How to create a dismounted unit

[Chim]

I forgot to add the last part:

1
5 horse
18 MTW2_Fast_Arquebus
20 MTW2_Non_Shield_Fast 1
21 MTW2_Arquebus_Primary 1
18 MTW2_Sword_Primary
16 -0.090000004 0 0 -0.34999999 0.80000001 0.60000002

But still no succes, The horses are visible ingame but the riders are not.

[Chim]

Ok I managed to get my unit into the game, but the arquebusiers are standing ontop of the horse, how would I fix this?

[The Conquistador]

I have a problem... My code on the battles model folder is exact and battles come up but the unit I was trying to add ( dismounted Mamluks ) is invisible. some please help!!!!

[The Conquistador]

never mind it was a code error

[Douchebag]

im trying to add dismounted stratatoi(unit from BC), but how would i be able to do this?

[Drago Fett]

great tut! yet the instructions are a little vague on how to edit the export_units.txt. to help others who might not understand these vague instructions i will post additional instructions on how to edit the export_units.txt.
orginally, this text file as the file extension ".txt.strings.bin". in order to edit this file you must download alpaca's bin converter(link to download is placed in the orginal post of this tutorial). once you have followed alpaca's instructions and have converted all files to .txt, open export_units.txt.
the file is more legible now! it follows this format:
{Dismounted_Knights_Hospitaller}Dismounted Knights Hospitaller
{Dismounted_knights_Hospitaller_descr} bla bla bla
{Dismounted_Knights_Hospitaller_descr_short} bla bla bla

in this case i added text for the dismounted hospitaller knights.
once you have made your changes, save the file, but dont close it!
then you must go File, Save As, export_units.txt.strings.bin, it will ask you if you want to replace existing file, choose yes. voila!(lol) open your game with io_filefirst then view your changes.
just to make sure
1. download alpaca's .bin converter
2. follow alpaca's instructions to convert the .bin files to .txt
3. open export_units
4. make necessary edits
5. save, but dont close!
6 save as export_units.txt.strings.bin, choose yes to replace existing file
7. open game with io_filefirst switch and view your new unit!

p.s. it took me while (and some fits of frustration) to figure this part out so i figured i'd help anyone new to making new units. lol

[Gigantus]

6 save as export_units.txt.strings.bin, choose yes to replace existing file

Not really necessary (does it really work?), the game creates this file from the txt file.

[Drago Fett]

it doesnt for mine

[Sir_Killalot]

Ok, I am having some serious problems with makeing the dismounted Tsars Guard. I did all of what you said on this, but I get the black screen, beep, and press enter CTD. What am I doing wrong here?:
heres the modeling:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

22 dismounted_tsars_guard
1 4
78 unit_models/_Units/EE_Bekhtera_Heavy_Lamellar/dismounted_tsars_guard_lod0.mesh 121
78 unit_models/_Units/EE_Bekhtera_Heavy_Lamellar/dismounted_tsars_guard_lod1.mesh 900
78 unit_models/_Units/EE_Bekhtera_Heavy_Lamellar/dismounted_tsars_guard_lod2.mesh 2500
78 unit_models/_Units/EE_Bekhtera_Heavy_Lamellar/dismounted_tsars_guard_lod3.mesh 6400
1
6 russia
96 unit_models/_Units/EE_Bekhtera_Heavy_Lamellar/textures/EE_Bekhtera_Heavy_Lamellar_russia.texture
96 unit_models/_Units/EE_Bekhtera_Heavy_Lamellar/textures/EE_Bekhtera_Heavy_Lamellar_normal.texture
53 unit_sprites/russia_dismounted_Tsars_Guard_sprite.spr
1
6 russia
61 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Teardrop_russia_diff.texture
61 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Teardrop_russia_norm.texture 0
1
4 None
13 MTW2_HR_Spear
13 MTW2_HR_Sword 2
21 MTW2_HR_spear_Primary
14 fs_test_shield 2
18 MTW2_Sword_Primary
14 fs_test_shield
16 -0.090000004 0 0 -0.34999999 0.80000001 0.60000002
26 dismounted_tsars_guard_ug1
1 4
82 unit_models/_Units/EE_Bekhtera_Heavy_Lamellar/dismounted_tsars_guard_ug1_lod0.mesh 121
82 unit_models/_Units/EE_Bekhtera_Heavy_Lamellar/dismounted_tsars_guard_ug1_lod1.mesh 900
82 unit_models/_Units/EE_Bekhtera_Heavy_Lamellar/dismounted_tsars_guard_ug1_lod2.mesh 2500
82 unit_models/_Units/EE_Bekhtera_Heavy_Lamellar/dismounted_tsars_guard_ug1_lod3.mesh 6400
1
6 russia
96 unit_models/_Units/EE_Bekhtera_Heavy_Lamellar/textures/EE_Bekhtera_Heavy_Lamellar_russia.texture
96 unit_models/_Units/EE_Bekhtera_Heavy_Lamellar/textures/EE_Bekhtera_Heavy_Lamellar_normal.texture
46 unit_sprites/russia_Dismounted_Tsars_Guard_ug1_sprite.spr
1
6 russia
61 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Teardrop_russia_diff.texture
61 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Teardrop_russia_norm.texture 0
1
4 None
13 MTW2_HR_Spear
13 MTW2_HR_Sword 2
21 MTW2_HR_spear_Primary
14 fs_test_shield 2
18 MTW2_Sword_Primary
14 fs_test_shield
16 -0.090000004 0 0 -0.34999999 0.80000001 0.60000002

