Modding guide section reorganization

[Dominus_Noctis]

posted on September 3rd, 2010, 5:12 pm

Last edited by Dominus_Noctis on September 4th, 2010, 3:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Hey dom.  I was reading the introduction to modding, and I was thinking.  Maybe the odf section should be two separate sections.  The weapon section being a subsection of the odf section.  It already kinda splits off near the end, but it might be easier to find if it were actually separated.


//Dom EDIT and move: Just thought that this would be a better way of ordering suggestions/improvements to this section, as it isn't exactly an error, so much as optimization and reorganization.

[Zebh]

posted on September 4th, 2010, 2:36 pm

Last edited by Zebh on September 4th, 2010, 3:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Ah, well, right now the trouble if figuring out where exactly that entire section fits best as the modding tab is undergoing some reorganization and I can't quite figure out where the ODF section fits ... it could be in the new ODF tab once that section is complete (as a sort of introduction), but not sure. 

This is the "ideal" format that should give an idea of what is needed, but if you have suggestions, they are welcome

- Parts (not a good name perhaps)
-----Models and textures
-----Units
-----Weapons
-----techtrees (perhaps in units)
-----AI
-----Map objects
-----UI

-Odf commands
-----Doca's stuff

- Tutorials and templates
-----ships and stations
-----weapons
-----factions (changing them)
-----misc if needed

-Misc
-----Fleet Ops tooltips
-----Fleetops file naming conventions
-----Fleet ops unit values
-----Modding guidelines

As you can see, some stuff has no information whatsoever, others have a little bit - but it is far from complete 

posted on September 4th, 2010, 3:24 pm

You missed the section on Voodoo 

Seriously, looking good Dom.  Keep up the good work. 

posted on September 4th, 2010, 4:25 pm

Looks good, if I could make a suggestion though.  Maybe like this:

- Visual/effects
-----Bitmaps
-----UI(this comes first because it explains the most about textures and weapon sprites)
-----Models and textures
-----Weapon sprites
-----Fleet Ops tooltips(I think these are a visual thing)

-Units
-----Ship odfs (these are minor sections in my introduction.  They aren't very big but they should be seperate)
-----Weapon odfs "
-----Station odfs "
-----Misc odfs(like borg modules and warpin)
-----Map objects(I'll add this to my guide if you want)
-----AI

-Odf commands
-----Doca's stuff

- Tutorials and templates
-----ships and stations
-----weapons
-----factions (changing them)
-----misc if needed
-----Bug Check list(I will be writing this soon enough)

-Misc
-----Fleetops file naming conventions
-----Fleet ops unit values
-----Modding guidelines


What do you think?

posted on September 4th, 2010, 5:07 pm

The pages should be by subject, as much as possible. This "UI(this comes first because it explains the most about textures and weapon sprites)" doesn't work, because it must be assumed that visitors don't necessarily check that page, ie. if they are only interested in weapon sprites or models and textures.

All about each subject should be covered in their pages. New information about certain topic shouldn't be revealed on other pages than its own page. Of course, if something is important it can be mentioned also on other pages, but it should also be included in the specific page too.

posted on September 4th, 2010, 5:31 pm

To add on to that, I'm having serious trouble reorganizing those sections, because there just isn't enough information there, and I don't know if there is overlap all the time because they are very brief overviews in most cases (for instance, sound editing).

For instance, overlap areas are UI - bitmaps are largely UI, and the sprites examples you put are all UI... but then of course there are weapon sprites... and sods for weapons... so reorganizing this is seriously frustrating.

What I'll do is reorganize the entire section, display all sections even if there is nothing there, so that you can pick and choose what you want to write. If you feel more comfortable writing tutorials, that is ok - just try to be careful when writing the individual page info that you don't have so much overlap as Zebh said and just stick to the facts (I had to do pretty thorough editing of each section of the original intro to keep them readable, as nonnative English speakers might have a bit of trouble with how informal some of those sections became  )

posted on September 4th, 2010, 10:37 pm

Sorry about that.  I was trying to make them less formal, and more personal, maybe friendly.  It was ment to be read as a single guide, but I'll try to make the sections more stand alone in the future.  That way they can be separated without having to be in a certain order or rely on each others information .

Though I'm a little busy with other projects atm, hopefully I"ll be able to do more later this next week.  I'll try to get it all sorted out for you.


If you could give me the exact order or what sub sections will be where, I might be able to easier categorize the sections in my document version, and make it easier on you guys to put it in.  i understand I'm only writing a small section of this, but i don't want it to be more of a hassle to put it in than it has to be.

posted on September 4th, 2010, 11:03 pm

Yup, no problem - the organization should now be fairly stable I hope. If you see anything missing, feel free to point out .

Modding - The Hitchhiker's Guide to Fleet Operations

Likewise, it's ok to work on whatever you think you'd be the best candidate for If you like writing tutorials more than describing how to texture or something, that's perfectly alrighty 

posted on September 4th, 2010, 11:14 pm

Heh, well the biggest thing  won't be able to talk about is the AI as that is one aslect very few people know about, and I have never learned about how to make build lists, ect.  Even some at MSFC hinted that it is mostly trial and error.

And I am gonna start on tutorials as soon as I"m done with the introductory sections.  What i have written so far is simple an explanation of some of the features in FO and a2 in general.  'Soon' I'll begin to write instructions on how to go out and get any ship you want and add it to the game with UI, weapons, how to a ranks, hopefully everything you need for it to seamlessly fit into FO, AI and system values asside.  Hopefully the Devs can help with those parts.

I"ll include information on how to add a ship to warpin and how to add engine glows aswell.  You might want to get TUN to help with Borg modules as that is another thing I have yet to explore.

Sound good?

posted on September 4th, 2010, 11:16 pm

Sure, just remember it's all words 'till it's actually written down . I'd love for other modders to get involved too, but that will take more time since everybody is always busy