I just tested all picture links, and the download link, and it works.

plasticfigurine: The improvements of the hoplite skeleton are many. First of all, yes, the shield has been moved closer to the body, not just for that standing animation alone but for ALL of the animations, in the dozens. Secondly and most importantly, is the spear. Try playing the hoplite with fs_javelinman and you'll see what I mean, they look really crappy and they hold the spear close to the tip. My hoplites hold it in a realistic manner. Furthermore, many other improvements have been made to the animations -- for example when the hoplite is knocked down and gets up, he will use his shield as a support as he lifts himself up. Etc, many other improvements like that (more realistic animations of what happens when the hoplite is hit, or how he blocks enemy attacks, etc, tons).

[Turnus]

The download link isn't working for me.

[SigniferOne]

That is the weirdest thing. I can download the file no problem... Others confirm please? And also, clearly this is a problem either way so I am seeking help hosting this.

[Turnus]

Originally Posted by SigniferOne

That is the weirdest thing. I can download the file no problem...

Strange. This is what the broken link says: "This file is hosted by Tripod, a Lycos®Network Site, and is not available for download. Please check out Tripod's Help system for more information about Remote Loading and our Remote Loading policy"

[SigniferOne]

Ok changed the link a little bit, try it again please.

[Turnus]

Originally Posted by SigniferOne

Ok changed the link a little bit, try it again please.

Still doesn't work.

[SigniferOne]

You were too quick The link should point to a file now, from which you should click to download. (i.e. Mirror 1 link points to something else than before now, so try it).

[Trajan]

I just right clicked on Mirror 1 and clicked save target as and I was able to download the file. Thanks SigniferOne for the mod.

[Turnus]

Yeah, it works now, thanks.

[SigniferOne]

Ok, now let me know how it goes people!

[Turnus]

I tried it out, Sig1, and I have to say that it is truly amazing. We finally have proper animations that were much needed, especially for the hoplites, and from them we can have more accurate total conversions, in particular for pre-Macedonian phalanx warfare (with your permission, of course). Furthermore, I haven't encountered any bugs yet, which was the major problem I found with your last release. The only thing that I can think I would like added to it is sword-capable hoplites, but overall: great work!

[LorDBulA]

Links doesnt work. Can you fix them?
Why should we remove fhalanx? Can you elaborate on this? I supose it will look stupid if we remove this option becouse hoplites wont fight in cohesion (but i cant tell becouse i cant download your animations )
I get this all the time

This file is hosted by Tripod, a LycosŽNetwork Site, and is not available for download. Please check out Tripod's Help system for more information about Remote Loading and our Remote Loading policy.

[Trajan]

I tried the animations mod with my Roma Mod campaign and almost everything is wonderful. Being this is a beta, I of course ran into only one bug; the strat map characters bounce up and down on the campaign map. Besides that, I have not encountered any other bugs. Good job man.

[AlCord]

Yay, nice! I'll test it too when I come home