Adding Axemen to Gauls

[Jagger]

Ok, I am trying to add axemen to the Gaul faction.

I want to use the existing German axeman.

I added text for this Gaul axeman into the following files:

export_units
export_descr_unit
export_descr_buildings
export_descr_unit_enums---copied the German file exclusively but renamed as Gaul



I keep getting crashes as I try to load.

Are there any other files I should be adding gaul data?

Even though I am using an existing model, do I have to add data into the textures and UI files?

Thanks in advance!

[itkotw]

Hmm, I am not sure what you are doing wrong, but I think there might be an easier way for you to add the axemen. If you want to just quickly add axemen, and nothing fancy, You only have to edit 3 files - export_descr_unit, descr_model_battle, export_descry_buildings. This quick method will not allow you to set different stats for the gaul axemen, you will have to use the same stats as the german (always).

First, in the export_descr_unit file change the ownership line to this "ownership germans, gauls". Make sure only one space after the comma is added. I got a error because I typed "germans , gauls" the first time. I changed it to "germans, gauls" and it worked (dont ask why, I know it sounds dumb). That is all you have to do in this file (for this quicky method).

Next, in the descr_model_battle file you have to add two lines. Scroll down to the german axemen section and copy the texture line and paste it right below. Then change the first "germans" to "gauls" -
"gauls, data/models_unit/textures/unit_barb_warband_german_.tga".
After that, copy and paste the model_sprite line and replace "germans" with "gauls" again. So far in this file we have only added two lines, that is all you have to do. This gives the game textures and sprites to use when it looks for the axemen that are used by the gauls.

Finally, we have to give the gauls a way to build the axemen, this is also simple. Open the export_descr_buildings file. All you have to do is find every occurrence of "warband axe german" and at the end add "gauls,". It should look like this -
"warband axe german" 0 requires factions { germans, gauls, }
The comma after "gauls" is important because it will cause and error if it is not there. You should have to do this four times, once under each of these buildings -militia_barracks,city_barracks,army_barracks,royal_barracks.

That is all you have to do to give the gauls axemen and get the game to run, but there are a few bad things about this quicky method. First, you will see that the gaul axemen look the same as the german axemen, this is because we did not give the gauls a custom texture, but just told the game to use the german's texture. Next you will see that the unit card at the bottom of the screen and the unit info screen shows a grey colored peasant. This is easy to change, but it requires you to unpack some textures.

If you want to learn how to change the textures and the unit cards, post a reply, I will be happy to explain how to do it. Though, I am not a master modder, unpacking the textures and changing them is easy. Hope this helps.

[itkotw]

I meant to clarify something. I wrote this assuming you wanted to add the plain german axemen, not the 2-handed ones (though using this basic method, you could give any faction in the game any unit).

Also, when editing the first two files, you have to look for the "warband axe german" section ( I just meant to add that in case there was any confusion).

[Jagger]

Thanks, itkotw.

I made those changes and it worked well. Although I had one weird side effect. When the Gauls fight the Germans, the gaulish axemen will disappear except for the standard bearer and officer at high viewing angles.

I do have the problem with the unit card and unit image. I would be very interested if you could explain how to make the changes or reference a thread that does.

Ultimately, I would like to create a separate gaulish axemen based on the existing German axemen but with a distinct color scheme. However finding the time is really a challenge.

Thanks again!

[itkotw]

Hmm, I have been thinking about the disappearing axemen. I had a similar problem when I first tried to give the gauls axemen. The troops would disappear at long ranges. All I can say is check the descr_model_battle file, and make sure this line appears under the "warband_axe" section (I incorrectly called this the "warband axe german" section in my second post) -

model_sprite gauls, 60.0, data/sprites/germans_warband_axe_sprite.spr

This just tells the game to use the german axemen sprites for the gauls. This is needed because the game stops using 3d models at long ranges and switches to sprites (cheesy, but fast, 2d images)(I forgot to add the second sprite line when I first edited the axemen).


