Need A Tutorial WIKI for SH5 Moders?

[ShoCkwaVe]

I have been searching threw Tutorials,Tools and Howto's
& I am noticing a bad trend..

There really isn't anything organized covering specifics on
learning Mod Fundamentals by catagory of interests
especially for scripting..

So basicly we may have a few people browsing threw the forums
who may be interested in moding who would very much enjoy helping
or contributing efforts but don't know how to, or where to start.

Then there are those who are actively working on mods who
have already picked up valuable skills perhaps only by learning bits & pieces
carried over from sh3&4 however even they are not documenting anything
specific for others to carry on the legacy.

so what we are left with is a game with a few tools and no proper
step by step manuals covering specifics.

give a monkey a computer without a manual and he throws crap @ it..
give a monkey a computer with a manual he wipes his rear with it
Teach him how to use the manual and he starts typing..

no school room = no moders = no mods

Disbanded GWX Team = sigh


<Edit>

I changed the thread name so that moders now have a place to ask
questions & get answers since there is no wiki.

so if you have a question pertaining to moding sh5
spam your mod related questions here & get answers from
veterans who wish to help Teach.

[Zedi]

I was struggling for more than a month to do a simple mod, but I gotta give it up. Any "howto mod in SH" tips/tutorials are like the SH5 manual .. useless :/

[reaper7]

Did you see the one that I made some time back for SH5. Its basic enough as I was just starting to learn to Mod at the time.

Here's a link: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=165968

I plan to do some scripting Tutorials at some stage. But with my WIP UI Mod, I just don't have the time yet - hopefully soon. :yeah:

[Zedi]

No, I saw only karamazovnew [TEC] Menu Editor tutorial (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=163118) found into the "how to mod" sticky. It's long, well written, but useless for n00bs. That tutorial is mostly for moders who already were used with the SH3-4 moding.

I will take a look right now in ur tutorial, maybe is more nub friendly. Thank you.

[reaper7]

It takes a couple of reads to get through it, but definitly wort it. It was the first tutorial that got me started down the Modding path.
If you can get through it you'll have no problem working in the Menu Editor.
It deal's a great amount on scalling - which you'll need to understand to get thing looking properly in game. :up:

I recommend you print it out along with my own more basic cutdown version.
You'll be modding in no time :yeah:

[Zedi]

Oke, I read it all and it's really good.. but still not enough for what I need. To be more precise.. I found no tutorial about how to add stuff.. like images, buttons and actions. Lemme try explain what I wanna do. Is a 3 step mod, starting with something easy and evolving in something more complex. There is more than a month since I try to extend the stock UI with a "simple" bar for fuel and few very basic crew command. I found in the DefaultLayout an empty action bar like you can see it in the pic here (the empty bar down in the right corner):

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1113/4732527464_54916e1603_b.jpg

My plan was to make this little action bar a double action bar for fuel monitoring and crew management. Something like this:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1159/4731907253_cf93f428d4.jpg

When you hold Ctrl or push the switch button, you will get a crew bar where you will be able to give some basic commands to the crew in the middle of a battle, like asking fuel power from engines, heat up torpedoes.. the very basic stuff that is missing from the stock UI.

This is part of a bigger plan, where I wanted to rework a bit the stock UI, but strictly keeping the SH5 style, nothing from any previous version. Main goal was to move the XO dialog panel on the left side and leave the periscope clean. Just to keep it short, here is my final goal:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1249/4732527506_0dc302e651_b.jpg

Now.. I supose you can imagine that a nub with the tutorials given here, can't do that, is just a dream. I would be happy to make only a fuel bar, but as I said, even that is almost impossible to do for a nub because there is no tutorial for how to add buttons, actions, how to link them to existing commands in the game and so on. This part is not covered at all. This is my pain and is what about the OP talked about too.

[PL_Andrev]

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1249/4732527506_0dc302e651_b.jpg



Wooooow!
This version of HUD is... amazing! Wonderful work!
It is great!!!
:yeah:

[Zedi]

Yeah thank you, but I can't find a way to make it happen. There is more than a month since I struggle to make at least a part of it with no luck. :(

So I have to ask the more experienced moders.. is this even possible to build up such a mod with the tools given? Or I'm hunting dead ducks here...

[TheDarkWraith]

Yeah thank you, but I can't find a way to make it happen. There is more than a month since I struggle to make at least a part of it with no luck. :(

So I have to ask the more experienced moders.. is this even possible to build up such a mod with the tools given? Or I'm hunting dead ducks here...

yes possible except for the crew part. Can't get the crew dialogs to show short of clicking on crew member still :damn:

[Madox58]

I have been searching threw Tutorials,Tools and Howto's
& I am noticing a bad trend..

