I have try to use the Resource manager (v0.7.0) to extract and edit XML files from art folder. My goal is to edit these files to generate a new character capable of multitasking and having multiple abilities. However, when creating a new art XML file and adding that file to the corresponding line in proto_mods.xml the game does not read the file (the character does not appear anymore). I have tried to convert this file back to XMB, but even if I do not edit anything in an XML file (for example arkantos.xml) when I try to convert this file back to XMB Resource Manager does not do a good job and the file is not exactly the same as the original, so it makes me think that Resource Manager is not working correctly for the art files.
Has anyone tried editing these art files and had the same problem as me?
Hey from what I remember from the Beta playtest you have to use json for now until the port back is fixed (dunno if this will happen)
Yes it is ugly to write and edit stuff inside. But for some reason the header of the files does not translate well from xml to xmb
so you have to to
xmb to json
json to xmb
for now
I am not sure it is just that. I have been trying to build a bew unit, and I am not able to create a new art file with a new name for that unit.
If I use a name that exist (like arkantos.xml) I can edit the file. As soon as I change the name on the file the character desapears (art file “random.xml” for example).
Anyone knows what the problem would be? I would say there is a database somewhere for the art files.
I also try to add new lines to the section of the art files and it didnt work.
Did anyone try to add new anims that could give some tips to fix this things?
Oh I forgot to add, you’d also have to move out the .bar folders just incase to be extra sure. However, I would always recommend to create a backup folder to move them to (like AOM Retold/backup/…bar files)
Otherwise you might end up redownloading the .bar files very often.
Also either unpack all or just the one you’re editing and move the specific one(s).
I also found out that deleting the .xmb files means they fall back to .xml actually.
The engine does seem to prefer the .xmb version any time though. so extracting as .xml and then removing every .xmb seems to work in favor of editing
Edit:
I forgot to mention. If you are creating entirely new .xmls with art then you have to define them in the simdata.simjson in data\gameplay from the data.Bar
Ok, apparently there is a new tipe of file “simdata.simjson” that you need to edit as well in order for the anim to work. That seems to be new since it was not needed for AOE3DE and AOM, but seems to be the file connecting the art to the data/tactics now.
It will be much more painfull tu edit now, but I try it and it works!