How to install the unique units?

[Rising Sun]

I manage to download quite of number of units (special) for major countries so i was unable to get an readme.txt file on how to place them in your folders.

Beside i found alot of how to make an 3D models and import them but it not easily understood.

Could someone help me here on how and where i place these files? I checked some files and it look like i gotta do some editing on those XML files for special units to replace those regular units. IE: Russian get an gunship and replace it with MI-24, others will have their default.

Note i not trying to make em, im trying to figured out how to install them.

Any help would be grateful.

 

[Officer Reene]

to add/modify unique units to civs (buttons/pics/replace other units)

follow part of this civ tutorial:

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=148507


this tutorial tells you how to reskin units... but it also lets you find what folders to create/replace to get the correct directory path (in a mod or custom assets) to place unique units....

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=137265


for specific folder references you need to modify/examine this file

CIV4ArtDefines_Unit.xml

found in this Directory path:

Civ4\Assests\XML\Art

****REMEMBER**** DO NOT MODIFY ANY ORIGINAL FILE

COPY IT AND PUT IT IN A MOD OR CUSTOM ASSETS FOLDER!!!!


also with unique units you have to edit lots of XML files (See the Create a new Civ Tutorial linked above)

Im not sure if that is what you want... but I hope this helps...

if not ...post here again and be more specific on what you want to do...

I'll check back later and try to help ya... or point ya in the right direction


good luck!

 

[Rising Sun]

Cool thank a bunch, i know this gonna take me awhile to add all these new special units in the game. But im looking forward to it.

Thank again

 

[Officer Reene]

Cool thank a bunch, i know this gonna take me awhile to add all these new special units in the game. But im looking forward to it.

Thank again

NP.. any other questions just post here....and I'll try to answer them

have fun modding!

 

[Rising Sun]

Hmm i manage to get the codes in but missing one thing, how to make it built by Russian only? IE: Mi24 gunship instead of default gunship so others cant have that Mi24 gunship.

In XML files would "<Class>UNITCLASS_GUNSHIP" & "<Type>UNIT_GUNSHIP_HIND" do okay?

or should it be "<Class>UNITCLASS_GUNSHIP" & "<Type>UNIT_RUSSIA_GUNSHIP" will do?

IF not then i would be grateful to know how and where to correct this.

 

[Officer Reene]

Hmm i manage to get the codes in but missing one thing, how to make it built by Russian only? IE: Mi24 gunship instead of default gunship so others cant have that Mi24 gunship.

In XML files would "<Class>UNITCLASS_GUNSHIP" & "<Type>UNIT_GUNSHIP_HIND" do okay?

or should it be "<Class>UNITCLASS_GUNSHIP" & "<Type>UNIT_RUSSIA_GUNSHIP" will do?

IF not then i would be grateful to know how and where to correct this.

You gotta assign that tag as a unique unit in the

CIV4CivilzationInfos.xml


and find your civilization..... and add the UU

(Check the format of other civilzations listed here to find out how to add the UU if you dont know how)

also you need to add this info to a couple more XML files...

just check those tutorials links above previously to find which files to edit....


Good Luck!

 

[Rising Sun]

Cool that what i was looking for... too bad it wasnt posted most other useful threads or i missed them.

Thank again

 

[Officer Reene]

let me know if you have any other issues/problems

good luck!

 

[Rising Sun]

Well i managed to get it running but didnt show up right just default unit only.
So here my codes maybe can help me out here. Note: i notced this didnt work if you load up save games, only work when you make a new game.

