Unit Modeling?

**mucky305** · 10-07-2007, 03:58

What is the difference between the sprite and the model? What will be the effects on a battefield unit if you change the sprite, model or texture (independantly)? Having a hard time getting the unit to look correct. The front buckler on the chainmail shirt on my Augustan Legionary isn't showing for some reason. Prior to that, the sword looked like a black and white striped club. What am I doing wrong?

**iwwtf_az** · 10-07-2007, 05:26

A sprite is an animated 2d image which appears when you are far from the battlefield in order to save video memory. A 3d model is, well, a 3d model used by the graphics processor to render a bitmap no the screen. A sprite is independent of the model. The model is "wrapped" by the texture.

What exactly are you changing?
What programs are you using to change these files?

**blank** · 10-07-2007, 12:58

If you just want to change the unit's texture (and not give them different weapons or bigger hands or sth like that), you have to edit the unit's corresponding texture (.dds) file (IIRC the only programs that can open this are Photoshop and Paint Shop, you need a plugin for them). You might want to check if the part you're editing is not alphaed out (set the program to display alpha channels, the parts that show up red do not appear in the game, you have to add them to the channel)

**Admetos** · 10-07-2007, 17:50

Originally Posted by blank
(IIRC the only programs that can open this are Photoshop and Paint Shop, you need a plugin for them).

You can also open them with IrfanView and GIMP, although GIMP needs a plugin.

**mucky305** · 10-10-2007, 00:16

I have the textures done and the unit cards but now the game crashes when I click to fight the battle (it will load about 3/4 of the way and then CTD). I created two textures (one for for standard legion and one for first legion). I created a new entry in the DMB file (for new first legion) and switched the current EDU entry for first legion to use the new unit in the DMB (I changed the texture, model, and sprite for standard legion in DMB but EDU data hasn't changed). What am I doing wrong?

**Tellos Athenaios** · 10-10-2007, 03:15

That probably means you don't have a correct sprite for it. You could try to reload your battle; if it works the second time around -- it sure is a sprite causing this.

**The Errant** · 10-10-2007, 10:16

Originally Posted by mucky305

I have the textures done and the unit cards but now the game crashes when I click to fight the battle (it will load about 3/4 of the way and then CTD). I created two textures (one for for standard legion and one for first legion). I created a new entry in the DMB file (for new first legion) and switched the current EDU entry for first legion to use the new unit in the DMB (I changed the texture, model, and sprite for standard legion in DMB but EDU data hasn't changed). What am I doing wrong?

And did you define ownership correctly for your EDU entry? Rome = Seleucid.

**blank** · 10-10-2007, 11:48

Originally Posted by The Errant

And did you define ownership correctly for your EDU entry?

...and DMB entry?

**mucky305** · 10-10-2007, 03:19

It is a repeat CTD, happens everytime. I've changed the sprite and it still crashes

**mucky305** · 10-11-2007, 00:58

Yes. Ownership is correct. I copied the original Imperial Cohort entry for DMB, modifed the roman_infantry_cohortesimperatoria roman_infantry_primacohortesimperatoria, and just changed the "soldier" line in EDU (to match DMB entry). Correct files for DMB are in SPRITES/ROMAN folder, MODELS_UNIT folder, and MODELS_UNIT/TEXTURES folder. Here is what the new DMB entry looks like.

; Roman infantry - Prima Cohors Imperatoria

type roman_infantry_primacohorsimperatoria
skeleton fs_pilum, fs_gladius ; throwing javelin
indiv_range 40
texture seleucid, eb/data/models_unit/textures/unit_roman_first_legion_ii_julii.tga
texture slave, eb/data/models_unit/textures/unit_roman_first_legion_ii_julii.tga
model_flexi_m eb/data/models_unit/Legionary_first_ii_high.cas, 15
model_flexi_m eb/data/models_unit/Legionary_first_ii_med.cas, 30
model_flexi_m eb/data/models_unit/Legionary_first_ii_low.cas, 40
model_flexi eb/data/models_unit/Legionary_first_ii_lowest.cas, max
model_sprite seleucid, 60.0, eb/data/sprites/roman/ebsprite_roman_infantry_legionary_cohort_ii_all.spr
model_sprite slave, 60.0, eb/data/sprites/roman/ebsprite_roman_infantry_legionary_cohort_ii_all.spr
model_tri 400, 0.5f, 0.5f, 0.5f

**mucky305** · 10-11-2007, 02:12

Thanks to all! Errant and Blank. You were 100% correct. I had ownership right except that I had slave available in DMB but not in EDU for first legion and that was the problem. I'm dumb but thanks.

**The Errant** · 10-11-2007, 08:24

Originally Posted by mucky305

Thanks to all! Errant and Blank. You were 100% correct. I had ownership right except that I had slave available in DMB but not in EDU for first legion and that was the problem. I'm dumb but thanks.

Your not dumb. It's one of the easiest, and most common mistakes done by inexperienced modders. Myself included.