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Difference between revisions of "IWTE"

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m (Removed category "Battle Map Modification - M2TW"; Quick-adding category "M2TW Battle Map Modding" (using HotCat))
(add start of units section)
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==Overview==
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{{M2TW Modding Logo}}
'''IWTE stands for ''Integrated World Terrain Editor'',  the tool is developed and maintained by [http://www.twcenter.net/forums/member.php?2026-wilddog wilddog].  It is the major tool used for modifying battlemap buildings and environments in M2TW.'''  
+
'''IWTE stands for ''Integrated World Terrain Editor'',  the tool is developed and maintained by [https://www.twcenter.net/forums/member.php?2026-wilddog wilddog].  It has been the major tool used for modifying battlemap buildings and environments in [[M2TW]].'''  
  
The tools early development was based partly on prior research and development by Argantonio and [[KnightErrant]].  
+
The tool's early development for settlements was based partly on prior research and development by Argantonio and [[KnightErrant]].  
  
It is supplied as an executable only file so does not require a python installation.  
+
IWTE has expanded over the years to handle more aspects of M2TW modding and now handles animations and unit models, the export/import process has also been expanded to cover Blender and 3dsMax as well as Milkshape.
  
The following list is a quick round up of its current capabilities :
+
IWTE is supplied as an executable only file so does not require a python installation.  
*1) Editing of .world, .worldcollision and .animinstances files (these 3 files are the main settlement files). You can completely change the models, textures, effects, lighting.
 
*2) Editing of other settlement related files eg .worldterrain, .worldpathfinding, .worldvegetation and .worldpkgdesc files.
 
*3) Editing the geography.db file directly and easily.
 
*4) Editing the vegetation.db file directly and easily.
 
*5) Adding/amending battlefield vegetation models and generation of vegetation sprites.
 
*6) It has a basic set of strat map .cas editing functions which can edit most of the stratmap stationary models e.g. residences, trees, resources etc.
 
*7) It has a simple painting process editor which supports basic editing of several file types.
 
*8) It has a texture to DDS and vice versa single or directory file conversion tool built in.
 
*9) Supports simple editing of the stratmap TGA and HGT files with files shown at correct relative sizes. This also shows a 3d view of the strat map being edited as well as selection of different colour schemes for the heights HGT map.
 
  
==Loading and Saving .world Files==
+
==Features==
 +
The following list is a quick round-up of its current capabilities for M2TW:
 +
* '''Battlemap Settlements'''
 +
:Editing of [[.world]], [[.worldcollision]], [[.animinstances]], [[.worldterrain]], [[.worldpathfinding]], [[.worldvegetation]] and [[.worldpkgdesc]] files. Using these files you can completely change the settlement layout, models, textures, effects and lighting.
 +
* '''Building Animations'''
 +
:Editing and creation of new wall, gate and tower animations.
 +
* '''Battlemap Environment'''
 +
:Editing of [[vegetation.db]], [[Descr_geography_new.db]] and [[.lighting]] files.  Adding/amending of vegetation models and generation of vegetation sprites.
 +
* '''Strat Models'''
 +
:Editing of residences, trees, resources in Milkshape/Blender/Max.  Editing of animated character .cas models (via Blender/Max only), includes the ability to chain animations together, edit and save back to separate anims.
 +
* '''Mesh Models'''
 +
:Editing of skydome mesh and banners. Editing of .mesh unit/siege models whilst merged to .cas skeleton and chained anims. Animation editing including use of animated bone_weapon groups. (via Blender/Max only)
 +
* '''Model Traversable Network'''
 +
:For siege engines, editing by conversion to .txt and back.
 +
* '''Texture Conversion'''
 +
:Single file and directory level conversion of texture>dds>texture and tga>texture
 +
* '''Campaign Map'''
 +
:Supports simple editing of the stratmap TGA and HGT files with files shown at correct relative sizes. This also shows a 3d view of the strat map being edited as well as selection of different colour schemes for the heights HGT map.
 +
* '''Image Editing'''
 +
:A simple painting process editor which supports basic editing of several file types (terrain masks can be edited shown at actual size in relation to settlement).
 +
 
 +
==Battle-map Settlement Files==
 +
For information about editing settlement models and terrain in Blender please see [[IWTE - Settlements in Blender]]
 +
===Loading and Saving .world Files===
 
Launch the IWTE.exe file - when the tool opens make sure the 'WorldFiles' tab is selected;
 
Launch the IWTE.exe file - when the tool opens make sure the 'WorldFiles' tab is selected;
  
[[File:IWTE-open-close.png]]
+
[[File:IWTE-open-close.png|200px]]
  
 
Select 'Read 3 Binary Files'.  Choose the .world, .worldcollision & .animinstances files to open when prompted, and then select a save name for the new .world.  Note; this IWTE function will not overwrite the original files, it will add _1 to the file names.
 
Select 'Read 3 Binary Files'.  Choose the .world, .worldcollision & .animinstances files to open when prompted, and then select a save name for the new .world.  Note; this IWTE function will not overwrite the original files, it will add _1 to the file names.
  
[[File:Command window.png]]
+
[[File:Command window.png|200px]]
  
 
As well as the main window IWTE will open a command window as above.  Do not attempt to type commands into this window!  Do keep an eye on the contents and watch out for any warning or error messages.
 
As well as the main window IWTE will open a command window as above.  Do not attempt to type commands into this window!  Do keep an eye on the contents and watch out for any warning or error messages.
  
When you've finished making the changes you want select 'Save 3 Binary Files'.  Find your new files and re-name them so they are used instead of the original files.
+
When you've finished making the changes you want, select 'Save 3 Binary Files'.  Find your new files and re-name them so they are used instead of the original files.
 +
 
 +
Although some changes (techtrees and textures for example) only affect the .world file, it is good practice to always swap in all three new files, so they have the same time/date and are easily identified as belonging to the correct set.
 +
 
 +
===Finding Object Numbers===
 +
Object numbers are displayed in small print on the 2d view when in "Assign Perimeters" mode, accessed from the "Gameobjects" tab.
 +
 
 +
===Using the Painter Process Function===
 +
Access the painter process by selecting the button at the top left and then select from the drop-down menus as shown in the picture below:
 +
 
 +
[[File:IWTE painter process.jpg|200px]]
 +
This function can be used to edit the following files whilst matched against a view of the structures of the .world files;
 +
*[[.worldterrain]]
 +
*[[.worldpathfinding]]
 +
*[[.worldvegetation]]
 +
*Terrain mask.texture files
 +
Those files can be opened in the painter process at the same time and the opacity values adjusted so you can see the terrain through the pathfinding etc.
 +
 
 +
===Game Objects===
 +
====Plaza====
 +
The plaza, which is the area which has to be controlled to win a settlement or fort battle, can be repositioned and re-sized with IWTE.  Use the "Gameobjects" tab, "View Plaza" button, then "Change Plaza".  To see its relationship to other features use the main "Views" tab or painter process.  From Jan2020 IWTE allows both x and y sizes of the plaza to be changed independently to allow rectangular shapes.  The 2D view now shows the nominal size of the plaza (30x30m in the example shown) and also an outer line indicating approximately where the flags will appear, which is approximately 1/3rd of the nominal size outside the nominal plaza size.<br>
 +
[[File:Two stage plaza.jpg|200px|caption=2d view of change plaza function]]      [[File:Plaza flags.jpg|200px|caption=Actual flag positions for plaza position in last image]]
 +
 
 +
==Units and Animations==
 +
For information about editing character/unit models and their animations in Blender please see [[IWTE - Units in Blender]]
 +
 
 +
==Task File Processes==
 +
Some functions of IWTE v20_09+  are controlled via text files, the text files need to be named *_task.txt.  The function is accessed from '''IWTE Task''' in the top menu bar, then select your pre-written task file from "Select Task File"
 +
 
 +
In a _task.txt file:
 +
*items enclosed in < > are commands
 +
* # will comment out a line and is used before explanatory comments
  
Although some changes (techtrees and textures for example) only affect the .world file, it it good practice to always swap in all three new files, so they have the same time/date and are easily identified as belonging to the correct set.
+
Current functions include the ability to change the names of bones within a set of .cas files, and the ability to merge unit and strat cas and mesh files with .cas animations, edit in Blender and split back into component animations.
  
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
  
* [http://www.twcenter.net/forums/downloads.php?do=file&id=2741 Download]
+
* [https://www.twcenter.net/forums/downloads.php?do=file&id=2741 Download]
  
* [http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?323503-IWTE-World-editing-(General-Discussion) Main  discussion thread]
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* [https://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?323503-IWTE-World-editing-(General-Discussion) Main  discussion thread]
  
* [http://www.twcenter.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?2047-The-IWTE-Project IWTE Project sub-forum]
+
* [https://www.twcenter.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?2047-The-IWTE-Project IWTE Project sub-forum]
  
 
[[Category:M2TW Modding]]
 
[[Category:M2TW Modding]]
 
[[Category:M2TW Battle Map Modding]]
 
[[Category:M2TW Battle Map Modding]]

Revision as of 02:27, 10 April 2021

M2TW Modding Index


IWTE stands for Integrated World Terrain Editor, the tool is developed and maintained by wilddog. It has been the major tool used for modifying battlemap buildings and environments in M2TW.

The tool's early development for settlements was based partly on prior research and development by Argantonio and KnightErrant.

IWTE has expanded over the years to handle more aspects of M2TW modding and now handles animations and unit models, the export/import process has also been expanded to cover Blender and 3dsMax as well as Milkshape.

IWTE is supplied as an executable only file so does not require a python installation.

Features

The following list is a quick round-up of its current capabilities for M2TW:

  • Battlemap Settlements
Editing of .world, .worldcollision, .animinstances, .worldterrain, .worldpathfinding, .worldvegetation and .worldpkgdesc files. Using these files you can completely change the settlement layout, models, textures, effects and lighting.
  • Building Animations
Editing and creation of new wall, gate and tower animations.
  • Battlemap Environment
Editing of vegetation.db, Descr_geography_new.db and .lighting files. Adding/amending of vegetation models and generation of vegetation sprites.
  • Strat Models
Editing of residences, trees, resources in Milkshape/Blender/Max. Editing of animated character .cas models (via Blender/Max only), includes the ability to chain animations together, edit and save back to separate anims.
  • Mesh Models
Editing of skydome mesh and banners. Editing of .mesh unit/siege models whilst merged to .cas skeleton and chained anims. Animation editing including use of animated bone_weapon groups. (via Blender/Max only)
  • Model Traversable Network
For siege engines, editing by conversion to .txt and back.
  • Texture Conversion
Single file and directory level conversion of texture>dds>texture and tga>texture
  • Campaign Map
Supports simple editing of the stratmap TGA and HGT files with files shown at correct relative sizes. This also shows a 3d view of the strat map being edited as well as selection of different colour schemes for the heights HGT map.
  • Image Editing
A simple painting process editor which supports basic editing of several file types (terrain masks can be edited shown at actual size in relation to settlement).

Battle-map Settlement Files

For information about editing settlement models and terrain in Blender please see IWTE - Settlements in Blender

Loading and Saving .world Files

Launch the IWTE.exe file - when the tool opens make sure the 'WorldFiles' tab is selected;

IWTE-open-close.png

Select 'Read 3 Binary Files'. Choose the .world, .worldcollision & .animinstances files to open when prompted, and then select a save name for the new .world. Note; this IWTE function will not overwrite the original files, it will add _1 to the file names.

Command window.png

As well as the main window IWTE will open a command window as above. Do not attempt to type commands into this window! Do keep an eye on the contents and watch out for any warning or error messages.

When you've finished making the changes you want, select 'Save 3 Binary Files'. Find your new files and re-name them so they are used instead of the original files.

Although some changes (techtrees and textures for example) only affect the .world file, it is good practice to always swap in all three new files, so they have the same time/date and are easily identified as belonging to the correct set.

Finding Object Numbers

Object numbers are displayed in small print on the 2d view when in "Assign Perimeters" mode, accessed from the "Gameobjects" tab.

Using the Painter Process Function

Access the painter process by selecting the button at the top left and then select from the drop-down menus as shown in the picture below:

IWTE painter process.jpg This function can be used to edit the following files whilst matched against a view of the structures of the .world files;

Those files can be opened in the painter process at the same time and the opacity values adjusted so you can see the terrain through the pathfinding etc.

Game Objects

Plaza

The plaza, which is the area which has to be controlled to win a settlement or fort battle, can be repositioned and re-sized with IWTE. Use the "Gameobjects" tab, "View Plaza" button, then "Change Plaza". To see its relationship to other features use the main "Views" tab or painter process. From Jan2020 IWTE allows both x and y sizes of the plaza to be changed independently to allow rectangular shapes. The 2D view now shows the nominal size of the plaza (30x30m in the example shown) and also an outer line indicating approximately where the flags will appear, which is approximately 1/3rd of the nominal size outside the nominal plaza size.
caption=2d view of change plaza function caption=Actual flag positions for plaza position in last image

Units and Animations

For information about editing character/unit models and their animations in Blender please see IWTE - Units in Blender

Task File Processes

Some functions of IWTE v20_09+ are controlled via text files, the text files need to be named *_task.txt. The function is accessed from IWTE Task in the top menu bar, then select your pre-written task file from "Select Task File"

In a _task.txt file:

  • items enclosed in < > are commands
  • # will comment out a line and is used before explanatory comments

Current functions include the ability to change the names of bones within a set of .cas files, and the ability to merge unit and strat cas and mesh files with .cas animations, edit in Blender and split back into component animations.

External Links