battle_models

[Ale_san]

how do i edit battle_models (modelDB file) to make the changes stick and game not crash? thanks

[glassakias]

you don't. you just run and hide somewhere. as i always say, never medle with the afairs of modeldb, fot it's subtle and quick to cause ctd
if you do insist, though, i think you should try the battle_models.modeldb sweeper, it helped me a lot.
also, use the mod workshop for future questions that are not directly related to TATW

[Ale_san]

thank you..

[The Holy Pilgrim]

Yeah, it is kind of difficult to understand the modeldb at first, but once you get a hang of it, it is very easy to manipulate.

It can be opened with any text editing program. I use Notepad myself.

Basically, here's how the modeldb is layed out:

13 levy_spearmen 
1 4 
60 unit_models/_Units/EN_Peasant_Padded/levy_spearmen_lod0.mesh 121 
60 unit_models/_Units/EN_Peasant_Padded/levy_spearmen_lod1.mesh 900 
60 unit_models/_Units/EN_Peasant_Padded/levy_spearmen_lod2.mesh 2500 
60 unit_models/_Units/EN_Peasant_Padded/levy_spearmen_lod3.mesh 6400 
2 (this number says how many factions own this unit, in this case england and slave, so 2)
7 england 
79 unit_models/_Units/EN_Peasant_Padded/textures/EN_Peasant_Padded_england.texture 
78 unit_models/_Units/EN_Peasant_Padded/textures/EN_Peasant_Padded_normal.texture 
49 unit_sprites/england_Dummy_EN_Spearmen_sprite.spr 
5 slave 
78 unit_models/_Units/EN_Peasant_Padded/textures/EN_Peasant_Padded_rebels.texture 
78 unit_models/_Units/EN_Peasant_Padded/textures/EN_Peasant_Padded_normal.texture 
47 unit_sprites/slave_Dummy_EN_Spearmen_sprite.spr 
2 
7 england (these files are responsible for shields and weapons)
58 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Kite_england_diff.texture 
58 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Kite_england_norm.texture 0  
5 slave 
56 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Kite_slave_diff.texture 
56 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Kite_slave_norm.texture 0  
1 
4 None 
10 MTW2_Spear 0  
2 
18 MTW2_Spear_primary 
14 fs_test_shield 0 
16 -0.090000004 0 0 -0.34999999 0.80000001 0.60000002

Here's the color key:

RED: This number indicates how many characters (i.e. letters, underscores, etc.) come after the number itself. The bolded and underlined phrases are what need to be counted.

For example, there are 60 characters in the phrase unit_models/_Units/EN_Peasant_Padded/levy_spearmen_lod0.mesh

BLUE: This is the model entry's name. This is the name you put in the "soldier" and "armour_ug_levels" lines in the EDU.

GREEN: These are the skeletons the unit model will use in-game. You won't need to worry about these very often though.

[Ale_san]

dear Holy Pilgrim, i've transfered someone's Lurtz modelDB but when i want to save it said read only and when i save anyway it prompt me that the format changed and i cant even load my third age? help

[Leonidas480bc]

Yeah, it is kind of difficult to understand the modeldb at first, but once you get a hang of it, it is very easy to manipulate.

It can be opened with any text editing program. I use Notepad myself.

Basically, here's how the modeldb is layed out:

13 levy_spearmen 
1 4 
60 unit_models/_Units/EN_Peasant_Padded/levy_spearmen_lod0.mesh 121 
60 unit_models/_Units/EN_Peasant_Padded/levy_spearmen_lod1.mesh 900 
60 unit_models/_Units/EN_Peasant_Padded/levy_spearmen_lod2.mesh 2500 
60 unit_models/_Units/EN_Peasant_Padded/levy_spearmen_lod3.mesh 6400 
2 (this number says how many factions own this unit, in this case england and slave, so 2)
7 england 
79 unit_models/_Units/EN_Peasant_Padded/textures/EN_Peasant_Padded_england.texture 
78 unit_models/_Units/EN_Peasant_Padded/textures/EN_Peasant_Padded_normal.texture 
49 unit_sprites/england_Dummy_EN_Spearmen_sprite.spr 
5 slave 
78 unit_models/_Units/EN_Peasant_Padded/textures/EN_Peasant_Padded_rebels.texture 
78 unit_models/_Units/EN_Peasant_Padded/textures/EN_Peasant_Padded_normal.texture 
47 unit_sprites/slave_Dummy_EN_Spearmen_sprite.spr 
2 
7 england (these files are responsible for shields and weapons)
58 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Kite_england_diff.texture 
58 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Kite_england_norm.texture 0  
5 slave 
56 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Kite_slave_diff.texture 
56 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Kite_slave_norm.texture 0  
1 
4 None 
10 MTW2_Spear 0  
2 
18 MTW2_Spear_primary 
14 fs_test_shield 0 
16 -0.090000004 0 0 -0.34999999 0.80000001 0.60000002