CIV4ArtDefines_Unit.XML
<UnitArtInfo>
<Type>ART_DEF_UNIT_RUSSIA_GUNSHIP</Type>
<fScale>0.36</fScale>
<fInterfaceScale>0.7</fInterfaceScale>
<NIF>Art/Units/Gunship/HIND.nif</NIF>
<KFM>Art/Units/Gunship/GunShip.kfm</KFM>
<SHADERNIF>Art/Units/Gunship/Gunship_FX.nif</SHADERNIF>
<ShadowDef>
<ShadowNIF>Art/Units/01_UnitShadows/GunshipShadow.nif</ShadowNIF>
<ShadowAttachNode>BIP Pelvis</ShadowAttachNode>
<fShadowScale>0.75</fShadowScale>
</ShadowDef>
<iDamageStates>4</iDamageStates>
<fBattleDistance>0.5</fBattleDistance>
<fRangedDeathTime>0.12</fRangedDeathTime>
<bActAsRanged>1</bActAsRanged>
<TrainSound>AS2D_UNIT_BUILD_UNIT</TrainSound>
<AudioRunSounds>
<AudioRunTypeLoop>LOOPSTEP_GUNSHIP</AudioRunTypeLoop>
<AudioRunTypeEnd>ENDSTEP_GUNSHIP</AudioRunTypeEnd>
</AudioRunSounds>
<SelectionSound>AS3D_UN_GUNSHIP_FORT</SelectionSound>
<ActionSound>AS3D_UN_GUNSHIP_FORT</ActionSound>
</UnitArtInfo>
CIV4UnitInfos.XML
<UnitInfo>
<Class>UNITCLASS_GUNSHIP</Class>
<Type>UNIT_RUSSIA_GUNSHIP</Type>
....
<Description>TXT_KEY_UNIT_RUSSIA_GUNSHIP</Description>
<Civilopedia>TXT_KEY_UNIT_RUSSIA_GUNSHIP_PEDIA</Civilopedia>
Strategy>TXT_KEY_UNIT_RUSSIA_GUNSHIP_STRATEGY</Strategy>
<UnitMeshGroups>
<iGroupSize>1</iGroupSize>
<fMaxSpeed>1.75</fMaxSpeed>
<iMeleeWaveSize>1</iMeleeWaveSize>
<iRangedWaveSize>1</iRangedWaveSize>
<UnitMeshGroup>
<iRequired>1</iRequired>
<EarlyArtDefineTag>ART_DEF_UNIT_RUSSIA_GUNSHIP</EarlyArtDefineTag>
</UnitMeshGroup>
</UnitMeshGroups>
<Button>,Art/Interface/Buttons/Units/HIND.dds</Button>
CIV4CivilzationInfos.XML
<CivilizationInfo>
<Type>CIVILIZATION_RUSSIA</Type>
...
<Units>
<Unit>
<UnitClassType>UNITCLASS_CAVALRY</UnitClassType>
<UnitType>UNIT_RUSSIA_COSSACK</UnitType>
<UnitClassType>UNITCLASS_GUNSHIP</UnitClassType>
<UnitType>UNIT_RUSSIA_GUNSHIP</UnitType>
</Unit>
</Units>

I have checked the path for those .nif and .dds files they are correct and not sure what to do about the .kmf since there was none on customize units that people make for download units. Dunno about _FX.nif either. And one more thing in CIV4Infos.XMLthat green field, my guess that where you can name your units on the fields, yes? Becuz it say "TXT_KEY_UNIT_RUSSIA_GUNSHIP" in the game when i enter worldbuilder and place it for testing.

At first i had this code, but it crashed becuz of... (Hmm this happen only when i loaded my saved game) it worked when i make a new game but no newer unit, just default unit.
<Units>
<Unit>
<UnitClassType>UNITCLASS_CAVALRY</UnitClassType>
<UnitType>UNIT_RUSSIA_COSSACK</UnitType>
</Unit>
<Unit>
<UnitClassType>UNITCLASS_GUNSHIP</UnitClassType>
<UnitType>UNIT_RUSSIA_GUNSHIP</UnitType>
</Unit>
</Units>

So i dont know where i doing this wrong or what is lefted out. I wanted to play the game and work alittle after saved so that wont happen. Look like i gotta wait til i get all this right before playing.

