[TUTORIAL] How to Make New Units for C2C.

Hydromancerx · Sep 19, 2013

So I send some PMs out to some active people in the C2C community who I thought maybe could help out with out lack of a unit modder. And Il Principe and Yudishtira responded back that they were interested. However they do not know how to. This thread is made to help them learn how to make units for C2C without any previous modding experience. Note that any help is welcome and even if they both become unit making masters then that is great since we need all the help we can get.

In addition I aslo PMed SO, DH, TB and even ls612 to post their own tips, guides and input. I personally have only made a few units and am no where near mastered it (I made mostly buildings). So I will be posting what I know and feel free to ask questions or comment. Note that even though this is mainly made for Il Principe and Yudishtira, anyone can learn and can offer to help out C2C if they want to.

I will post stuff shortly.

INDEX
Part 1 - Unit Files

Hydromancerx · Sep 19, 2013

Part 1 - Unit Files

Lets see the first stuff I can post to help you guys is this ...

Civ4UnitInfos.xml
http://modiki.civfanatics.com/index.php/Civ4UnitInfos

Civ4UnitClassInfos.xml
http://modiki.civfanatics.com/index.php/Civ4UnitClassInfos

Civ4ArtDefines_Unit.xml
http://modiki.civfanatics.com/index.php/Civ4ArtDefines_Unit

These are the 3 main types of files you will need to get familiar with. There are more custom tags C2C has but those we can deal with on a unit to unit basis.

In addation to those files you will be using CIV4ArtDefinesSchema.xml, CIV4UnitSchema.xml and CIV4GameText.xml too.

I guess I should explain what each file is for ...

Civ4ArtDefines_Unit.xml
This file tells where the art files go and how they work. Such as what 3D model you use and which button/icon.

CIV4ArtDefinesSchema.xml
This file you will not need to worry about editing but will need to have so the Civ4ArtDefines_Unit.xml works.

Civ4UnitClassInfos.xml
This file tells the unit class such as if its a Normal unit or National Unit or Hero unit.

Civ4UnitInfos.xml
This file tells all the stats of the unit such as strength, movement, cost, requirements, etc.

CIV4UnitSchema.xml
This file you will not need to worry about editing but will need to have so the Civ4UnitInfos.xml works.

CIV4GameText.xml
This file is for the text of the unit including name, strategy and pedia.

This should get you started. let me know if you have any questions yet.

ls612 · Sep 19, 2013

Here is what I did when making units.

Step 1: Create a module folder for the units. I organized mine very hierarchically, but you can mash them all together if you so desire. In that module there should be six XML files and an art folder. Those XML files should be the two schemas Hydro mentioned, the GameText, UnitInfos, UnitClassInfos, and ArtDefines_Unit XML.

Step 2: Add a definition to the UnitClassInfos. It should be self-explanatory what each tag does.

Step 3: Add a definition to the UnitInfos. Some tips here; UNITCLASS_FOO is named UNIT_FOO, and has gametexts TXT_KEY_UNIT_FOO, TXT_KEY_UNIT_FOO_STRATEGY, and so forth. Religiously and obsessively adhering to this will save you much grief and XML errors.

Very Important: You should always start the unitinfos XML by copy-pasting the XML definition for an existing unit which is similar to the unit you are making. This saves time and also reduces the ability for you to screw up.

Step 4: Create the Gametexts. Please Please add texts for all languages, even if it is just a copy-pasting of the english text, some text is better than empty tags for that language.

Step 5: Art Defines. This one will silently crash the game on load if you do it wrong, so pay attention. There should (normally) be only 4 tags you need to be interested in; NIF, KFM, SHADERNIF, and Button. NIF is absolutely required to be populated, KFM is the animation, and SHADERNIF can either be left empty or filled with the same entry as NIF. Make sure if you aren't using one of the optional art tags that it is deleted, not there as <KFM></KFM>. Also make sure the art define is named correctly, and that all of the file paths are accurate.

That is my 30000 foot overview on how units are made for C2C. If you follow it exactly and have a decent idea of how civ 4 XML works you should be able to repeatably make functional and graphically pleasing units.

Hydromancerx · Sep 19, 2013

here is strategyonly's input from already made tutorials ...

strategyonly said:
OK see these 2 threads:

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=139721

and

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=176460

And really if you are making a new unit you would probbly make it here ...

Caveman2Cosmos/Assets/Modules/Units

That way most of the work is done for you already and you mod should load.

If doing a specific Culture unit then it would go under the "Unique" sub-folder.

