To Channel, or not to Channel: teach me!

Channel.

Apparently loved by spell makers.

Unfortunately, I have absolutely no idea how to use it; but it appears to be my only salvation for my map idea.

Lets just run through what I know about Channel.

I know it's a dummy ability created by Blizzard - it's versatile, it can specify targets, one click, AoE, target ground, whatever. And I know it can change it's abilityID.

First, can anyone send me into the right direction for a guide on Channel?

And finally, the big question:

I need Channel to basically, be the basis for every single spell in my map. My map will work similar to Custom Hero Arena-style maps - you pick your own abilities. Unfortunately, all my abilities are active abilities, and I'm pretty sure that you can't have two spells with the same abilityID - which will most likely happen, if Channel didn't exist. I was going to use Channel and trigger all my abilities.

So, the question:

What kind of range does Channel change it's abilityID to? Do some abilityID's won't work with Channel? Anyone know which abilityID's?

EDIT: Not abilityID, order string ID. Silly me.

Channel worx with every order string

Those wont work with orderstrings are abilities dont have order string by default (mostly item abilities)

Is there a tutorial on the uses of channel and how to use channel somewhere? I too am interested in using it, but am unsure of where to start. I don't even know where channel is in the object editor!

http://pl.youtube.com/watch?v=b9V-aPz2DGU

Use some old-fashioned text-based tutorials. Try reading mine

VERY nice tutorial, Knight7770. +REP for you. Thanks, it answered almost all of my questions.

One question, in your tutorial you said...

Level X - Data - Follow Through Time [Real]
This is the time it takes for the follow through time to end. Contact me if you don’t know what that means.

Uh, what is follow through?

I think its the time you stay channeling the skill.

(Also, you need 10rep to give rep to another person)

I have fulls of rep from lower than 10

Why we cant earn rep by helping newbies
Do we need to post 2 model screen shots ?

Bah, it lets me type in a reason for the rep and everything... *sigh*. Sorry. I would give you rep if I could...

About the follow through, doesn't the unit continue channeling the skill during the whole duration unless it is interrupted?

About the follow through, doesn't the unit continue channeling the skill during the whole duration unless it is interrupted?

No, unless you put a time in that field, so the unit will channel the skill until the time ends.