Trouble Using BI Model and Texture in RTW

[Subrosa Florens]

I have BI version 1.6 and RTW version 1.5.

I am working on a mod and I am trying to use the model and texture from a unit in BI for a new unit in RTW. However, I am running into a strange error when I try to use the unit in a custom battle.

The unit whose model and texture being used is the Sarmatian virgin foot archer. I copied the 4 .cas files belonging to it over to my data\models_unit folder, the .dds texture file to my data\models_unit\textures folder, the three sprite files over to my data\sprites folder, and the two unit cards to their respective folders. That is all I am actually using from BI. The text entries are all completely new from me.

I changed the base name of the files from bi_unit_virgin_archers to amazon_archers to reflect the new unit name. This is the name that I use to refer to them in my text files. It shows up fine in the recruitment list for the archery buildings in the campaign map, the descriptions I made display properly, and the unit cards show up correctly in all places as well.

However, when I try to play a Custom Battle with them the game crashes and I receive an error message saying that the game cannot find bi_unit_virgin_archers.tga. This was the original name of the texture file. If I change the name of the texture file from amazon_archers.tga.dds back to bi_unit_virgin_archers.tga.dds the Custom Battle loads fine and the unit displays normally. This is in spite of the fact that descr_model_battle.txt is still telling it to look for amazon_archers.tga.dds.

Here are the appropriate entries in my text files:

Export_descr_unit

type amazon archers
dictionary amazon_archers ; Amazon Archers
category infantry
class missile
voice_type Female_1
soldier amazon_archers, 40, 0, 1
attributes sea_faring, hide_forest, hide_long_grass
formation 1.2, 1.2, 2.4, 2.4, 4, square
stat_health 1, 0
stat_pri 7, 5, arrow, 140, 40, missile, archery, piercing, none, 25 ,1
stat_pri_attr no
stat_sec 5, 5, no, 0, 0, melee, blade, piercing, sword, 25 ,1
stat_sec_attr no
stat_pri_armour 4, 4, 0, flesh
stat_sec_armour 0, 0, flesh
stat_heat 2
stat_ground 0, -2, -4, 2
stat_mental 16, disciplined, trained
stat_charge_dist 40
stat_fire_delay 0
stat_food 60, 300
stat_cost 1, 700, 200, 70, 100, 400
ownership amazon

descr_model_battle

type amazon_archers
skeleton fs_semi_fast_archer, fs_semi_fast_swordsman
indiv_range 40
texture amazon, amazon/data/models_unit/textures/amazon_archers.tga.dds
model_flexi amazon/data/models_unit/amazon_archers_lod1.CAS, 15
model_flexi amazon/data/models_unit/amazon_archers_lod2.CAS, 30
model_flexi amazon/data/models_unit/amazon_archers_lod3.CAS, 40
model_flexi amazon/data/models_unit/amazon_archers_lod4.CAS, max
model_sprite amazon, 60.0, amazon/data/sprites/amazon_archers_sprite.spr
model_tri 400, 0.5f, 0.5f, 0.5f

All the files listed in descr_model_battle are in the folders indicated. I do not see a reference to bi_unit_virgin_archers anywhere. In fact, I did a search in descr_model_battle.txt and it is nowhere in the file. So why is the game expecting that to be the texture file?

[Roman_Man#3]

Remove the .dds from the end of the texture line, and see if that makes a difference.

[Subrosa Florens]

No luck, it still crashes with the same error message.

[Roman_Man#3]

Wierd. I don't see what the problem is. Just make sure the texture is in the Amazon directoy, change the uppercase .CAS to lowercase .cas, and remove _lod1 _lod2 _lod3 _lod4 from both the model_flexi lines and the models name. and make sure your texture name is amazon_archers.tga

[Subrosa Florens]

I cannot remove the _lod1 etc... from the model names, as there are 4 .cas files, _lod1, _lod2, and so forth. But I did the other things. Still no change.

Here is the error message I receive when it crashes:

[Halie Satanus]

Make a copy of amazon_archers.tga.dds and call it bi_unit_virgin_archers.tga.dds...but keep your files the way you want them..

It could be a known bug, well I know about it...in 3d max a tga is assigned to a model, if you export the model and then assign another tga and delete the one assigned in max the game will crash.

So you need to have the original tga in your textures folder...I don't think this happens all the time but it does happen.

[Subrosa Florens]

I did not realize that the texture was assigned in the .cas files. I opened them in 3dsmax and reassigned the texture. It works perfectly now. Thank you Halie!

[Halie Satanus]

Ah yes, if you have 3d max...it's always best to assign the texture your actually using in game.