Il Principe · Sep 20, 2013

Seems pretty straightforward so far, with most tags having names that are self explaining. Will see once I get around to actually work with it.
But after having been forced to work with gnuplot on an Ubuntu machine for months this seems so clear and straight forward. Not to mention I can do it on my Windows PC

Hydromancerx · Sep 20, 2013

@Il Principe

Indeed they are straight forward. Here is your first task. Make it in Caveman2Cosmos/Assets/Modules/Units/Unique/Tlaxcaltc. That way its in its own mod folder in with the other unique units.

Tlaxcaltec Warrior [National Unit - Limit 15]
Graphic: Here (Use the Triple Alliance Warrior)
Icon: ?
Type: Combatant/Melee
Strength: 7
Movement: 1
Cost: 55
Req Tech: Obsidian Weapons
Req Resource: Tlaxcaltc
Req Building: -
Upgrades To: Swordsman

Special Abilities

+20% City Attack

Builds 15% Faster with Stone

Builds 15% Faster with Flint

Builds 15% Faster with Obsidian

Starts with Shock I, Drill I

Note: Use Obsidian Swordsman as a Base.

@Yudishtira

Here is yours when you are ready. You will want to do a simialr thing with Caveman2Cosmos/Assets/Modules/Units/Unique/Mixtec

Cuachic [National Unit - Limit 15]
Graphic: Here (Use the Mexica Cuachic)
Icon: ?
Type: Combatant/Melee
Strength: 7
Movement: 1
Cost: 55
Req Tech: Obsidian Weapons
Req Resource: Mixtec
Req Building: -
Upgrades To: Swordsman

Special Abilities

+20% City Attack

Builds 15% Faster with Stone

Builds 15% Faster with Flint

Builds 15% Faster with Obsidian

Starts with Shock I, Mobility

Note: Use Obsidian Swordsman as a Base.

---

Good luck you guys and post any questions you have.

Il Principe · Sep 22, 2013

Ok first question:Where in all of C2Cs huge amount of files do I find the resources? Would like to look up the correct names for those 4 I need.

Edit: Found them all in the unitInfo XML since the culture gives a bonus to the regular obsidian swordman.
But would be nice to know for the future, just in case something doesn´t have the obvious name for some reason.
Same goes for Promotions. The folder in modules is only a small part obviously

Faustmouse · Sep 22, 2013

They are in Assets/Modules/Resources. Also, some are in Assets/XML/Terrain.

Hydromancerx · Sep 22, 2013

Yeah ere Faustmouse said.

As for organization things can get crazy since this is a mod built on other mods and has had a bunch of different contributors over the years. However if you ever cannot find something let us know and some should know where to find it.

Azurian · Sep 22, 2013

il principe said:
ok first question:where in all of c2cs huge amount of files do i find the resources? Would like to look up the correct names for those 4 i need.

Edit: Found them all in the unitinfo xml since the culture gives a bonus to the regular obsidian swordman.
But would be nice to know for the future, just in case something doesn´t have the obvious name for some reason.
Same goes for promotions. The folder in modules is only a small part obviously

I have lists of almost every game element, it makes modding easier. Here are the ones you requested.

Resouces/Bonuses

Spoiler :

Promotions

Spoiler :

Thunderbrd · Sep 23, 2013

Il Principe said:
Ok first question:Where in all of C2Cs huge amount of files do I find the resources? Would like to look up the correct names for those 4 I need.

Edit: Found them all in the unitInfo XML since the culture gives a bonus to the regular obsidian swordman.
But would be nice to know for the future, just in case something doesn´t have the obvious name for some reason.
Same goes for Promotions. The folder in modules is only a small part obviously

Those are called Bonuses. Thus, BonusInfos.xml in Assets/XML/Terrain are where they are defined. And most Promotions are located in PromotionInfos.xml in Assets/XML/Units. Those Assets/XML files are the where you'll find core game infos.

Koshling · Sep 23, 2013

Thunderbrd said:
Those are called Bonuses. Thus, BonusInfos.xml in Assets/XML/Terrain are where they are defined. And most Promotions are located in PromotionInfos.xml in Assets/XML/Units. Those Assets/XML files are the where you'll find core game infos.

