Need Help to Starting Modding!

[Phobos [S-I-C]]

I have no idea where to even start. I have modded SS2 and stuff but I don't know where to begin on soldat.

[Pie]

http://wiki.soldat.nl/Modding

Also, Post a description of what you need help with in the title of the thread, Don't just post NEED ASSISTANCE-ZORZ, Post something so people actually know what you need help with without going into the thread.

Anyways, That should tell you everything you need to know.

[Espadon]

Yeah. And here's something I typed up a long time ago:


Date Posted: February 03, 2008, 10:07:44 amMany people here judge mods based on the menu-weapons graphics found in

Soldat/Interface-gfxGuns

If you do feel inclined to pay more attention to them than the in-game weapons, here are two interface-gfx guides:




The two are similar, but keep in mind they aren't the only ways to shade. You may also try shrinking down pictures of weapons, although the practice is frowned upon.  Different styles also give the mod a particular atmosphere/feel; example is that for my Halo LT mod, I opted for a photorealistic pixelling technique instead of the "tried-and-true" methods shown above. I strongly suggest you use BMP files instead of PNGs for menu graphics, as Soldat resamples the PNGs for the kill log quite badly.
Menu weapons should be around 42x16 in dimensions. Longer, and the weapon will fall off the kill log or mash into the text in the menu, higher, and the different menu weapons will start stacking.

***

I advise focusing on the weapons-gfx and the in-game stuff before anything else, as they are the heart of the mod. In-game weapons are found in the

Soldat/weapons-gfx

folder and usually each weapons has these sub-parts:

[weapon-internal-name].bmp (pointing rightwards)
[weapon-internal-name]-2.bmp (vertically flipped version of the one above, Soldat pivots the graphic by the upper-left corner to make it point leftwards)
[weapon-internal-name]-clip.bmp (clip of the weapon; clip is rendered as on top of the weapon)
[weapon-internal-name]-clip2.bmp (vertically flipped version of the one above, Soldat pivots the graphic by the upper-left corner to make it point leftwards)
[weapon-internal-name]-shell.bmp (One graphic for both orientations)
[weapon-internal-name]-fire.bmp (One graphic for both orientations)
[weapon-internal-name]-bullet.png (this is a PNG in the default Soldat weapons-gfx. Bullet can be BMP or PNG, but Soldat will prioritize PNGs)

While most weapons follow this format, some weapons are a bit different; the Ruger lacks the -clip and -clip2 graphics, as does the Spas. The clip graphic for the M79 does not drop like the other clips do; the Desert Eagles clip graphic will be created only once on the weapon but will create two duplicates when the clip drops in-game; etc.

Graphics-wise, Soldat supports both BMP and PNG formats. BMP is still the recommended format for most graphics though, as I've noticed that PNG weapons graphics are sampled badly and have a "plastic foil" aura around them. PNGs are most useful for bullets and muzzle flashes, because those can benefit greatly from Alpha Transparency. If you have experience with Photoshop or the GIMP (I wouldn't recommend PSP) and Alpha Transparency, by all means take advantage of PNG support. However, you're not missing too much if you opt for BMP-only graphics, as Soldat automatically antialiases them.
Generally, keep weapons-gfx under 22x7.

***

Sounds are the next topic, and a very important one. If you're making your own mod, it can be relatively easy to find a sound that you like. Sounds are found in

Soldat/Sfx

and are as self-explanatory as the weapons-gfx.

***

In-game names can be altered by modifying the file

weaponnames.txt

in the

Soldat/Txt

folder.

***

Lastly is the Weapons Mod, abbreviated as WM. The WM is edited by opening the file

Soldat/weapons.ini

and editing the values in there. Follow the instructions in the file and it will be quite easy. Some weapons have special intrinsics that cannot be modified, such as the fact that the Desert Eagle shoots 2 of anything; the Barrett's scope is built-in and tied to the entity fired (thereby your camera will be affixed to the object fired; if you have the Barrett shoot grenades, the camera will follow the arc of the grenade until it blows up or you release from crouch or prone); and the knife throwing intrinsic.

***

Before you do all this, make a copy of the folders:

Weapons-gfx
Guns
Txt

And place them inside the folder Soldat/Mods/[Your Mod]

Now make folders:

Interface-gfx
Sfx

And place the folder Guns in Interface-gfx.
Then copy all the sounds you want to modify and place them into the folder Sfx in [Your Mod] and copy Weapons.ini into [Your Mod].

***

Once done, you can run [Your Mod] by executing the program Start.exe and selecting [Your Mod] and then clicking "Run Soldat Modded."

[Radical Terrorist]

I am SO Bookmarking this page...
Thanks tons Espadon.

[Mangled*]

I am SO Bookmarking this page...
Thanks tons Espadon.

He posts those fecking shading tutorials in every thread where someone is asking for modding help or shading help

Honestly.. you can't go far without finding them

[Henito Kisou]

I am SO Bookmarking this page...
Thanks tons Espadon.

