I've seen the guides on how to add new skin to an existing unit... and how how add a new unit with a new name using default art.

How do I take a new skin and use it with a new unit with a new name?

It looks like the *.nif file mentioned in the CIV4ArtDefines_Units.xml file needs editing. Is there a guide on how to do that?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

I've seen the guides on how to add new skin to an existing unit... and how how add a new unit with a new name using default art.

How do I take a new skin and use it with a new unit with a new name?

It looks like the *.nif file mentioned in the CIV4ArtDefines_Units.xml file needs editing. Is there a guide on how to do that?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

If you want to add a new unit and use an existing model and skin you only have to edit XML. Just the unit and unitclass defines files.

If you want to use a new model, that isn't available yet, though people (Neomega) are getting closer and closer every day.

Thanks Kael,

What I am trying to do is use a new skin on an existing mesh, and give it a new name. I want to edit the WW2 scenario that comes with the game to take the Stealth bomber artwork out..... I want to use a new skin of the old regular bomber, but leave the regular bomber art there so the axis and allies can have unique art for the bomber units.

So I have a new skin on an old mesh, but I need a new name, a new unit, to go with the new skin.

I see a tutorial that explains how to take new art and simply replace the current art with it but use the old name.

I see a tutorial that allows me to add a new unit with a new name but have it use the default artwork.

I want a new unit, with a new skin, with a new name, so I can have the old and the new art and unit.

What units is Neomega working on? Shouldn't the upcoming SDK allow us to edit meshes?

Thanks Kael,

What I am trying to do is use a new skin on an existing mesh, and give it a new name. I want to edit the WW2 scenario that comes with the game to take the Stealth bomber artwork out..... I want to use a new skin of the old regular bomber, but leave the regular bomber art there so the axis and allies can have unique art for the bomber units.

So I have a new skin on an old mesh, but I need a new name, a new unit, to go with the new skin.

I see a tutorial that explains how to take new art and simply replace the current art with it but use the old name.

I see a tutorial that allows me to add a new unit with a new name but have it use the default artwork.

I want a new unit, with a new skin, with a new name, so I can have the old and the new art and unit.

What units is Neomega working on? Shouldn't the upcoming SDK allow us to edit meshes?

Neomega is pounding on making new buildings right now, basically pushing the limit of the tools he is given while waiting for the folks and NifTools and such to make tools that can make models for Civ4 (they are currently working on it). I don't think it will be long.

Just copy the existing directory art directory to a new name. So if you wanted to make a "Zombie warrior" with a different skin than the default warrior copy the "Warrior" directory to "Zombiewarrior". Then define a new entry in your unit art file that loks like the following:


<UnitArtInfo>
<Type>ART_DEF_UNIT_ZOMBIE_WARRIOR</Type>
<fScale>0.44</fScale>
<fInterfaceScale>1.0</fInterfaceScale>
<NIF>Art/Units/Zombiewarrior/Warrior.nif</NIF>
<KFM>Art/Units/Zombiewarrior/Warrior.kfm</KFM>
<SHADERNIF>Art/Units/Zombiewarrior/Warrior_FX.nif</SHADERNIF>
<ShadowDef>
<ShadowNIF>Art/Units/01_UnitShadows/UnitShadow.nif</ShadowNIF>
<ShadowAttachNode>BIP Pelvis</ShadowAttachNode>
<fShadowScale>1.0</fShadowScale>
</ShadowDef>
<fBattleDistance>0.35</fBattleDistance>
<fRangedDeathTime>0.31</fRangedDeathTime>
<bActAsRanged>0</bActAsRanged>
<TrainSound>AS2D_UNIT_BUILD_UNIT</TrainSound>
<AudioRunSounds>
<AudioRunTypeLoop/>
<AudioRunTypeEnd/>
</AudioRunSounds>
</UnitArtInfo>


Notice how it points to files in a new directory (bolded) but still uses all the same file names inside the directory. Thats what you need to do.

Okay, so give the NEW unit art the same name as the old unit art, but put it in the folder with a different name....?

Okay, so give the NEW unit art the same name as the old unit art, but put it in the folder with a different name....?

Notice from the <Type>ART_DEF_UNIT_ZOMBIE_WARRIOR</Type> that the unit art name is different. So you need to change that.

Gotcha. Kael, thanks a million, this is a great help.