Tips for Patchers on Working with 06
Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:07 pm
This is a WIP, hopefully Dahl, Pdub, Andrew, Benji, and others can chime in on using the 06 engine to the fullest.
Tools
BigGUI: Best for managing all .big files and makes it easy to compress files inside a .big or .viv file.
Dolffin: Useful for searching for textures inside viv / big files and for extracting from archives.
EAgraph: Only program that works correctly with the aiact.viv, most basic and reliable program when working with creating new or working with viv files. Requires EAzip for compression of files inside a viv.
Ebo Edit (v1): Use for editing the xxxxcrt.ebo, it is a lot easier on system resources than the newer version and is fairly simplistic.
Ebodit (v2): Can edit CF ebo, xxxxbbd.ebo and xxxxstd.ebo files. Also has rotating and scaling features which can make original court mods easier to create.
FSHx: The be all end all for .fsh editing. Basic patchers should know about this program.
FSHline: Uses a command line to extract and import textures from fsh files. Ideal for fsh files too big for FSHx or for the line textures of the xxxxcrt.fsh.
Jersey Raptor: Easily creates new jerseys and allows for number position and size editing. Needed for 1024 resolution jerseys.
Courts & Stadiums
Wood Textures: Go ahead and make them 512x512 or even 1024x1024, the 06 engine can handle them unlike 07/08 where crashes occur. Just make sure you have a texture that looks good at that resolution.
Logos: Something that I always wanted patchers to start doing was adding a subtle wood texture to their logos on the court. In real NBA courts there is still wood underneath the logos and for a true "HD" experience on this mod we should try to incorporate that.
The White Wood Texture: This texture is applied to the lane and court borders. Dont ignore this one, it can really help the realism of the court.
UVmapping: Ebodit allows you to edit the UV mapping of the ebo parts. No one has really done much with this but it could prove to be extremely useful.
Reflections: Don't disregard the xxxxhighref.ebo, it controls the stadium reflections you see in the game. If you need a bit of a head start on it feel free to download JaoSming's reflection update for 08 and edit off of that. (rename all xxxxlowref.ebo files to xxxxhighref.ebo)
Jerseys
Resolution: As stated before, with Jersey Raptor we can create 1024x1024 resolution jerseys. The result of this is really crisp logos and lines on the jerseys.
Texture: If boosting up to 1024 it is a good idea to add some kind of subtle texture to the jerseys to give it some "flair" if you will. A simple mesh or nylon texture can make a jersey of this resolution look great.
Alpha texture: Don't forget about the alpha texture, match it up with the texture that you used to make the jersey and be sure it won't make a jersey shine if it isn't supposed to be a shiny jersey.
CFs
Resolution: Again, go bigger and higher detail if you can get your hands on a hi-res picture of the player.
EBOs: I think that Ebodit works with 06 head ebo files but if it doesn't I think there is a tutorial around here that converts the newer ebo headshapes from 07/08 to 05/06 and back.
Rosters
FSS can be optional: Sooner or later I at least will release a no-FSS aiact so if you don't want to deal with the FSS abilities, don't.
Don't touch the Birth___.dbf files: If you try to use the 07 or 08 versions of this file it will cause crashes in the offseason of dynasties. Just use the original 06 versions instead.
AIACT
Assignment.act: Look at pdub's tutorial in the 08 patching help section.
Dunk.act: I think I made a tutorial on this in the 07 or 08 patching help section. Refer to this text file if you'd like to on my descriptions of each dunk animation. http://www.nba-live.com/jaosming/dunklist06.txt
FSS: FSS triggers can be taken out therefore making the FSS moves contextual just like 08. In most cases replacing the MOD_# and FSS Label (i.e. HIGHFLYER, SCORER, PLAYMAKER, etc) with a - will get rid of it. Look at the different act files to make sure you keep the formatting correct. pcontext.act controls the playmaker FSS, shotconditions.act for shots, dunk.act for layups and dunks, block.act for blocks, and so forth.
loco.act: No one has done much with this act file here but there is some serious potential for great gameplay changing features in it. There is an AIACT floating around the 06 section that adds post move spins and a replacement for freestyle dribbling. Not exactly ideal IMO but take a look at what he did and use his acts has a learning tool for your own.
