How to add a new unit into game

[Gigantus]

I am starting to suspect a faulty game installation or the virtual store.
I have got vista, and the UAC is enabled BEFORE I install the game.
When installing I do not use the default directory (because otherwise your extracted files partially end up in the virtual store)
When extracting I use my batch to avoid messing up the original installation by accident.

Before you follow my example, have a look in your virtual store if the files are there. You will need to 'unhide' your hidden files (control panel\folder options - check the pic) and then look here: C:\Users\Your Username\AppData\Local\VirtualStore

[emotion_name]

I also installed when UAC was turned on, however i just installed the game where it wanted to go, i didnt play around with anything.

I used to use the virtual store path to place my saves into M2TW Folder for hotseats etc, as placing them in standard C Drive/program files wouldnt work. Now UAC is off they work in C Drive program files.

Anyways, at Virtual Store/Program Files/SEGA/M2TW i have:

Armies folder
Cache folder
Config folder
custom folder
data folder
logs folder
mods folder
playerlists folder
preferences folder
replays folder
saves folder
temp folder
preferences cfg file

These folders are all visible in the C Drive/Program Files path however.

The folders in the Virtual store path are near empty, for example data folder has one folder within it - world, which in turn has only one folder within it - maps.

There is no tools/unpacker folder in the Virtual Store path though, so am i now screwed?

If i have to uninstall and reinstall with UAC off, how do i do a clean uninstall, making sure these files from Virtual Store are removed for good. Also, wont it mean when re-installing i will have to repatch, reinstall Kingdoms, repatch that, then reinstall the mods i have (SS, KGCM, CCM etc) then redo everything i had made with Bare_Geomod (doesnt this point in someway, when installed, to M2TW? So if i reinstall M2TW then will it not work?)

Isnt there anything i can try without needing to uninstall?

What would happen if i copied the tools/unpacker into the Virtual Store then run the unpack_all BAT? Would i get the files i need or will i need to edit the BAT file for it to know it needs to unpack the Virtual Store location, not the C Drive location?

Oh, what about the modeldb file thing in your New Faction installer gigantus, couldnt i just copy that over into my main M2TW folder then run unpacker?

[irishron]

Where did you get the game?

[Gigantus]

If you re-install you will have to patch and install kingdoms. But you can use a backup of the mods folder (move it somewhere else) and move it back once you re-installed.

Uninstall: simply run the uninstallers (kingdoms first) and then manually delete the left overs. Check the virtual store and do the same. Restart the comp to take care of the registry entries and then start re-installing everything, finishing of with the mods folder. You will have to create new short cuts to your mod then. Average time: 2.5 hours (did it myself a few times).

[emotion_name]

@irishiron

I bought it from a Game store, M2TW Gamers choice, 2 disc PC DVD Rom!

Could it be becauseits Gamers Choice, same thing as platinum PS games i guess where they cheaper coz of age or summin, so some files not included?

@gigantus

right, i have those instructions, thanks mate!

When i install again, with UAC turned off, do i need to point the installer somewhere else, or leave it to do its thing?


Thanks for your persistence in helping me guys, i know it must get a bit tedious sometimes having someone as clueless as myself and having to repeat things over and over, so mucho appreciation from myself!

[irishron]

Install it in C:\Games. It works for me.

[emotion_name]

OK, i solved one issue and have encountered another!

I did complete reinstall of everything, and it all went to C Drive/program files/sega and nothing went to Virtual Store.

Unpacked it to backup folder, and lo' and behold it worked fine.
I have the unit_models folder, all the folders within it and even the crucial battlemodels.modeldb file!

I still cannot edit this bloody file though!

It says its unknown file type when i double click it, and searching the net for programs to open it returns zilch!

[SuperTom]

OK, I tried creating a unit, but my new unit did not appear in the game at all, although the game still works fine. There is nothing wrong this the battlemodels file (checked with syntax checker thing).
I then tried editing units already in the game using the export_descr_units file and it had no effect on the game.

