Modding Basics: XML 101

[Yakk]

Phro, what version of Civilization you using?

And what is the full path to that assets directory?

(Note that the original poster (me!) gave instructions that didn't _quite_ work in the version of Civ4 that existed at the time, and certainly don't work now -- UUs require a bit more work than I described, sorry! The structure and style of editing is accurate, however.)

 

[Phrossack]

I'm using BtS, Patch 3.17.

 

[Yakk]

And the other questions? If you don't know the answer, "I don't know" will be better than ignoring the question.

 

[Phrossack]

Sorry, I didn't deliberately ignore your second question, I guess I just didn't read through the whole thing. The path is Documents>My Games>Beyond the Sword>Assets.

 

[Yakk]

The assets directory that is usually talked about is the one under program files, not under documents.

Note that the civ4 assets are also used by BTS. BTS seems to do a multi-pass loading, where files in the base civ4 game are used if they are missing from BTS.

 

[Phrossack]

The path to the assets directory via the program files has a Firaxis Games folder, which leads to a Civ4 folder, but that leads only to Launch Civ4, View Readme, View Readme File, or Visit Civ4 Website. I couldn't find anything that would enable me to edit the XML.

Thanks, hope I'm not being a burden.

 

[Yakk]

Please type out or copy the entire path to the program files directory you are talking about.

What OS are you using?

 

[Phrossack]

All Programs>Firaxis Games>Sid Meier's Civilization 4. There is no Civ4 subfolder within that. I'm using Vista.

 

[Dresden]

That's the path to the installed shortcuts through your Start Menu. Instead you want to be looking at the actual files, through My Computer. Assuming Civ4 was installed in the default location, go to My Computer -> Local Disk (C -> Program Files -> 2K Games -> Firaxis Games -> Sid Meier's Civilization 4. That's the main Civ4 directory and then you should have subdirectories for Warlords and Beyond the Sword. Each of them should have an Assets directory and it is in those Assets directories where you should find the files Yakk's tutorial talks about.

Also note that under Vista, if you have the UAC enabled, you'll get confirmation dialogs any time you try to modify any of the files.

 

[Yakk]

Look on your hard drive, starting in the root directory. There will be a folder called program files. Start there.

The start menu is just a set of shortcuts, it doesn't (usually) contain any actual data.

Note that at your level of expertise you could easily mess up your install. Proceed with caution -- but do proceed!

 

[Phrossack]

Sorry I've been gone. Had first a fever, then pneumonia, and now my grandfather died.

One last question: how do you create a subdirectory?

 

[MasterofLlamas]

Good tutorial, but I have issues. I've changed Beserkers from Macemen to Axemen (and Redcoats to Musketmen) but both have the same issue. That issue is, that the Vikings and England can't build their UUs now. The civilopedia says everything I want it to say, and I can even use WB to make them and they come out just fine. But they can't be built by their respective civ, and those civs can still build Axes + Muskets, and can't build the units they previously replaced (Maces + Rifles).

 

[Yakk]

Yes -- sadly, there is a bug in the instructions. Which sort of sucks for a tutorial.

There is a file that tells each civilization what their unique units are that I didn't mention.

 

[MasterofLlamas]

Yes -- sadly, there is a bug in the instructions. Which sort of sucks for a tutorial.

There is a file that tells each civilization what their unique units are that I didn't mention.

Do you happen to know what, and where that file is?

EDIT: I found it, nvm. Thanks for the tutorial.

 

[Yakk]

Can you post where it was? I haven't poked at the XML files in a while, and forgot where it was.

 

[MasterofLlamas]

Civilizations > CivilizationInfos

In there under every civ it will tell you the UU and its unit class. I fixed the problem by changing the unit class.

 

[CrazyOkie]

I like the tutorial, but I'm having a problem. When I go to edit civunitsinfos.xml, I can't find the term "Beserker" anywhere. Am I missing something?

I've got Civ IV Gold with BTS (3.17) installed on top of it.

 

[sandman730]

Good tutorial, but how do I do anything else?

 

[Yakk]

Really, you should just experiment. The XML is human-readable, so you can get a clue what each parameter might do.

...

Do you have the right file opened -- the path should include Beyond the Sword? Maybe you have the base Civ4 opened.

It is on line 6599 or so.

 

[whitelaughter]

Going through this tutorial has been a pleasure! Still, fell over at the last hurdle - creating Viking Axes. I've created it, put Civ4UnitInfos.xml inside, checked inside UnitInfos to confirm that the changes are there; I hold down shift when I load the Mod; yet when I go into the Civilopedia Beserker is still a strength 8 Maceman.
Any ideas on what is going wrong? I'm using BtS, 3.17.
Everything worked fine up to this point; in playpen the berserkers were clearly Strength 5 Axemen.