[TUTORIAL] Video Tutorials on Modding Civ4

[tantanmen]

Well, you have reached a critical part - there's no way to do that in NifSkope (afaik). Objects stuck together can't be removed easily. We'll have to graduate to Blender for that to happen.

Oh blender, sorry, hope it's okay to open that floodgate.

But if you can explain blender to me I will personally lobby for you to receive an honorary doctorate from the University of your choice

I'll do that after we mess around in GIMP some.

I'm really looking forward to the gimp tutorial. I spent some time on gimp the other day and after erm, 5 minutes I still hadn't figured out how to select color

So I'm planning on watching your Overexplained: Gimp Edition in 3D surround sound

Thank you topsecret!

 

[topsecret]

Oh blender, sorry, hope it's okay to open that floodgate.

But if you can explain blender to me I will personally lobby for you to receive an honorary doctorate from the University of your choice

I'm really looking forward to the gimp tutorial. I spent some time on gimp the other day and after erm, 5 minutes I still hadn't figured out how to select color

So I'm planning on watching your Overexplained: Gimp Edition in 3D surround sound

Thank you topsecret!

I have one finished that I will upload after lunch. It's just a button tutorial but then I might record a texture video after lunch (probably for a unit.)

 

[topsecret]

 

[tantanmen]

Thanks topsecret, I found this button tutorial highly informative

Up till now I’d been making-do with a tedious combination of an online dds converter + an online dds cropper + DXTBmp… and I was still basically ignoring the button frames Thank you for going through the setup process and basics of gimp - it looks like absolute BEAST-mode – and that was just for buttons!

Also, I’d like to indicate that in my eagerness, I failed to notice your first instruction about downloading GIMP 2.8 So your video once again saved the day and really helped me to locate the file – I only needed to have it Overexplained to me twice

Thank you, I have so many buttons to fix now

 

[topsecret]

Thanks topsecret, I found this button tutorial highly informative

Up till now I’d been making-do with a tedious combination of an online dds converter + an online dds cropper + DXTBmp… and I was still basically ignoring the button frames Thank you for going through the setup process and basics of gimp - it looks like absolute BEAST-mode – and that was just for buttons!

Glad it helped. GIMP is incredibly useful. I use it for all kinds of things, not just Civ.

Also, I’d like to indicate that in my eagerness, I failed to notice your first instruction about downloading GIMP 2.8 So your video once again saved the day and really helped me to locate the file – I only needed to have it Overexplained to me twice

Yay! Glad you've got it working.

Thank you, I have so many buttons to fix now

Back to work.

 

[topsecret]

Hello everyone, I'll probably make some more videos next week. I have been sick, but I am getting better. Thanks for your patience and look for a new video then!

 

[tantanmen]

Hello everyone, I'll probably make some more videos next week. I have been sick, but I am getting better. Thanks for your patience and look for a new video then!

Hey topsecret,
Sorry to hear you got sick, but I'm glad you're on the mend. Please be sure to get extra rest and take care of yourself

 

[topsecret]

Hey topsecret,
Sorry to hear you got sick, but I'm glad you're on the mend. Please be sure to get extra rest and take care of yourself

I was busy taking care of everyone else in the house, but they got better and I got sick. Now we're all getting better. Thanks for the concern.

I've just been resting and playing Civilization, mostly.

 

[topsecret]

Feeling much better. I am currently exporting and uploading a new video! It should ready soon-ish. (It would be ready now, but I exported it to AVI instead of MP4 )

 

[topsecret]

And @tantanmen that GIMP recolor tutorial is next after this. Hopefully this week.

 

[topsecret]

Basic NifSwap Tutorial

Expertise Required: Basic XML Knowledge, Basic File Structure Knowledge, Weapon Swap (recommended)

Relevant Files
NifSkope 1.2.0 Alpha 2 Download
Files Used in Video

Credits:
mechaerik - Original Militia
Bakuel - Arabic Worker

Note: I accidently forgot to mute the music when recording this, so I got a copyright claim (not strike) on the original video. I've set YouTube to trim it, so it may seem to "skip"; nothing in that portion contained tutorial information, so I've just left it as trimmed. Hopefully I remember to mute my music next time!

 

[Mr-Goriyaki]

Pretty good. But i was hoping for a Decal flag tutorial though.

 

[topsecret]

Pretty good. But i was hoping for a Decal flag tutorial though.

I'll do that one too, soon.

 

[tantanmen]

Feeling much better.

Welcome back topsecret!

Basic NifSwap Tutorial

I found this tutorial fascinating. Thank you for another detailed step-by-step breakdown. I've got a couple nifswap candidates that I'm eager to try out. I'll probably try to experiment with a lot of different swaps, just to see what happens...

And @tantanmen that GIMP recolor tutorial is next after this. Hopefully this week.

Looking forward to this one too. I've been keeping myself busy by expanding the default barb city list to 150+ entries (I dunno, it seemed important at the time). So I'll be ready to take a break from xml and do something exciting like fine arts. Thank you topsecret!

 

[Louis the XIV]

Hi topsecret!
As you probably know by now the dds files contain the color for the unit. How can I add a dds picture that adds color in the nifskope? Where does it have to be defined?

 

[topsecret]

Hi topsecret!
As you probably know by now the dds files contain the color for the unit. How can I add a dds picture that adds color in the nifskope? Where does it have to be defined?

Hmm. Not exactly sure what you are asking. Please give me an example.

You add texture directions in NifSkope and create them in Photoshop or GIMP. I need to do a video. This week was crazy but I think a video on recoloring units would clear everything up.

 

[Louis the XIV]

I know how to color units, I use Inkscape to do that. But what I don't know is this.
Example: In every unit folder in Civilization there are some Nif files, dds, and kf and kfm. The kfm are for animation, the nif is for the model, and the dds is for the color. I am sure that somewhere inside the nif file the dds file which contains the color is mentioned. The question is where is it mentioned? Is it somewhere on the side or in the toolbar?

 

[Mr-Goriyaki]

I'm also waiting for the CIV 4 Flag_DECAL tutorial.

 

[tantanmen]

This week was crazy but I think a video on recoloring units would clear everything up.

We are very grateful for your generosity. We are all learning how to be patient, and we really appreciate when you take the time to set up a tutorial, record it, and post it

I am sure that somewhere inside the nif file the dds file which contains the color is mentioned. The question is where is it mentioned?

Hi Louis, I think I know what you’re asking about. I’ve had the same question myself. Have you tried Nifskope? You can use it to open a NIF file and find the references to the DDS files.

Here is that proto-Bohemian spearman in Nifskope. You can see I highlighted where the NIF references the HeavySwordsman_128.dds:

Spoiler Using Nifskope to find references to dds files :

If you are new to Nifskope, topsecret made a really good video on how to switch weapons for your units. It’s called “Melee Weapon Swap Tutorial” and is at the top of the thread. With your talents and enthusiasm, I think with this tutorial you will truly begin to unleash your creative powers

 

[Louis the XIV]

Of course I have Nifskope! I doubt Civ 4 modder doesn't have Nifskope, Gimp, or Game Font editor! Anyway I also created a Heavy Spearman for Bohemia and I PMed you the picture. I only use nifskope to view the files and see how they look.
Oh I see where the files are located. Thanks a lot!