Here's the color key:

RED: This number indicates how many characters (i.e. letters, underscores, etc.) come after the number itself. The bolded and underlined phrases are what need to be counted.

For example, there are 60 characters in the phrase unit_models/_Units/EN_Peasant_Padded/levy_spearmen_lod0.mesh

BLUE: This is the model entry's name. This is the name you put in the "soldier" and "armour_ug_levels" lines in the EDU.

GREEN: These are the skeletons the unit model will use in-game. You won't need to worry about these very often though.

Ok i understand what you wrote but how would i add more skins to a unit and what is the max in MTW?

[The Holy Pilgrim]

Did you add new model entries to the file?

[Ale_san]

Did you add new model entries to the file?

ive added everything, this modeldb thing is the last thing to do..please help

[Ale_san]

ive added lurtz MESH file, the texture and this thing is the last hurdle i think

[The Holy Pilgrim]

How many entries did you add exactly?

If you add entries to the modeldb, you must change the serial number at the very top of the file. It is usually a large number (for vanilla TATW, 1241) in the middle of a bunch of zeros. Depending how many model entries you add, you must add that number to the serial number at the top.

For example, if you add 3 new model entries, you must add three to the serial number. So, if the serial number was 1241 and you added three entires, the new number would be 1244.

See what I mean?

If you could post the modeldb here, perhaps I can take a look to see if anything is wrong.

[Ale_san]

5 lurtz
1 1
41 unit_models/_Units/Heroes/lurtz_lod0.mesh 6400
1
6 france
49 unit_models/_Units/Heroes/textures/lurtz2.texture
54 unit_models/_Units/Heroes/textures/lurtz2_norm.texture 0
1
6 france
49 unit_models/_Units/Heroes/textures/lurtz1.texture
54 unit_models/_Units/Heroes/textures/lurtz1_norm.texture 0
4
4 None
15 MTW2_Non_Shield 0
1
18 MTW2_Sword_Primary
0
5 horse
18 MTW2_HR_Non_Shield 0
1
18 MTW2_Sword_Primary
0
8 elephant
18 MTW2_Elephant_Crew 0
1
18 MTW2_Sword_Primary
0
5 camel
18 MTW2_HR_Non_Shield 0
1
18 MTW2_Sword_Primary
0 -1 0 0 0 0 0 0

this is what im trying to add to the ModelDB file..but it wont save without messing up the file causing the crash

[Ale_san]

How many entries did you add exactly?

If you add entries to the modeldb, you must change the serial number at the very top of the file. It is usually a large number (for vanilla TATW, 1241) in the middle of a bunch of zeros. Depending how many model entries you add, you must add that number to the serial number at the top.

For example, if you add 3 new model entries, you must add three to the serial number. So, if the serial number was 1241 and you added three entires, the new number would be 1244.

See what I mean?

If you could post the modeldb here, perhaps I can take a look to see if anything is wrong.

oh i see..trying it right now..

[Ale_san]

oh i see..trying it right now..

IT WORKED!!!!wow thank you sooo much Holy Pilgrim..i promise you i will rep you everytime i see you in a thread..as long as i'm able to rep

i'll post pictures asap

[The Holy Pilgrim]

That's great news.

If you need anymore help, don't be afraid to ask

[The Holy Pilgrim]

What do you mean by "add more skins to a unit?"

