General Modding Help

[mortalgod]

TL;DR at bottom.


So, I love to create my own races, modify the ingame maps (I obviously don't play multiplayer) and basically just create little..mini campaigns. Without triggers or anything like that. I;E, I'll create a seperate island with almost no resources (trees can't be destroyed. I love keeping the enviroment intact due mostly to the fact I have no way to build walls) and I'll move small formations to gather resources. Formations such as a leader units, followed by 3 foot soldiers, and then 4-5 archers. All more powerfull than the normal units os that the small number can compete, but still be killed.

Atm, I made an "Empire" where I build tents (resource camps), different types of workers, real buildings, etc. However, I can only go so far with the ingame models, so a quick google search brought me here. However, therein lies my problem. I sorta know my way around the editor, but have problems with the more complicated stuff (still trying to figure out how to set Darkcasters to Sacrifice non Undead units.)

I have no idea how to import the models (the link showed me how and it looks simple enough) but after that, I'm not sure.

TL;DR: The following will all be around the "Barricade" mod.

Once I import the model, would I then have to apply it to a model? Or would I just be able to make a worker be able to build it?

Would it work like the custom units; Exporting file? Or would I have to import my custom units, then reimport every model I wanted to use?

How would importing UI changes work?

End TL;DR

Thanks for putting up with that. Its late. >.>

 

[ironman47]

TL;DR at bottom.
I have no idea how to import the models (the link showed me how and it looks simple enough) but after that, I'm not sure.

TL;DR: The following will all be around the "Barricade" mod.

Once I import the model, would I then have to apply it to a model? Or would I just be able to make a worker be able to build it?

Would it work like the custom units; Exporting file? Or would I have to import my custom units, then reimport every model I wanted to use?

How would importing UI changes work?

End TL;DR

Thanks for putting up with that. Its late. >.>

You really didn't have to tell your life story, but to answer a few of your questions, importing a model is really easy especially if it just has a .mdx file. If the model has a texture you'll have to import that also. Once imported you must close the editor and reopen it for the model to appear. You only have to do this for newly imported models since the editor only reads files when its loading. Once you reopen the editor you have to apply the model to something. Like a unit or doodad. If you want to build something ingame try copying a unit thats got about the same base size of the model you want to use and then paste it to create a copy. For a barricade you could copy and paste a tower then change the model of the copied unit to the barricade model you imported. You'll need to change some other stuff like removing/disabling its attack and setting lowering the height of the unit and the shadow. Once you have the unit where you want it simply add the new unit to the workers build menu. Thats it you've got a new unit you can build.
You can also check the tutorial section of the hive for more info.

 

[Maker]

Import the model and a texture if it has one in import manager. Then create a new object in object editor, or copy and paste an existing one. Choose the type so it matches what you want, unit, destructible or a doodad.

Save the map at this point so the model will show correctly in the editor.

Then for the object you createdm edit the model data, change it to your custom model.

For a custom UI, import the .blp files. Then in Advanced - Game Interface, replace the texture files that you want. A custom UI should come with instructions about how to use it.