And with the unit coding:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

type Dismounted_Tsars_Guard
dictionary Dismounted_Tsars_Guard ; Dismounted Tsars Guard
category infantry
class heavy
voice_type Heavy
banner faction main_infantry
banner holy crusade
soldier Dismounted_Polish_Knights, 48, 0, 1.2
attributes sea_faring, hide_forest, very_hardy, can_withdraw
formation 1.2, 1.2, 2.4, 2.4, 3, square
stat_health 1, 0
stat_pri 11, 3, no, 0, 0, melee, melee_blade, piercing, sword, 25, 1
;stat_pri_ex 0, 0, 0
stat_pri_attr no
stat_sec 0, 0, no, 0, 0, no, melee_simple, blunt, none, 25, 1
;stat_sec_ex 0, 0, 0
stat_sec_attr no
stat_pri_armour 6, 4, 8, metal
;stat_armour_ex 6, 7, 0, 0, 4, 8, 8, metal
stat_sec_armour 0, 0, flesh
stat_heat 8
stat_ground 1, -2, 3, 4
stat_mental 9, normal, trained
stat_charge_dist 30
stat_fire_delay 0
stat_food 60, 300
stat_cost 1, 570, 225, 60, 140, 570, 4, 170
armour_ug_levels 4, 5
armour_ug_models Dismounted_Tsars_Guard, Dismounted_Tsars_Guard_ug1
ownership russia
era 2 russia
;unit_info 11, 0, 18
recruit_priority_offset 20

I dunno what to do with this

[Eothese]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

22 dismounted_tsars_guard
1 4
78 unit_models/_Units/EE_Bekhtera_Heavy_Lamellar/dismounted_tsars_guard_lod0.mesh 121
78 unit_models/_Units/EE_Bekhtera_Heavy_Lamellar/dismounted_tsars_guard_lod1.mesh 900
78 unit_models/_Units/EE_Bekhtera_Heavy_Lamellar/dismounted_tsars_guard_lod2.mesh 2500
78 unit_models/_Units/EE_Bekhtera_Heavy_Lamellar/dismounted_tsars_guard_lod3.mesh 6400
1
6 russia
96 unit_models/_Units/EE_Bekhtera_Heavy_Lamellar/textures/EE_Bekhtera_Heavy_Lamellar_russia.texture
96 unit_models/_Units/EE_Bekhtera_Heavy_Lamellar/textures/EE_Bekhtera_Heavy_Lamellar_normal.texture
53 unit_sprites/russia_dismounted_Tsars_Guard_sprite.spr
1
6 russia
61 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Teardrop_russia_diff.texture
61 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Teardrop_russia_norm.texture 0
1
4 None
13 MTW2_HR_Spear
13 MTW2_HR_Sword 2
21 MTW2_HR_spear_Primary
14 fs_test_shield 2
18 MTW2_Sword_Primary
14 fs_test_shield
16 -0.090000004 0 0 -0.34999999 0.80000001 0.60000002
26 dismounted_tsars_guard_ug1
1 4
82 unit_models/_Units/EE_Bekhtera_Heavy_Lamellar/dismounted_tsars_guard_ug1_lod0.mesh 121
82 unit_models/_Units/EE_Bekhtera_Heavy_Lamellar/dismounted_tsars_guard_ug1_lod1.mesh 900
82 unit_models/_Units/EE_Bekhtera_Heavy_Lamellar/dismounted_tsars_guard_ug1_lod2.mesh 2500
82 unit_models/_Units/EE_Bekhtera_Heavy_Lamellar/dismounted_tsars_guard_ug1_lod3.mesh 6400
1
6 russia
96 unit_models/_Units/EE_Bekhtera_Heavy_Lamellar/textures/EE_Bekhtera_Heavy_Lamellar_russia.texture
96 unit_models/_Units/EE_Bekhtera_Heavy_Lamellar/textures/EE_Bekhtera_Heavy_Lamellar_normal.texture
46 unit_sprites/russia_Dismounted_Tsars_Guard_ug1_sprite.spr
1
6 russia
61 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Teardrop_russia_diff.texture
61 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Teardrop_russia_norm.texture 0
1
4 None
13 MTW2_HR_Spear
13 MTW2_HR_Sword 2
21 MTW2_HR_spear_Primary
14 fs_test_shield 2
18 MTW2_Sword_Primary
14 fs_test_shield
16 -0.090000004 0 0 -0.34999999 0.80000001 0.60000002