He posts those fecking shading tutorials in every thread where someone is asking for modding help or shading help

Honestly.. you can't go far without finding them

Most annoying part:

I opted for a photorealistic pixelling technique instead of the "tried-and-true" methods shown above.

Yes, photorealistic dead pictures, these "tried-and-true" methods shown above are based on living/moving reality, real world, not static images.

[Espadon]

Most annoying part, ahem, is that I only posted those 'tutorials' twice, both in the same context. Mangled, if I took the time to search, I can find you that the hypocrite here would be Henito, closely followed by Skykanden [or the other way around. Something like that]. I'll admit to being too damn lazy to write a detailed tutorial going over all the various ways people shade, etc., but I don't give a twat, so those are the only ones I could find back when I wrote the finking thing. YOU go make a new shading picture and I'll stick in in, gladly.

Henito. Shut up. All your retarded morpho-dorpho psycho punk sh*t should be replaced by real skills. Learn color theories and take an art course or something. Skykanden's better. Even Gingerspam's better. I don't want to hear any more of your ridiculously worded explanations. Your arguments are good and valid, but I think you're overrating yourself in your art prowess. Who am I to be judging you? Okay, sure, I suck too with my "dead" sprites, but your graphics sure ain't hell livin' or breathin' either.

[O.R.I.O.N.]

Whee, flameage.

*sits back and watches*

[Mangled*]

Ah right I assumed it was just 1 person who always posted them... but actually yes Henito and Skylanden do post them.

Why don't they just get pinned in a tutorial topic?

[Espadon]

I was about to suggest that when I posted this thing, but I want to actually revise the stuff above a bit and do some serious spriting tutorials before that.

[Mangled*]

I'd do my own shading/weapon making tutorial... but I'm a tight arse and I don't want people leeching my skills and style. I learned for my self, and I think people should learn for themselves.

Also since I've been studying degree level art for 3 years, I know all about colour theory, proportion translation and shape. I've also studied mechanical and practical design of weapons in my own time... understanding how the internal mechanisms work, distinguishing weapon types etc...

[PapaSurf]

Settle down children.  Espadon, a bit angry there.  There's no need to flame in threads.  If you have a dispute with someone, that's what PM's are for.

Henito, I have no idea what you're talking about. 

Mangled, keep it cool.  Espadon is merely helping him out.  Maybe it would be a good idea to post a tutorial topic and sticky it.  Espadon, can I leave that to you?  You did a good job with this one so maybe you'd like to do it.

[Henito Kisou]

---
Ok, private "mission" finally accomplished, there's necessary just one, single topic, always on top in Modding Help section
---
I nevers said about that above, only 1st time, and never again, so dont try repeat this.
---
Also I remember when someone told you about gradient style in HLT topic, you told me about same thing in my style TLP to must react somewhere.
---
Better or worster modders/styles doesn't exist in real life, only respected and accepted, damned, throwed or regular.
---

[-Skykanden-]

Wait.... Espadon, wtf are you saying? So now you call me hypocrite, or I'm just confused? What hell I've done? I mean... i didn't posted anything about those tutorials and here the people start flaming someone that is not on the discussion, don't take it bad, but i don't flamed you in any situation so i don't know why everyone is doing it, and i don't say it for me, because... just everyone started flaming for some stupid tutorials? Henito... Espadon is a good modder and his shadding is so well, nothing more to say bout it, is his style! And No one is obligated to post tutorials, I'm saying it in Mangled's defense, so now that this topic changed the discussion... i suggest about make a topic, to put the tutorials (with permission to don't have problems) and clear!

[Henito Kisou]

Wait.... Espadon, wtf are you saying? So now you call me hypocrite, or I'm just confused? What hell I've done? I mean... i didn't posted anything about those tutorials and here the people start flaming someone that is not on the discussion, don't take it bad, but i don't flamed you in any situation so i don't know why everyone is doing it, and i don't say it for me, because... just everyone started flaming for some stupid tutorials? Henito... Espadon is a good modder and his shadding is so well, nothing more to say bout it, is his style! And No one is obligated to post tutorials, I'm saying it in Mangled's defense, so now that this topic changed the discussion... i suggest about make a topic, to put the tutorials (with permission to don't have problems) and clear!

Ah screw that, He's little outdate with knowledge about my skills and judge only by old stuff without knowing any details, overgeneralise too much.

Single topic like: Modding Help -> Sticky: Modding Tutorials, updated by one person with new things.

[Dairy]

Well, I thought there is somewhere an "official tutorial" pined somewhere in the modding sections.

Leave the rest into the Fist zone...

[Henito Kisou]

Well, I thought there is somewhere an "official tutorial" pined somewhere in the modding sections.

Leave the rest into the Fist zone...

No longer pinned and outdated, that one had even tutorial in .doc, but currently is dead.