 

[Officer Reene]

**NOTE: I reorganized your original post so that I better can explain myself to your questions

Well i managed to get it running but didnt show up right just default unit only.
So here my codes maybe can help me out here. Note: i notced this didnt work if you load up save games, only work when you make a new game.

usually if you make changes in saved games.... only new created units (using world builder option) will show the new changes... so I dont think you have to restart the game.... just make a new unit (using world builder) to examine the new changes in the modified units....

CIV4ArtDefines_Unit.XML
<UnitArtInfo>
<Type>ART_DEF_UNIT_RUSSIA_GUNSHIP</Type>
<fScale>0.36</fScale>
<fInterfaceScale>0.7</fInterfaceScale>
<NIF>Art/Units/Gunship/HIND.nif</NIF>
<KFM>Art/Units/Gunship/GunShip.kfm</KFM>
<SHADERNIF>Art/Units/Gunship/Gunship_FX.nif</SHADERNIF>
<ShadowDef>
<ShadowNIF>Art/Units/01_UnitShadows/GunshipShadow.nif</ShadowNIF>
...

I have checked the path for those .nif and .dds files they are correct...

did you create the path with new folders? (either in custom assets Folder or your "New" mod Folder)

"Vanilla" CIV doesnt have a Art(folder)/Units(folder)/Gunship(folder)

it unpacks the files:
Assets0.fpk
Assets1.fpk
Assets2.fpk
Assets3.fpk

when you start up the game... it upacks those files and makes those folders

therefore you have to make those folders in your mod or custom assets and place those custom files in that folder...

(when the game loads up it checks the custom assets folder to see which files over ride the default folders and uses them)


NOTE: IF YOU MADE A MOD FOLDER YOU MUST LOAD THE MOD (editing the Civ4Config.ini file )or choose (In game) ADVANCED and LOAD A MOD option

...and not sure what to do about the .kmf since there was none on customize units that people make for download units. Dunno about _FX.nif either...

dont worry just refer to the default files of .kmf and _FX.nif files (like you did) since those custom model graphics use the same files as the default




THIS looks ok:

CIV4UnitInfos.XML
<UnitInfo>
<Class>UNITCLASS_GUNSHIP</Class>
<Type>UNIT_RUSSIA_GUNSHIP</Type>
....
<Description>TXT_KEY_UNIT_RUSSIA_GUNSHIP</Description>
<Civilopedia>TXT_KEY_UNIT_RUSSIA_GUNSHIP_PEDIA</Civilopedia>
Strategy>TXT_KEY_UNIT_RUSSIA_GUNSHIP_STRATEGY</Strategy>
<UnitMeshGroups>
<iGroupSize>1</iGroupSize>
<fMaxSpeed>1.75</fMaxSpeed>
<iMeleeWaveSize>1</iMeleeWaveSize>
<iRangedWaveSize>1</iRangedWaveSize>
<UnitMeshGroup>
<iRequired>1</iRequired>
<EarlyArtDefineTag>ART_DEF_UNIT_RUSSIA_GUNSHIP</EarlyArtDefineTag>
</UnitMeshGroup>
</UnitMeshGroups>
<Button>,Art/Interface/Buttons/Units/HIND.dds</Button>

remember you have to have the folders in the custom assests
Art(Folder)/Interface(Folder)/Buttons(Folder)/Units(Folder)

then place your HIND.dds file in the Units Folder



This is wrong:

CIV4CivilzationInfos.XML
<CivilizationInfo>
<Type>CIVILIZATION_RUSSIA</Type>
...
<Units>
<Unit>
<UnitClassType>UNITCLASS_CAVALRY</UnitClassType>
<UnitType>UNIT_RUSSIA_COSSACK</UnitType>
<UnitClassType>UNITCLASS_GUNSHIP</UnitClassType>
<UnitType>UNIT_RUSSIA_GUNSHIP</UnitType>
</Unit>
</Units>

