help me please-1st map

[craggy]

hi all. i am trying to make my first swbf2 map. reading through the documentation theres a lot that isn't covered (really basic stuff that is so frustrating not to have-and makes me feel like a 'tard). Example, I managed to make a new world, but don't know how to use zeroeditor. I read the 1st map walkthrough http://www.saturnlabs.net/Tutorial_Lava ... ge_00.html <-here, but when I open ze all I see is black. unless i put visibilty up to full and then i see white with a square of green. have tried selecting different options but it is well confusing. the map shows up in my instant action, and does work so far, but i'd like to do more than just have a flat field y'know?
I also really want to reskin some soldiers, use different armies and a whole load of other stuff, but want to start small, because, as you can see, I'm not too familiar with this sort of stuff.
I'm also looking at the jedi creation doc to see about making my own side. The doc is really helpful until it starts trying to get me to use jedi mind tricks on it and guess how to create an odf. " Let’s create his ODF, which is blank for now:" How exactly mf? Then I have to "So then, in the req folder we create the REQ" again HOW?
I'm really sorry if I am being incredibly dense, but it seems most of you are experienced enough to at least know how to do what you want to. I can't figure out any of it. Like bloody Ikea instructions.
Basically I am looking for anyone(s) willing to offer a bit of advice, who won't get stressed at how obtuse I am sometimes. Someone who's used to teaching children things maybe

[theguarder]

Have you tried to load your map when you open ZeroEditor?

[Epena]

As for skinning the troops, if you're going for reskinning an already made side, like the republic, then, the side's already made, man. You've just gotta paste it in your world's side folder, along with common. From there you can edit the tgas.

[Emraz]

When u open ZE from your world file click on load, find your ABC.wld file and the greatest button in the world after you have done this is 'F' this will raise your camera above the map so you can see whats going on.

From there on its plain sailing--- lol.

If you ever get stuck use the excellent search function on Gametoast like

placing objects
vehicles
and all that.

[craggy]

thanks for the replies folks.
guarder, i have been loading the map, but not seeing what is in it. emraz, i will try the F key tonight when i get home. See what i mean about simple things not being obvious.
epena, i am just going to reskinning existing characters, probably just with other people's skins at the moment, as i dont know how to make my own. might have the artech skills for a basic recolour or 2 and i have too many ideas, but at the moment dont want to try too much that hasnt been proven. i will try copying exisiting sides. If all goes well i'll update with an announcement of my 1st map.

[mnl1121]

craggy i actually had the same problem when i first started modding. I downloaded the mod tools (took me like 2 and a half hours on DSL) and installed them. I then created a map in visualmunge. Then went to ZE and loaded my map. I saw nothing. I eneded up getting so frustrated that i uninstalled the mod tools and deleted them. The next day i was like lets give it a try again. So since i deleted the mod tools i had to redownload them. I did it all again and played around in ZE. I finally realized that the camera is set as default to be just below the actual map. I raised the camera with the "F" key and realized how stupid i was.

So yeah just hit the "F" key and raise the camera and it will be pretty much smooth sailing from there. good luck on creating your first map.

[craggy]

1st time I dl the mod tools it wouldnt install. took ages to dl and didnt work. 2nd time was a bit quicker and works ok.
got the map working now. messed about a bit with zeroeditor, and getting into it a bit now. would have been nice to get some simple controls for the thing included, but thanks for all the help. hopefully some of you guys will be able to help as i try and get more out of my depth.

[Teancum]

They actually did include controls in the zeroEdit doc. But no biggie

[craggy]

oh! nowhere obvious. i was going step by step through the doc. like i said at the start though, probably missing something obvious. f-button! lol. and i do tech support for people!

[Tohron]

This is in the Zeroedit documentation, but I'll cover a few of the basic keyboard shortcuts here anyway.

A,W,S, and D keys: These keys can make you go straight forward, straight backward, and side to side, kind of like in the game.

8,4,2, and 6 keys on the numeric keypad: These keys make you slide forward, backward, and side to side over your map, remaining at the same height.

F and V keys: These scroll your screen up and down.

Arrow keys: These turn the camera right, left, up, and down.

"<" and ">" keys: These keys respectivly speed up and slow down the rate at which you move and rotate (very useful).

The Zeroeditor guide is a useful reference tool, and the Getting Started documentation covers several basic concepts, although be warned: the part about adding vehicles is incomplete.

[craggy]

thanks

[Penguin]

"<" and ">" keys: These keys respectivly speed up and slow down the rate at which you move and rotate (very useful).

wow, i diddn't know that one, :p now i can get in my builds or close to objects with out over shooting them.

[forresal]

"<" and ">" keys: These keys respectivly speed up and slow down the rate at which you move and rotate (very useful).

wow, i diddn't know that one, :p now i can get in my builds or close to objects with out over shooting them.

same here! been getting extremely aggravated trying to move with precision.

I hear you craggy. I have never done anything as complex as this type of modding work. the documentation, while very helpful, doesn't always seem coherent and not always easy to use or understand. but that is just my opinion and limited brain functioning!!


Hope your modding is coming along better now!!

[Penguin]

off-topic:

i find this modding easier then JKA or the Quake 3 Engine modding