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Old 09-15-05, 08:07 PM   #283
OlegM
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Join Date: Dec 2001
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OK I said some time ago I'd give short tutorial on how to change the data in USNI database to match the changes in mod (this mod or any other mod).

I think it's really simple and intuitive, but if you never edited it before may be confusing at first.

First find usnidata.grp and usnidata.ndx in DW graphics folder. Make backup, copy at safe place blah etc.

Graphics files in DW (and that includes usnidata) are stored in archives, much like Zip or RAR archives. All USNI data (text and photos, not 3D models though) is stored within usnidata.grp file. Unlike Zip and RAR archives, DW .GRP files have external index file, with extension .NDX.

Now take decmpress command line utility, available at many DW sites (Subguru Bill has it, if not ask me and I'll send it to you).

Use command line utility to decompress the usnidata file(s).

Syntax is: decompress usnidata.ndx.

Subdirectory with contents of unsidata.grp is created.

Enter the said directory, and you'll find bunch of photos and simple TXT files describing various stuff from the game. You can easily change any TXT file to match the data you modded! You can even add new items, change or add photos etc.

Of special interest are various xxx_TOC.txt files.

TOC stands for Table of contents, and these files contain "pointers" to sub cathegories. It's really simple, open them for yourself and see.

TOC files are important if you want to add new items to USNI database. Since LWA mod so far didn't add anything, merely changed the data for existing weapons and stuff, I guess for now TOC files need not be changed at all. If you add new weapons - you'll need to change TOC files too.

OK, when you're done editing - you need to re-pack the changed and added files back into usnidata.grp, and usnidata.ndx.

This can be done in two ways.

You will need compress, small command line utility similar to already mentioned decompress, both are freely available and distributable.

First, either you can repack and rebuild the usnidata.XXX pair of files yourself, and make them available to download, in full, to whoever wants it (it's around 12 MB).

Alternative to that is that you make small installer batch file, as many graphic modders already did. Again this is so simple even I, lacking any programming skills, can do it.

Batch file has to use freely distributable compress utility to re-pack the changed and added files.

If you decide to use batch installer, and separate files instead of making whole already packed usnidata.grp for download, the whole download will be MUCH smaller. Because it will contain only the files you changed or added (plus batch installer), not the whole 12 MB USNI database.

Hope all this was clear enough - if not, PM me or ask additional questions. I think mod as complex as this (and getting more complex by each day) really needs USNI support so that players can see various data and parameters for themselves from the game itself.

Oleg
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