It should read:
<Units>
<Unit>
<UnitClassType>UNITCLASS_CAVALRY</UnitClassType>
<UnitType>UNIT_RUSSIA_COSSACK</UnitType>
</Unit>
<Unit>
<UnitClassType>UNITCLASS_GUNSHIP</UnitClassType>
<UnitType>UNIT_RUSSIA_GUNSHIP</UnitType>
</Unit>
</Units>




I dont know why this coding didnt work.... it is right:

At first i had this code, but it crashed becuz of... (Hmm this happen only when i loaded my saved game) it worked when i make a new game but no newer unit, just default unit.
<Units>
<Unit>
<UnitClassType>UNITCLASS_CAVALRY</UnitClassType>
<UnitType>UNIT_RUSSIA_COSSACK</UnitType>
</Unit>
<Unit>
<UnitClassType>UNITCLASS_GUNSHIP</UnitClassType>
<UnitType>UNIT_RUSSIA_GUNSHIP</UnitType>
</Unit>
</Units>

...And one more thing in CIV4Infos.XMLthat green field, my guess that where you can name your units on the fields, yes? Becuz it say "TXT_KEY_UNIT_RUSSIA_GUNSHIP" in the game when i enter worldbuilder and place it for testing.

You have to copy CIV4GameTextInfos_Objects.xml file into the appropriate custom assests folder and edit that copy something like this

<TEXT>
<Tag>TXT_KEY_UNIT_RUSSIA_GUNSHIP</Tag>
<English>(UNIQUE NAME)</English>
<French/>
<German/>
<Italian/>
<Spanish/>
<Russian/>
<Japanese/>
<Chinese/>
</TEXT>

(UNIQUE NAME) is the name that shows up in text...

you can do it for all the languages if you want too... but dont have to...
unless you play CIV4 in a different language besides english



overall check that you have created the correct path and folders in your custom assets....

review the tutorials listed above....

NOTE: A simplier way to check your Unique Units (after modifications) you dont have to start up a game.... just check your CIVILOPEDIA and see if your Unique Units appear there with text saying something like "Unique Unit for the Russia Empire"


by the way....did you make a whole NEW civilization or modified the existing Russia Civilization?

we'll get this working soon enough


PS If you want to add custom text to your UU in the Civilopedia copy and edit this XML File :

CIV4GameText_Civilopedia_Units (Texts for units in Civilopedia)


of course put it in the appropriate Custom Asset Folder...

 

[Rising Sun]

Hmm it bigger than i though, another word take quite a task to get it done. The only thing i didnt do is unpack those art files so that gotta be my problems.

Yes i have custom folders, they'er there except that art paks you mention.

Im gonna go ahead try this and see what happen.

 

[Officer Reene]

Hmm it bigger than i though, another word take quite a task to get it done. The only thing i didnt do is unpack those art files so that gotta be my problems.

Yes i have custom folders, they'er there except that art paks you mention.

Im gonna go ahead try this and see what happen.

you dont have to unpack the art files

it automatically does that when the game is loaded up

however CIV4 will check your custom assets folder and replace any of the vanilla folders files


I just unpacked them (not in the CIV4 Directory!) to see and compare files and folder paths.... and of course follow the formats (or reskin some dds files)

 

[Rising Sun]

Well that naming the unit work great but no good on the 3d model or even the button (icon). Infact the icon looks like an wrapper for 3d model becuz it shows varies helicopter part. I even put gunship_prop_64.dds on that button lol looks like an spinning prop for button.

mi24.zip by nautil...
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=163871

Got me lost and have no clues where to put mi24texture2.dds (wrapper for 3d model) and gunship_prop_64.dds for animated props.

Not sure what does mi24.nif do anyway.

Sorry causes this much troubles.

 

[Officer Reene]

Well that naming the unit work great but no good on the 3d model or even the button (icon). Infact the icon looks like an wrapper for 3d model becuz it shows varies helicopter part. I even put gunship_prop_64.dds on that button lol looks like an spinning prop for button.

mi24.zip by nautil...
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=163871

Got me lost and have no clues where to put mi24texture2.dds (wrapper for 3d model) and gunship_prop_64.dds for animated props.

