How-To Edit unit textures.

[Revan Shan]

A basic mod folder didn't work cause I couldn't see the unit_models folder. It didn't appear and that way I could create no reskins. Then Hereje told me that the KGCM (kingdoms grand campaign mod) had all the units in it's mod folder, so I downloaded and took a look.

It had it's own unit folder, yes, but it only showed Kingdoms Expansion units + M2TW and Kingdoms attachments. So, basicly, now I'm able to skin everything except M2TW main game unit bodies.

[Gigantus]

A basic mod folder didn't work cause I couldn't see the unit_models folder.

This sentence doesn't make sense at all.

1. Your basic game will have only a few files that you can access directly
2. To access the remainder you will have to unpack the game
3. If you have problems finding the unpacked files, head back to that link I gave you.

[Revan Shan]

This sentence doesn't make sense at all.

1. Your basic game will have only a few files that you can access directly
2. To access the remainder you will have to unpack the game
3. If you have problems finding the unpacked files, head back to that link I gave you.

I had it unpacked already. Disabling the UAC was of no use and nothing appeared after deleting the AppData thing.

[Praetorian1]

hello, when i go to c;Program files\SEGA\Medieval2 totalwar\data\ i can't find the unit_models , instead there are these folders;animations,cursors,fmv,sounds and world. & i cant find them anywhere can you please help me in locating the unit_models file?

thanks

[Stephan]

you have to unpack the files first
(m2/tools/unpacker)

[Praetorian1]

...

[Praetorian1]

i can't find the unit_models file the data folder, could u tell me where i can find it pls????

[Gigantus]

Looker deeper!
Until you find the folder named tools\unpacker
Which contains several batch files, aptly named after their function
One of them is unpack_all.bat
Clicking on it will open a DOS window, annoyingly asking you three times whether you REALLY want to unpack
During the next half hour of unpacking I would advise to read the README file (again aptly named)
Therein you will find instructions for deleting some unpacked files. Please follow those instructions once the unpackinig has finished.
And now you should be able to find your folder

[Gigantus]

The medieval2 engine makes it possible to randomly choose elements from the texture provided they have the same 'allocation' (for want of a better word) in the model.
Meaning, that most likely all parts are torso. If you would upload a screen shot of the file in JPG format, then we would could have a look and someone more savvy might tell you exactly what it is that is puzzling you.

[ronnie76]

Thanks for replying Gigantus.

Attached "texture1" is the file I am working with and "gamescreenshot1" is what I get when I add the texture file to the modeldb. I never see the blue cloth over the chain mail from the top row of torsos, in the game.

Sorry didn't know how to paste the pics directly into my post so I attached them.

Thanks again for all of the help and guidance.

[Gigantus]

Have you tried applying the 'new look' to the bottom toros? Normally there are only three pieces of an element (arm, leg etc). It could be an already modded texture. Difficult to say which are the proper parts without having the model - the allocations can be seen there.

[ronnie76]

The file I originally posted was from SS6.2 "en_kmail_kmail_scotland.texture". I looked in my vanilla M2TW folder and found a similar file "en_lmail_hmail_scotland.texture". Both have a total of what appear to be 6 torsos. Both files converted to .jpg attached.

I am currently working on moving the upper section torsos down to the bottom but they are a little wider than the bottom line so I'm trying to get them to look just right. I think I can make it work but I still would like to know what the other 3 torsos are there for.

Thanks again,
Ronnie

[Gigantus]

You would have to do the following:

1. open the modeldb file in data\unit_models
2. Search for the texture
3. note the name and path of the model (....lod0)
4. check in the unit_models folder for it and upload it together with the original texture file.

I will have a look at the allocation.

[ronnie76]

Thanks for working with me Gigantus. I keep getting an error when I try and upload the files. The following files are all unmodded and from the vanilla data folder.

unit_models\_Units\EN_Lmail_Hmail\ne_bodyguard_lod0.mesh
unit_models\_Units\EN_Lmail_Hmail\ne_bodyguard_lod1.mesh
unit_models\_Units\EN_Lmail_Hmail\ne_bodyguard_lod2.mesh
unit_models\_Units\EN_Lmail_Hmail\ne_bodyguard_lod3.mesh

unit_models\_Units\EN_Lmail_Hmail\textures\EN_Lmail_Hmail_scotland.texture
unit_models\_Units\EN_Lmail_Hmail\textures\EN_Lmail_Hmail_normal.texture

Thanks,

[Gigantus]

The body guard is a mounted unit and uses the upper torso textures
Tried the highland archer as well, he uses the upper torso textures as well

It could be another unit altogether - one texture (sometimes different parts of it as in your case) is being used by several units. The best example are the 'attachments' textures. They are basically different size and shapes of weapons and shields.

[ronnie76]

So one part of the texture is used by one mesh and another part of the same texture is used by a different mesh? Makes sense. Do you know how the game determines which part of the texture file to use with a particular mesh?

This may help me with some wrap around head issues that I am having with a few units, where there is either a face or piece of armor on the back of some of the soldier's head.

Sorry just getting started in the graphic modding part of M2TW, but I sure am having fun.

Thanks for all of the help.

Best,
Ronnie

[Gigantus]

1. The mesh contains several (torso = 3) parts of the same model part.
2. They are then named like torso_01, torso_02, torso_03.
3. There is a text entry for each part (forgot the proper term) that tells the game engine to randomly choose between these model parts of the same name (torso)

[ronnie76]

Great info. All of which will help me progress my modding ability.

Thanks,

[Gigantus]

One is glad to be of service

And some reference material: Index of Tutorials, Guides, and Modding Tools

[Crociato78]

[Convert the file TEXTURE]

Hello!

Texture / dds converter does not work.

I installed:

-python

-Texture / dds converter file folder TEXETURE to convert files. DDS

-I clicked on convert_all_textures_nosub

The window in a row and says "SyntaxError: invalid syntax", then click on a button and the window closes without converting files.

I know you help?

Can I use another converter?

Let me know!

Thanks!