Now, lets talk about the unit cards and unit info screen. First thing we have to do is unpack some of the image files that the game uses. The game has a few compressed files which it uncompresses when the game starts up. So, what you have to do is download the Xpak program, which is discussed in this link - https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=37626 . After you follow the directions in the program, it will unpack the files and create a few new folders. The xpak program unpacks the files and creates the new folders within the /Data/packs folder, but you are going to leave most of the newly unpacked files and only copy the one or two that you need (this will seem a little clearer once you unpack the files).

After you unpack the files, you need to create a couple more folders. These new folders are needed because of the way the game organizes the factions image files. Create a new folder in the "Rome - Totalwar/Data/" folder, called "UI". Then, within the "UI" folder, create a folder called "UNIT_INFO". Now under the "UNIT_INFO" folder, create another folder called "Gauls". Next, you will have to make another folder in the "UI" folder, called "UNITS". Finally, make a new folder in the "UNITS" folder called "Gauls". To recap on the folders we have just created, they should look something like this - "Rome - Totalwar/Data/UI/UNIT_INFO/Gauls" and "Rome - Totalwar/Data/UI/UNITS/Gauls". The next step is to copy some of the unpacked images into these folders.

Now, look in the unpacked folder named "DATA/UI/UNIT_INFO/Germans/" (remember, this is not the normal "data" folder, but the newly unpacked one), technically the location is this - "Data/packs/DATA/UI/UNIT_INFO/Germans/". Find the file called "WARBAND_AXE_GERMAN_INFO.tga" and copy it to the folder you just created called "/Data/UI/UNIT_INFO/Gauls/". Now go into the unpacked folder called "/DATA/UI/UNITS/Germans/" (the technical location is "/Data/packs/DATA/UI/UNITS/Germans") and find the file called "#WARBAND_AXE_GERMAN.tga" and copy to the folder you just created called "Data/UI/UNITS/Gauls/".


That is all you have to do to get the unit cards and info screen to display the axemen picture. Who knows, there might be an easier way, hehe. I hope that helps, if you have any problems, post a reply. Good luck.




p.s. As I was writing this I had an idea and I tried to test an easy way to give the gaul axemen a different texture. While browsing the texture files I noticed that the gaul swordsman had an axe already in the texture file, so I figured hey why not tell the game to use the gaul swordsmen texture on the gaul axemen. It did not turn out perfect. Unfortunately, the axemen model's texture map needs a few extra pieces that the swordsmen texture file didn't have, namely some sort of art for the beard and that funky german braid/princess leia bun on the right side of their head. So the gaul axemen that are using the swordsmen texture have a black spot for a beard and a black spot on the right side of their head. I do not know which you will dislike more - gaul axemen with red pants or gaul axemen with green pants and black spots on their heads. But the green pants do make it easier to track how your troops are doing in a battle. In any case, when you decide to edit some textures, it might be easier to add a couple patches of color to the gaul swordsmen file , than copy the german axemen file and change the color of the pants and shield. If you want to see the swordsmen texture in action just go to the "descr_model_battle" file and find the "warband_axe" section and change this line -

texture gauls, data/models_unit/textures/unit_barb_warband_german_.tga

to this -

texture gauls, data/models_unit/textures/unit_barb_warband_gaul_.tga

[Jagger]

First things first....many thanks! I now have unit cards and info screen depictions of my Gaulish axemen!

Your directions were great. I didn't have any problems except when the extraction process was occuring. I wasn't sure when the process was complete, so I terminated the extraction too soon. The extracted files were empty. When I realized that eight files needed unpacking, I waited until the process was complete. And everything was there.

Also I didn't have the one line for the Gaulish sprites in the model_data file either. I won't be able to test that solution until I have another battle between the Gauls and the Germans. But I bet that solved the problem.

One last question.... Do I need a special paint program to work with DDS files? I only have MSPaint available.

Next time you are in New Orleans, I owe you a good beer.

[Kaiser]

So far all that you've guys mentioned here has helped me A LOT.

Yet when I try to fight a battle with my army that has a Hoplite Spartan unit which I edited to play on the side of the Macedons, it ALWAYS crashes.