Not sure what does mi24.nif do anyway.

those dds and nif files need to be in your gunship art folder but im not sure which model you are using...

in your other posts it was the hind.

but now it's the mi24

you gotta make sure all references to those files match (all hind or all mi24)

anyway can you link all the custom models you are d/ling and trying to use
(the thread link I mean)

I'll try to download all of them and see where the files belong....

on a similar note I have always had trouble using Custom Assets...

so you might want to make a new mod folder and do it that way...

(Just make sure you load the mod to verify)

Sorry causes this much troubles.

hey no problem! I wish I can help more....

it's just frustrating because all my custom models/pics/buttons I added works fine... I just dont know how come it's not working for you


dont worry... I'll keep working on it with you... and we should be able to solve this problem....

 

[Rising Sun]

This is my first project by adding the new model that i downloaded. I just use one for now that is mi24. There is no need to install them all if i dont know what i was doing so i just do one and figure it out. Once i figured it out then i can move on to the rest of them unless one or more files are corrupted.

Yes it was HIND becuz i rename it to HIND.nif and HIND.dds in the proper folders. Then i delete them and try again w/o rename it, use the default names. And that didnt change anything either.

Im gonna delete those folders and make a new one and double check my works. I was using ingame folder in MODs section not the MyGame's Folder. So when i launch CIV4 goto advance option --> add mod then it restart load it up (no problems there). But still i keep getting those default gunship model instead the one im trying to installed.

This time im gonna try to load up one model from snafusmith, a T-84 modern tank instead of that mi24 (maybe that mi24 is corrupted).

Thank for keeping in touch

 

[Officer Reene]

...Yes it was HIND becuz i rename it to HIND.nif and HIND.dds in the proper folders. Then i delete them and try again w/o rename it, use the default names. And that didnt change anything either.

ok I had to check...

...I was using ingame folder in MODs section not the MyGame's Folder. So when i launch CIV4 goto advance option --> add mod then it restart load it up (no problems there). But still i keep getting those default gunship model instead the one im trying to installed.

yes DONT use the mygames folder CIV4CustomMods because the mods dont work there! dont know why they even put that in there since all the research Ive done indicates it doesnt work

only use the Mods folder in the main CIV4 directory

(Come to think of it... I dont know why they make two CIV4 directories... one in its own... the other in My Games folder.... it seems redundant and stupid since it only confuses us modders! )

This time im gonna try to load up one model from snafusmith, a T-84 modern tank instead of that mi24 (maybe that mi24 is corrupted).

yep it may be corrupted...

(NOTE you may want to post in the thread where you got the custom model at...they maybe able to help you more than me! )

cool idea about trying another custom unit...
let me know how it works out...


here are some of the custom reskins/models that I used and had no problems incorporating them (as unique units/or regular units)

the reskin of the mechanized infantry here:

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=169828

the Erhardt WW1 Armoured Car here:

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=172292


the WWI German Infantry here:

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=134956


dont know if you want to try them out to see if your coding is correct...
but it's just a thought....


REMEMBER:

these files must be modified/edited/copied

CIV4UnitInfos.xml ***MAIN FILE*** (Defines/Creates Units and all bonus/penalties) -

CIV4GameTextInfos_Objects.xml (Defines texts for Units in gameplay)

CIV4ArtDefines_Unit.xml (Assigns 3D Models, City Bar, and Button Graphics/Pic for Units)

CIV4CivilzationInfos.xml (Defines Unique Units for Civilization)


and if you want the custom texts in the Civilopedia:

CIV4GameText_Civilopedia_Units (Texts for units in Civilopedia)

Thank for keeping in touch

hey I want this to work just as much as you do...

NOTE you may just have to check the civilopedia to see if your UU are working or not... instead of loading a new game each time

 

[Rising Sun]

Oh well i give up lol, i keep getting weird glitchs and/or problems. It seem that XMLs are getting corrupted every time i edit it and if it not setup right (not crashing) it make things worst.

