DO/Creating New Maps

From Dark Omen Wiki

Revision as of 20:40, 1 December 2009

How to create a new map This is a short guide how to create a new map by using existing files of the maingame. The best way is to create a new map with functional files of the maingame and make the important changes later. The example uses the grafics of B2_08, AI-script of B4_03 and is placed in the campaign as B1_02 (second battle).

Step New Folder

-change the name of Dark Omen\GameData\1pbat\Bx_0x to Bx_0xold (simple backup =) -create a new folder at the Dark Omen\GameData\1pbat and name it Bx_0x

Example:

-change B1_02 to B1_02old -create new B1_02

Step The graphics!

-copy the graphics of your map you want to use

Every map need the files: -M3D -PRJ -need change of name -SHD -need change of name -LIT -need change of name -FURN -LTEXTURE -TEXTURE -Bx_xxBitmap -M3X

Example: B2_08

-M3D _4MINECT.M3D,_7JEWEL.M3D,_4BUFFER.M3D,_4DANGER.M3D,BASE.M3D

-PRJ B2_08.PRJ -> change name to B1_02.PRJ

-SHD B2_08.SHD -> change name to B1_02.SHD

-LIT B2_08.LIT -> change name to B1_02.LIT

-FURN FURN

-LTEXTURE of B2_08

-TEXTURE of B2_08

-Bx_xxBitmap B2_08.BMP

-M3X _7JEWEL.M3X,BASE.M3X

Step The BTB-file!

You need the BTB-file of the same battle as the graphics. The reason is simple, all borders and deploymentzones are saved there. Name it like your new battle -> Bx_0x

Example:

-copy the B2_08.BTB into your new B1_02 and change the name to B1_02

Step The second BTB-file

If you want to use an other AI-script you need to change the triggers of the BTB-file All units, player- or enemyunits, waypoints, spawnpoints are triggers with some attributes. We need the last part of the BTB-file, use the BTB-Editor and open both BTB-files, the one of the craphic(mainBTB) and the BTB-file of the AI-script(AI-BTB). Do the same with an Hexeditor to which allows copy/paste the important Hexcode.

Now go to the position in both BTBs where the part of the unit/waypoint triggers start. At the BTB-file its the 6000Chunk, at the hexcode its not a 6000! The number changes every BTB-file. Copy all from the 6000Chunk of AI-BTB and past+overwrite the 6000Chunk of mainBTB.

Example:

-search at the B4_03.BTB the line 84110000 08000000 0C ..... -copy all from begin at the 8411 to end of file

-search at the mainBTB B1_02.BTB the line FC150000 08000000 0C..... -past/overwrite at the begining of FC15 to end of file

Now it looks like: A0080000 05000000 84110000 08000000 0C.....

Step The CTL-file

You need the CTL-file of the AI-script you want to use. Same like the unit/waypoint triggers from BTB. Name it like the Battlefolder -> Bx_0x

Example:

We use the B4_03 CTL-file. B4_03.CTL and name it B1_02.CTL

Step The Army-files

You need a player and enemy army-file. Use the Bx0xMRC and Bx0xNME from the same battle as the CTL-file Rename these file and use the new Battle name.

Example:

We use the CTL-file from B4_03. So we copy the 2 army files from there. B403NME -> B102NME B403MRC -> B102MRC

Step Important changes at BTB-file-header

Open the mainBTB with the BTB-Editor. The 2000Header looks like 1 integer 2 integer 1001 string name of mercarmy 1002 string name of enemyarmy 1003 string name of CTL

write in the right names of the files in your new battle

Example:

1001 string b102mrc

1002 string b102nme

1003 string b102

Step Modify of the armies, BTB, graphics

coming soon

Old: We are now at the Stage of combining all the BTB knowledge into the new Map Viewer, to create a Map Editor.

However, to create or Mod Maps, the following files must be considered.

BTB - To move the line of sight / projectile obstacles around and boundaries, set up starting positions and map properties

Lanscape mesh - for rendering

PRJ - PRJ for furniture, heightmap and map square attributes

SHD - We know the format of, but not the function. Looks like some kind of lightmap or something

LIT - for the Lighting

Additional Files that may not require altering.

CTL - We can hope that we don't have to touch for multiplayer

ARM we should be able to use the original ones