[REQ] (S3ditor) Can anybody help me create .dat file?

[Nisgeis]

What problem are you having? Are you copying the flag nodes and then assigning a material, with new flag graphic to the object?

EDIT: You may get a better response posting this in the SH4 Mod forum instead.

[conus00]

Originally Posted by Nisgeis

What problem are you having? Are you copying the flag nodes and then assigning a material, with new flag graphic to the object?

I just don't know how the nodes work in principle... i.e. what's tied to what.
I know how to assign new graphics to the object but the structure of the .dat file is complete mystery to me.

[peabody]

Originally Posted by conus00

I just don't know how the nodes work in principle... i.e. what's tied to what.
I know how to assign new graphics to the object but the structure of the .dat file is complete mystery to me.

The nodes with the colored circles in front are the material nodes which contain the image of the flag.
The other nodes are for the mesh and animation.
Some countries have two flags, one civilian and one military and usually have an m or a C somewhere in the name.

Picture one shows the Material/texture or the picture of the flag. Notice at the right side there is a place to import/export the image.



The next picture is with the FLG node selected. Notice the Material Box has the material from the other picture which you put in using the "Add" button.

If you click the "3D Model" node you will see the ID listed at the top of the window for the 3D model is the number after "Model ID"



So to make a new flag you can copy an existing flag and then you need to import a new image and change the name "Japan" and give the nodes new IDs.

Here is dat file file I used in the example, you can play with your own flag images and then do a Remap IDs and import the dat into the flag.dat using "File/Import/dat file" and do it again with another flag.

http://www.filefront.com/15665911/Flagtemplate.dat

Peabody

[conus00]

I'm getting close but still getting error: "The node is referencing a model, but the index of the model is higher then the index of the node."

What does that mean?
THX

[Nisgeis]

See where it says 'Index' in the right hand panel? The 'index' of the 3D Object node has to be lower than the 'parent' node that references it.

In the screenshot above, the parent node 'Node - Japan_FLG' has a 6: in front of it. The 3D Object below it, which that node is referencing has an index of 3, and the sub controller 4 and 5. You have to move the 3D objet so that it has a higher index, by either typing in the index number directly into the index box, or clicking the 'move index up/down' buttons.

[conus00]

How are indexes related to each other? Are they just random numbers?
Also will it not change the order of "items" in left-hand column?

THX

[peabody]

Originally Posted by Nisgeis

See where it says 'Index' in the right hand panel? The 'index' of the 3D Object node has to be lower than the 'parent' node that references it.

In the screenshot above, the parent node 'Node - Japan_FLG' has a 6: in front of it. The 3D Object below it, which that node is referencing has an index of 3, and the sub controller 4 and 5. You have to move the 3D objet so that it has a higher index, by either typing in the index number directly into the index box, or clicking the 'move index up/down' buttons.

3 is lower than 6.

There must be something else wrong. Can you have an index of 0? I think you can, but I am not positive.

@conus00,
Did you use this example or try a different one? Nisgeis is absolutely right (he usually is) the 3D model MUST have a lower index than the "parent node" and that is what the error is telling you.

I will test this to see if maybe when it gets imported it will change the numbers, so maybe the import is the problem, it's been a long time since I imported a .dat file.



Peabody

[conus00]

I found the problem: the new Node is still linked to the original model.
How do I change Linked 3D model "Model ID" to a different model?

@peabody: I just PM'd you. Can you, please, check out the attached files and help me out?
THANKS!

[Nisgeis]

Originally Posted by peabody

3 is lower than 6.

There must be something else wrong. Can you have an index of 0? I think you can, but I am not positive.

I was referring to your screenshot, which is correct, as an example of what it should look like when it's working . Yes you can have an index of zero.