[archaic0]

OK, so I've been playing RA2 for years now, but I don't have any idea where to start moding things. I know I'm supposed to edit INI files, but I can't find them to edit.

Is there a tutorial out there somewhere that starts from the beginning?

I also was wonderring if a few things I wanted to do are possible... like adding a supply limit like StarCraft and adding the fog of war like StarCraft?

Thanks in advance for the help.

[Xgamer]

you have to extract the ini files from the files with the .mix extension. You can do this by going to http://xccu.sf.net and downloading XCC mixer.

After running it, you'll see that the program is divided into two sections. There's actually a third section hidden between the two sections. Open up the hidden section.

Click through "File" => Found => Red Alert 2 => ra2.mix. In the left section double click on local.mix. Now browse through the left section and find the ini files rules.ini (to start). In the middle frame (the one you revealed), browse to the location where you want to extract the files to. Right click on rules.ini (in the left section) and click "Copy".

You will now find rules.ini in the location where you extracted it to. From there, you can open it up and take a look around.

To apply your changes, just stick rules.ini in the same directory as Red Alert2.

As to your other questions, its possible to put a limit on how many of a single unit can be built, although I don't think you can have an overall limit. Fog of War cannot be added.

[Infraid]

you can take a look there
this is a similar topic 'bout where and a little how to start modding... hope it'll help

[archaic0]

OK, so I'm playing around with changing the GI first to make him a superGI. But what about adding an entirely new unit?

I want to add a new spy and a new GI... I can copy those sections, but what else do I need to edit to add them?

I'll use the same art for now, except a different button to make them so that the new name is shown.

Feel free to point me to online tutorials.

Thanks for being such a helpful group!

[DCoder]

All infantry units have to be listed in [InfantryTypes], otherwise they'll be ignored and unused in the game. So find the [InfantryTypes] and stick your unit's codename into it, with a unused number.

[archaic0]

That will make the game see it, but what will it use for a cameo, or do I have to define that seperately in order to be able to use the new guy?

[archaic0]

oh, and what's with Spammer by my avatar?

[Infraid]

First thing's about this forum option : if you've forgotten smth or want to change another thing, use the Edit button on your post, instead of creating a new post (that'll be easier to view..)

Second, the Spammer should go off after a certain number of post, you'll see by yourself soon enough....

At last, if you'd like to change the cameo of your new GI, you'll have to give to give its own section in the Art.ini...
to give an explanation of how it works :

=== IN RULES ===
for a section called [NEWGI] :
- if there's a tag called "Image=GIJOE" then it'll look the Art.ini for a section called [GIJOE] and use all its arts properties.
- else it'll look the Art.ini for a section called [NEWGI], ie: the name of your rules entry.

=== IN ART ===
for a section called [NEWGI] :
- if there's a tag called "Image=GIJOE" then it'll look the Art.ini fo a section called [GIJOE] and use all its arts properties. BUT if you add tags such as "Cameo=" and "AltCameo=" in the [NEWGI] section, it'll override the [GIJOE] tags...
- else, it'll use all its arts properties. In that case, you must have a newgi.shp in your game directory.

what you should do IMO :

- open Rules.ini
- remove any tag called "Image=" of your [NEWGI], or put "Image=NEWGI"
- open Art.ini
- create a new section called [NEWGI]
- add the tag "Image=E1" (== image of the GI, not sure it's that)
- add the tag "Cameo=newgiicon" and "AltCameo=newgiuico"
- close your inis
- add your new cameos in your game dir, they should be in .shp format
- finish

In fact, that's how I'd do, but if some find errors (should be with E1 or Cameo=), or have a better idea....... :scared:

[DCoder]

GI's image is called GI, and conscript's - CONS.

[archaic0]

so what if I just use IMAGE=CONS for now... will that then make a conscript art appear in my ally menu for my new unit?

I'm just messing with the rules right now, so I'll get to art once I have something I want to keep.

How do I put a build limit on one unit?