Help me with Creating Units

[Lancer6969]

Can someone tell me how to create new units and how to add factions to the game? I am a computer programmer, so I can catch on very quick.

[Lancer6969]

Why are poeple reading this, but not posting? Isn't the title good enough? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

[Lehesu]

No, you need more pizzaz and snap. You should talk to me, I could be your PR manager for all of your future threads. Anyhoo, I know how to edit units and enact factions, but I am not quite sure how to create all new ones. I have been making new units out of unused units, such as the early varangian guard.

[Lancer6969]

How do you create new units using the unused units, and how to you implement the buildings that are unused.

[Lehesu]

The core of all of the units and buildings in the game are the crusader 11 and 13 txt files. It is here where you can edit all of the units.

[Kekvit Irae]

BACKUP YOUR FILES

To create a new faction, read this thread in its entirety: http://www.totalwar.org/cgi-bin....;t=6671 (http://www.totalwar.org/cgi-bin/forum/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=5;t=6671)

To create new units follow these steps:
1. Open up your unit_prod11.txt file in Notepad and search for a unit that is a close match to what you want to create. To create a new heavy spear chucker, simply find the Bonnachts (found in the Viking's unit_prod11.txt file).
2. Highlight it all, right down to the beginning of the next unit under it.
3. Select Copy.
4. Scroll down to the point where the unit list ends and emptiness begins. If you have word wrap off, it wont be too far down.
5. On the line under the last unit, hit Paste. You now have an exact copy of the Bonnacht unit in the file. Save the file.
6. Download and install Gnome's editor from the Org's download tools.
7. Open up the unit_prod11.txt file with Gnome editor and edit the stats of the new unit (all the way down at the bottom of the list) however you please.
8. Rename the unit to something other than Bonnacht. Just dont put any spaces in the name. In this example, we'll choose the name SpearChuckers. Save the file.
9. Open up Windows Explorer and go to your MTW directory. Go to the Battle\UnitIcons\ directory and copy the file Bonnachts.LBM and paste it in a temporary directory.
10. Rename the file to SpearChuckers.LBM (remember, the file names must match that of the unit name) and move it back into the UnitIcons directory.
11. Go to the campmap\ directory and do exactly the same thing with Bonnachts.bif files in the Info_Pics\Units\ directory and the Review_Panel\Units\ directory, copying/renaming/moving.
12. In the Textures\Men\ directory, search every directory in there for references to Bonnachts*.txt and repeat the above. In this example, you should have a SpearChuckers.txt in the ActionsPage\ directory, and a SpearChuckers_W.txt and SpearChuckers_S.txt file in the NewPeasants\ directory.
13. Because the weapons are hidden from view until they fire, Bonnachts dont require files in the Items\ directory. However, If you choose to create a unit that has their weapons and shields visable at all times in battle, repeat the above by copying and renaming the directories of the unit you are imitating to the unit you are creating. Example: In the ArabInfantry_S.txt file, you will see the number 2. Look in Items\Shields2 (note the 2), and you'll see ArabInfantry directory. Copy and paste it into a temp directory, rename it to your new unit, and move it back. Do exactly the same thing with ArabInfantry_W.txt (which has a 5 in it, so you should look in Items\Weapons5&#92http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif.
14. Go back to the root MTW directory and look in the Loc\Eng directory. Open up Names.txt in Notepad. Scroll down (or run a search) until you find this:
[Bonnachts_Singular] {Bonnacht}
[Bonnachts_Plural] {Bonnachts}
15. Copy it and paste it at the end of the unit list, just a few more lines down. Rename Bonnanchts_Singular to SpearChuckers_Singular. In fact, rename all four Bonnachts references to SpearChuckers. Again, watch the spelling and capitalization. Save the file.
16. Open up Descriptions.txt in the same directory with Notepad and run a search for [Bonnachts_desc]. Copy the whole line and paste it at the end of the unit list just a few lines down, exactly the same way you did with the Names.txt file.
17. Rename Bonnachts_desc to SpearChuckers_desc, and then edit the description however you please. Just remember that since the unit description box in the game has to sliding bar, you have to limit the description of the unit. Otherwise the game will cut off the excess part, leaving you with an incomplete description when you view the unit. Save the file.
18. Open up the DEADPAGE COORDS.txt file with Notepad in the Textures\Men directory.
19. Run a search for Bonnachts, and highlight and copy that line and the numbers under it, and paste it at the bottom of the list. Rename the now-pasted Bonnachts to SpearChuckers. Save the file.