I manage to get this right...
http://www.uploadfile.info/uploads/5c432c6ca7.jpg

And i got this weird pink tank glitch...
http://www.uploadfile.info/uploads/ce92b60721.jpg

When i try to modify them or correct this i got this...
http://www.uploadfile.info/uploads/5239e1a8ab.jpg

Here my mod if you wanna take a look, if you dont mind could i have your mod to see what folders/files and/or structures i am missing. My mod is under Game folder where mod is located. Also add tank.zip as well.

 

[Rising Sun]

I tired something else made some improvements but back where i started before instead of pinky glitch. Still default unit here.

http://www.uploadfile.info/uploads/05b743bd64.jpg

Code...
<UnitArtInfo>
<Type>ART_DEF_UNIT_MODERN_RUSSIA_ARMOR</Type>
<fScale>0.57</fScale>
<fInterfaceScale>0.9</fInterfaceScale>
<NIF>Art/Units/Russia/T-84.nif</NIF>
<KFM>Art/Units/Russia/T-84.kfm</KFM>
<SHADERNIF>Art/Units/ModernArmor/ModernArmor_FX.nif</SHADERNIF>
<ShadowDef>
<ShadowNIF>Art/Units/01_UnitShadows/ModernArmorShadow.nif</ShadowNIF>
<ShadowAttachNode>BIP Pelvis</ShadowAttachNode>
<fShadowScale>1.0</fShadowScale>
</ShadowDef>
<iDamageStates>4</iDamageStates>
<TrailDefinition>
<Texture>Art/Shared/tanktread.dds</Texture>
<fWidth>1.0</fWidth>
<fLength>180.0</fLength>
<fTaper>0.0</fTaper>
<fFadeStartTime>0.2</fFadeStartTime>
<fFadeFalloff>0.35</fFadeFalloff>
</TrailDefinition>
<fBattleDistance>0.5</fBattleDistance>
<fRangedDeathTime>0.12</fRangedDeathTime>
<bActAsRanged>1</bActAsRanged>
<TrainSound>AS2D_UNIT_BUILD_UNIT</TrainSound>
<AudioRunSounds>
<AudioRunTypeLoop>LOOPSTEP_MOD_ARMOUR</AudioRunTypeLoop>
<AudioRunTypeEnd>ENDSTEP_MOD_ARMOUR</AudioRunTypeEnd>
</AudioRunSounds>
<SelectionSound>AS3D_UN_MOD_ARMOUR_HEAL</SelectionSound>
<ActionSound>AS3D_UN_MOD_ARMOUR_HEAL</ActionSound>
</UnitArtInfo>

Only "<NIF>Art/Units/Russia/T-84.nif</NIF>" is in the folder and removed the ModernArmor Folder from unpacking so i was doing some testing and see what might happen. Noticed if i left the ModernArmor folder in my mod it would overwrite this unit otherwise it would be pinky or nothing wont show up in the Pedia.

Hmm this is interesting, i checked out a default mod (America Revolution) and examing the codes... so i removed the highed above and i got this on my screen. Oh im getting close this is the default model of T-84 tank without Textures on it.

http://www.uploadfile.info/uploads/a67a0931a5.jpg

 

[Rising Sun]

I figured it out...

unpak all ModernArmor files into my current directory (Russia) and had to rename them all to T-84_xx what a headache and after i removed that line...

<SHADERNIF>Art/Units/ModernArmor/ModernArmor_FX.nif</SHADERNIF>


That was odd and i got this on my PEDIA...

http://www.uploadfile.info/uploads/234f2f8534.jpg

 

[Rising Sun]

Hmm didnt work

Work great in the PEDIA but when i tested it by going to WorldEditor and place a tank on ground (game freezed but no tank at all).

I got all these in the folder to supply that T-84, i guess some of them gotta be removed.

Here my Russia's Folder for T-84 tank...
http://www.uploadfile.info/uploads/d0fe1274c6.jpg

Well that it for me, unless someone can tell me where i did wrong.