Can you mod the appearance of Generals?

[Watchman]

My personal version of the DMB refers to some dozen or so non-EB skins and a few models which I use as placeholders. I don't really think that one will be terribly useful overall, since in any case the syntax used is no different from the ones I put in quotes earlier (which are direct copy-paste jobs from the vanilla EB DMB actually, modified on the fly according to how that file now is modified).

But greek_hoplite_macedon.tga ? Now that's odd, why should it even be looking for such a texture when there isn't a single reference for such in the EB DMB ? Can you describe in detail the modifications you tried - what entry, how etc. ? Did you remember to change the battle model references in descr_character.txt if necessary, and check there are no model/texture conflicts with other factions ?

That aside, I managed to dig up the Seleucid legionaire skins/models. Grab the second download link on this thread and see if they're any good. Here is another version, although not one well suited for representing a 270s BC Southern Arabian warlord IMHO - the lamellar in particular is rather anachronistic. This pack includes another version of the silver-scale variant (also in a higher-res version), as well as a Numidian version although I don't think that one fits the overall Saba look very well.

[Foot]

The problem is that you have given the model to a faction who aren't referenced in the texture lines. Add a new texture line for "saba", which is their internal name, referencing the texture you want to use. Also be careful about the spacing between the columns in the text-file, they must be exactly as they appear elsewhere.

Foot

[The Errant]

Partial success achieved.



As you can see I replaced the old general with the model of the Armenian medium infantry. Looks cool except for one thing. The spear. The unit itself is a imitation legionary, meaning it has both javelins and a sword.
My luck being what it is it looks like the javelin is stuck as the primary weapon instead of the sword.

Any idea how to fix this?

I would like to thank both Watchman and Foot. Watchman for the tutorial and Foot for pointing out what i messed up. It took a while but the info eventually got trough my thicker than average skull.

As a side note I also figured out how to add units into the game. Since the Sabyn were lacking in trainable King's Elites I made my own version of them. Here is the pic:



Thanks a million for the help guys. I really appreciate it.

[Watchman]

Oh yeah, precursor weapons are primaries aren't they ? That sucks. I don't think you can convince officer models to fight with something else (unless the appropriate skeleton does the trick), but at least you could make him use the fs_o_f_spearman overhand skeleton for it. Although I make my generals and officers use the "_fast_" skeletons, as the buggers often have to run back and forth a lot when the units change facings and such and if they pause to do that "yell orders and wave your weapon" thing, as they often do, they tend to end up lagging a whole lot behind.

Side note: for my Lusotannan generals I use the Spanish late bodyguard texture from Maximusminimus' Carthage mod. It's not really all that Lusotannan per ce, but in any case looks properly Iberian - if one now had to come up with justifications for placeholders, one could claim the bigwigs wear expensive and hence prestigious imported war gear.

[The Errant]

I'll start looking for a decent looking unit with just the sword as a general. The Casse Calawre if it dosen't have javelins. Shame though, I really like the model of the Armenian medium infantry. It suitably "eastern" with the light colours and scale armor. If I can't find a better alternative the armenian stays.
Despite the spear he's a lot better looking than the old placeholder.
I downloaded the Seleucid legionaries. Cool looking units. Unfortunately they give me alien feeling. Good but lacking the EB flavor. Don't know how to better explain it.
Will look into other options. Thankfully after considerable sweat this little peace of basic modding is now in hand.
Time to start tinkering again I think.

[Watchman]

Well, good luck and happy hunting then young padawan. May you find the suitable placeholder skin just for you.

[The Errant]

I had a crazy thought. Since the ; eliminates all the effect of entries pas this point in the textline, does there happen to be another symbol that will reactivate the line from said symbol forward.

If there is you could tell the game to ignore the primary weapon for a javelin thrower and force his secondary weapon, the sword or dagger to become his primary.

This would solve the problem with the generals showing up with their javelins instead of their swords.

Atleast this is what I'm hoping for. Haven't figured out any other way of forcing the secondary weapon to be the primary.

Hell. I'd make a new unit entirely just to a proper eastern general placeholder for those factions lacking one.