I'm not really sure what to do, any help would be much appreciated.

[Gigantus]

@emotion_name
Open it with Notepad, for ready formatted modeldb files and a syntax checker look here: Creating a World – Formatted Campaign ModelDB files

@SuperTom
Have you got the 'file_first' command in your cfg file? If not, add this to it:

[io]
file_first = true

You have to make your cfg read-only afterward as the game will remove that entry otherwise.

[SuperTom]

I have got that in, but still no response in game to changes I make in the export_descr_unit file.

I have also tried editing ancillaries and that has no effect in game.

[Heathen Storm]

Hey, so I'm kinda new at this.... I tried to add a unit in to a currently made mod (just to practice so i knew what to do when i made my own mod), and I'm getting an unspecified error... I'm not sure i'm looking at the correct error log because it says the date is "February 4th, 2008"... And if i wanted to use the modelbd checker would it be possible to use it on this mod's modelbd? or only the formatted one supplied with it... thanks for any help you can give!

[Ishan]

I have got that in, but still no response in game to changes I make in the export_descr_unit file.

I have also tried editing ancillaries and that has no effect in game.

@SuperTom
If your mod uses kingdoms.exe file than use the io command in the cfg file of your mod. If it uses medieval2.exe than put io command inside default .cfg file and under properties select read only. Mod changes only take place when io command is up and running.

Hey, so I'm kinda new at this.... I tried to add a unit in to a currently made mod (just to practice so i knew what to do when i made my own mod), and I'm getting an unspecified error... I'm not sure i'm looking at the correct error log because it says the date is "February 4th, 2008"... And if i wanted to use the modelbd checker would it be possible to use it on this mod's modelbd? or only the formatted one supplied with it... thanks for any help you can give!

@ Heathen Storm
Post your log here we'll take a look. That date refers to the day when that medieval 2 version was made.
The modeldb checker only works on formatted versions only.

[Heathen Storm]

@Ishan
Thank you for the speedy response! Here it is

11:46:58.415 [system.rpt] [always] CPU: SSE
11:46:58.415 [system.rpt] [always] ==== system log start, build date: Feb 25 2008 version development ===
11:46:58.656 [system.io] [warning] open: data/text/battle_ed.txt.strings.bin is missing
11:46:58.676 [system.io] [warning] open: data/text/battle_ed.txt is missing
11:46:59.046 [system.io] [warning] open: data/text/date_format.txt is missing
11:46:59.046 [system.io] [warning] open: data/text/shortcut.txt.strings.bin is missing
11:46:59.046 [system.io] [warning] open: data/shortcuts_lookup.txt is missing
11:46:59.046 [system.io] [warning] open: data/text/shortcut.txt is missing
11:46:59.046 [system.io] [warning] open: preferences/player.txt is missing
11:46:59.076 [system.io] [warning] open: data/graphics/graphics_config.xml is missing
11:46:59.337 [system.rpt] [error] Medieval 2: Total War encountered an unspecified error and will now exit.

This is the only system log i could find anywhere

[Ishan]

11:46:59.337 [system.rpt] [error] Medieval 2: Total War encountered an unspecified error and will now exit.

This usually happens when you do a major error while modding there is no way to pin point where u did wrong.
Could be the EDU or the BMDB file.
Revert the changes you made by replacing them and try again.

[Heathen Storm]

Ahhh alright. Thank you very much!! I will try again

EDIT: Ahh.... I replaced the edited files with the original files again and then edited it, i made sure everything was correct and it still did the same thing. GRRRR so frustrating!

EDIT 2: Here are the data lines that I added in...... I don't know why they are messing up Hopefully someone could help me?