So far, I think I've edited all of the required files correctly, here they are :-

export_descr_unit

type greek hoplite spartan
dictionary greek_hoplite_spartan ; Spartan Hoplites
category infantry
class spearmen
voice_type Medium_1
soldier greek_hoplite_spartan_pylos, 40, 0, 1.3
officer roman_centurion
officer roman_standard
attributes sea_faring, hide_forest, can_sap, very_hardy
formation 1, 1, 2, 2, 5, square, phalanx
stat_health 2, 0
stat_pri 16, 8, no, 0, 0, melee, simple, piercing, spear, 25 ,1
stat_pri_attr spear
stat_sec 16, 4, no, 0, 0, melee, simple, piercing, sword, 25 ,1
stat_sec_attr no
stat_pri_armour 3, 9, 5, leather
stat_sec_armour 0, 1, flesh
stat_heat 2
stat_ground 2, 0, 0, 0
stat_mental 14, disciplined, highly_trained
stat_charge_dist 30
stat_fire_delay 0
stat_food 60, 300
stat_cost 2, 1220, 460, 130, 190, 1220
ownership greek_cities, macedon


export_descr_buildings

building barracks
{
levels muster_field militia_barracks city_barracks army_barracks royal_barracks
{
muster_field requires factions { barbarian, ct_carthage, eastern, parthia, egyptian, greek, roman, }
{
capability
{
recruit "carthaginian city militia" 0 requires factions { spain, }
recruit "barb infantry briton" 0 requires factions { britons, }
recruit "barb infantry dacian" 0 requires factions { dacia, }
recruit "barb infantry gaul" 0 requires factions { gauls, }
recruit "warband spear german" 0 requires factions { germans, }
recruit "barb horse archers scythian" 0 requires factions { scythia, }
recruit "carthaginian city militia" 0 requires factions { carthage, }
recruit "numidian javelinmen" 0 requires factions { numidia, }
recruit "east infantry" 0 requires factions { eastern, }
recruit "egyptian nubian spearmen" 0 requires factions { egyptian, }
recruit "greek hoplite militia" 0 requires factions { greek, }
recruit "roman city militia" 0 requires factions { roman, }
}
construction 2
cost 600
settlement_min town
upgrades
{
militia_barracks
}
}
militia_barracks requires factions { barbarian, ct_carthage, eastern, parthia, egyptian, greek, roman, }
{
capability
{
recruit "carthaginian city militia" 0 requires factions { spain, }
recruit "carthaginian infantry" 0 requires factions { spain, }
recruit "barb infantry briton" 0 requires factions { britons, }
recruit "barb infantry dacian" 0 requires factions { dacia, }
recruit "barb infantry gaul" 0 requires factions { gauls, }
recruit "warband spear german" 0 requires factions { germans, }
recruit "barb horse archers scythian" 0 requires factions { scythia, }
recruit "warband sword briton" 0 requires factions { britons, }
recruit "warband sword gaul" 0 requires factions { gauls, }
recruit "warband axe german" 0 requires factions { germans, }
recruit "warband axe scythian" 0 requires factions { scythia, }
recruit "warband falx dacian" 0 requires factions { dacia, }
recruit "carthaginian city militia" 0 requires factions { carthage, }
recruit "numidian javelinmen" 0 requires factions { numidia, }
recruit "carthaginian infantry" 0 requires factions { carthage, }
recruit "numidian desert warriors" 0 requires factions { numidia, }
recruit "east hillmen" 0 requires factions { eastern, }
recruit "east infantry" 0 requires factions { eastern, }
recruit "egyptian nubian spearmen" 0 requires factions { egyptian, }
recruit "egyptian nile infantry" 0 requires factions { egyptian, }
recruit "greek hoplite militia" 0 requires factions { greek, }
recruit "greek levy pikemen" 0 requires factions { seleucid, macedon, }
recruit "warband falx thracian" 0 requires factions { thrace, }
recruit "greek hoplite" 0 requires factions { greek_cities, }
recruit "roman city militia" 0 requires factions { roman, }
recruit "roman hastati" 0 requires factions { roman, } and not marian_reforms
recruit "roman infantry auxillia" 0 requires factions { roman, } and marian_reforms
}
construction 3
cost 1200
settlement_min large_town
upgrades
{
city_barracks
}
}
city_barracks requires factions { barbarian, ct_carthage, armenia, pontus,, egyptian, greek, roman, }
{
capability
{
recruit "carthaginian city militia" 0 requires factions { spain, }
recruit "carthaginian infantry" 0 requires factions { spain, }
recruit "spanish scutarii" 0 requires factions { spain, }
recruit "barb infantry briton" 0 requires factions { britons, }
recruit "barb infantry dacian" 0 requires factions { dacia, }
recruit "barb infantry gaul" 0 requires factions { gauls, }
recruit "warband spear german" 0 requires factions { germans, }
recruit "barb horse archers scythian" 0 requires factions { scythia, }
recruit "warband sword briton" 0 requires factions { britons, }
recruit "warband sword gaul" 0 requires factions { gauls, }
recruit "warband axe german" 0 requires factions { germans, }