...and don't forget that modular mod-mods can add entities of any type (or redefine aspects of core ones), so the full generality of bonuses is defined in the set of files you get by searching for 'BonusInfos.xml' in the entire assets hierarchy. In general you should not depend on anything modular however unless you belong to that module (or do so in a way that is graceful if they are not defined, which is trickier)

Il Principe · Oct 1, 2013

I can´t get it to work...
where is the culture bonus Tlaxcaltec defined? I tried multiple possible typos, caps, no caps... when loading the game the error is always with that bonus.

strategyonly · Oct 1, 2013

Il Principe said:
I can´t get it to work...
where is the culture bonus Tlaxcaltec defined? I tried multiple possible typos, caps, no caps... when loading the game the error is always with that bonus.

For everyone, if you dont have a search files program (see top of attached), here is one of the best ones: It took me about 6 seconds or so to find this

Yudishtira · Oct 9, 2013

Hydromancerx said:
@Yudishtira

Here is yours when you are ready. You will want to do a simialr thing with Caveman2Cosmos/Assets/Modules/Units/Unique/Mixtec

Cuachic [National Unit - Limit 15]
Graphic: Here (Use the Mexica Cuachic)
Icon: ?
Type: Combatant/Melee
Strength: 7
Movement: 1
Cost: 55
Req Tech: Obsidian Weapons
Req Resource: Mixtec
Req Building: -
Upgrades To: Swordsman

Special Abilities

+20% City Attack

Builds 15% Faster with Stone

Builds 15% Faster with Flint

Builds 15% Faster with Obsidian

Starts with Shock I, Mobility

Note: Use Obsidian Swordsman as a Base.

---

Good luck you guys and post any questions you have.

Thanks for this and sorry again for not seeing it sooner.

Q: There are 6 DDS files in the graphic download. Four of them clearly seem to relate to non-swordsmen, that still left me with two to guess between (aztecblade and aztecflag1jaguar). Which should I use? Do I need to be able to open DDS files?

I used the 'blade' one and I can build it with WorldBuilder in the game. I changed it to the other one and I can't see any difference, so I just left it. The button looks identical to the standard Obsidian Swordsman, which is mildly disappointing (and possibly due to something I've done wrong).

Anyway here is my Mixtec folder, so let me know if there's anything wrong with it... :crazyeye:

PS: What did you mean by "Icon: ?"? Is it something I need to worry about? Also do you need me to WB myself the Tech and the Culture and see if I can build it (I'm hoping that's not necessary...)

Faustmouse · Oct 9, 2013

"Icon" is the button that appears for example in the WB or in your city if you can build it. That's the one that looks identical to the obsidian Swordman and it can be edited quite easy.

You do not need to view .dds files (that are the buttons), but if you want to, try this http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Graphic/Graphic-Editors/DXTBmp.shtml freeware.

You don't need to edit the required things in the WB so you can build it, if you place it directly with the WB and it looks good (not pink^^) and if the stats are correct (look that up in the Pedia) you should be fine.

Thanks for doing this :goodjob:

Yudishtira · Oct 11, 2013

I'm having trouble with the Biopunk unit Faustmouse asked me to try. First attempt it told me I used an invalid unitcombat, which was easy to fix.

But now it just fails to load the mod.

How do you debug XML? What's the next step when it all goes horribly wrong??? :eek:

(see attached).

Yudishtira · Oct 11, 2013

MrAzure said:
I have lists of almost every game element, it makes modding easier. Here are the ones you requested.

Thanks - this is going to be very helpful. :goodjob:

However.....

what do you do when the English name bears no relation to the XML name? Eg. what is the XML name of the Camouflage promo?

Faustmouse · Oct 11, 2013

If something goes "horrible wrong" (which is often nothing more than you forgot a "<" :mischief:

) you can debug it with Notepad++. There is a special XML debug tool, but I can't tell you what it is called

You could look over your files again and make sure that:

1) every tag starts with < and ends with >
2) every tag that opens <tag> close after the imput </tag> (or is closed <tag/>)

As for searchiing the correct tag for a name, look at other units and/or buildings that gives that promo. Or (I don't know if this exists) look in the promotion file and look for a tag that might be the right one. You will have fun when looking up techs in the TH era :lol:

but if you keep on doing so, you know what tag is what name, or you can make a .txt file as dictionary.

Azurian · Oct 11, 2013

Yudishtira said:
Thanks - this is going to be very helpful.

However..... what do you do when the English name bears no relation to the XML name? Eg. what is the XML name of the Camouflage promo?

Look at files called Gametext and see how they connect.

RoM_GameTextInfos_Promotions
C2C_Promotions_CIV4GameText

also recommend but not necessary to do the free XML course at Code Academy.

http://www.codecademy.com/

I did it and it helped me unsterstand quite a bit about XML. I am doing the Python one right now.

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