Can I have multiple different models that use the wardog animation?

[alreadyded]

I want multiple different models that use the wardog animation, not just different textures. Drastically different models, small spiders, wolves, etc. Is there a way to have one bmdb entry use multiple models? Since there is no EDU entry in which to use multiple different models. Or add an entry to descr_mount have cavalry use the wardog animation? Am I stuck with only two units that can use the wardog animation?

[Gigantus]

Animals are used as mounts and do not have an entry in the EDU that would enable that.
You would have to use different model entries in the modeldb to achieve that.

[alreadyded]

Which means I have to add the model ids for each entry in modeldb into descr_animals?

My main goal is to have multiple models use the wardog animation as I believe you can only have two animal entries in modeldb. So I don't see how I can add any more than 2 model ids into modeldb.

[Ishan]

U are not adding another animal type but a same one with different textures. So BMDB file is the one that u want which gigantus suggested already.

[alreadyded]

I want multiple different models that use the wardog animation, not just different textures. Drastically different models, small spiders, wolves, etc. Is there a way to have one bmdb entry use multiple models? Since there is no EDU entry in which to use multiple different models. Or add an entry to descr_mount have cavalry use the wardog animation? Am I stuck with only two units that can use the wardog animation?

[Gigantus]

You can indeed have a variety of models, just not classes - that's where your confusion lies. Underneath the 'help' from descr_animals:

; type indicates a new mount type, must be followed by id name string
; class animal class (current possibilities - wardog, pig)
; model model id from descr_model_battle

[alreadyded]

I believe I have already tried it and the game didn't recognize anything except "wardogs" or "pigs" after "animal" in a handler unit in EDU. So I am guessing you can only have two entries in descr_animals. However, I will try it again and post my text. I also tried putting "wardogs" as the soldier in and infantry unit and then using different models for the armour_ug_models. The animations work with all the different model but the game ctd's right after they charge and start fighting. Maybe because they are infantry class and the animations are glitching?

; type indicates a new mount type, must be followed by id name string What do I put here and what is the id string name referring to?
; class animal class (current possibilities - wardog, pig)
; model model id from descr_model_battle

Thank you for your help.

[Gigantus]

My thought was based on this from the EDU:
; animal The type of (non ridden) animals used by the unit

Guess I mixed it up.

Try copying the wardog entry in descr_animals and only rename the type (spider?)
See if the game accepts that.

If it doesn't disintegrates try if the game accepts it if you enter 'spider' in the EDU.

[alreadyded]

The handler unit in the EDU uses "wardogs" for the animal, while the type and class in descr_animals is "wardog." I have no idea where the EDU is getting "wardogs" from. I can add entries to descr_animals, but I can only use "wardogs" or "pigs" in the EDU so I don't see how it will help me get more than two models to use the same animation.

[Gigantus]

Don't be scared, simply make a back up and try to implement what I suggested.

This is what is written on top of the EDU with regard to animals:

animal The type of (non ridden) animals used by the unit

Wouldn't it follow that you can define a new type in descr_animals and use that?

Edit:
I just looked into TATW, they have this entry in descr_animals

type wardog
class wardog
model wardogs
radius 0.5
x_radius 0.35
height 2.6
mass 20.0

and this line in the EDU:

animal wardogs

Seems to me the EDU refers to the model

[alreadyded]

I have been trying it for a few days now

Nope, "wardogs" is referring to modeldb. I have no idea where the game gets the animal entry from but wardogs and pigs seem to be all that work though the type doesn't match either. Perhaps it is hard coded. I can not see any way to have multiple models use the wardog animation.

Edit: The first entry in descr_animals seems hardcoded to "pigs" and the second entry to "wardogs." Though you can have both use wardog animations, it seems you can only have a maximum of two entries and so only two animals total. Anyone else care to test this out?

Is there a reference to wardogs anywhere other than descr_animals?

[alreadyded]

Yes you can, I figured out how. Now I can unleash armies of creatures! How fun. Thanks for your help.

[Gigantus]

Care to share?

[alreadyded]

I will post my code when I get a chance.

[Gigantus]

Looking forward to it.

[Lord Uxbridge]

My game crashes when the wardogs attack someone, is it because I need to add the wardog animation to the battle_models entry, if so where can I find the animations

[alreadyded]

Working code for using wardog animations outside of handler unit.