recruit "warband falx dacian" 0 requires factions { dacia, }
recruit "barb warguard gaul" 0 requires factions { gauls, }
recruit "barb warguard briton" 0 requires factions { britons, }
recruit "barb warguard dacian" 0 requires factions { dacia, }
recruit "warband dhaxe german" 0 requires factions { germans, }
recruit "warband axe scythian" 1 requires factions { scythia, }
recruit "carthaginian city militia" 0 requires factions { carthage, }
recruit "numidian javelinmen" 0 requires factions { numidia, }
recruit "carthaginian infantry" 0 requires factions { carthage, }
recruit "numidian desert warriors" 1 requires factions { numidia, }
recruit "carthaginian medium infantry" 0 requires factions { carthage, }
recruit "east hillmen" 0 requires factions { eastern, }
recruit "east infantry" 0 requires factions { eastern, }
recruit "east heavy infantry" 0 requires factions { armenia, }
recruit "east hoplite" 0 requires factions { pontus, }
recruit "egyptian nubian spearmen" 0 requires factions { egyptian, }
recruit "egyptian nile infantry" 0 requires factions { egyptian, }
recruit "egyptian infantry" 0 requires factions { egyptian, }
recruit "greek hoplite militia" 0 requires factions { greek, }
recruit "greek levy pikemen" 0 requires factions { seleucid, macedon, }
recruit "warband falx thracian" 0 requires factions { thrace, }
recruit "greek hoplite" 0 requires factions { greek_cities, }
recruit "greek pikemen" 0 requires factions { thrace, seleucid, macedon, }
recruit "greek hoplite elite" 0 requires factions { greek_cities, }
recruit "greek hoplite elite" 0 requires factions { macedon, }
recruit "roman city militia" 0 requires factions { roman, }
recruit "roman hastati" 0 requires factions { roman, } and not marian_reforms
recruit "roman infantry auxillia" 0 requires factions { roman, } and marian_reforms
recruit "roman princeps" 0 requires factions { roman, } and not marian_reforms
recruit "roman legionary cohort i" 0 requires factions { roman, } and marian_reforms
}
construction 4
cost 2400
settlement_min city
upgrades
{
army_barracks
}
}
army_barracks requires factions { ct_carthage, armenia, pontus,, egyptian, greek, roman, }
{
capability
{
recruit "carthaginian city militia" 0 requires factions { spain, }
recruit "carthaginian infantry" 0 requires factions { spain, }
recruit "spanish scutarii" 0 requires factions { spain, }
recruit "barb infantry briton" 0 requires factions { britons, }
recruit "barb infantry dacian" 0 requires factions { dacia, }
recruit "barb infantry gaul" 0 requires factions { gauls, }
recruit "warband spear german" 0 requires factions { germans, }
recruit "barb horse archers scythian" 0 requires factions { scythia, }
recruit "warband sword briton" 0 requires factions { britons, }
recruit "warband sword gaul" 0 requires factions { gauls, }
recruit "warband axe german" 0 requires factions { germans, }
recruit "warband falx dacian" 0 requires factions { dacia, }
recruit "barb warguard gaul" 0 requires factions { gauls, }
recruit "barb warguard briton" 0 requires factions { britons, }
recruit "barb warguard dacian" 0 requires factions { dacia, }
recruit "warband dhaxe german" 0 requires factions { germans, }
recruit "warband axe scythian" 1 requires factions { scythia, }
recruit "carthaginian city militia" 0 requires factions { carthage, }
recruit "numidian javelinmen" 0 requires factions { numidia, }
recruit "carthaginian infantry" 0 requires factions { carthage, }
recruit "numidian desert warriors" 1 requires factions { numidia, }
recruit "carthaginian medium infantry" 0 requires factions { carthage, }
recruit "carthaginian heavy infantry" 0 requires factions { carthage, }
recruit "numidian legionaries" 0 requires factions { numidia, }
recruit "east hillmen" 0 requires factions { eastern, }
recruit "east infantry" 0 requires factions { eastern, }
recruit "east heavy infantry" 0 requires factions { armenia, }
recruit "east hoplite" 0 requires factions { pontus, }
recruit "east hoplite brazen shield" 0 requires factions { pontus, }
recruit "east legionary" 0 requires factions { armenia, }
recruit "egyptian nubian spearmen" 0 requires factions { egyptian, }
recruit "egyptian nile infantry" 0 requires factions { egyptian, }
recruit "egyptian infantry" 0 requires factions { egyptian, }
recruit "egyptian elite guards" 0 requires factions { egyptian, }
recruit "greek hoplite militia" 0 requires factions { greek, }
recruit "greek levy pikemen" 0 requires factions { seleucid, macedon, }
recruit "warband falx thracian" 0 requires factions { thrace, }
recruit "greek hoplite" 1 requires factions { greek_cities, }
recruit "greek pikemen" 0 requires factions { seleucid, macedon, }
recruit "greek hoplite elite" 0 requires factions { greek_cities, }
recruit "greek hoplite elite" 0 requires factions { macedon, }
