Tool for editing export_descr_unit

[Barry853]

Hi,

Few days ago I've started to write a tool for editing unit stats (all that are in export_descr_unit.txt). While I was trying to mod MTW2 myself I was forced to edit that file. What I wanted to achieve was, for example, increase attack values (+ 25%) of all archer units and morale (+4). The question was how I was going to do that with over 400 units without wasting the whole day. I couldn't find any tool to do that, I asked questions about it and the best answer was to use notepad . Now I know that there is BrandonM's Toolset, but: 1. it's seems to be a dead project, 2. I haven't seen an option in this tool which could do what I wanted to achieve with few clicks.

Now the quetions for all the notepad-based modders . My tool is in advanced state and it's a best opportunity to make a wish-list about the function that tool can have. If you have any ideas please write them in this topic.

Now, about the profits, which this tool hopefully will bring:

• changing stats by percent/value for chosen gropus of units (infantry/archers/... etc.) with just few clicks
  
• control over proper file creation (no more missing words, parameters, misprints). Tool won't allow to create file that game wouldn't read.
  
• no more searching the correct parameter with stats tha have many parameters separeted with commas
  
• control over proper value type. It won't be possible to insert string where
  a number should be
  
• adding new units with all the validation supported by this tool

The main goal is to help You in creation od Your mods so I invite you to participate in creation of this tool

[Göteborgare]

Good job.

[Barry853]

I'm currently working on some kind of query language to help make group changes to unit specified by the query. It will be quite powerful tool
early example of its functionallity:

category [cavalry], attributes [sea_faring, hide_forest] : stat_pri [attack + 4, charge_bonus - 25%]

It means: In units that have category = cavalary and which has attributes that contains sea_faring, hide_forest - increase its primary weapon attack by 4 and decrease charge by 25%.

Of course I will add some predefined actions which won't involve so much typing, but I hope You can see the potential in this way of editing units.

[Göteborgare]

Wouldnt culture be a good stat to, uhm, 'search' with?

[Barry853]

Wouldnt culture be a good stat to, uhm, 'search' with?

It will be possible to create query about unit based by any attribute mentioned in export_descr_unit. If by culture you mean ownership or era then you'll be able to 'search' by it. In example above I mentioned primary weapon, but it will be possible to list any other attribute to change/add/remove. Well at least that's my goal for now, I'm working on it.

[Glabro]

Sounds great!

My main wish is simply the first one already on your list - modifying parameters by a fixed value or percentage.

I am baffled that there isn't such a tool for M2TW yet. I wanted to increase unit sizes by 2/3, but could find no tool to accomplish this. It was somewhat manageable when I did it manually for the short unit list in Britannia, but I really don't want to do this for a full campaign, especially since most mods add units.

I suppose I'll have to wait on starting a new game until you release this tool. Thanks for making it.

[Barry853]

I've finally ended working on query language I was talking about earlier. It took me some time but it is ready, working and will be available in my tool.

I must tell that this query language is a powerful tool and it works great. I will explain shortly its final version (full manual will be available as soon as I finish the tool)

category (.p = infantry) ; owner (.p != [egypt, moors]) : pri (.att + 10, .charge -% 20)

It means - select all infantry units (category (.p = infantry)) which don't belong to egypt and moors (note - not egypt or moors) (owner (.p != [egypt, moors])) and increase its primary weapon attack by value of 10 and decrase charge by 20% (pri (.att + 10, .charge -% 20))

You can see that I've used attribute category, owner and pri but it is possible to use any other attribute listed in EDU file.
Conclusion : It gives unlimited possibilites in editing unlimited number of units by one query.

The query has particular structure. Character ':' divides the query into two parts. The left side are search criteria, the right contains definition of new values. Here are the names for every elements:

• attribute (category, owner, pri) - the same as in EDU, with a small difference. Why pri instead of stat_pri ? To save typing. Attributes are separated by ';'
• parameter (.p, .att, .charge) - particular parameters for attribute in EDU. They have to start with '.' and be in round bracket. Parameter .p occurs when attribute has only one value (category) or has list of values (list of owners of the unit - ownership in EDU). They are separated by ','
• value (10, [egypt, moors]) - simply, the value of parameter, or list of values
• operator - +, -, +%, -%, =, != , accordingly: add to list/increase, remove from list/decrease, increase by percent, decrease by percent, equals. On the left side of the query it is possible to use only = and != which mean equals (for values) or contains (for list) and not equals (for values) or not contains (for list)

If I don't find any bugs then I only have to make the interface. Unfortunately I'm runing out of spare time so I'd rather not talk about the release date.

[DanFraser]

I was just looking to see if there was a tool out there...

I've been digging through the EDU to try and figure out the best way of increasing all units size as much as possible. Which kinda grew a bit. I've now got the full code for importing the EDU into an object-oriented program (C#) and am now working on the interface. I've also got some code in place for working on modding blocks of stats. Maybe we could collaborate?

It's also looking completely mod-independent like yours.

[ivanhoex]

hi both.

if you like, i am almost veteran on dealing with this file... i have made a tool but with limited knowledge of programming and high knowledge of what i need...

i am looking for a programmer like you to make it better... since its done in excel and it has quite a lot of limitations that means a lot of work to fight off. (not to mention the need to have the software) please contact me by pm! =)


(the one in my sig is my first attempt at it, the one i am working on now is quite bigger and aimed to full automation..)