There really isn't anything organized covering specifics on
learning Mod Fundamentals by catagory of interests
especially for scripting..

So basicly we may have a few people browsing threw the forums
who may be interested in moding who would very much enjoy helping
or contributing efforts but don't know how to, or where to start.

Then there are those who are actively working on mods who
have already picked up valuable skills perhaps only by learning bits & pieces
carried over from sh3&4 however even they are not documenting anything
specific for others to carry on the legacy.

so what we are left with is a game with a few tools and no proper
step by step manuals covering specifics.

give a monkey a computer without a manual and he throws crap @ it..
give a monkey a computer with a manual he wipes his rear with it
Teach him how to use the manual and he starts typing..

no school room = no moders = no mods

Disbanded GWX Team = sigh

First,
The GWX Team was never disbanded!
I quote:

"Effective immediately, we are retiring the GWX4 project and I am releasing the GWX team from all actual or implied developmental responsibilities.

We do reserve the right to hold the titles "The Grey Wolves Project" and/or "GWX" for future consideration... (I think that after all this time we've earned the rights to our own name.) Myself and Jimbuna will continue to oversee GWX interests that remain (detail management following the closure of the project) but without any expectation or obligation to start again with Silent Hunter V at some date in the future."


That is a stand down order.
Not a disband order!


Secondly,
You haven't noticed anything that is different from way back!
There are threads with all the information needed.
They just get buried with time and massive amounts of crap.
That's why many use other forums to try to keep a handle on information.

And lastly,
Tools take time!
I'm sure just 3 months after SH4 came out,
S3D was where it is now.
Right?
Not even close!

I see that you worked other Mods for other Games.
I respect that.

One thing that won't happen here?
A solid Wiki thingy.

It's to dynamic and to self involved at this time.
There are a lot of Egos that need stroked.
:nope:

[ShoCkwaVe]

First,
The GWX Team was never disbanded!

Respectfully, I am well aware of all that & simply stating disbanded
rather then retired from feeling obligated

& you missed the point of the statement

Disbanded GWX = all those skills lost & not being used/exampled from
due to real life situations. not good nor bad, just simply stating.


Secondly,
You haven't noticed anything that is different from way back!

yes I have

I have noticed how much harder it is even to modify the simplist of things
when compared to sh3 :shifty:

new version = new features = new bug todo list
= released patched fixes a few things & breaks several other things
= pissed off moders who have to relearn/convert/fix outdated code.

the cycle is endless.


There are threads with all the information needed.

um no :nope:

They just get buried with time and massive amounts of crap.

agree, unorganized-spamloaded foriums @ it's worst ..
I have a hard enough time finding my own posts..
links are outdated & mostly take you to dead or non existent.


That's why many use other forums to try to keep a handle on information.


you must have Alot of time to go searching - I don't


And lastly,
Tools take time!

only *T0ol* I would really like 2 see @ this point is an organized
WIKI for syntax code with well referenced fundamentals explaining
every tag :yep:

Hopefully a mod group will eventually team up & document covering all
aspects of a mod example Template for others to learn in.

making it "you know" easier to learn & not easier to get frustrated & give up.

gluck guys back to OMEGU Monsun I go

Heres to swimmin with boldlegged women Arr m8 T *Gulp* :arrgh!:

[Zedi]

yes possible except for the crew part. Can't get the crew dialogs to show short of clicking on crew member still :damn:

I know you said that once.. but I have to ask.. will not work even if u copy/paste the whole dialog panel and then mod it? I'm thinking logical, not practical..


/ontopic
Sadly, is no help for new wannabe moders, it's a shame that many tutorials got buried and no wonder that is such a slow motion in moding SH5. I don't think that any experienced moder or team will waste time making an extensive tutorial covering all aspects of moding.

I think all who wanna mod will have to "earn the right", so everything is narrowed on search and learn. Which is a shame because is no gain in spending so much time learning from 0 for nothing. This is not a job, is something we do for fun and help the community and this frakin game to survive.

[reaper7]

Oke, I read it all and it's really good.. but still not enough for what I need. To be more precise.. I found no tutorial about how to add stuff.. like images, buttons and actions. Lemme try explain what I wanna do. Is a 3 step mod, starting with something easy and evolving in something more complex. There is more than a month since I try to extend the stock UI with a "simple" bar for fuel and few very basic crew command. I found in the DefaultLayout an empty action bar like you can see it in the pic here (the empty bar down in the right corner):

My plan was to make this little action bar a double action bar for fuel monitoring and crew management. Something like this:

When you hold Ctrl or push the switch button, you will get a crew bar where you will be able to give some basic commands to the crew in the middle of a battle, like asking fuel power from engines, heat up torpedoes.. the very basic stuff that is missing from the stock UI.

