Unit creation

ogmoir · Oct 24, 2005, 01:07 AM

I'd like to know everything about unit creation as soon as possible.

The graphics are probably going to be the hardest part, so if you already know about modding the graphics of a game using the Gamebryo engine, feel free to post here whatever might apply to Civ IV. It seems I won't get my copy of the game until November, so I want to use that time to make graphics that I can't test.

aaglo · Oct 24, 2005, 01:49 AM

Quote:

The graphics are probably going to be the hardest part

I wonder what else there actually is for unit creation? Well, yeah, sounds of course

aahz_capone · Oct 24, 2005, 02:37 AM

Imagination!

WildWeazel · Oct 24, 2005, 09:13 AM

Well you have to actually add it in the game, but that should be easy with XML. No more text file nightmares....

TyranusBonehead · Oct 24, 2005, 10:38 AM

So, unit creation can't begin until the SDK comes out? Just wondering, since I'm very interested in creating a new unit or two in Civ IV.

WildWeazel · Oct 24, 2005, 10:51 AM

No, the SDK will just be for changing the way the game works. Units will be done with XML.

Olorin0222 · Oct 24, 2005, 10:52 AM

I'm not sure how we will be able to create new models, but I would think it wouldn't be too hard to re-skin a unit, but keep the same model and add it too the game under a different name. I think so because *most* 3D games are a base "model" (wireframe thingymabobber) with a "skin" (pic file) wrapped around it.

Example: Subject A is wanting to make an American Civil War scenario. So, he takes basic in game rifle unit's skin, uses a photo editor to give it a gray uniform, and saves the model and skin in a new folder called "Confederate soldier" or whatever. This should allow it to be used without problem.

The Great Apple · Oct 24, 2005, 11:30 AM

Yeah, from what I've read about proper 3D games it is alot easier to reskin than to remodel.

Dom Pedro II · Oct 24, 2005, 12:29 PM

Yes! Let's get kicking with a new game!

I'm already working on potential models.

n003lb · Oct 24, 2005, 03:45 PM

Does anyone know if the SDK will include a plugin or converter for making new models? Almost all games use proprietary (sp?) file types for in-game models. This means that you either need a converter that will convert your new model into something the game can use, or you need a plugin that will allow your modeling program to export directly into the game's format. Does anyone know if there will be a plugin or converter available, or will we even need one? Some games actually use a format already supported by the modelers.

WildWeazel · Oct 24, 2005, 04:13 PM

nevermind.

beboy · Oct 26, 2005, 09:01 PM

This reskin thing sounds very interesting.. Since these «skins» are going to be pic files, I assume they are going to be in 2D (Am I right?). Hence, people like me who are only equiped with basic image editors (like photoshop) would be able to bring their humble contribution on unit creation. At least on models created by gifted 3D modelers. Will it be that easy? Or will we have to modify the skin in a 3D program?

Olorin0222 · Oct 26, 2005, 10:37 PM

Reskinning will be a 2D-only project.

Corn Shucker · Oct 26, 2005, 10:47 PM

Hmmm this sounds fun!

If modding is the same as in Pirates! then i already have a bit of experiance under my belt

I acturally did quite a bit of modding skins in pirates so this should work out really nicely. You don't need a 3D program to modify a skin, I use GIMP 2.2, but you could even use just paint

lol. (so yes-photoshop would work).

As long as we get some people making the models (and i'm sure they'd like to make full units too) then theres tons of people who could use the models and make skins for them!

and acurally... if its the same as Pirates! the skin files will be .dds files, but Idk if its the same...

This all sounds really neat! Now i'm getting excited! woohoo! lol....

Ogedei_the_Mad · Oct 26, 2005, 11:16 PM

If that's the case, then I guess I won't need to abandon my pixel-by-pixel way of doing things.

WildWeazel · Oct 27, 2005, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corn Shucker

you could even use just paint

That's going to make a lot of people very happy.

Gaias · Oct 27, 2005, 10:29 AM

GameBryo? Isn't that the same engine used to make The Elderscrolls games isn't it? That would mean they are using the NetImmerse engine. I have seen the NIF Exporter for a few of the games (Morrowind, Freedomforce) but I think they were made specifically for those games. Then again I could be wrong on that.

Maybe you could give a link to the exporter Weasel Op?

wotan321 · Oct 27, 2005, 10:36 AM

Where are the scripts used for the units, to provide info on attributes and such?

WildWeazel · Oct 27, 2005, 10:41 AM

I don't know if an exporter is even required, or where to get it if it exists. But if one is required, it definitely has been made, because people have been modding Pirates! for a while already. Since it uses the same graphics engine, it would use the same exporter.

edit: @wotan321: the unit stats come from the xml files

Gaias · Oct 27, 2005, 11:18 AM

I am pretty sure you need an external exporter for 3ds max for the .nif file format. I do not think it is a native extension for 3ds max. But it really doesn't matter. I don't think a single unit will be made until Firaxis provides modders with the exporter, assuming it is coming with the SDK next year.

Yet again I am going on what little I know and am not an expert on thins, just making some educated guesses.

Mhahahaha!!! First Civ4 unit evar!!! Bask in the power that is my ability to create!!! Bow down before the powerful and might RED GEOSPHERES!!! J/k

Attachment 101850

I took the liberty of making a geosphere in Milkshape 3D and then exported it with an custom made exporter from a Yahoo Group called NIFLA. It took me all but 2 minutes to do that, and most of the time I was waiting for the programs to load.

Oct 24, 2005, 01:07 AM	#1
ogmoir Arctic Troops Join Date: May 2005 Location: Helsinki, Finland Posts: 116	Unit creation I'd like to know everything about unit creation as soon as possible. The graphics are probably going to be the hardest part, so if you already know about modding the graphics of a game using the Gamebryo engine, feel free to post here whatever might apply to Civ IV. It seems I won't get my copy of the game until November, so I want to use that time to make graphics that I can't test.

Oct 24, 2005, 09:13 AM	#4
WildWeazel Maker of Worlds Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: %CIV3%\Conquests\Scenarios\ Posts: 6,689 Images: 11	Well you have to actually add it in the game, but that should be easy with XML. No more text file nightmares.... __________________ Civilization + Minecraft = CIVCRAFT 2.0 Don't have Conquests? Let me help you out. MOD \| FOLD \| BLOG \| TWEET

Oct 24, 2005, 10:38 AM	#5
TyranusBonehead Bound & Determined Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Somewhere with a good book Posts: 812	So, unit creation can't begin until the SDK comes out? Just wondering, since I'm very interested in creating a new unit or two in Civ IV. __________________

Oct 24, 2005, 10:51 AM	#6
WildWeazel Maker of Worlds Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: %CIV3%\Conquests\Scenarios\ Posts: 6,689 Images: 11	No, the SDK will just be for changing the way the game works. Units will be done with XML. __________________ Civilization + Minecraft = CIVCRAFT 2.0 Don't have Conquests? Let me help you out. MOD \| FOLD \| BLOG \| TWEET

Oct 24, 2005, 10:52 AM	#7
Olorin0222 Maia Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Flooded Missouri!!! Posts: 1,347	I'm not sure how we will be able to create new models, but I would think it wouldn't be too hard to re-skin a unit, but keep the same model and add it too the game under a different name. I think so because most 3D games are a base "model" (wireframe thingymabobber) with a "skin" (pic file) wrapped around it. Example: Subject A is wanting to make an American Civil War scenario. So, he takes basic in game rifle unit's skin, uses a photo editor to give it a gray uniform, and saves the model and skin in a new folder called "Confederate soldier" or whatever. This should allow it to be used without problem. __________________ () \|_ () )2 \| \|\\| - Proud Member of LOTM Contribute to Odin`s Poser Animation Library! Please, not everyone is so talented Star Wars - V-19 "Torrent" Fighter V-Wing LOTR - Gondorian Unit Pack Elf Defender

Oct 24, 2005, 02:37 AM	#3
aahz_capone Warlord Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Hague, NL Posts: 176	Imagination!

Oct 24, 2005, 11:30 AM	#8
The Great Apple Big Cheese Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Oxford, England Posts: 3,361	Yeah, from what I've read about proper 3D games it is alot easier to reskin than to remodel. __________________ Blobble Wars - use your lovely green blobbles to defeat the evil other colours!

Oct 24, 2005, 12:29 PM	#9
Dom Pedro II Modder For Life Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Exit 16, New Jersey Posts: 6,811	Yes! Let's get kicking with a new game! I'm already working on potential models. __________________ Dynamic Unique Units Modcomp : Announcing Dom Pedro II's Civilization 4: Test of Time : Dom Pedro II's Mod Helper for Python Modders and those who would like to be One night I dreamt of wondrous things. When I awoke, I made a mod.

Oct 24, 2005, 03:45 PM	#10
n003lb Warlord Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Air Capitol - Wichita, KS, USA Posts: 153	Does anyone know if the SDK will include a plugin or converter for making new models? Almost all games use proprietary (sp?) file types for in-game models. This means that you either need a converter that will convert your new model into something the game can use, or you need a plugin that will allow your modeling program to export directly into the game's format. Does anyone know if there will be a plugin or converter available, or will we even need one? Some games actually use a format already supported by the modelers.

Oct 24, 2005, 04:13 PM	#11
WildWeazel Maker of Worlds Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: %CIV3%\Conquests\Scenarios\ Posts: 6,689 Images: 11	nevermind. __________________ Civilization + Minecraft = CIVCRAFT 2.0 Don't have Conquests? Let me help you out. MOD \| FOLD \| BLOG \| TWEET Last edited by WildWeazel; Oct 29, 2005 at 08:48 PM.

Oct 26, 2005, 09:01 PM	#12
beboy Ut tensio sic vis Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: By the Magtogoek Posts: 376	This reskin thing sounds very interesting.. Since these «skins» are going to be pic files, I assume they are going to be in 2D (Am I right?). Hence, people like me who are only equiped with basic image editors (like photoshop) would be able to bring their humble contribution on unit creation. At least on models created by gifted 3D modelers. Will it be that easy? Or will we have to modify the skin in a 3D program?

Oct 26, 2005, 10:37 PM	#13
Olorin0222 Maia Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Flooded Missouri!!! Posts: 1,347	Reskinning will be a 2D-only project. __________________ () \|_ () )2 \| \|\\| - Proud Member of LOTM Contribute to Odin`s Poser Animation Library! Please, not everyone is so talented Star Wars - V-19 "Torrent" Fighter V-Wing LOTR - Gondorian Unit Pack Elf Defender

Oct 26, 2005, 10:47 PM	#14
Corn Shucker Great Khorn Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 552	Hmmm this sounds fun! If modding is the same as in Pirates! then i already have a bit of experiance under my belt I acturally did quite a bit of modding skins in pirates so this should work out really nicely. You don't need a 3D program to modify a skin, I use GIMP 2.2, but you could even use just paint lol. (so yes-photoshop would work). As long as we get some people making the models (and i'm sure they'd like to make full units too) then theres tons of people who could use the models and make skins for them! and acurally... if its the same as Pirates! the skin files will be .dds files, but Idk if its the same... This all sounds really neat! Now i'm getting excited! woohoo! lol.... __________________ Current ANIMATED Leader Head Request: Great Khorn (as in my avatar).Heres a Picture. PM me to do this or for questions! Completed Unit Request: Kinboat finished the Imperial Legionary avalible at the New Unit: Roman Legion 3/2/04 thread. Current Unit Request: Hessian Mercenary (PM me) Current Project: None Check out my nation, Bourgania, on NationStates.net!

Oct 26, 2005, 11:16 PM	#15
Ogedei_the_Mad Caffeinated Khagan Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Moved back into the kimchi jar Posts: 3,163	If that's the case, then I guess I won't need to abandon my pixel-by-pixel way of doing things. __________________ "You can't discuss the ocean with a well frog. You can't discuss ice with a summer insect. You can't discuss the Way with a cramped scholar." -Zhuangzi "And what do we got on this thing? A Cuisinart?!? - Dark Helmet Ogedei's Empire (Everything East Asia Info thread) Ogedei's Little Grass Yurt (Graphics Library) The Annals of Seven Kingdoms [Wuxia / E. Asian Fantasy]

Oct 27, 2005, 10:29 AM	#17
Gaias Earthman Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Only place that matters... Alberta Posts: 348	GameBryo? Isn't that the same engine used to make The Elderscrolls games isn't it? That would mean they are using the NetImmerse engine. I have seen the NIF Exporter for a few of the games (Morrowind, Freedomforce) but I think they were made specifically for those games. Then again I could be wrong on that. Maybe you could give a link to the exporter Weasel Op?

Oct 27, 2005, 10:36 AM	#18
wotan321 Emperor Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: NC, USA Posts: 1,104	Where are the scripts used for the units, to provide info on attributes and such? __________________ Freedom Exists!

Oct 27, 2005, 10:41 AM	#19
WildWeazel Maker of Worlds Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: %CIV3%\Conquests\Scenarios\ Posts: 6,689 Images: 11	I don't know if an exporter is even required, or where to get it if it exists. But if one is required, it definitely has been made, because people have been modding Pirates! for a while already. Since it uses the same graphics engine, it would use the same exporter. edit: @wotan321: the unit stats come from the xml files __________________ Civilization + Minecraft = CIVCRAFT 2.0 Don't have Conquests? Let me help you out. MOD \| FOLD \| BLOG \| TWEET Last edited by WildWeazel; Oct 27, 2005 at 10:48 AM.

Oct 27, 2005, 11:18 AM	#20
Gaias Earthman Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Only place that matters... Alberta Posts: 348	I am pretty sure you need an external exporter for 3ds max for the .nif file format. I do not think it is a native extension for 3ds max. But it really doesn't matter. I don't think a single unit will be made until Firaxis provides modders with the exporter, assuming it is coming with the SDK next year. Yet again I am going on what little I know and am not an expert on thins, just making some educated guesses. Mhahahaha!!! First Civ4 unit evar!!! Bask in the power that is my ability to create!!! Bow down before the powerful and might RED GEOSPHERES!!! J/k Attachment 101850 I took the liberty of making a geosphere in Milkshape 3D and then exported it with an custom made exporter from a Yahoo Group called NIFLA. It took me all but 2 minutes to do that, and most of the time I was waiting for the programs to load. Last edited by Gaias; Dec 07, 2005 at 02:21 PM.

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