PART 6: Defining object parameters for positioning

Before we can look at how any object (weapon/shield) is 'positioned' in order to look realistic on each figure-image, we have to ascertain "where everything is".

In order to perform this positioning MTW defines 8 weapon folders ('weapon1' - 'weapon8') and 8 shield folders ('shield1' - 'shield5' and 'shields'), all within the folder 'Textures\Men\Items'. For reference, lets call each of these folders an 'object folder'.

Note: the folders 'shields' and 'weapons', also defined, don't appear to be used.

The number suffixes relate directly to specific lines in the weapons.txt/shields.txt files contained in the generic-unit folders.

Any specific-unit that references one of these lines must also have its own folder defined in the appropiate object-folder. These folders will have the same name as the specific-unit. For reference, lets call each of these folders a 'unit object folder'.


Considering the previous example -

- AbyssinianGuard_W.txt (containing '2') requires an 'AbyssinianGuard' folder within the 'weapon2' folder.
- NegroSpearmen_W.txt (containing '1') requires a 'NegroSpearmen' folder within the 'weapon1' folder.
- NegroSpearmen_S.txt (containing '1') requires a 'NegroSpearmen' folder within the 'shield1' folder.


Why have all these object-folders? Why not just have 1 folder for weapons objects and 1 for shields objects ? Well, that is because some specific-units have 2 weapons or 2 shields (remember - a crossbow is actually defined as a shield!), thus requiring 2 unit-object-folders.


I should now stress that the use of objects is directly related to the action being performed. For example Arquebusiers have an arquebus (used for shoot action) and a sword (used for fight action).

Now, what are all these unit-object-folders actually used for ?

Well, each unit-object-folder contains 1 or more text files, each text file pertaining to the positioning of the object for any specific action the figure may perform. Lets refer to these files as the 'action object file'.

There is a major different between unit-object-folders, containing action-object-files, pertaining to shields and those pertaining to weapons -

- for shields, almost ALL actions require an action-object-file
- for weapons, an action-object-file is only required if the weapon is relevent (ie: in use or visible) for the action


For example, consider EarlyRoyalKnights -

- the ActionPage defines 6 actions for this unit (charge/die/fight/run/stand/walk)
- EarlyRoyalKnights_W.txt defines weapon 2 (Lance)
- EarlyRoyalKnights_S.txt defines shield 4
- weapons2 defines an EarlyRoyalKnights unit-object-folder, which contains 6 text files (1 per action)
- shields4 defines an EarlyRoyalKnights unit-object-folder, which contains 6 text files (1 per action)

Therefore, we see that both the Shield and the Lance for this unit are either visible or in use for all actions.


Now consider Arquebusiers -

- the ActionPage defines 9 actions for this unit
- Arquebusiers_W.txt defines weapon 2 (Arquebus) and weapon 1 (Sword)
- weapons2 defines an Arquebusiers unit-object-folder, which contains 8 text files (1 per action excluding 'fight')
- weapons1 defines an Arquebusiers unit-object-folder, which contains 1 text file (the action 'fight')

Hence, Arquebusiers use their arquebus for all actions except fight. For the fight action which they use a sword and the arquebus is not shown on the image for this action. Arquebusiers carry no shield - hence no shield folder required.


A point to note here. Missile troops are defined as having missile type weapons in the crusader_prod11.txt file. If you wish to change an Arquebusiers weapon image from a gun to an axe, the unit will still be capable of 'firing the axe' on the battlefield !!! These are IMAGES only!