Will this work?

[GaussSoldier]

Lately, I've been browsing the modding forums for any new skins that suit my fancy.

I was able to find the thread featuring Ferres' legion mod and downloaded it to see what I can do. After going over the manual installation I was wondering if there was a way to go around it. I was hoping some of you skinning experts could help me.


I want to play this mod but with the skins. The instructions are more in depth than I'm used to but when I was going over them I got the idea of doing a clean install of RTW, patch it to 1.5, install the skins, and then install SPQR in a way that the skins would not be overwritten. Say I install just the centurion skin, is there a way to install SPQR so the centurion's skin is not overwritten?

Chances are it's not possible but I see no reason not to ask. I may get some strange looks but I believe that the skins will add to the enormous entertainment this mod is already giving me.


Thank you all for your help. I'm going to bed now.

[Teodosio]

I want to play this mod but with the skins. The instructions are more in depth than I'm used to but when I was going over them I got the idea of doing a clean install of RTW, patch it to 1.5, install the skins, and then install SPQR in a way that the skins would not be overwritten. Say I install just the centurion skin, is there a way to install SPQR so the centurion's skin is not overwritten?

There's no need to take so much troble.
Start from your RTW+SPQR installation. First, identify the skin (and model?) that you want to replace. If ferres' files have different names, rename them. Then just overwrite them to original SPQR's files and you are done.
Btw, many of them are already included in SPQR (Roman Cavalry), and when they differ IMHO SPQR's units are better (except for that weird praetorians' crest ).

Hope that helps!

[GaussSoldier]

Thanks man! I'm reinstalling RTW right now.

[Teodosio]

Thanks man! I'm reinstalling RTW right now.

Let me know please which units you will replace and why, I'm curious.

[Norse Archer]

screenies?? If there's no screenie it didnt happen!

...lol...

[GaussSoldier]

Update: Not going so good.


I started with the centurion and haven't gotten any farther. I replaced the .TGA, .cas, and GLOSS files. Checked the descr_model_battle file and made sure everything matched. I fired up the game and did a custom battle and my centurions look as thus:



Imperial Centurion/Premarian Centurion

The Republic Centurion is untouched (how I want it). The Imperial centurion's shield should look normal and the cape where there is nothing should be red. I may have more files to replace but I don't know which. So far the Early_Centurion.cas file is the same for SPQR and Ferres' mod so I just moved it to the models_unit folder.

Anymore guidance would be appreciated.

[Teodosio]

Update: Not going so good.
I started with the centurion and haven't gotten any farther. I replaced the .TGA, .cas, and GLOSS files. Checked the descr_model_battle file and made sure everything matched. I fired up the game and did a custom battle and my centurions look as thus:

Lucky for you, I was just doing some modding work, quick help available
Ok, look for the file:
descr_model_battle.txt
Open it with a text editor and search "roman_centurion".
You will get about 20 lines that describe the centurion's appearance. Just change every file that you read there: texture, model_flexi_m, and model_sprite. If you have problems just copy that block from the same descr_model_battle.txt file in ferres' pack.

Remember to let me know what modifications you did! If you provide small screenshots of the result it will be even better

[GaussSoldier]

UPDATE: HE'S ALIVE!!! ALIVE!!!!!!


Presenting the new centurions! Along with some legions.

Starting with the Romans (third thumbnail is artillery)



Now the Rebels



Finally the Senate with Praetorians and Praetorian cavalry




Pretty spiffy huh?

Here's a link to the thread featuring Ferres' mod. There are pics available at the end, though not all of his skins have one. For example, he made new skins for the imitation legions but there's no screenies.

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showp...postcount=2523

How I did it:
Following Teodosio's very helpful directions, I copied the ferres folder from the download in the textures folder to the model_unit folder. The ferres folder has all of the files needed so just copy the appropriate block from the descr_model_battle file for the unit you want to skin.


I plan to reskin just the Roman legions and the Preatorians so there will be some variety to the Roman factions and add in one of KLA's skins for the signifer.

Even though SPQR has some of Ferres' skins, I don't think it has the best ones.

Thank you Teo for your help! Enjoy the screenies!

