Shields ?

[ShadesWolf]

Im new to all this so please help.

In the textures section we have all the animation, ie Passive crossbows are un MShelm (or something)

In that folder is

Shields.txt
Weapons.txt
Crossbows_S.txt
Crossbows_W.txt
and the BIF files.

In the S files it might say 1,4

As I understand this means shield folders 1 and 4 in the shield directories under items.

If u alter the numbers ie to 1,2 you get a differnt looking shield (as long as u move the relevent file in the 4 directory to the 2 directory.

But what does this 1,4 stand for ?

What is 1
what is 4.

Sorry if this stuff is simple and im just being an idiot, can anybody please help ?

Im currently working on new shield images, and using BKB shileds of Genoese Passive crossbow unsing custom4 and the new 1,7 stuff, but that another subject http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[shand994]

each number relates to the shild folder in the items file. if you have more than one number, it will look in both files for the unit txt file that should be there. not sure what the consequences are of having two numbers in the shield files.

DJ will prolly be the best person to answer this tho, i dont know too much about that area.

[Duke John]

I don't know the exact relation of the numbers, since I don't have MTW installed on this computer. But the numbers have for example the ollowing meaning:

1 stands for crossbow
4 stands for pavise

Or it could be vice versa, just open Crossbows_S.txt and see which number is the crossbow. The crossbow is actually a shield projected on the model just like a normal shield.

The directories in the Item folder contain only coordinates for positioning the shields. So if you change 4 to 2, and move the coordinate txt-files from Shield4 to Shield2, then you will see shield 2 positioned onto the model. The shields are probably displayed abit wrong since the coordinates are meant for the pavise and not for a differently shaped shield.

In shields.txt there is a list of coordinates that make a rectangle to surround the shield in the BIF:
10 10 20 20 = shield1, or in fact the crossbow
10 20 20 30 = shield2
10 30 20 40 = shield3
10 40 20 50 = shield4, the pavise

So if PaviseCrossbows_S contains 1,4 then this unit will use the the first and fourth row of coordinates to get the shields out of the BIF.

This kind of modding requires some time to understand, but once you do an whole world opens up.

Cheers, Duke John

ps I had already explained pavise crossbowmen in my Guide to Unit Graphics (http://www.totalwar.org/cgi-bin/forum/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=5;t=9968) but since it's already on page 6, I can't blame you, perhaps someone might sticky it http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[ShadesWolf]

Ifs that the case, what does the Pavisecrossbow_w file do.

It has a 1 in it also, I think.


Is it just saying that its weapons one, hense its a crossbow.

[ShadesWolf]

OK just had a look at the guide, thanks...

[Duke John]

I don't know if you understood well. The crossbow and pavise are technically both rectangles that can be skewed to a diamond, this will give the impression of a 3D item. MTW calls these rectangles shields, but it's just a name.

Weapons are 2D rectangles that don't get skewed.

In the case of the Pavise Crossbowman

PaviseCrossbows_S: 1,4 means both the pavise and crossbow

PaviseCrossbows_W: 1 means just the sword used in charging and fighting

Cheers, Duke John

[ShadesWolf]

thks Duke John for the help.

So 1,4 means Crossbow and Passive.

1= Crossbow
2= Pavise

So if there is no shield file, ie Pavisecrossbow_S

then the unit would only have a sword, which he would use when he was charging or fighting hand to hand, and no shield or crossbow

Is that right ?

[NagatsukaShumi]

Yes, any units WITHOUT a Unitname_S.txt file will only carry a weapon and not a shield.