Essential Modding Tools And Programs
I'm making a list of currently released modding tools and the required programs for unit editing, model editing and file conversions.
Anyway, i'll post this somewhere else (walkthroughs)
1. TiME v0.5 - Trivium independant Map Editor
Current features:
Height editing
Ground type editing
Full region and settlement editing
Different brush sets
Undo/Redo
Overlays of region borders, cities, ground types, map features, characters
Edit climates
Character (record) editing
Textured terrain
Resource editing
Create new campaign
Resize campaign (enlarging)
Mercenary polls
Extended comments
Faction and nearly all descr_strat settings
Descr_terrain edit ability
Important notes
In v0.5 you can now create a campaign from scratch. This means, that the editor creates the necessary files for a new campaign and you can begin to edit these new files inside the editor. But be aware that the campaigns may not work because of missing family trees and other missing stuff which can not yet be edited with the editor.
Some crucial information about the map editor, which isn't included in the readme file:
1) The first startup there comes a directory browser, select your Rome directory. If you get errors that "export_descr_buildings.txt" or "descr_rebel_factions.txt" is not found, the path is wrong. (This worked as I see)
2) Click open and select a campaign. Here you can't select your Rome directory, because there are no campaign files.
Also do not select the world\maps\base directory, there are only half of the campaign files needed because it's Rome's internal Imperial Campaign. You have to copy the files from base and campaign\imperial_campaign in one (new) directory. Put this directory in the campaign folder and open this folder with the editor. In Rome you can play the campaign under "provincial campaign".
If you get any errors while loading, it is likely that the editor doesn't work right. (Some data is not loaded, when the editor tries to access it). This may cause the engine.dll error.
Download
2. UnitExpress ver. 1.2
UnitExpress is a program for fast editing parameters groups of units.
Program designed to allow players could quickly change Game(Mod) units balance for themselves. UnitExpress modify export_descr_unit.txt file only.
Please, open README.TXT before launch program!
Download
3. RomeSage: RTW save game editor
It allows you to change some of the options in saved game files once you have started
playing the game. For example, if you are well into a campaign and found it too easy, or too
hard, with RomeSAGE you can change the campaign or battle difficulty in your saved game file.
RomeSAGE currently supports the following options:
o Campaign difficulty
o Battle difficulty
o Battle time limit on or off (as per MarkP's great TiLiN tool).
o Short or long campaign
o Changing the unit scale (also known as unit size).
o Changing year and season. This does not undo any other changes that may have occurred in the game.
Download
4. RTW Unit Construction Tables
The RTW Unit Construction Tables are a series of tables designed to standardize and help with the process of making new units.
It contains details for support costs, upgrade costs, weapon and armor ratings, morale and special abilities.
Download
5. DDS Converter 2
Converts .dds format textures into any other picture formats, such as .tga, .bmp, .jpeg, etc.
Useful also, just to see what the texture looks like without loading Photoshop or other picture editing program.
Download
6. Hadrian Building Editor
Hadrian, a building editor for RTW, currently supports editing the following files,
export_descr_buildings.txt
export_descr_buildings_enums.txt
export_buildings.txt
Current verision is 0.4.6
New in this version:
Bug fixes
Read the readme in the zip for more information
download
7. Caligula Unit Editor
Caligula, a unit editor for RTW which can edit the following files.
export_descr_unit.txt
export_descr_unit_enums.txt
export_units.txt
descr_model_battle.txt
Simple guides:
Batch Processing - http://www.users.on.net/~roehr/RTW/Guides/Batch.html
Adding New Units - http://www.users.on.net/~roehr/RTW/Guides/NewUnits.html
Current version is 0.5.6
Changes in this version:
Fixed up some interface issues
Read the readme included in the zip file for more information.
download
8. .CAS Importer/exporter for 3ds max
Imports/exports .cas model files into 3DSMax.
How to run:
To run the script save it to your 3dsmax\scripts folder. In max go to the utilities tab and hit run script, open the script. Select from the utilities drop down R:TW import/export.
For further info, read the readme file.
download
9. .Pak Extractor
One of the most important tool for skinners and modelers.
File to extract pak files in the data\packs directory.
to run copy xpak.bat and xpak.exe to your data\packs folder and run xpak.bat
that's all there is to it!
download
10. IDX extractor
Another most useful tool.
Extracts .idx files such as model animations and music .idx files
download
11. .pak text files - for repacking
To re-pak any modified texture, icon etc. into a .pak file.
read more here how to use it.
The text files in the zip are the files that pack the original RTW .pak files.
These are implemented:
battle_open.txt
game_init.txt
models_building_textures.txt
models_unit_textures.txt
patch_0.txt
sprites_0.txt
sprites_1.txt
ui_0.txt
ui_1.txt
You must have xpak (by Vercingetorix) to make use of these files
download
12. R:TW Mod switcher
This program allows you to switch between mods compiled in the ".rmd" format with ease.
Just extract the program to your "Activision\Rome - Total war" directory.
When run the program will detect all mods in the RTW dirtectory.
download
13. Editor Documentations
http://www.totalwar.com/community/download.htmThese documents describe how to use some of the new features available in the new Rome: Total WarTM v1.2 Patch. The features described here are for advanced users only and are NOT SUPPORTED by the developers or Activision. You will need V1.2 of the patch installed to use these features. These documents cover the following features:
* The battle editor to create historical battles.
* Battle scripting system as used in the promotional trailers and the introductions to historical battles.
* The movie editor, which allows you to create the kind of footage that you will have seen in the Rome: Total War ingame movies, the BBC show 'Time Commanders' and the History Channel series 'Decisive Battles'.
download
14. Nvidia Texture Tools
DDS plugin for Photoshop and 3Dsmax.
Very essential for editing unit skins, textures and other .dds files.
Info and download here:
http://developer.nvidia.com/object/n...ure_tools.html
15. Adobe Photoshop
I find it the most essential tool for editing skins and textures.
more info on this here:
http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/main.html
The product cost around 600 US dollars for full version.
here is a free tryout for Photoshop 7:
http://www.soft32.com/download_346.html
16. 3DSMax
For model editing, animations and many more.
info:
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet...&siteID=123112
The full product cost is 3055.00 US dollars.
http://estore.autodesk.com/dr/sat1/e...P=0&CACHE_ID=0
there is a free trial available (30 days)
http://nct.digitalriver.com/fulfill/0049.017
17. Paint Shop Pro
For texture editing.
Alternative to Photoshop, and cheaper.
More info:
http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satelli...=1047023911984
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18. Barbarian Invasion Demo historical-battle editor
Let's you create your own historical battles by changing the armies/unit attributes and settings, with the given units in the demo.
download
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