recruit "greek royal pikemen" 0 requires factions { macedon, }
recruit "greek silver shield pikemen" 0 requires factions { seleucid, }
recruit "greek hoplite spartan" 0 requires factions { greek_cities, }
recruit "greek hoplite spartan" 0 requires factions { macedon, }
recruit "greek bastarnae" 0 requires factions { thrace, }
recruit "roman city militia" 0 requires factions { roman, }
recruit "roman hastati" 0 requires factions { roman, } and not marian_reforms
recruit "roman infantry auxillia" 0 requires factions { roman, } and marian_reforms
recruit "roman princeps" 0 requires factions { roman, } and not marian_reforms
recruit "roman legionary cohort i" 0 requires factions { roman, } and marian_reforms
recruit "roman triarii" 0 requires factions { roman, } and not marian_reforms
recruit "roman legionary cohort ii" 0 requires factions { roman, } and marian_reforms
}
construction 6
cost 4800
settlement_min large_city
upgrades
{
royal_barracks
}
}
royal_barracks requires factions { seleucid, roman, }
{
capability
{
recruit "carthaginian city militia" 0 requires factions { spain, }
recruit "carthaginian infantry" 0 requires factions { spain, }
recruit "spanish scutarii" 0 requires factions { spain, }
recruit "barb infantry briton" 0 requires factions { britons, }
recruit "barb infantry dacian" 0 requires factions { dacia, }
recruit "barb infantry gaul" 0 requires factions { gauls, }
recruit "warband spear german" 0 requires factions { germans, }
recruit "barb horse archers scythian" 0 requires factions { scythia, }
recruit "warband sword briton" 0 requires factions { britons, }
recruit "warband sword gaul" 0 requires factions { gauls, }
recruit "warband axe german" 0 requires factions { germans, }
recruit "warband falx dacian" 0 requires factions { dacia, }
recruit "barb warguard gaul" 0 requires factions { gauls, }
recruit "barb warguard briton" 0 requires factions { britons, }
recruit "barb warguard dacian" 0 requires factions { dacia, }
recruit "warband dhaxe german" 0 requires factions { germans, }
recruit "warband axe scythian" 1 requires factions { scythia, }
recruit "carthaginian city militia" 0 requires factions { carthage, }
recruit "numidian javelinmen" 0 requires factions { numidia, }
recruit "carthaginian infantry" 0 requires factions { carthage, }
recruit "numidian desert warriors" 1 requires factions { numidia, }
recruit "carthaginian medium infantry" 0 requires factions { carthage, }
recruit "carthaginian heavy infantry" 0 requires factions { carthage, }
recruit "numidian legionaries" 0 requires factions { numidia, }
recruit "east hillmen" 0 requires factions { eastern, }
recruit "east infantry" 0 requires factions { eastern, }
recruit "east heavy infantry" 0 requires factions { armenia, }
recruit "east hoplite" 0 requires factions { pontus, }
recruit "east hoplite brazen shield" 0 requires factions { pontus, }
recruit "east legionary" 0 requires factions { armenia, }
recruit "egyptian nubian spearmen" 0 requires factions { egyptian, }
recruit "egyptian nile infantry" 0 requires factions { egyptian, }
recruit "egyptian infantry" 0 requires factions { egyptian, }
recruit "egyptian elite guards" 0 requires factions { egyptian, }
recruit "greek hoplite militia" 0 requires factions { greek, }
recruit "greek levy pikemen" 0 requires factions { seleucid, macedon, }
recruit "warband falx thracian" 0 requires factions { thrace, }
recruit "greek hoplite" 1 requires factions { greek_cities, }
recruit "greek pikemen" 0 requires factions { seleucid, macedon, }
recruit "greek hoplite elite" 0 requires factions { greek_cities, }
recruit "greek hoplite elite" 0 requires factions { macedon, }
recruit "greek royal pikemen" 0 requires factions { macedon, }
recruit "greek silver shield pikemen" 0 requires factions { seleucid, }
recruit "greek hoplite spartan" 0 requires factions { greek_cities, }
recruit "greek hoplite spartan" 0 requires factions { macedon, }
recruit "greek bastarnae" 0 requires factions { thrace, }
recruit "greek argyraspid" 0 requires factions { seleucid, }
recruit "roman city militia" 0 requires factions { roman, }
recruit "roman hastati" 0 requires factions { roman, } and not marian_reforms
recruit "roman infantry auxillia" 0 requires factions { roman, } and marian_reforms
recruit "roman princeps" 0 requires factions { roman, } and not marian_reforms
recruit "roman legionary cohort i" 0 requires factions { roman, } and marian_reforms
recruit "roman triarii" 0 requires factions { roman, } and not marian_reforms
recruit "roman legionary cohort ii" 0 requires factions { roman, } and marian_reforms
recruit "roman praetorian cohort urban i" 0 requires factions { roman, }
}
construction 7
cost 9600
settlement_min huge_city
upgrades
{
}
}
}
plugins
{
}
}

