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View Full Version : For anyone interested in Units and/or Animations



Wellington
11-12-2002, 01:00
Hi Guys,

I have one simple question. This question is direcxted to both 'established modders' who are amending there own versions of MTW to provide/amend/create different/new Units and also to those of us 'newbie modders' who may well be interested in this general area of modding but have either not yet fully investigated the possibilities or find it all a bit confusing.

So, what is the question? It's this -

Q: If a utility was provided for this community, specifically for MTW unit/animation modding, what features and functionality would you like it to contain?


To extrapolate on that question I am really asking "what do you find most confusing to understand, most difficult to ascertain/work out, most difficult to see/visualise (in terms of file/folder relationships), most difficult to amend/change/modify (ie: crusader_unit_prod11.txt), most frustrating in terms of finding information in respect of (and/or relationships in terms of) the MTW files/folders pertaing to unit/animation modding".

For example, the utility BIFReader 2.1 has offered Shogun/MTW modders immense advantages in terms of viewing, format changing and editing of images contained within multiple frame BIFs. However this utility is an IMAGE utility. What would you expect of a utility that offered, for example, browsing/editing/validation/cross-referencing of the main uni/animation files and also similar functionality that would pertain to the actual figure images (ie: unit sprites) that comprise an MTW unit.

Ok, if you've read this far then you are either an established MTW modder or a 'newbie' who is eager to investigate the potential offered by the game. Therefore any utililty that would make our hobby/interest/ (or err ... fetish?) a bit easier would be beneficial.

So, whether you think you are experienced or unexperienced in terms of Unit/Animation modding ... it matters not. I only ask that you provide your thoughts and opinions on what YOU feel would be useful to YOU.

NO opinion is stupid or unrealistic. Tell me what you think.


(BTW: Please - no "we want a utility that would give us a complete 'xxx: Total War' or 'yyy: Total War' with all the files/folder and BIF images for this mod")

dclare4
11-12-2002, 06:36
Hi there,

Basically I'd like a better interface than the text editor something with the stats differentiated clearly where you don't need to count the number of blank spaces or tabs (jeez&#33http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif because its all arranged. A guy could go blind doing that and it makes it worse when you're the only one working on your mod and have to handle the text messages, graphics, maps, etc. It would really help a lot

Thanks,
Gilbert de Clare

Fearless
11-12-2002, 14:35
My interest would solely be the art work side. As a designer with all the software at my disposal and wacom tablet I would just require the step by step procedures in producing new images wether it be troops, buildings, maps or whatever.
I would work solely in photoshop but already understand the fact I have to convert graphics files associated with the game to a workable file format than convert back.

Whitey
11-12-2002, 15:21
I would like a 'unit editor' which let you change all aspects of a unit (that are availible)...like shields, weapons, and stats...in one program


short of that - A campaign editor like the one for STW would be great.

KukriKhan
11-13-2002, 15:01
The below copy/pasted on behalf of Caledfwlch, new patron, from the Entrance Hall:

-------------(snip)-----------------
"...An objects editor that could help with the positioning of objects on a figure-image.
Maybe a viewer that could be rotated to show the various camera angles of the figure/objects with the ability to rotate the images then export co-ords to a usable text file.
When making new units this seems to be the most time comsuming part for me, and would help anyone making unit animations from scratch to quickly plot the new weapons & shields onto the figure..."

-------------(snip)-----------------

BTW, you fellas may want to stick your noses into the Entrance Hall; some budding (and some accomplished) modder's in there with good ideas. They'll undoubtedly get full privileges soon, but in the meantime: support your local new guy http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Wellington
11-16-2002, 04:34
Thanks for the feedback Guys,

Three of the four replies to this thread are already "in the works" - the exception being the request to "producing new images wether it be troops, buildings, maps or whatever" - which is not feasible within the scope of an MTW unit modding utility (as far as I'm concerned&#33http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif.

I'm busy writing something at the monent, so if you have ideas/comments/requiremnets then TELL ME NOW

Whitey
11-16-2002, 10:38
not quite sure what you mean welly-boy be old chum, if you/somebody else is/are working on these things then I personally have every confidence in you - I am loathe to *demand* new features because I know how much work has to go in to these 'little tools'. But as you press me...here goes http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

how about some way of helping us to change the weapons of units as they are represented in the tactical battle?