EDU:

type norse_huskarl
dictionary norse_huskarl ; Norse Huskarls
category infantry ; noble, mail, 2haxe, heavyinf
class heavy
voice_type Heavy
accent East_European
banner faction main_infantry
banner holy crusade
soldier norse_huskarl, 48, 0, 1
mount_effect horse +1, camel +1
attributes sea_faring, hide_forest, hardy, can_withdraw, free_upkeep_unit, mercenary_unit
formation 1.2, 0, 2.4, 2.4, 4, square, shield_wall
stat_health 1, 0
stat_pri 7, 3, no, 0, 0, melee, melee_blade, slashing, axe, 15, 1
stat_pri_attr ap
stat_sec 0, 0, no, 0, 0, no, melee_simple, blunt, none, 0, 1
stat_sec_attr no
stat_pri_armour 5, 5, 0, metal
stat_sec_armour 0, 0, flesh
stat_heat 4
stat_ground 1, -2, 3, 2
stat_mental 11, impetuous, trained
stat_charge_dist 10
stat_fire_delay 0
stat_food 60, 300
stat_cost 1, 460, 220, 90, 70, 460, 4, 170
armour_ug_levels 0
armour_ug_models norse_huskarl
ownership denmark, slave
era 0 denmark, slave
era 1 denmark, slave
era 2 denmark, slave
recruit_priority_offset 25

and the MDB

13 Norse_Huskarl
1 4
52 unit_models/_Units/Norse_Huskarl/huskarlar_lod0.mesh 121
52 unit_models/_Units/Norse_Huskarl/huskarlar_lod0.mesh 900
52 unit_models/_Units/Norse_Huskarl/huskarlar_lod0.mesh 2500
52 unit_models/_Units/Norse_Huskarl/huskarlar_lod0.mesh 6400
3
7 denmark
59 unit_models/_Units/Norse_Huskarl/textures/huskarlar.texture
66 unit_models/_Units/Norse_Huskarl/textures/huskarlar_normal.texture
41 unit_sprites/merc_Norse_Axemen_sprite.spr
5 slave
59 unit_models/_Units/Norse_Huskarl/textures/huskarlar.texture
66 unit_models/_Units/Norse_Huskarl/textures/huskarlar_normal.texture
41 unit_sprites/merc_Norse_Axemen_sprite.spr
4 merc
59 unit_models/_Units/Norse_Huskarl/textures/huskarlar.texture
66 unit_models/_Units/Norse_Huskarl/textures/huskarlar_normal.texture
41 unit_sprites/merc_Norse_Axemen_sprite.spr
3
7 denmark
60 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Danish_denmark_diff.texture
60 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Danish_denmark_norm.texture 0
5 slave
57 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Danish_merc_diff.texture
57 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Danish_merc_norm.texture 0
4 merc
57 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Danish_merc_diff.texture
57 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Danish_merc_norm.texture 0
1
4 None
16 MTW2_Fast_2H_Axe 0
2
19 MTW2_2H_Axe_primary
14 fs_test_shield 0
16 -0.090000004 0 0 -0.34999999 0.80000001 0.60000002

[Ishan]

The entries are just fine. Then what is it

[Gigantus]

I didn't read the whole lot, so I am not sure if it has been said:
when you add a model in the modeldb file, you have to increase the number at the top of the fiel by one for each model\ug

22 serialization::archive 3 0 0 0 0 835 0 0

[stevietheconquer]

if you forgot how manny models there are in modeldb file, can you see it somewhere, how much models there are?

[Ishan]

if you forgot how manny models there are in modeldb file, can you see it somewhere, how much models there are?

No AFAIK. The EDU can shorten down the list but there are still several models left out in it.

[Heathen Storm]

@ Gigantus: I have added the next number at the top of the screen. Maybe due to the fact that i'm trying to add the unit to another mod? But I don't know why that would be a problem All i'm getting is an "unspecified error" before the loading screen pops up.

EDIT: I may have just found the problem!!!! We'll see though. Nope, that wasn't it...

EDIT AGAIN!: I think I just found the actual system log! About dang time! Here it is, i'm gunna go ahead and upload it to you guys.