descr_model_battle

type greek_hoplite_spartan_pylos
skeleton fs_spearman, fs_swordsman
indiv_range 40
texture greek_cities, data/models_unit/textures/greek_hoplite_spartan_pylos_greece.tga
texture macedon, data/models_unit/textures/greek_hoplite_spartan_pylos_greece.tga
model_flexi_m data/models_unit/unit_greek_spartan_hoplite_pylos_400.cas, 8
model_flexi_m data/models_unit/unit_greek_spartan_hoplite_pylos_300.cas, 15
model_flexi_m data/models_unit/unit_greek_spartan_hoplite_pylos_200.cas, 30
model_flexi data/models_unit/unit_greek_spartan_hoplite_pylos_100.cas, max
model_sprite greek_cities, 60.0, data/sprites/greek_hoplite_spartan_pylos_sprite.spr
model_sprite macedon, 60.0, data/sprites/greek_hoplite_spartan_pylos_sprite.spr
model_tri 400, 0.5f, 0.5f, 0.5f


I have a feeling it has something to do with an error within the descr_model_battle file, yet I just can't put my finger on it yet.

Btw, is that all the files tht I need to edit in order to make a unit available to a faction that does not originally own it.

Thanks.

[GodsPetMonkey]

You dont need to make any changes to the model file at all.

If you just change the ownership in the units file, you can hire them in custom battles, and edit the building file so you can build them, and they are hireable in the campaign game. You have done both of these, so it should be fine!

If you leave the model file alone, they will run just fine (but use greek colours, not a problem for spartans as they are mostly red anyway!)