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Alright, so I've been modding SWBFII for awhile now, and there a few things that I can't seem to figure out that I really should know:

1. What exactly does a clean do? Is it safe to select everything and clean it every so often? If not, what files should I back up before doing a clean?

2. Does anyone know where I could find a good weapon modding tutorial? I can't seem to find one.


I thought I had another question, but I can't seem to think of it right now. Anyway, any answers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

1. Clean erases everything that is stored in the Munged folder in _Build. basically, if you clean, then munge, it's like munging your map for the first time. Though, it's never a good Idea to select everything for cleaning or munging, since if you haven't edited what you've selected, then you might get some wierd errors.

2. weapon editing is basically the same as units.

Clean erases everything that is stored in the Munged folder in _Build. basically, if you clean, then munge, it's like munging your map for the first time. Though, it's never a good Idea to select everything for cleaning or munging, since if you haven't edited what you've selected, then you might get some wierd errors.

So does cleaning reduce file size? Would it be safe to select all of my sides and clean them, or is that likely to cause problems?

weapon editing is basically the same as units.

I would think so, but for some reason any time I touch a weapon, any units that are using that weapon no longer appear in the map. I'm not sure why that is (When I actually get around to seriously modding weapons again, I'll take a look at the log and see if I get any unusual errors.)

Thanks for the reply!

So does cleaning reduce file size? Would it be safe to select all of my sides and clean them, or is that likely to cause problems?

No, that's not what I meant, it basically un-munges, so yeah, it might cause problems.

Cleaning is very useful when you make changes to a side and they don't appear. When I clean it fixes it up for me.

Just one thing: Never, EVER EVER EVER EVER hit the 'stop' button. It can stop in the middle of munging something important and cause major problems.

Hmmm...is it ok to never clean? I know it reduces the file but I don't know exactly how to clean it right without messing anything up. I would be willing to put up with file size (at least until release) as long as I can keep my map working.

If I'm not experiencing problems with updating, should I clean? Will it reduce file size? Is there any danger in cleaning every time before I munge? If I were a super paranoid person, what folders would I back up--the ABC folder in addon, right?

hah, maybe thats why my Custom CPs work, I only cleaned out the _lvl folder!

why is cleaning neccesary? I don't understand what cleaning exactly does. If you don't ever clean will something bad happen?

Think of cleaning as giving your mod a clean slate. Some changes arent recognized with a clean, because when it goes to 'munge' the files, it already sees them in the _BUILD directory, and doesnt 'think' to go back and recopy the files out of your moddirectory.

In general, most changes made to your maps lua, and your world, will appear fine. However, often times changes made to sides, sound, or involving custom content, require a clean.

You can also manually clean folders (for instance, if I've only changed things in one side, but dont feel like waiting to totally remunge my entire project, I can browse through _BUILD\Sides\ for my side, then clean it specifically. Meaning when I munge (assuming I press "Select All"), it will copy files from _BUILD, but when it reaches my side it will start anew.


I have encountered problems from cleaning, so I do recommend backing up your world before doing a clean (personal preference and judgement, how many changes have you made?) - much like changes, some errors dont go through until you clean. If these errors are irreversible, or at least beyond your ability to fix, your screwed. So you may be mungeing fine, and then decide to clean and remunge one last time before your release, and upon the final playtest you find the map crashes.

So, yeah I would recommend backing up your stuff, at least if youve done some major changes since the last 'fresh munge'.

And no you dont save any space by cleaning and remunging, as the cleaning takes place in the data_modid directory, not your addon folder.

changes? What exaxtly is a change? I just dont understand. If you clean... wont it erase all the data/progress you've done so far? And back to the "changes" what exactly are you talking about? Terrain adjustments? adding objects? In that case That would mean i would have to clean every time a munge And how do you make backups? Thx for your time

cleaning:

written by pshch0fred:

When you clean at the every least it's supposed to delete compiled files from the _build folder, then copy them to the _lvl folder (and addon folder)

So it clears out the files in your SWBFII directory. NOT the files in modtools. to backup just copy the files\ folder ABC in BFIIdirectory\addon\ and just paste to your desktop or somewhere where ever you want.

Hope that cleared some things up.

@authraw: if you need any help on weapon modding PM me, I'd be more than happy to help you =) (even ask elmo)

Walrus... I Know Weapon modding!?!?!?!? Nvm. Anyway. What would "backing up" the files do? I personally find no use for cleaning now. I dont get it

Lol, I meant that I helped you in modding

If you backup scenario:


"I just backed up my files"
*backs up files*
*pushes clean*

---*!munge failed and your map doesn't work!*---

"Oh noo!! MY BEUTIFUL MAP!!.........Wait....good thing I backed up my files!"

*copies files*

"NOW I AM HAPPYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"


Get it?

cleaning is totally useless

thx very much for clarifying things. But, you see, I munge every once in a while to test my map. (Of course) So lets say im 50% done and i munge to try it out, but the munge fails! Then what I have my backup copy so i can play it, but its the same as before and i cant make any changes to it. If the munging no always fails

Copy your folder now, since it works (or if it doesnt than fix it) so when your map dies for some reason you can copy back the files. Even though it wont be as much as you worked on it before (try to understand that sentence), its better than starting from scratch.

Ok, Ill get back to you, when my map does die

darthgunray wrote:cleaning is totally useless

Uhhh, yeah, whatever. Sounds like you know what's really going on.