[C3C] Tips and tricks request thread/knowledge sharing

[Moff Jerjerrod]

Creating a tips and tricks thread for modders. Just so that there is another data point for google to latch onto when you're looking for some topic C3C related.

Here is my question.

I'm working on a mod where I want to create unit and building descriptions very very quickly and with minimal effort. What is the fastest and efficient way of doing this? I dread having to open the pedia text file in notepad and typing for ever after searching through mountains of text. Even if I copy paste from a word doc there is still the challenge of organizing all the units and building descriptions.

 

[CorvusFortis]

I'm working on a mod where I want to create unit and building descriptions very very quickly and with minimal effort. What is the fastest and efficient way of doing this? I dread having to open the pedia text file in notepad and typing for ever after searching through mountains of text. Even if I copy paste from a word doc there is still the challenge of organizing all the units and building descriptions.

What I do is simply creating template with #PRTO/BDLG_ and then a #DESC_PRTO/BLDG below it and empty space in-between or with multiple "^" symbol to create a margin at the top of an article. I multiply this template, until it is about the number of entries I need. This way I only have to add unit entry name and info on page. It doesn't take much time for me even with large number of entries. I am pretty sure there are some programs and online-services out there which can make process even faster by, for example, transforming pediaicons entries, but I just don't feel I need them.
By the way, another quick way is create pediaicons file first, fill it with #ICON_PRTO templates the way I described above, including path lines. Then fill every unit entry, but don't fill exact path, leaving only in template. Then, in civilopedia file, automatically replace each #ICON_PRTO_ with #PRTO_ and after that each path template, e.g. art/civilopedia/icons/units.pcx with #DESC_PRTO_. After that one will only need to copy unit names from #PRTO_ to #DESC_PRTO_. It can save some time too,

 

[Moff Jerjerrod]

Excellent ideas Corvus and a great way to start on my project.

 

[Theov]

Keep a sheet next to you.
Add building requires:
1
2
3

Add unit requires:
1
2
3

Etc.
Then just focus on one part (units/buildings/wonders/...)
By opening all txt and pcx files that you need and fill it all in.
Then move to the next phase (buildings/resources/...) and again open everything you need.

"Mistakes and wasted time happens when you go from one point of focus to another."
(Some dude, probably)

 

[SayHayKid]

I keep tweaking units, buildings, and setting in my mod in order to put off having to deal with the headache that is the Civilopedia. Hahaha