Modeldb:
12 grey_wolvesP
1 1
48 unit_models/Mounts/creature/grey_wolfP_lod0.mesh 10000
4
8 timurids
53 unit_models/Mounts/creature/textures/Elephant.texture
60 unit_models/Mounts/creature/textures/Elephant_normal.texture 0
7 kwarezm
53 unit_models/Mounts/creature/textures/Elephant.texture
60 unit_models/Mounts/creature/textures/Elephant_normal.texture 0
4 merc
53 unit_models/Mounts/creature/textures/Elephant.texture
60 unit_models/Mounts/creature/textures/Elephant_normal.texture 0
6 sicily
53 unit_models/Mounts/creature/textures/Elephant.texture
60 unit_models/Mounts/creature/textures/Elephant_normal.texture 0
0
1
0
9 fs_wardog 0 (This is what makes the unit use the wardog animation)
0 0 -1 0 0 0 0 0 0

Export_descr_unit:
type Grey Wolves Patriarch
dictionary Grey_Wolves_Patriarch ; Wolves
category cavalry
class heavy
voice_type Heavy
banner faction main_cavalry
banner holy crusade_cavalry
soldier Elephant_Crew3, 30, 30, 1
mount grey_wolvesP
mount_effect horse +6, camel +3
attributes hide_improved_forest, very_hardy, can_withdraw, frighten_foot, frighten_mounted, power_charge, mercenary_unit
move_speed_mod 1
formation 2.4, 2.4, 4.4, 4.4, 3, horde
stat_health 1, 6
stat_pri 8, 8, no, 0, 0, melee, melee_blade, piercing, sword, 0, 1
stat_pri_attr area
stat_sec 0, 0, no, 0, 0, melee, melee_blade, piercing, sword, 0, 1
stat_sec_attr no
stat_pri_armour 8, 10, 0, metal
stat_sec_armour 0, 0, flesh
stat_heat 0
stat_ground 1, 1, 1, 1
stat_mental 15, disciplined, highly_trained
stat_charge_dist 50
stat_fire_delay 0
stat_food 60, 300
stat_cost 3, 900, 350, 100, 400, 900, 2, 700
armour_ug_levels 2
armour_ug_models Elephant_Crew3
ownership slave, all
era 0 slave
era 1 slave
era 2 slave

Descr_mount:
type grey_wolvesP
class elephant
model grey_wolvesP
radius 1.6
x_radius 1.6
y_offset 0
height 1.6
mass 4
banner_height 1
bouyancy_offset 3
water_trail_effect elephant_water_trail
root_node_height 2.84
attack_delay 0
dead_radius 1.6
tusk_z 1.6
tusk_radius 1.6
riders 3
rider_offset 0.05, -1.52, 1.37
rider_offset -0.3, -1.52, 0.4 ;y was 1.54
rider_offset 0.3, -1.52, -.35 ;y was 1.54


@ Lord Uxbridge, are you adding new wardog units or using preexisting 'handler' units? Animals and handler units are hardcoded in a lot of ways, but with some more info I should be able to help you out.

[Lord Uxbridge]

I'm adding a new unit using pre-existing infantry for the handlers and pre-existing mounts for the wardog from the third age total war mod. Everything works until the dogs (wargs in this case) get within a meter of the enemy then the game closes with an unspecified error .

To make the wardogs I copied the mounts modeldb entry and pasted it to make a new one called wardogs. Then I went into the EDU and made a new unit by copying an existing infantry unit and pasting it at the bottom with the new name dog_handlers. I then changed their unit type to handler, made an animal line with the animal set as wardogs and added secondary attack and armour for the units dogs.

Is it just that I need to add animations for the dogs or can't you make a wardog unit like this??

This is ALL I have edited.

[alreadyded]

The only two entries you can use for 'animal' in the handler unit are 'wardogs' and 'pigs'. It is hardcoded into descr_animals so more animals cannot be added. So basically you can only have two animal types and I believe the handler unit can only use 'animals'. Are you just making that one unit? If so there is an easy way around it. You can just use 'pigs' and then give the pigs the wardog animation along with your model and it will work exactly the same.

But if you plan on making multiple different units you will have to make them elephants and then have them use the wardog animation along with your models.

[Eothese]

So you got a cavalry unit working with the dog anims for the mounts, how about a pure infantry unit?