posted on June 3rd, 2010, 1:43 pm
From my understanding (I haven't actually tried adding new avatars before, but from what I can see), to create a new avatar (or multiple avatars for a new non-FO race);
* Create multiple copies of the odf file for the structure or ship you want as the initial starter unit, you need 1 for avatar selection, and then 1 for every avatar (way more if you want to add upgrades like the Outposts in FO do, but basically for 2 avatar's you need 3 versions of the same unit). You could use the same method with naming the different versions as the FO team does, so you could do it like this:
Avatar Selection Placeholder = 8472_MothershipS.odf
Avatar1 Starter unit = 8472_MothershipY.odf
Avatar2 Starter unit = 8472_MotehrshipZ.odf
* You need to add the initial structure or ship (8472_MothershipS.odf), which is a simple placeholder for avatar selection (for federation this is [fed_outpostS.odf]. This placeholder is added as the starter ship in that race's ODF file [8472.odf].
* Add to the placeholder (8472_MothershipS.odf) as many weapons as there are avatars (add only one at a time if it lets you, no good adding lines defining files that either don't exist or are incomplete), example:
weapon1 = "avatar_8472_avatarY"
weaponhardpoints1 = "root"
weapon2 = "avatar_8472_avatarZ"
weaponhardpoints2 = "root"
Don't add a build list or anything to the placeholder, it is meant to have no function other than avatar selection, but make sure to place the build lists and pushbuilditem# lines to the mothership specific to each avatar.
* Create the Avatar's replace weapons as would be defined above. So create [avatar_8472_avatarY.odf] (copy Mayson's and change as needed). Change the Wpnname and Tooltip to the Avatar's name and change [replacement0class0 = "fed_outpostZ"] to [replacement0class0 = "8472_MothershipY"].
Then change [replacementevent = "AvatarMayson"] to [replacementevent = "AvatarAvatarY"]. Do all this for all avatars you plan to add, just replacing Y with whatever letter that replace weapon is meant for.
* In [Events.dat] (in the Data dirctory) you will find the event data for avatars after line 891 (or just search/find 'avatar'). Just create a new entry here for your avatars which you would have defined with [replacementevent = "AvatarAvatarY"] previously, example:
AvatarAvatarY{
}
* In [Dynamic_Localised_Strings.h] (in the Data directory), search for avatar_fed_mayson and copy both entries [AUTOTOOLTIP-avatar_fed_mayson.odf] and [AUTOTOOLTIP-avatar_fed_mayson.odf_WithName], then edit the copies as needed for your avatar(s).
* Create a separate version of every ship and station you intend to add for every avatar. So if you have 2 avatars, you need 2 versions of each odf. Each will be identical other than the stats which differ between the avatars. Example: Ship-A has 100 health normally, but AvatarY has a 10% bonus to ship health, while AvatarZ does not, so AvatarY's Ship-A has 110 health, AvatarZ's Ship-A has 100. These changes need to be made to the specific odf files and for this purpose you need a full odf techtree for each avatar.
Don't forget to add all your stuff into the techtree files.
I can't help with the graphics side of the avatars, but someone here should know.
I don't think you actually need avatars for a race to work in FO, you might want to concentrate on adding Species 8472 as a normal race with no avatars first to make sure everything works and gain more understanding as you go, after everything is added in then go for the avatar creation.
Also sorry if this is incomplete but I hastily wrote it up with tiredness and pain reducing concentration, hope it helps.
