I need a very basic tutorial for modding

[caralampio]

I want to give modding Empire a try. I was quite adept at modding M2TW but Empire is different. I have made a good headway into modding patch.pack, I can do a lot of things there but I know it is recommended that when you really want to get into some modding to create a specific separate mod.

Now what I need is help on using or creating the my_pack.pack. I have found three tutorials that supposedly help beginners but I have not found them useful, two show you how to create a new unit and the other how to unlock a faction, but they assume you already have the pack file made to work on it. That is they start the tutorial with the file already created and just start working on the specific point they are trying to teach you. They provide samples but these are for the specific tutorial. I have downloaded the files they provide but they do not contain what I want to mod.

I need help in the previous step which is already assumed in those tutorials: How do I create and manage those generic mypack.pack, my.loc and script files? And where do I find truly generic files to work with (not already worked upon for the tutorial I mean), or do I have to make them myself?

[husserlTW]

I want to give modding Empire a try. I was quite adept at modding M2TW but Empire is different. I have made a good headway into modding patch.pack, I can do a lot of things there but I know it is recommended that when you really want to get into some modding to create a specific separate mod.

Now what I need is help on using or creating the my_pack.pack. I have found three tutorials that supposedly help beginners but I have not found them useful, two show you how to create a new unit and the other how to unlock a faction, but they assume you already have the pack file made to work on it. That is they start the tutorial with the file already created and just start working on the specific point they are trying to teach you. They provide samples but these are for the specific tutorial. I have downloaded the files they provide but they do not contain what I want to mod.

I need help in the previous step which is already assumed in those tutorials: How do I create and manage those generic mypack.pack, my.loc and script files? And where do I find truly generic files to work with (not already worked upon for the tutorial I mean), or do I have to make them myself?

There are modifications that can be done from startpos.esf without the need of making mod.pack. You can find them in the STARTPOS.ESF analysis and modifications. You can go straight ahead to modifications though I should advise to take a look to the rest of the tutorial.

About mod.pack the rule is to export as TSV the original tables, make your changes and live only the modded rows. For example if you want to change the stats of a unit extract the units stats table and the same time export it as TSV. Go in TSV (it opens with a spreed sheet) and make the changes. Delete all the unchanged rows of units and save the TSV. Make a new mod_pack and add the extracted units table. It should contain all the units so you have to import this time your modded TSV which will contain only the changed unit(s). Rename the units_stat_land to my_unit_stat_land and you are good to go after you added it in your data folder and activate it. Don;t forget to save your mod.pack as mod type. That is the general way of working with mod_pack files. Instructions how to make a new, extract, export, etc. in the tutorials you already know.

Localisation_loc is deferent in these: you can not use only a part of this. You will use all of it with your changes but you'll make a separate loc.pack (name it as you like) and it will be a movie type and not a mod type. This does not need to activate it you just put it in data folder.

You don't need any starter packs. Just go ahead and make your own first simple mod and ask specific help in the proper thread. Welcome to ETW modding!

[Jinarik]

Have you tried this tutorial?

Step 1 is all about how to create a Mod .pack file (multiple pictures included).

[caralampio]

Thanks to both, i had seen that tutorial but found it a bit confusing. I'll take a harder look. My problem is with learning the basic tools, once I know that I'm sure I'll have no problem with the modding.

[Jinarik]

Thanks to both, i had seen that tutorial but found it a bit confusing. I'll take a harder look. My problem is with learning the basic tools, once I know that I'm sure I'll have no problem with the modding.

You are welcome. If you're having trouble, feel free to ask questions in the Tutorial Thread, I'd be glad to answer them. The tutorial is geared towards DBEditor, but feel free to ask questions about PFM as well, since the rest of the tutorials are out of date with the tools to some degree or another.

[caralampio]

OK I used DB editor to make my_mod.pack. The changes are there like those I made (and worked) in patch.pack.

Now what other thingies do I need for the mod to work and how do I make them? I believe it is my.loc and user.empire.script? Where do they go, etc. (Man a tutorial is needed for these very elementary things! All the tutorials I have found assume you already know them).

[Aradiel]

Without knowing what exactly you want to do im afraid theres little to offer. Specify what exactly you want to do, as nobody and i really mean nobody knows everything about modding empire.

[husserlTW]

OK I used DB editor to make my_mod.pack. The changes are there like those I made (and worked) in patch.pack.

Now what other thingies do I need for the mod to work and how do I make them? I believe it is my.loc and user.empire.script? Where do they go, etc. (Man a tutorial is needed for these very elementary things! All the tutorials I have found assume you already know them).

The last thing you need is to download and use the Mod Manager. Run it and it will find the mods you've installed (tick the box show vanilla packs). If you have only your mod installed just mark the box by it's name and start the game. If you get a CTD you have to check again your pack. If not congratulations, you did it...

[Astaroth]

Moved to the Miscellaneous section of the Mod Workshop.