If you mean add a different skin for different factions, just do something like this:

13 levy_spearmen
1 4
60 unit_models/_Units/EN_Peasant_Padded/levy_spearmen_lod0.mesh 121
60 unit_models/_Units/EN_Peasant_Padded/levy_spearmen_lod1.mesh 900
60 unit_models/_Units/EN_Peasant_Padded/levy_spearmen_lod2.mesh 2500
60 unit_models/_Units/EN_Peasant_Padded/levy_spearmen_lod3.mesh 6400
3
7 england
79 unit_models/_Units/EN_Peasant_Padded/textures/EN_Peasant_Padded_england.texture
78 unit_models/_Units/EN_Peasant_Padded/textures/EN_Peasant_Padded_normal.texture
49 unit_sprites/england_Dummy_EN_Spearmen_sprite.spr
5 slave
78 unit_models/_Units/EN_Peasant_Padded/textures/EN_Peasant_Padded_rebels.texture
78 unit_models/_Units/EN_Peasant_Padded/textures/EN_Peasant_Padded_normal.texture
47 unit_sprites/slave_Dummy_EN_Spearmen_sprite.spr
6 france
79 unit_models/_Units/EN_Peasant_Padded/textures/EN_Peasant_Padded_england.texture
78 unit_models/_Units/EN_Peasant_Padded/textures/EN_Peasant_Padded_normal.texture
49 unit_sprites/england_Dummy_EN_Spearmen_sprite.spr
3
7 england (these files are responsible for shields and weapons)
58 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Kite_england_diff.texture
58 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Kite_england_norm.texture 0  
5 slave
56 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Kite_slave_diff.texture
56 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Kite_slave_norm.texture 0  
6 france
57 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Kite_france_diff.texture
57 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Kite_france_norm.texture 0  
1
4 None
10 MTW2_Spear 0  
2
18 MTW2_Spear_primary
14 fs_test_shield 0
16 -0.090000004 0 0 -0.34999999 0.80000001 0.60000002

RED: This number indicates how many faction entries this section has.

In this example, the number is "3" because there are three faction entries: england, slave, and france.

GREEN: This indicates the new faction's entry.

[Leonidas480bc]

I want to add at least seven different looking soldiers to a unit how many can i place? and how do i do this? They are already in the modeldb being used by the same faction for each of the 7 allied cities. They are hoplites i want to take and place all 7 in one unit and create a mercenary unit with them. here are the seven i want to add:

16 graeci_italiotae
79 unit_models/_units/graeci_italiotae/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai_Tarantinoi.texture
86 unit_models/_units/graeci_italiotae/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai_Tarantinoi_normal.texture
56 unit_sprites/merc_Dismounted_Frankish_Knights_sprite.spr

16 graeci_italiotae
80 unit_models/_units/graeci_italiotae/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai_Krotoniatai.texture
87 unit_models/_units/graeci_italiotae/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai_Krotoniatai_normal.texture
56 unit_sprites/merc_Dismounted_Frankish_Knights_sprite.spr

16 graeci_italiotae
77 unit_models/_units/graeci_italiotae/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai_Thourioi.texture
84 unit_models/_units/graeci_italiotae/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai_Thourioi_normal.texture
56 unit_sprites/merc_Dismounted_Frankish_Knights_sprite.spr

16 graeci_italiotae
76 unit_models/_units/graeci_italiotae/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai_Lokrioi.texture
83 unit_models/_units/graeci_italiotae/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai_Lokrioi_normal.texture
56 unit_sprites/merc_Dismounted_Frankish_Knights_sprite.spr

16 graeci_italiotae
77 unit_models/_units/graeci_italiotae/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai_Rheginoi.texture
84 unit_models/_units/graeci_italiotae/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai_Rheginoi_normal.texture
56 unit_sprites/merc_Dismounted_Frankish_Knights_sprite.spr

16 graeci_italiotae
78 unit_models/_units/graeci_italiotae/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai_Eleatikoi.texture
85 unit_models/_units/graeci_italiotae/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai_Eleatikoi_normal.texture
56 unit_sprites/merc_Dismounted_Frankish_Knights_sprite.spr

16 graeci_italiotae
81 unit_models/_units/graeci_italiotae/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai_Herakleiotai.texture
88 unit_models/_units/graeci_italiotae/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai_Herakleiotai_normal.texture
56 unit_sprites/merc_Dismounted_Frankish_Knights_sprite.spr

And this is the unit i want to merge them into:

15 Graeci_Hoplitai
1 4
58 unit_models/_units/greek_generic/Graeci_Hoplitai_lod0.mesh 121
58 unit_models/_units/greek_generic/Graeci_Hoplitai_lod0.mesh 900
58 unit_models/_units/greek_generic/Graeci_Hoplitai_lod0.mesh 2500
58 unit_models/_units/greek_generic/Graeci_Hoplitai_lod0.mesh 6400
7
16 graeci_italiotae
65 unit_models/_units/greek_generic/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai.texture
72 unit_models/_units/greek_generic/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai_normal.texture
56 unit_sprites/merc_Dismounted_Frankish_Knights_sprite.spr
9 syracusae
65 unit_models/_units/greek_generic/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai.texture
72 unit_models/_units/greek_generic/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai_normal.texture
56 unit_sprites/merc_Dismounted_Frankish_Knights_sprite.spr
5 poeni
65 unit_models/_units/greek_generic/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai.texture
72 unit_models/_units/greek_generic/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai_normal.texture
56 unit_sprites/merc_Dismounted_Frankish_Knights_sprite.spr
7 etrusci
65 unit_models/_units/greek_generic/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai.texture
72 unit_models/_units/greek_generic/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai_normal.texture
56 unit_sprites/merc_Dismounted_Frankish_Knights_sprite.spr
5 tusci
65 unit_models/_units/greek_generic/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai.texture
72 unit_models/_units/greek_generic/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai_normal.texture
56 unit_sprites/merc_Dismounted_Frankish_Knights_sprite.spr
8 tyrrheni
65 unit_models/_units/greek_generic/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai.texture
72 unit_models/_units/greek_generic/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai_normal.texture
56 unit_sprites/merc_Dismounted_Frankish_Knights_sprite.spr
5 slave
65 unit_models/_units/greek_generic/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai.texture
72 unit_models/_units/greek_generic/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai_normal.texture
56 unit_sprites/merc_Dismounted_Frankish_Knights_sprite.spr
7
16 graeci_italiotae
65 unit_models/_units/greek_generic/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai.texture
72 unit_models/_units/greek_generic/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai_normal.texture 0
9 syracusae
65 unit_models/_units/greek_generic/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai.texture
72 unit_models/_units/greek_generic/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai_normal.texture 0
5 poeni
65 unit_models/_units/greek_generic/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai.texture
72 unit_models/_units/greek_generic/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai_normal.texture 0
7 etrusci
65 unit_models/_units/greek_generic/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai.texture
72 unit_models/_units/greek_generic/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai_normal.texture 0
5 tusci
65 unit_models/_units/greek_generic/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai.texture
72 unit_models/_units/greek_generic/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai_normal.texture 0
8 tyrrheni
65 unit_models/_units/greek_generic/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai.texture
72 unit_models/_units/greek_generic/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai_normal.texture 0
5 slave
65 unit_models/_units/greek_generic/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai.texture
72 unit_models/_units/greek_generic/textures/Graeci_Hoplitai_normal.texture 0
1
4 None
15 MTW2_S1_Hoplite 0
2
17 MTW2_spear_weapon
14 fs_test_shield 0
16 -0.090000004 0 0 -0.34999999 0.80000001 0.60000002

[The Holy Pilgrim]

I'm afraid the modeldb does not dictate which variations to use for a unit. You have to modify the mesh file itself to do that I believe.

[Leonidas480bc]

Ok I thought the modeldb held what soldiers would be represented by the EDU. I thought the mesh was just the "skeleton" and the .DDS were its skin and that the difference between RTW and MTW was that there could be multiple variations of troops in a unit and so if i wanted to add 7 more .DDS files to a unit which file to I edit?

[The Holy Pilgrim]

Depends on which unit you're talking about. Look up the unit's entry in the modeldb. It will tell you where the file is.

[Leonidas480bc]

What .txt shows where the unit gets its mesh and its skins? I know where the mesh files/.dds files are