My dillema

**Disciple** · May 02, 2006, 08:03 PM

Alright. When I first came here, I saw all the awesome skins and models and wanted to use 'em right away. I downloaded some, and instantly ran into a roadblock. Modifying the descr_model_units and all those .TXT files along with textures is an incredibly annoying and confusing experience. I simply do not have the time to spend trying to find out how to sync up textures from multiple sources so they work together.

Here's my problem.

I recently downloaded Modded Legions and for the first time was able to easily install some skins. Then I just found Siggnifiers animtion pack, downloaded it, and spent alot of time trying to set the skeletons to certain models in whatever .TXT file it was that does that.

I love the Roman skins from the Legion pack, but no other nations have any skins. Thus I went searching for Webbird's stuff (I used it back when I played alot) and found his Xmas Pack. I want to use the Modded Legions stuff and also Webbird's skins for other nations, but there are so many files in Webbird's pack I don't know if I'd overwrite the Modded Legion or not. I considered copying certain portions of the descr_model_whatever into the one on my PC already but I didn't know if something iffy would happen or not, and I would also lose the skeleton data I already put in.

I know this is a huge request, but can somebody put Webbird's Xmas skins in with the Modded Legion whilst also including Siggnifier's Animation pack? I'm really lost with all this modding.

**Dantheman102100** · May 02, 2006, 11:55 PM

Ouch, that's a big request. I'm not sure if this would work or not (never used the mods you mention), but this is what I'd do.

Check the Legion pack and find the files you want to save, and copy those into a temporary folder. Install the other mods that you want. Then, open RTW and see if the legion skins were affected from the other mods. If so, take those files in your temporary folder and overwrite what you have in your RTW directory.

Like I said, I've never used the mods you are talking about, so I'm not possitive about the above, but that should do it for you. Remember, good modders always keep copies of the original files.

**Disciple** · May 03, 2006, 12:42 AM

Thanks for the reply.

But the problem is that they both have a descr_model_unit (whatever) file and I don't know if either one will point to different textures. I'll try it though. Thanks alot!

**rstoner** · May 03, 2006, 06:56 AM

Replacing individual models is not too hard at all, and can be done in a minute once you get used to the process.
If you want to try, I'll help you.

**Halie Satanus** · May 03, 2006, 08:26 AM

Download this mod, i think it has everything you want, and alot more,
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=114
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=48691

you might want to use a mod switcher as well.
http://www.twcenter.net/downloads/db/?mod=687

**Disciple** · May 03, 2006, 10:25 AM

Thanks for helping once again.

I know it's a huge request. I guess if it makes the original request any easier, adding in the animations isn't a must.

But if rstoner is willing to help me figure out how to do it myself, I'm game with that.

Another note: I tried adding the animations I downloaded and Rome wouldn't start up all the way until I removed them again.

And I'm not very much interesting in downloading a mod. I was at first, but every mod I play always has a few niggling stupid changes that get on my nerves. I like vanilla (as in the original) Rome the way it is. I might change one day, but oh well.

**The White Knight** · May 03, 2006, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by Disciple

Thanks for helping once again.

I know it's a huge request. I guess if it makes the original request any easier, adding in the animations isn't a must.

But if rstoner is willing to help me figure out how to do it myself, I'm game with that.

Another note: I tried adding the animations I downloaded and Rome wouldn't start up all the way until I removed them again.

And I'm not very much interesting in downloading a mod. I was at first, but every mod I play always has a few niggling stupid changes that get on my nerves. I like vanilla (as in the original) Rome the way it is. I might change one day, but oh well.

I did these sort of changes ages ago on 1.2 for my own version.... but then 1.3 got released, 1.5, some mods.... And I didn't want to do my work all over again.

If you check the tutorials section and read the guides ("Everything you want to know about skins..." is where I learned it from), you'll manage. Enabling animations and models is pretty much the same as skins (using descr_model_battle), though if you want to use Sig's anim-pack you might want to adjust the export_descr_battle too.

Could you give some links to the files you want to install, so I can guide you through a bit better?

