Modding units?

[GottaLove88s]

Re: Order of Battle v1.9.3 Now Available

This release fixes some issues and also add some cool new modding features.

Fixes:
• Aircraft deployed in carrier can no longer "warp" to another carrier
• Strategic map fixed
• Hex grid disabling fixed
• Core aircraft disbanded while in carrier or hangar will correctly return their Air CP
• Commandos can no longer target naval units with their special attack ability
• Texture loading improvements
Editor:
• Units can be filtered by category (land, naval, air)
• Trigger Folders: triggers can be put into folders, allowing easier management of complex scenarios
• Text field for unit starting strength
Modding:
• units.txt replaced with units.csv, allowing easier management of stats through CSV editors such as MS Excel or Google Sheets
• Mod folder support for campaign map image, commander portraits, logo and splash screen, difficulty icons and AI turn videos
• Voiceover support for campaign and scenario briefings

Has units.csv been implemented (v1.9.3)?

I've just opened the units.csv file in Numbers (Mac) and it appears to show as random cells of data, which don't entirely match the pattern of other units above and below them. Most cells still include multiple data elements separated by semicolons, so the data format doesn't really follow the top row (yet).

What I really want to know is...

(i) If I want to mod unit characteristics, do I just alter the units.csv file and then save it where? Currently it's in \Resources\Data
(ii) It's easy to find the row for unit types. To give patrol aircraft a fuel limit, which column do I need to change?

[adherbal]

You have to use semicolon as the cell seperator, not comma.

[GottaLove88s]

You have to use semicolon as the cell seperator, not comma.

Thanks Adherbal.
If anyone else is using a Mac, you can persuade Numbers to interpret semicolons as cell separators by going to System Preferences, then Language & Region, then Advanced, then changing the Decimal to a comma... Just remember to change it back afterwards, lol!!!

[bebro]

(ii) It's easy to find the row for unit types. To give patrol aircraft a fuel limit, which column do I need to change?

Are those columns not labeled in the software you're using? It should be simply labeled "fuel" - comparable to other airplanes entries.

[GottaLove88s]

Thanks Bebro, I see it now I've figured out how to get Apple's Numbers to cooperate with semicolons as cell breaks...

[adherbal]

If you are going to mod unit stats, make sure you do it in a mod folder or you WILL break your multiplayer games.

[GottaLove88s]

Thanks Adherbal, I've just looked at my \Order of Battle folder to see how this works...

Can I check that I understand this correctly? If I want to modify eg. unit stats, I need to create a new folder in the \Mods folder, for example called \GL88maps. The scenario itself (the 3 preview.png, scenario.scz, text_english.txt files) then go into \GL88maps\Scenarios. And the updated units.csv goes into \GL88maps\Data

Is that right? Is there anything else that I need to do?

[GottaLove88s]

Ah!! If I add 'fuel' limits to recon aircraft, is the game engine smart enough to let them refuel when they return to a cruiser? Or would they have to refuel at an airfield?

[Erik2]

Using .csv format for units has its perils.

I opened the file in Microsoft Excel2013 and just saved it. No editing.
Launched the editor, all units are missing. Terrain and other stuff is also butchered. Please see screenshot.

Opened a fresh copy of the units.csv in Open Office and saved. No problems.
Pasted a bunch of modded units that worked fine earlier, saved.
When I start the mod, the game screen is black.