Get tutorials on request

[khelvan]

How to make a unit available as both a faction unit and a mercenary, using only one unit slot.

[Duke John]

A basic guide to modding:
- how files relate to each other
- what kind of files there are and how they can be edited (dds, cas, tga, etc)
- how coding works
- how to mod; step by step!

Over time the most important modding skill I have gained is the feeling/insight you get. I'm fairly confident I can start modding other games because I now understand how files are setup and relate to each other. The moddable files are arranged logical and I think the most important bit for a new modder is to understand how that logic works.

[Myrddraal]

That would be a challange. Obviously, it would be a full guide. I'll see what I can do... Maybe you could give me some more info, like how would it be set out, step by step, or more like the 'Know the files' in the campaign guide.

I'll also do a unit card one in the How To's

By the way, don't expect me to churn them out by tomorrow. I'm not making any commitment, I may not begin for weeks, I just want ideas...

[Duke John]

Documentation of files
All the files listed together arranged according to directory structure plus a small explanation. An example:

\Data
descr_aerial_map_ground_types.txt
Contains tables arranged according to climates (not present ones can be added). The tables contain a list of summer/winter textures for the campaignmap.

\sounds

\terrain
No files.

\aerial_map

\indicators
region_borders_general.tga.dds
Not used.
region_borders_main_colour.tga.dds
Not used.
region_borders_primary.tga.dds
Used for the borderline between regions on the campaignmap. This is the broad part.
region_borders_secondary.tga.dds
Used for the borderline between regions on the campaignmap. This is the smaller part.

I'll help you out with this one.

File types

TXT - Text
Edit with Notepad. Notepad should already be installed together with Windows.

DDS - textures

CAS - model
Edited with 3DS Max version 6/7. The CAS editor made by Vercingetorix is also needed: link]

PAK - archive
Extracted and packed with the PAK extractor made by Vercingetorix: link


* All tools such as made by Vercingetorix are put together with guides in a single post. This way you only have to update 1 thread when a new version is released. Download links are only provided in that thread. I learned from the M:TW guides that it quickly becomes a mess if you put downlinks all over the place.



Shall we start with this? We each tackle a few directories and their files. Add a few filetypes and tools inbetween and we will have a very firm base to build upon. Afterall once this is done you only need to provide a link to filetypes and tools when writing a how to guide instead of explaining everything for the 10th time.

[Myrddraal]

Sure, this should work. I guess that the world folder will be the easiest, simply copy the stuff from the campaign guides.

Problem is though, nobody's knowledge is perfect, especially not mine (I don't have 3ds max, I haven't done any modelling for the game). You may be getting quite a few PM asking if some files are used...

Which folders would you like me to start on...

[Duke John]

Data\



Just start with whatever you like. If this community is really a community then people should help us out on the unknown files. If you come across one you don't know about then just add "..."

I will take start with terrain and UI.

I think it would be an excellent start since I have troubles myself remembering all the files; what they do and where they are located. It would be a great time-saver... except for the ones who write it

And since you are so busy with guides, ask Tosa wether he could give moderatorship over the guides forum too.

[Myrddraal]

Data\. That ones gonna make me sweat. I'll see what I can do. I may quickly do the world one as well.