Survey: Tutorial

Post by **ShadowHawk** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 9:08 am

I am doing a lot of modding research and planning on doing a "SWBF Modding for Dummies" line of tutorials. So as new modders and experienced level developers, which is more important as a tutorial: Race and Unit Creation or Detailed .ODF File Explanation? The Race and Unit Creation would be much easier, thanks to a primer from psych0fred, so it would be out faster than the detailed .ODF file explanation, which takes a lot of research and more community involvement. The poll lasts for 30 days, so feel free to help out the community.

Post by **Qdin** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 11:35 am

I'd prefer the .ODF explanations, but start with the easy. start with Race and unit creation Tutorial, THEN make a more advanced version.

Post by **ShadowHawk** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 4:20 pm

When I do the .ODF tutorial, I will need a LOT of help. There are way too many files to go through and too many functions to test. The poll as of this post is showing a higher demand for the .ODF tutorial, so to plan ahead, PM me if anyone would like to help on the project. Only serious requests, please. It is going to be done, but depending on the poll as to what priority it gets. Community involvement is the key to any successful mod. It is the best way to learn. Only problem is forums get lengthy to the point where "to the point" tutorials are needed. In fact, I read a new post today that asked the same question I did earlier this week. When that happens, it is time for tutorials.

I would be glad to help everyone out by writing one for all ya'll noobies out there.

Stellcat · Post by **Stellcat** » Tue Mar 01, 2005 7:20 pm

My oh my I'll have to keep my eye on this thread.

Well if there is anythin you want me to mess around with let me know.
I've already made backups of most of the major assets.

Just give a tap if you want me to try some crazy thing that might help the development of battlefront modding.

PS:Why did lucasarts make this game so hard to mod?
I can mod for like 3 other games but this one is hard

Oh well like I said let me know.

Post by **ShadowHawk** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 12:40 am

One week, 135 views, and only 10 votes. I need eveyone's input so I know what is the most priority. Please vote. Also I'm looking for a research crew. If you are interested, feel free to PM me.

Post by **ShadowHawk** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 2:25 pm

153 views, 11 votes, and two weeks left. We need those votes. Tell us what it more important. We are here to serve the community.

Saturn_V · Post by **Saturn_V** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 3:37 pm

I think you should do the odf tutorial, and if you get started straight away you'll be finished by the time the poll runs out

The new build of BFBuilder makes setting up sides a no-brainer. The bulk of the work in modding units will be adjusting the odfs anyway. Just start with the odf properties you do know, once you have that down start looking at what the other stuff does.

Regards,
Saturn5

http://www.saturnlabs.net

Post by **guru** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 4:16 pm

Agree, posting what you know to help others now is best.

Stellcat · Post by **Stellcat** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 10:10 pm

ODf for now.

ODF ALL THE WAY!!

Post by **ShadowHawk** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 12:37 pm

I will give it one more week since as of today, the poll is tied. I do not know everything about the odf files yet, but I am gathering facts and experimenting. The ODF tutorial will be in depth and easy to read. My goal is to make it easy for a newbie to understand, but give an expert an easy to read reference guide. It will take a while, but I hope the wait will be much appriciated. Here is a sample of what I'm working on right now. This section is nowhere close to complete and likely to change when I continue my research, but it will give everybody an idea how it is going to be laid out.

PROPS

Props are essentially the easiest of .odf files to create. They consist of only two categories, GAMEOBJECTCLASS and PROPERTIES, and three entries, ClassLabel and GeometryName in the GAMEOBJECTCLASS category and GeometryName in the PROPERTIES category. In order for the game to recognize the object as a prop, the label “prop” is assigned to the ClassLabel entry.

The object .odf format is:

[GAMEOBJECTCLASS]
ClassLabel = "prop"
GeometryName = "< .MSH File in name.extension format >"

[PROPERTIES]
GeometryName = "< .MSH Name >"

Common props in the game are:

Correlian Cruiser (all_fly_correllian_crusier.odf)

Riley75 · Post by **Riley75** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 12:05 pm

sdwhwk, I'd be interested in helping set up an ODF reference. I'm not one to be much into doing "tutorial"-style write-ups... but I can help slug through all the various ODF properties, test different values, and type up descriptions of how each operate.

theguarder · Post by **theguarder** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 1:35 pm

Why not make both tutorials?

Post by **ShadowHawk** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 4:49 pm

theguarder wrote:Why not make both tutorials?

I am planning to, but my resources are thin. With college writing, writing for the Mandalorian Wars Mod, writing my book, and to add tutorials to the list, I can only do one at a time. They will both get done as well as many others to come.

Riley75 wrote:sdwhwk, I'd be interested in helping set up an ODF reference. I'm not one to be much into doing "tutorial"-style write-ups... but I can help slug through all the various ODF properties, test different values, and type up descriptions of how each operate.

That is all I need, a research group. As you can see from above, I have a lot of work in progress, so I do not have time to fiddle with the functions. What I am going to do is delegate certain sections to the team members to fiddle with and have them report back the results they discovered. Then I translate the technical stuff to easy to read words and then when all the research is done, publish it in PDF format. The whole team gets credit for it, not just me. Don't get me wrong, when I have a break between said work (and there are times I do, suprisingly), I will be fiddling with the values also, but there are too many values and things to experiment with for one person to do, especially with all that I got on my plate, so that is why I'm forming a team to help. I will be glad to have your help and I am taking this month to form the team. Anyone else interested, PM me or post here. I am very dedicated to get this project rolling, so only serious people apply, please.

Survey: Tutorial

What is more important as a tutorial: Race and Unit Creation or .ODF File Explaination?

Survey: Tutorial

RE: Survey: Tutorial

RE: Survey: Tutorial