Your animations are wrong to start with,
13 MTW2_HR_Spear
HR means its for a horse rider.
Look in descr_skeleton for the correct anim's

[Sir_Killalot]

Thanks Eothese, but now I've ran into another problem. So I got my dismounted knights to work, but when I upgrade to model 2, I got the invisible unit. Default works fine and shows up, but not ug1. Whats missing in my code (or wrong)?

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

(Ignore the other factions, just denmark)25 dismounted_danish_knights
1 3
70 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/dismounted_danish_knights_lod0.mesh 121
70 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/dismounted_danish_knights_lod1.mesh 1225
70 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/dismounted_danish_knights_lod2.mesh 6400
3
6 france
73 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/textures/mtw2_EN_Pplate_france.texture
73 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/textures/mtw2_EN_Pplate_normal.texture
59 unit_sprites/france_Dismounted_Chivalric_Knights_sprite.spr
7 denmark
74 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/textures/mtw2_EN_Pplate_denmark.texture
73 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/textures/mtw2_EN_Pplate_normal.texture
60 unit_sprites/denmark_Dismounted_Chivalric_Knights_sprite.spr
5 spain
72 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/textures/mtw2_EN_Pplate_spain.texture
73 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/textures/mtw2_EN_Pplate_normal.texture
58 unit_sprites/spain_Dismounted_Chivalric_Knights_sprite.spr
3
6 france
66 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Special Heads_france_diff.texture
66 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Special Heads_france_norm.texture 0
7 denmark
67 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Special Heads_denmark_diff.texture
67 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Special Heads_denmark_norm.texture 0
5 spain
65 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Special Heads_spain_diff.texture
65 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Special Heads_spain_norm.texture 0
1
4 None
19 MTW2_Slow_Swordsman 0
2
18 MTW2_Sword_Primary
14 fs_test_shield 0
16 -0.090000004 0 0 -0.34999999 0.80000001 0.60000002
30 dismounted_danish_knights_ug1
1 3
74 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/dismounted_danish_knights_ug1_lod0.mesh 121
74 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/dismounted_danish_knights_ug1_lod1.mesh 1225
74 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/dismounted_danish_knights_ug1_lod2.mesh 6400
3
6 france
73 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/textures/mtw2_EN_Pplate_france.texture
73 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/textures/mtw2_EN_Pplate_normal.texture
63 unit_sprites/france_Dismounted_Chivalric_Knights_ug1_sprite.spr
7 denmark
74 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/textures/mtw2_EN_Pplate_denmark.texture
73 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/textures/mtw2_EN_Pplate_normal.texture
64 unit_sprites/denmark_Dismounted_Chivalric_Knights_ug1_sprite.spr
5 spain
72 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/textures/mtw2_EN_Pplate_spain.texture
73 unit_models/_Units/EN_Pplate_Plate/textures/mtw2_EN_Pplate_normal.texture
62 unit_sprites/spain_Dismounted_Chivalric_Knights_ug1_sprite.spr
3
6 france
66 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Special Heads_france_diff.texture
66 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Special Heads_france_norm.texture 0
7 denmark
67 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Special Heads_denmark_diff.texture
67 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Special Heads_denmark_norm.texture 0
5 spain
65 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Special Heads_spain_diff.texture
65 unit_models/AttachmentSets/Final Special Heads_spain_norm.texture 0
1
4 None
19 MTW2_Slow_Swordsman 0
2
18 MTW2_Sword_Primary
14 fs_test_shield 0
16 -0.090000004 0 0 -0.34999999 0.80000001 0.60000002

