Tutorial: creating new vegetation for battlemaps

[Teleklos Archelaou]

Here is the entry I tried:

vegetation sandy_desert_dense_forest
{
    layout 320 palm_layout.tga
    radius 1
    height_range 0.7 1.2
    aspect_range 0.7 1.3
    lod trees
    model sa_tree_03
    model sa_tree_04
}

This references palm trees that are already in-game and working for the semi-arid terrain. It also, upon startup, causes a sprite to form for this type: sandy_desert_dense_forest_0.tga, and also a vege file for this type: sandy_desert_dense_forest.vege These would appear to be ingame just as any other climate/terrain type set.

Now, the key file I would think that 'spawns' these forests would be descr_landscape_ground_types.txt. It sets chances for pulling rocks, trees, etc. for any given climate type. I put forests in the sandy desert slot just the same as in other slots too. Still can't get them. Here is the entry:

sandy_desert
{
	types
	{
		caked_sand	sand
		sand		sand
		sand_blown	sand
		rock		rock
		forest		forest_dense
		
	}

	bands
	{
		caked_sand		MIN		MAX		0.5		1.0
		sand			MIN		MAX		1.0		1.0
		sand_blown		MIN		MAX		1.0		1.0
		rock			1000	MAX		1.0		1.0
		forest		10.0	MAX		0.2		1.0
	}
}

What makes it weirder, is that when I go to the campaign map, the land that is sandy desert climate with a forest covering over it (ground cover) actually shows up with palm trees instead of just bare desert. It is listed as being "Woodland" all across this area - but on battle map it's barren sandy desert.

I thought it might have something to do with our inability to reconstitute the descr_geography.db file, but if it is deleted (or rather renamed), a battle on this terrain/cover type still pulls up grass that is visible on the battlefield, and also a rock outcropping. So it's still pulling things up on the code I put above.