Now, with any luck, you will have a new unit, the Spear Chuckers, at your beck and call. Just remember to assign it to a faction by tinkering with the Gnome editor and the unit_prod11.txt file.


To transfer a building from the VI campaign over to the original campaign (or vice versa), repeat steps 1-7. Open up the VIKINGS_build_prod13.txt, copy the lines relevant to the building you want, open up CRUSADERS_build_prod13.txt and paste the lines in. Then just tinker with the Crusader build_prod13.txt file until you get the right requirements set.


(I think think should be eligable for a sticky somewhere here or the Dungeon, since I havent seen a step-by-step for making new units)

[Gregoshi]

Lancer, a couple of comments about why people are reading your topic but not responding:

1) not everyone knows how to mod
2) those those that know how to mod have a wide range of experience, from those who only know how to tweak missile ranges to those who can almost create a completely new game.
3) not everyone has the time to properly respond to the question
4) I'm sure sometimes it comes down to I've already answered this question 3 times this month, let someone else answer it this time.
5) you are asking for a lot. There are plenty of threads in the Dungeon about all kinds of modding topics. You asked for help but have not indicated what you do know about the subject. It is better state what you have learned and then ask specific questions about what you don't understand rather than a broad tell me how to do this. Many of the general answers to your questions are out there and all the key how to topics about modding are pinned to the top of the Dungeon forum so you may find your answer quicker there.

I hope that helps you for the next time you post a question. In the meantime, kekvitirae has been kind enough to compile and provide you with a wealth of information. Happy modding. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

BTW kekvitirae, PM or email Lord Krazy and ask him about your step by step list to adding units. If that information isn't readily available in the Dungeon, maybe you can post it there and he can sticky it to the top of the forum. I'm sure the information is out there, but perhaps not in a nice, concise form that you have provided. Thanks. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/pat.gif

[Lehesu]

Gregoshi You forgot pizzaz and snap Every thread needs an alluring title, beckoning people to click into the thread. You can't just ask for information, you have to coax it. If he had titled it Babes he would have gotten a lot more looks and possibly a lot more answers. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif

[Kekvit Irae]

Well the thread does have babes, at least one of them.

[Lehesu]

There may be princesses when you reach 500, I'll tell you when I get there. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif

[Sir Robin]

And now straight from the Blunderdome in Las Vegas Nevada, comes the inquiries you've all been waiting for.

The questions of your dreams and future inlaws.

How will you secure you financial goals of avarice?

When will Pamela Anderson settle for a permanent implant size?

Will the American President openly cry in public as his eyebrow posture suggests?

And most importantly how do you add new units to the obsession of the century, Medieval: Total War?

Was that enough pizzaz and snap?

[Kekvit Irae]

Even if I average 15 posts a day, it's going to take a LONG time to get there http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif

[Lehesu]

Suck it up and carry on Rome wasn't built in a day, and your avatar won't be either. Yeah. Well, just stick to it.

[Lancer6969]

Thanks for all of your help guys.

[Lehesu]

Please make this unit creation info a sticky PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE

[FesterShinetop]

Quote[/b] (Lehesu @ May 29 2003,18:33)]There may be princesses when you reach 500, I'll tell you when I get there. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif
Well???

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

[Lehesu]

There are indeed princess. In fact, the entire line of Princesses is in there, including VI ones. You could probably use one per month and not get through all of them in a century. I always wondered why more people didn't use them. They are much more attractive and alluring than my samurai, but something about having a computer-generated woman representing me repulses the mind...

[Gregoshi]

Quote[/b] (Lehesu @ June 02 2003,18:46)]Please make this unit creation info a sticky PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
We were checking into making it a sticky in the Dungeon, but I see it isn't there. I don't know what happened to it. I'll check.

[Lehesu]

Thank you, Gregoshi, I appreciate it. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif

[Gregoshi]

Moving this topic to the Dungeon forum to make it a sticky. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif