Few small questions...

Main menu background scene, changing some icons, resource-consuming abilities...

from Sins Forums

Hey guys,

Been out of the Sins modding scene for a bit, but I'm picking it back up and doing fulltime production on my mod for the next 2 weeks. I'll post a development blog in the next day or two, but in the meantime I have a few questions that I'm curious if anyone knows how it's done.

1. Is there any way to specify what scene is loaded behind the menu when you first load into the game? I'm talking about the 3D planets and the camera that pans to a different planet when a button is clicked. Is there any way to load a static image, or only a certain, pre-built solar system? I want to force the solar system color scheme to always fit the UI I am designing.

2. I have sifted through the texture files and can't find the image file that contains the small resource icons (coin, metal, crystal). I want to change all 3 of these to something new; does anyone know the file these are stored in? I found coin.tga, but I don't think thats it. It should be on one of those sheets but can't find it, so if anyone knows it offhand, I'll love you forever.

3. I remember that in 1.1, they added the functionality to have an ability cost resources. I want to have a building that converts metal to crystal, but can't find the documentation on getting that scripted. Anyone got an example?

I'm sure I could figure out 2 and 3 with some time, but if anyone has done it and can post how, I appreciate the time savings. I've spent a couple hours on it already so I'm cutting my losses and cryin' for help. :)

Thanks in advance!

modding
2,616 views 2 replies
Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top

1-2! I can'trespond as texturing and UI interface is not of my domain for now!

As for No.3, look at the Fleet Beacon (aka Returning Armada) entity file and you will find a resource cost template that you can use. As for converting Metal into Crystal...I've never seen anyone attempt that and myself have never though of a conversion structure.

But to answer you're question, you could have a structure that has 2!!! abilities (damn you just gave me an AWESOME idea). First Ability is  Metal conversion, which would cost 100 metal and give you 30 crystal in return (upgradeable through research). Second ability Would be Crystal conversion 100 crystal...into 80 metal (again upgradeable through research).

How to do it????

Use any ability entity as base, format it so it aims self, then change its resource cost into either 100metal (for Metal conversion), or 100 crystal (for crystal conversion).

Now you link that ability to a buff that grants you the required resources in exchange. In this case, use the Planet Drain buff and extract its "give resources" entity, change it to Give Metal(their should be a variant for this...but cant find the name) and add the amount you wish it to give in return (30 crystal) and change the Finish condition to Time Elapsed 1 sec (more will destroy the conversion).

This is rough schematic but that WILL WORK once proparly done!

Good Luck!

 

-ShadowMastiff2468-

Galactic Civilizations III