[lt1956]

lol Well we disagree there. I hate to see romans with Goldish color armor. Real steel doesnt look like gold or bronze its a greyish color or shiny if polished. Also Centurions didnt wear the plates, they wore chain.

[Teodosio]

Also Centurions didnt wear the plates, they wore chain.

I concur on that. Furthermore, I want centurions with a red plume!
For what concerns the imperial legionaries, I am almost indifferent, so I think I will stick with SPQR out of loyalty lol Republican legionaries, from some photos and artwork I saw around, I believe that SPQR's are more historically accurate (the helmet mainly).
Third, the praetorians: SPQR's are FAR better! In fact, praetorian were famous for having a more decorate and polished armor set; while Ferres' are almost identical to standard legionaries. The only thing that bothers me with SPQR's praetorians is that strange cube-like crest/plume they have. I think I will have to learn to do models just to change that...
Last thing: you mentioned imitation legionaries, do you have a screenshot at hand about them? I really don't like greek imitation legionaries in SPQR, and I would really change them. But I like very much the numidian and armenian versions. I wonder if lt1956 did them himself? They are superb artwork anyway.

[GaussSoldier]

From what I read of the readme's Ferres included, the greek legionnaire's skin is not just a skin, but an entirely new unit meant to overwrite the original. That's beyond my ability so you can try it if you really want to see it or you can search around the forum for a pic. Other than that I can say for sure that the new skins are stable and will work perfectly with SPQR without bugs.

I want to thank Lt and yourself for not discouraging me from doing this. I appreciate the technical support.

[lt1956]

Skins are like Art everyone has different tastes and we all dont agree, that isnt a reason to stop you. lol

I just like the models and skins I have in the game. Ferres skins all have a goldish color to them, I matted it down gray a little to make them more realistic with chainmail. While the Gold are good in their own right I dont think they are realistic to me. But I left a goldish color to teh rebels to make them look different.

The crest on the Preatorians is correct, there is a picture posted in on the recent threads here showing a carving in stone of the praetorians and you will see the funny little half crests.

[GaussSoldier]

The crest on the Preatorians is correct, there is a picture posted in on the recent threads here showing a carving in stone of the praetorians and you will see the funny little half crests.

Actually, the praetorians in the sculpture have the crest running front to back, not halfway.

Here's the sculpture again



Had the crest been front to back I wouldn't have changed the skin.

[Teodosio]

Actually, the praetorians in the sculpture have the crest running front to back, not halfway.
Had the crest been front to back I wouldn't have changed the skin.

I agree with you 100%.
Looking at the sculpture it feels right; looking at the SPQR's praetorians it seems weird.
The praetorians in SPQR really have an awesome armor set; but their crest is definitely too short, it would look better if it were longer toward the back.
Another thing very important: when using them as the Julii, the praetorians will look purple (as for the Senate, and I like that) but the centurion and the standard-bearers will be RED.
lt1956, is it possible to define another couple of units, with the same models and skins with different color? I seem to recall you saying that there were limits: if there is no problem I am available to do the work myself.

[GaussSoldier]

The Praetorians were purple because I had to play the senate to display them. When I take Rome, the Praetorians will be Julii colors. The skins were primarily made for RTW: Vanilla so the colors will correspond to the faction they're being used by.

Let's hope that we never get to see blue Praetorians.

[Teodosio]

The Praetorians were purple because I had to play the senate to display them. When I take Rome, the Praetorians will be Julii colors. The skins were primarily made for RTW: Vanilla so the colors will correspond to the faction they're being used by.

Let's hope that we never get to see blue Praetorians.

They won't my friend, they will stay purple, but with a red centurion. I saw this in my campaign, when I used the console command "create_unit" for a praetorian cohort. I didn't want to use them in campaign (I have yet to take Roma), I just wanted to check the colors, because I suspected what I told you.
I will try to put a screenshot of that, and I hope our benefactor will suggest a solution. The purple color is very good for praetorians and I like it, but the officers should be the same.

[lt1956]

Hard to say on the crest, I wouldnt be against it being made a little bigger, but the modeller is gone now. Still I have seen some helmets with short crests, but your right they probably were very close to Officer Helmets.

[YouDied]

teo your a beast and LT to

[GaussSoldier]

Awesome! Now he just needs a black helmet and crest and we have our centurion!