A start on the .MESH file format

[Ciaran]

The dead look great. The RTW version already was very neat, but the variety M2TW allows makes them all the better. I´m so looking forward to what you´re up with the Orcs...

[Bwian]

To answer my own question..... I took one standard soldier, re-positioned the bones, and gave it a try. The mesh was squashed to match, and the bones were re-sited.

The mesh was displaying correctly, but I don't think the bones follow suit. As soon as the model actually moves, the mesh was stretched and the bones were pivoting in their original locations. Whatever the game was doing with the mesh, it was doing itbased on the original pivot positions and was ignoring the changes I had made. When we get around to re-designing animations for the game, we might be able to do more, but it looks rather as though the MTW2 game engine stores the base positions of the skeleton in the DAT file as before, and applies that to the mesh. A way to make a new skeleton would be required to make things possible that RTW never managed to crack.

[Herkus]

Great work, Bwian with those skeletons, I am really happy that you were able to get that mesh in game. I will soon try something similar once I finish one unit which will have five different parts for each mesh group.

Speaking about your skeletons - with the bloom effect the texture seems to be too white and "shinny", maybe desaturate a bit, otherwise the bones look like tooths from toothpaste commercials. :D
Looks like your mod is going to be a cracker.

[Bwian]

I know what you mean! I lightened them from my original effort, since I wanted them to look 'sunbleached' ... but the difference between the archers in full sunlight, and the troops in the shade ( the swordsmen ) is huge. It's the same texture...but the effect is extreme.

The background weather and atmospheris really make a lot of a difference, and I need to adjust my textures to cope with this. I'm just glad they are working!