Edit:

Ok, after a quick look at the files:

Read the guide I pointed you to earlier.
Install Webbird X-mas thingie 1, 2 and 3 as he explained in his read-me, this won't be troublesome, normally.
TEST with -show_err enabled.
Download Modding Legions 1.3b

MANUALLY Copy a Roman soldier-entry in the modding legions descr_model_battle to your current descr_model_battle (the one that came with Webbird's X-box :p)

For example: BEFORE the change the Roman General entry in your freshly installed descr_model_battle would look like this:

Code:

type				roman_general
skeleton			fs_dagger
skeleton_horse		fs_hc_swordsman	
skeleton_elephant	fs_forest_elephant_rider
skeleton_chariot	fs_chariot_sword
skeleton_camel		fs_hc_swordsman
indiv_range			40
texture				romans_julii, data/models_unit/textures/officer_cesarae_general_julii.tga
texture				romans_brutii, data/models_unit/textures/officer_cesarae_general_brutii.tga
texture				romans_scipii, data/models_unit/textures/officer_cesarae_general_scipii.tga
texture				romans_senate, data/models_unit/textures/officer_cesarae_general_spor.tga
;texture				slave, data/models_unit/textures/officer_roman_general_rebel.tga	;MISSING
model_flexi_m		data/models_unit/officer_roman_general_high.cas, 15
model_flexi_m		data/models_unit/officer_roman_general_med.cas, 30
model_flexi_m		data/models_unit/officer_roman_general_low.cas, 40
model_flexi_m		data/models_unit/officer_roman_general_lowest.cas, max
model_sprite		60.0, data/sprites/roman_general_sprite.spr
model_tri			400, 0.5f, 0.5f, 0.5

AFTER copy/paste from the legions' descr_model_battle the entry will look like this:

Code:

type				roman_general
skeleton			fs_dagger
skeleton_horse		fs_hc_swordsman	
skeleton_elephant	fs_forest_elephant_rider
skeleton_chariot	fs_chariot_sword
skeleton_camel		fs_hc_swordsman
indiv_range			40
texture				romans_julii, data/models_unit/textures/ferres/officer_roman_general_julii.tga
texture				romans_brutii, data/models_unit/textures/ferres/officer_roman_general_brutii.tga
texture				romans_scipii, data/models_unit/textures/ferres/officer_roman_general_scipii.tga
texture				romans_senate, data/models_unit/textures/ferres/officer_roman_general_senate.tga
;texture				slave, data/models_unit/textures/officer_roman_general_rebel.tga	;MISSING
model_flexi_m		data/models_unit/Roman_general_high.cas, 15
model_flexi_m		data/models_unit/Roman_general_med.cas, 30
model_flexi_m		data/models_unit/Roman_general_low.cas, 40
model_flexi_m		data/models_unit/Roman_general_lowest.cas, max
model_sprite		60.0, data/sprites/roman_general_sprite.spr
model_tri			400, 0.5f, 0.5f, 0.5

Congratulations, you have now succesfully changed Webbird's Roman General skin to Modding Legion's.

Keep repeating this for EVERY single Roman soldier you want to have in your own little mod.
Unzip the content of Modelling Legions (with the exception of the descr_model_battle and the export_descr_battle files, since you have done the necessary changes already.) I'm even a bit worried because a export_descr_unit is present. I didn't notice any changes.
TEST with -show_err enabled.
Download SigniferOne's latest pack (for 1.5/1.6).
Unzip the four files into Data/animations folder, overwriting the existing four files there (always remember to back everything up!).*
Go into descr_model_battle.txt and change which units use which skeletons (i.e. give fs_s1_hc_archer to Parthian horse archers, change Roman infantry from fs_javelinman, fs_swordsman to fs_javelinman, fs_s1_gladius, etc).** This is entirely subject to your taste. Want to give Webbird's celts a stabbing animation? Try (but master the basics first).
TEST with -show_err enabled!

Also: take back-ups before overwriting your files!

Good luck. :sweatingb:
--------------------------
*From SigniferOne's 'manual'.
**
Supplementary note: I strongly recommend that for using fs_s1_hoplite, you remove the soldier's secondary weapon (sword), and also remove the "phalanx" ability; however giving them "shield wall" works great. This is for best results. To do all this, open export_descr_unit.txt, search for your hoplite unit, change his secondary weapon stats to 0, 0 (the rest doesn't matter), delete the word "phalanx" from his abilities (and give "shield wall"). fs_s1_hoplite works really well with this combination.*

^This is a bit more advanced.... [it's done in export_descr_unit.txt]try doing the above first, if everything worked you might try the ** to.

-This is written presuming you're installing this on a 1.5 version.

**Disciple** · May 03, 2006, 11:35 AM

Thanks alot ofr your assistance.

A minor problem though.

I made sure to have a copy of my Data folder as soon as I'd patched to 1.3. The problem is that For some idiotic reason I confused it with the real Data folder and installed Webbird's XMAS pack into the backup folder. Now I've basically over-written all the vanilla files I had, and I already installed custom skins on my regular Rome directory.

Is there any way someone can Email me the descr_model_battle and other important .txt files for 1.3?

AOradeon@gmail.com

And no, I don't have 1.5. I'm assuming 1.5 is Barbarian Invasion. I'm patched up to 1.3.

/e

Bah!

I just installed and tested out Webbird's XMAS pack. He did a great job, but for me:

A) I hate how he changed the names of alot of units.

B) I greatly preffer the Modded Legion skins to Webbird's Roman skins.

C) I think he changed some unit stats.

So now I have his pack is overwritten over my backups so I can't change it back to the way it was before.

Am I going to need to reinstall, or can somebody email me the appropriate .txt files he modified?

Furthermore, does this mean I have to go to extra lengths to get the skins to work without his extra modifications? I only want the skins he put in, not the name changes and whatnot.

**rstoner** · May 03, 2006, 12:07 PM

Was it only the Roman models you lost?
If it was, you could use the manual installation readme in Modding Legions to reactive the models.
You will have to edit the Roman sections in 'descr_model_battle' and 'export_descr_unit'.
Both of these files are sorted by culture and have a layout roughly like like this:
1) Mounts
2) Generals/Officers
3) Barbarians
3) Carthage
4) Easterns
5) Egyptians
6) Greeks
7) Romans
8) Mercenaries

**Disciple** · May 03, 2006, 01:10 PM

Well right now my problem is that I don't have backups anymore, that I want to put the Modded Legion in alongside all the other skins in the XMAS Pack, and that I want to change the unit names back to what they were.

I think I've succesfully added the Modded Legion in with Webbird's stuff, and I also think the file he used to change the names of the units is in Data\Text as "exports_units".

If someone could email me the original file it would be appreciated greatly.

**Disciple** · May 03, 2006, 06:27 PM

I tried adding the Modded Legion in with Webbird's stuff using a nifty guide I didn't notice was in the original file for the Modded Legion, but it crashes every time. I added show_err extension to a shortcut to see what was going on and mostly I noticed the problem lay with missing underscores in the export_descr_unit. Things that showed what Roman factions had ownerships of which units. Well it was all well and good till I came to this:

If I get rid of the underscores it gives me the errors I was getting with other units till after I put in the underscores. I seem to be lost.

**Disciple** · May 03, 2006, 08:23 PM

I'm just going to reinstall R:TW now. I'd still be super appreciative if someone could get the textures (nothing else) from Webbird's pack and Modded Legions running side-by-side.

**rstoner** · May 04, 2006, 04:42 AM

That error code means there were two identical entries in that file. Did you paste the new stuff in without replacing the old entries?

**Disciple** · May 04, 2006, 10:18 AM

I'm fairly sure I copied over the old ones.

Oh well. I just reinstalled.

I didn't even know there was an R:TW 1.5 patch. Would it make certain skins not work, or should I just go ahead and get it?

**Lusted** · May 04, 2006, 10:20 AM

Skins are compatible with all version of RTw, just the text files that cme with them aren't, so will have to manually install them.

**lalalax3** · May 04, 2006, 11:13 AM

lol i did the same thing he requested by myself awhile ago lol

along with other custom ones from other various mods, but mostly ML and Xmas pack

**Disciple** · May 04, 2006, 12:08 PM

Originally Posted by lalalax3

lol i did the same thing he requested by myself awhile ago lol

along with other custom ones from other various mods, but mostly ML and Xmas pack

Do you mind... I don't know... posting it up here?

**lalalax3** · May 04, 2006, 12:33 PM

how would u like it?

the whole thing or just decre_model_battle?

**Disciple** · May 04, 2006, 06:00 PM

I'd love you forever if it was the whole thing.

Either way. If it's not the whole thing could you tell me what I need to do to get it all together? Would I just need to dump the textures folder in Webbird's pack into the appropriate folder and then use the descr_model_battle .txt?

Do you have it for 1.3 or 1.5?

I very much hate bumping but...

**Disciple** · May 17, 2006, 11:43 AM

Bah.

I've tried a few stabs at doing it again but I keep getting niggling errors that can't be fixed until I put the backup Data in and re-write the old data.

I'd very much appreciate more help on this matters.