adding shields to a unit/structure

from Sins Forums
Here's a question I have, how can you add shields to something that doesn't have them? (trade port for example) I have tried changing the MaxShieldPoints line from 0 to a number, but all that happens ingame is a shield value is created, but it stays at 0/500 or whatever.
modding
8,206 views 13 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top
You also need to change the shield recharge value :P
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Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top
And you also need a Shield mesh!!! Without one, the game will crush if something hit the shield
Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top
Oh I forgot about that, but didn't know the game would crash. In the same file there's a line that specifies what mesh the shield uses (it's pretty obvious). Since there's probably not a shield mesh designed specifically for your structure/unit, just open an existing unit's entity file and copy the shield mesh name. The shield won't surround the thing you added it to, it will have the shape of the original unit.

If that makes any sense :P
Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top
I tried that earlier and my game was crashed.
Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top
Surely the game will not accept a shield that intercepts a model? Try a planetary shield, such as Shield_planetsmall.mesh . Just an idea.
Reply #8 from Sins Forums Top
It should. When I was messing around I gave a structure the Deliverance Engine mesh, but a Kol shield mesh - there were no visible shield impacts because the whole shield mesh wasn't bigger than the center portion of the Engine, but it ran fine.
Reply #9 from Sins Forums Top
Is there any way to resize the shield mesh?
Reply #10 from Sins Forums Top
I would assume so, but that's outside of my knowledge area :x
Reply #11 from Sins Forums Top
You can only realistically resize the mesh by creating a new model. The way meshes are stored is by storing each point and stating all the triangles that join said points used to create the model.
Reply #12 from Sins Forums Top
well I haven't had a crash yet, but maybe no one has hit my trade port yet. no mesh. no clue which one to use still with the conflicting opinions :)
Reply #13 from Sins Forums Top
You should be able to use any you like, just open up any ship file, and copy the name of the shield mesh they use. The shield mesh is going to be the same shape as the original object, so if you copy the Kol's shield mesh it's going to be exactly the bubble that surrounds a Kol, but it will work :P