This is part of a bigger plan, where I wanted to rework a bit the stock UI, but strictly keeping the SH5 style, nothing from any previous version. Main goal was to move the XO dialog panel on the left side and leave the periscope clean. Just to keep it short, here is my final goal:

Now.. I supose you can imagine that a nub with the tutorials given here, can't do that, is just a dream. I would be happy to make only a fuel bar, but as I said, even that is almost impossible to do for a nub because there is no tutorial for how to add buttons, actions, how to link them to existing commands in the game and so on. This part is not covered at all. This is my pain and is what about the OP talked about too.

Hi Magnum what you wish to achive is very possible. I have achieved similar stuff in my UI. The best way to learn is to look at other peoples work and retrofit it to suit yours.
You are welcome to use my Mod for your purposes copying any parts of the scripts etc to modify to your needs.

Its easier to Mod for SH5 than SH4/3 via the Menu Editor as you can visually see positioning to other items etc instantly.

The method metod to learn would be to open up a script find an item and trace what its doing find it in the Menu Editor and see how its implemented. Then rinse and repeat. It takes time but you'll get there.

[Zedi]

Well, there is a problem. TDW has some strong copyright stuff in his mod, so I avoid his work much as possible. Your mod.. is going in to the ancient SH3 style, exactly the oposite I want. So I'm kinda.. "home alone". No xp moder will help me, no support from devs, no tutorials in moding, so actually I'm all alone in the dark.

Point is that there is a LOT of people (registered to subsim or not) who would love to have a real extended SH5 UI, not an ancient and old SH3 UI full with dials and sh1t from previous SH. Why? Simple because in SH5 we have a full 3d sub. I know.. very old people have some very hard issues in moving into a 3d space.. like climb a f'ing leader, but they y r not ma target. They prefer to teleport instead of takin' a walk. If ur not able to climb a simple leader.. than stay home and use teleport, SH5 is not for you!

I wanna do this so bad, but .. I have to give up. I'm workin in the interface design field and I know very good how much pain in the ass is to work with the "script guys". Anyting I do is a "omg this is not possible", so I had to learn css all alone just to prove these fuks that is possible. Moding SH5 is not an easy task, but I'm sure soon as I learn the basic .. I'm good 2 go.

[reaper7]

Well, there is a problem. TDW has some strong copyright stuff in his mod, so I avoid his work much as possible. Your mod.. is going in to the ancient SH3 style, exactly the oposite I want. So I'm kinda.. "home alone". No xp moder will help me, no support from devs, no tutorials in moding, so actually I'm all alone in the dark.

Point is that there is a LOT of people (registered to subsim or not) who would love to have a real extended SH5 UI, not an ancient and old SH3 UI full with dials and sh1t from previous SH. Why? Simple because in SH5 we have a full 3d sub. I know.. very old people have some very hard issues in moving into a 3d space.. like climb a f'ing leader, but they y r not ma target. They prefer to teleport instead of takin' a walk. If ur not able to climb a simple leader.. than stay home and use teleport, SH5 is not for you!

I wanna do this so bad, but .. I have to give up. I'm workin in the interface design field and I know very good how much pain in the ass is to work with the "script guys". Anyting I do is a "omg this is not possible", so I had to learn css all alone just to prove these fuks that is possible. Moding SH5 is not an easy task, but I'm sure soon as I learn the basic .. I'm good 2 go.


I can tell you straight away its possible. There is nothing in your Mockup interface that I have't done in my Mod there just graphically different.
My Xo Dialog Rec Man is bacically what you have in your top left panel just without the integrated look. (The Ship pic in your Mockup for example will only be possible if you use my V2.0 Recognition manual mod as your base - it took me a long time to workaround Hardcoded sliding page in stock. Its still there slighly but only just so now it has only one page not three.)


The rest can be easily achived by just placing the XO Dialog page at a higher order than the laypout page, so the XO officer icon is always on top. (What you got to remember is items do not need to be on the same page in the Menu Editor to have the llok of being on the same page ingame - you just need to place things correctly regards anchor points and scalling and there order levels)
Now you'll need to create your graphics so that when the any of the optics are not in use that the panel has a closed look ie. only the torpedo fire control is showing. (The reason for this is the SH5 XO dialog box is hardcoded to be hidden when outside of the optic viewpoints - I have tried to get around this but no go).
Then you can script the rest to show as in your screenshots when you enter the optics.

I was where you are now 3 mths ago. I had no previous modding experience. But everything tutorial wise from sh3/4 is still relevant to Sh5 - its just done via the menu editor instead of the 1024.ini file so its a lot easier.

I still recommend you install my mod and go through it via the editor and scripts to see how I changed things to work from stock etc.
It does not have the look you want - but it does contain 100% of the methods you need to achieve yours.:03: