Posts from How do I add a hero to the map editor?

I managed to add my own hero completely separately from the others. I can't say exactly how I did it, to be honest, but I can say the following:

1. I moved the .pak file with my hero separately from the game so that I could work on the mod without worrying about file names. I couldn't use the same names because the .pak file was in the data folder, which already contained all the configured files.
2. I initially followed the "Hottabych method." I did the first three steps and started the fourth.
3. I got lazy and didn't want to re-connect and re-configure everything. I closed the map editor and put the .pak file back in its place.
4. I went back into the map editor. I thought about it and added Resource =: Close MOD.
5. I opened the table and looked at AdvMapHeroShared, and there was a file for my hero. I started to get excited, but it wasn't in the editor yet.
6. Before all this, I was looking at how to get it into the game. I opened the MapFilters.xml file in the Editor folder in the root game folder. There, the heroes are taken from the AdvMapObjectLink folder.
7. I went into AdvMapObjectLink in the editor => MapObjects => _(AdvMapObjectLink) => Heroes => Inferno
8. I created a file called Andromalius.(AdvMapObjectLink) in the Inferno folder and linked it to Andromalius.(AdvMapHeroShared)
9. Voila, the hero is now in the map editor under .Heroes(Scenario), which is exactly where I wanted it.

I think that Close MOD is what helped me. After that, I did exactly the same thing that I was trying to do before, but it didn't work before. But now... it works.

Added 3 minutes ago
Also, a new index.bin file was generated in the data folder. I deleted this file yesterday, and it wasn't generated yesterday.

Added 28 minutes ago
A small problem appeared - the icon stopped displaying. But I'll figure it out somehow.

Added 15 minutes ago
The icon is now there, everything should be fine.

Added 8 minutes ago
...now it's disappeared from the editor. What the heck? Why is everything so messed up? I'll have to fight with this until everything is working properly.

After some tinkering with the editor, everything started working.
1. I removed my .pak file.
2. I created empty .xdb files that I needed (AdvMapObjectLink and Texture for in-game icons).
3. I filled them in manually using Notepad++.
4. I checked them after putting the .pak file back.
5. After checking, I put them back into the .pak file and removed the originals from the data folder.
6. Everything works as it should. The icon is missing in the map editor, but that's not a big deal; I can fix it later or just ignore it.

Conclusion: It's easiest to use Hattabych's method. My method came about because I was too lazy to re-enter all the necessary elements. As you can see, this method is easy to mess up, although it could work for someone like me who already has a hero, but it was created manually, and I'm too lazy to redo it through the editor.

Laziness is the engine of progress. But in my case, it's an engine that needs to be repaired almost every step of the way and fueled with attention and effort. My method certainly works, but Hattabych is absolutely right, and his method works much better.

I haven't tested his method yet, but I'll take his word for it, because at this point, I don't really want to do anything more with new heroes.

Added 1 minute ago
Now my hero can be placed on any map regardless of the mod. As long as the .pak file is in the data folder, everything will work. The index.bin file is probably also necessary, but I might be able to put it in the .pak file itself.

I'll work on that later.

Added 14 minutes ago
It seems that I can put the index.bin file in the .pak file with my hero without any problems, and everything works. Well, what can I say... I think I've figured out how it all works. I'll test the manual method of adding a new hero in a while. I don't think it will be easier than using the editor, but I want to experiment so that I can avoid fighting with the editor as much as possible if I want to add something manually again.

I just tested how my hero works with a clean copy of the game. My friend downloaded the game, I sent him the .pak file, and he put it in the data folder. In the map editor, the hero is present, and you can select him as a hero in a newly generated map.

The index.bin file stores the paths to all the necessary files, including AdvMapObjectLink, Texture, Model, and so on. I looked at it, thought about it, and it seems that this file cannot be changed manually - although I will try in the future - because of the various characters whose meaning I do not understand.

Now, index.bin is in the .pak file of the new hero, so there is no need to worry.

In any case, through trial and error and reflection, I came to the conclusion that I was able to create the mod correctly, even if it was through strange and winding paths. Next time, I will use the editor's capabilities to simplify my own life.