Quote:
Originally Posted by propbeanie
s7rikeback has some info on loadouts and setting them up on his web site. Let me see if I can find those... He'll probably beat me to it though, since it is storming in the area, thunder and lightning, and power outages... sigh...  |
Just checking in...
From a team member with FotrsU
Loadout Description by CapnScurvy
Loadouts are a way of having a unit carry different things, at different times.... determined by the units "Properties" page of the Mission Editor. By having the Mission files use a certain "loadout", you can have a plane carry 2, 500 lb bombs one time, and on another mission, have the same plane carry a torpedo, or carry 6, 200 pounders. The loadout has to be pre setup in both the units .eqp file, and defined in its .cfg file.
Let's take a look at the ATBS_Swordfish plane as an example....open up its .cfg file. You'll find three different loadouts "Named":
[Loadout 1] Name=Torpedo Type=4
[Loadout 2] Name=3x100Kg Bombs Type=2
[Loadout 3] Name=1x250Kg 2x100 Bombs Type=2
These names need to be exact for the three different "Named" loadouts that are found in the planes .eqp file. BUT, first you have to define the "Basic" planes equipment before getting to the extra loadout equipment that's "optional" to be used. Here's the "Basic" equipment that will be carried by the plane if no other optional "loadout" is used:
[Equipment 1] NodeName=B02 LinkName=NULL
[Equipment 2] NodeName=T01 LinkName=SH_Torpedo_Mk13
[Equipment 3] NodeName=B01 LinkName=NULL
[Equipment 4] NodeName=A01 LinkName=20mmSingleAir
[Equipment 5] NodeName=P01 LinkName=Pilot_Plane
[Equipment 6] NodeName=P02 LinkName=Pilot_Plane
All of the above goes into the units basic equipment inventory if no other loadout is used. This is important, because MANY of the stock game planes did not have a "basic" inventory of equipment. No bombs, no bombing! No Machine Gun to fire, the plane just fly's around without a care.
The above has two pilots (P01, P02), linked to their 3D model "Pilot_Plane". It has a machine gun linked to the A01 node, "20mmSingleAir". It has a torpedo in the T01 node position, linked to the 3D model "SH_Torpedo_Mk13". AND, no bombs (NULL) at the two B01, B02 node positions of the .dat model.
Notice the above does not have a "Loadout=" line as the following does. This tells you this is the "Basic" equipment loadout for the plane. It will always have this inventory whenever the plane is called on to appear in-game. ========
In contrast to the "Basic" inventory found in the planes .eqp file, there are three others.....Torpedo; 3x100Kg Bomb; 1x250Kg 2x100 Bombs. Notice the addition of the line "Loadout=Torpedo" below. This is the group of equipment that goes with the "Named" Torpedo loadout group: ;
Torpedo Loadout definition
[Equipment 7] NodeName=B02 LinkName=NULL Loadout=Torpedo
[Equipment 8] NodeName=T01 LinkName=SH_Torpedo_Mk13 Loadout=Torpedo
[Equipment 9] NodeName=B01 LinkName=NULL Loadout=Torpedo
[Equipment 10] NodeName=A01 LinkName=20mmSingleAir Loadout=Torpedo
[Equipment 11] NodeName=P01 LinkName=Pilot_Plane Loadout=Torpedo
[Equipment 12] NodeName=P02 LinkName=Pilot_Plane Loadout=Torpedo
Now you may ask, Why does the Torpedo group look exactly like the "Basic" group? What's the reason for having two?
I'm guessing that the reason was initially the "Basic" didn't carry anything. And since many of the mission files had the "Basic" inventory as the planes equipment "Loadout" already, by having the "Basic" actually have a torpedo, gave the plane one to use without going through the entire Campaign Mission files.
This loadout feature can be used for more than just plane armaments. Look into the Fotrs NDD_Shiratsuyu ship unit .cfg file. You'll find this:
[Loadout 1] Name=Flakversion Type=1
Go to the ships .eqp file and you'll see what the "Flakversion" named group of equipment inventory is. It changes several of the guns to AA Flak guns making it a more defensive ship unit than the "Basic" version. As a mission builder, you decide which version you wish to use, for the situation at hand. So, by having a couple of different "Loadout" groups for those landing craft, you can decide when making your mission to have them load soldiers, trucks, crates, whatever. As long as the group is specifically "Named", and its "linked" to a good 3D model, you can have many different pieces of inventory displayed.
hope this helps.