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

type Dismounted Danish Knights
dictionary Dismounted_Danish_Knights ; Dismounted Danish Knights
category infantry
class heavy
voice_type Heavy
banner faction main_infantry
banner holy crusade
soldier Dismounted_Huscarls, 48, 0, 1.2
attributes sea_faring, hide_forest, hardy, can_withdraw, frighten_foot
formation 1.2, 1.2, 2.4, 2.4, 4, square
stat_health 1, 0
stat_pri 9, 3, no, 0, 0, melee, melee_blade, slashing, axe, 25, 1.2
;stat_pri_ex 0, 0, 0
stat_pri_attr ap
stat_sec 0, 0, no, 0, 0, no, melee_simple, blunt, none, 25, 1
;stat_sec_ex 0, 0, 0
stat_sec_attr no
stat_pri_armour 6, 4, 8, metal
;stat_armour_ex 3, 5, 0, 0, 4, 8, 8, metal
stat_sec_armour 0, 0, flesh
stat_heat 6
stat_ground 1, -2, 3, 4
stat_mental 11, normal, trained
stat_charge_dist 30
stat_fire_delay 0
stat_food 60, 300
stat_cost 1, 590, 150, 60, 140, 590, 4, 160
armour_ug_levels 4, 5
armour_ug_models Dismounted_Danish_Knights, Dismounted_Danish_Knights_ug1
ownership denmark
era 1 denmark
era 2 denmark
;unit_info 9, 0, 15
recruit_priority_offset 10

Also Im kinda new at this too.

[Eothese]

At a glance, it looks OK. Did you add 1 to the serialization::archive at the top of the battle_models.db for both the basic model and the ug1?

[Sir_Killalot]

Serialization? Sorry, but whats that? Im really lost here.

[Eothese]

The serialization archive is the number at the top of the battle_models.db
22 serialization::archive 3 0 0 0 0 904 0 0
You need to add 1 to this for every new model you add including any upgrades (ug1, ug2 etc.)
Also, now that I take a closer look your ug1 string length is incorrect.
30 dismounted_danish_knights_ug1
Should be,
29 dismounted_danish_knights_ug1
There is no easy way to check string lengths, other than careful counting of characters.
As your new to this, I'll give you a little tip on armour upgrades. To save time you can use the same model (mesh) and simply reference it multiple times in the EDU to give further armour upgrade levels. EG.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

armour_ug_levels 4, 5, 6
armour_ug_models Dismounted_Danish_Knights, Dismounted_Danish_Knights_ug1 , Dismounted_Danish_Knights_ug1

or even

armour_ug_levels 4, 5, 6
armour_ug_models Dismounted_Danish_Knights, Dismounted_Danish_Knights, Dismounted_Danish_Knights,

[Gigantus]

There is a way: ModelDB Checker

[Eothese]

There is a way: ModelDB Checker

I tried this when I had an error somewhere, it didn't find it. So I tried it with a clean model.db and put an error in myself which it still didn't find. I have little faith in this tool.

[Sir_Killalot]

Thanks Eothese!

[Gigantus]

The checker needs modding itself if you have any custom factions. Otherwise it will not find them.
Pretty easy to do.

[akarivn]

I was trying to create a Dismounted Jerusalem Lancer/Knight who uses 2-hand sword. I've just found out that I did not add the seri number (total number of unit). But there're other problems too.

I didn't find any ug1 file for Jerusalem's unit in the sprite folder. Does that mean the unit will not be upgradable (armor)? And how do I solve it?

More to ask, I change the texture of the unit, for example, Oathbreaker (Antioch to Jerusalem) but it appears weird. The armor of the unit shown in battle map looks 'wrong' with some black parts while the shields are blank (no image or color).

Any suggestion will be welcomed !!!

[Lennert]

Sorry to revive such an old thread, but I encountered a problem with the unpacker when I wanted to do this mod. When I try to execute the unpack_all file it says it can't find MSVCP71.dll.. while it's right there in the Medieval 2 Total War folder where it should be. Is there any way to work around this? It says reïnstalling the game could solve the problem, but I just reïnstalled it yesterday and haven't done any modding since. Could it have anything to do with the fact that I installed it on the E: disk instead of default C:? That shouldn't be a problem right? At least it never is with installing updates or mods..