Switching Skins

[The Errant]

Wait, would switching skins of Greek bodyguard with something else, maybe Seleucid Hypatists or Baktrion Agema be as easy, or would I have to change the whole unit

Because I don't like how my Rhodian, Athenian or Kretans have a spartan bodyguard.

You would have to change the whole model. The DMB (descr_model_battle) determines what type of unit your dealing with. I'll explain by example:

; Hellenistic infantry - Hypaspistai / Massiloi Hoplitai

type				hellenistic_infantry_hypaspistai_massiloi_hoplitai
skeleton			fs_swordsman_barb_slash, fs_o_f_spearman			;1: fs_1h_axeman ; combat spear
indiv_range			40
texture				macedon, eb/data/models_unit/textures/hellenistic/ebhellenistic_infantry_hypaspistai_agart_macedon.tga
texture				romans_julii, eb/data/models_unit/textures/hellenistic/ebhellenistic_infantry_hypaspistai_agart_julii.tga
texture				thrace, eb/data/models_unit/textures/hellenistic/ebhellenistic_infantry_hypaspistai_antiochus_epiphanes_thrace.tga
texture				slave, eb/data/models_unit/textures/hellenistic/ebhellenistic_infantry_massiloi_hoplitai_forgus_regional.tga
texture				greek_cities, eb/data/models_unit/textures/hellenistic/ebhellenistic_infantry_massiloi_hoplitai_forgus_regional.tga
texture				scythia, eb/data/models_unit/textures/hellenistic/ebhellenistic_infantry_massiloi_hoplitai_forgus_regional.tga
texture				gauls, eb/data/models_unit/textures/hellenistic/ebhellenistic_infantry_massiloi_hoplitai_forgus_regional.tga
texture				merc, eb/data/models_unit/textures/hellenistic/ebhellenistic_infantry_massiloi_hoplitai_forgus_regional.tga
model_flexi			eb/data/models_unit/ebhellenic_infantry_massiloi_hoplitai_hypaspistai_agart_high.cas, 15
model_flexi			eb/data/models_unit/ebhellenic_infantry_massiloi_hoplitai_hypaspistai_agart_med.cas, 30
model_flexi			eb/data/models_unit/ebhellenic_infantry_massiloi_hoplitai_hypaspistai_agart_low.cas, 40
model_flexi			eb/data/models_unit/ebhellenic_infantry_massiloi_hoplitai_hypaspistai_agart_lowest.cas, max
model_sprite		romans_julii, 60.0, eb/data/sprites/greek/ebsprite_greek_infantry_hypaspistai_julii.spr
model_sprite		macedon, 60.0, eb/data/sprites/greek/ebsprite_greek_infantry_hypaspistai_all.spr
model_sprite		thrace, 60.0, eb/data/sprites/greek/ebsprite_greek_infantry_hypaspistai_all.spr
model_sprite		slave, 60.0, eb/data/sprites/hellenistic/ebsprite_hellenistic_infantry_massiloi_hoplitai_all.spr
model_sprite		greek_cities, 60.0, eb/data/sprites/hellenistic/ebsprite_hellenistic_infantry_massiloi_hoplitai_all.spr
model_sprite		scythia, 60.0, eb/data/sprites/hellenistic/ebsprite_hellenistic_infantry_massiloi_hoplitai_all.spr
model_sprite		gauls, 60.0, eb/data/sprites/hellenistic/ebsprite_hellenistic_infantry_massiloi_hoplitai_all.spr
model_sprite		merc, 60.0, eb/data/sprites/hellenistic/ebsprite_hellenistic_infantry_massiloi_hoplitai_all.spr
model_tri			400, 0.5f, 0.5f, 0.5f

; Hellenistic infantry - Hoplitai Spartiates 

type				hellenistic_infantry_spartiateshoplitai
skeleton			fs_o_f_spearman 				;combat spear
indiv_range			40
texture				greek_cities, eb/data/models_unit/textures/hellenistic/ebhellenistic_infantry_spartan_hoplite_spw_greek.tga
texture				egypt, eb/data/models_unit/textures/hellenistic/ebhellenistic_infantry_spartan_hoplite_spw_greek.tga
model_flexi			eb/data/models_unit/ebhellenic_infantry_spartan_hoplite_spw_high.cas, 15
model_flexi			eb/data/models_unit/ebhellenic_infantry_spartan_hoplite_spw_med.cas, 30
model_flexi			eb/data/models_unit/ebhellenic_infantry_spartan_hoplite_spw_low.cas, 40
model_flexi			eb/data/models_unit/ebhellenic_infantry_spartan_hoplite_spw_lowest.cas, max
model_sprite		greek_cities, 60.0, eb/data/sprites/hellenistic/ebsprite_hellenistic_infantry_spartiateshoplitai_all.spr
model_sprite		egypt, 60.0, eb/data/sprites/hellenistic/ebsprite_hellenistic_infantry_spartiateshoplitai_all.spr
model_tri			400, 0.5f, 0.5f, 0.5f

The first code is that of the Hypaspistai, a model that is shared by the Massilian Hoplites. The second is the spartan one. First problem we run into is that without the proper software (3DsMAX) we can't go randomly changing the skins without corresponding sprites. If you do you get very ugly clipping on the battlefield, or worse a CTD.

The second problem is the animation model. The Hypaspistai have two weapons. The celtic longsword and the combat spear of the traditional hoplites. The spartan only have the combat spear. Since the hypaspistai model says the sword is the primary weapon you could never turn them into a hoplite unit. There is no way without 3DsMAX to change the weapons. Even to make an already existing secondary weapon into the primary. I know, I've tried... a lot.

The two models are in no way interchangable. Not without the proper tool to make changes. Basic changing of skins and sprites can be done if the models are similar enough. Unfortunately in this case they aren't. Sorry.