How to Create a Custom Side

[Ascertes]

The title pretty much says it all. I'm interested in making a new side using existing/stock assets. I went through the Swbf1 Mod Tuts forum and didn't see exactly what I'm looking, so now I come to ask for your knowledge. I have absolutely no idea where to begin with this, so any help or information is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Rayce]

This should help you:

Units
HowTo-Use 5 weapons
HowTo-Add Unit Classes by the ODF Files
HowTo-Change anything into a prop
HowTo-Edit the basic .ODF file by Psych0fred
HowTo-Snake's Tutorial on converting SWBF2 units to SWBF1
HowTo-Use SWBF2 units in SWBF1 by Buckler
HowTo-Snake's Tutorial on editing character .ODF's
HowTo-Do basic ODF editing by AG
HowTo-Snake's tutorial on Addon Meshes in SWBF1

[Led]

I suggest starting with this one:

http://www.swbfgamers.com/index.php?topic=8.0

[Ascertes]

Okay so just so I'm getting something clear here...I can edit the ODF's in BFbuilder's assets and effectively create new units? (new weapons, meshs, etc.)

Or just build a new unit from scratch using other unit ODF's as a template and add it to that side's REQ file? Sorry if I sound like a complete idiot here; this is totally new to me 

[Rayce]

You can do both. Just make sure you don't edit the ODFs directly from assets, as you might (and probably will) need those later. Only edit the copies in your project folder.

[Led]

Okay so just so I'm getting something clear here...I can edit the ODF's in BFbuilder's assets and effectively create new units? (new weapons, meshs, etc.)

Or just build a new unit from scratch using other unit ODF's as a template and add it to that side's REQ file? Sorry if I sound like a complete idiot here; this is totally new to me 

Yes, as C-A has said, you can do both.  If you have not done side modding before, I suggest you start simple and change stock ODFs, change skins, change to other stock units, etc to see how everything works.

After that, you will be in a better position to put in new msh's, SWBF2 units, and other items.  I have a post on REQ file editing somewhere as well.

[Ascertes]

Thanks guys you are awesome 

Hopefully now I will be better able to edit those Royal Guards as C-A requested 

[Led]

here is the start of a REQ tutorial

http://www.swbfgamers.com/index.php?topic=4074.0

and look at this one too

http://www.swbfgamers.com/index.php?topic=4254.0

[Ascertes]

Thanks Led, always appreciated 

[Ascertes]

Okay it seems I've hit a it of a roadblock. I'm following Breakdown's Modding Guide and I've pretty much followed everything to the letter, but it seems a couple of the steps included in his guide are things that I don't have.

For example, the way he describes what BFBuilder looks like once you create a new world is different then what I get. I think I may not have the right version of BFBuilder? I downloaded mine off of FileFront before the networked sites got shut down. Is this the likely problem?

[Led]

probably.

Use the package I made and list in that guide.  It has all the updates already applied, plus some other goodies.

[Ascertes]

probably.

Use the package I made and list in that guide.  It has all the updates already applied, plus some other goodies.

I think I may have hit another problem, Led (Sorry!) I downloaded the mod as you said, put it in the Lucasarts Folder, it registers the maps I've already made but it seems the updates aren't applying to the map as a whole. For example, I should have a Side folder located under Data>_lvl_pc, but I don't. I'm totally fine with removing whatever files I have to or creating a new world and pasting what I've already done in there, but is that necessary?

VERY IMPORTANT EDIT: Nevermind, apparently the Munge button located in the DataModID folder doesn't work for me. I just have to munge it in BFBuilder and then it works fine.

[Ascertes]

Alright so here is what I have done...

1. Followed Breakdown's Modding Guide.
2. Created the modded side.
3. Instead of replacing one of the stock LVL's, I instead made a "new" one and added it to the folder with the existing stock sides. (This works fine,) and had the LUA call on this new side. The side works fine, as does the map.

My only question now is, will people who download the map have to download the new side as well and put it with their other LVL files, or will the map work automatically?

[Rayce]

A mod map can have its own custom sides loaded separately from the stock sides. You just put your side .lvls in <your map's folder>\_lvl_pc\SIDE. Then in your map's mission lua change this:

Code Select Expand

ReadDataFile("SIDE\***.lvl",
To this:

Code Select Expand

ReadDataFile("dc:SIDE\***.lvl",

("***" being your custom/modified side(s).)

[Ascertes]

A mod map can have its own custom sides loaded separately from the stock sides. You just put your side .lvls in <your map's folder>\_lvl_pc\SIDE. Then in your map's mission lua change this:

Code Select Expand

ReadDataFile("SIDE\***.lvl",
To this:

Code Select Expand

ReadDataFile("dc:SIDE\***.lvl",

("***" being your custom/modified side(s).)

I've always wondered what the dc part was for. Guess I know now! 

Thanks C-A, hope to have those new Royal Guards done very soon