Dunkpacks: Dont forget about these when editing the dunk.act, especially if you plan to get rid of FSS.
General
Don't Be afraid to release betas: Or incomplete work, constructive criticism can be very helpful and make you a better patcher.
Try to be original: If 3 people have already made a T-Mac CF, well then maybe you should work on another player.
Ask for permission: If you plan on editing, converting, or including someone elses work ask permission to do so first. And if they say no, that means no so don't just release it anyway.
Be constructive with your criticism: Yea, some people definitely don't need to be releasing some of their work while others who are talented should release more stuff. But that doesn't mean you have to call for releases or tell people that they suck. Offer up helpful suggestions or just stfu.
Even if you don't have 06: You can still help out on this mod. The texture formats are basically the same and I am sure you can find someone to make previews for your stuff if needed.
/rant, Dahl, Andrew and pdub, feel free to edit this post to add your own suggestions or edit my rantings.
Tools
BigGUI: Best for managing all .big files and makes it easy to compress files inside a .big or .viv file.
Dolffin: Useful for searching for textures inside viv / big files and for extracting from archives.
EAgraph: Only program that works correctly with the aiact.viv, most basic and reliable program when working with creating new or working with viv files. Requires EAzip for compression of files inside a viv.
Ebo Edit (v1): Use for editing the xxxxcrt.ebo, it is a lot easier on system resources than the newer version and is fairly simplistic.
Ebodit (v2): Can edit CF ebo, xxxxbbd.ebo and xxxxstd.ebo files. Also has rotating and scaling features which can make original court mods easier to create.
FSHx: The be all end all for .fsh editing. Basic patchers should know about this program.
FSHline: Uses a command line to extract and import textures from fsh files. Ideal for fsh files too big for FSHx or for the line textures of the xxxxcrt.fsh.
Jersey Raptor: Easily creates new jerseys and allows for number position and size editing. Needed for 1024 resolution jerseys.
Courts & Stadiums
Wood Textures: Go ahead and make them 512x512 or even 1024x1024, the 06 engine can handle them unlike 07/08 where crashes occur. Just make sure you have a texture that looks good at that resolution.
Logos: Something that I always wanted patchers to start doing was adding a subtle wood texture to their logos on the court. In real NBA courts there is still wood underneath the logos and for a true "HD" experience on this mod we should try to incorporate that.
The White Wood Texture: This texture is applied to the lane and court borders. Dont ignore this one, it can really help the realism of the court.
UVmapping: Ebodit allows you to edit the UV mapping of the ebo parts. No one has really done much with this but it could prove to be extremely useful.
Reflections: Don't disregard the xxxxhighref.ebo, it controls the stadium reflections you see in the game. If you need a bit of a head start on it feel free to download JaoSming's reflection update for 08 and edit off of that. (rename all xxxxlowref.ebo files to xxxxhighref.ebo)
Jerseys
Resolution: As stated before, with Jersey Raptor we can create 1024x1024 resolution jerseys. The result of this is really crisp logos and lines on the jerseys.
Texture: If boosting up to 1024 it is a good idea to add some kind of subtle texture to the jerseys to give it some "flair" if you will. A simple mesh or nylon texture can make a jersey of this resolution look great.
Alpha texture: Don't forget about the alpha texture, match it up with the texture that you used to make the jersey and be sure it won't make a jersey shine if it isn't supposed to be a shiny jersey.
CFs
Resolution: Again, go bigger and higher detail if you can get your hands on a hi-res picture of the player.
EBOs: I think that Ebodit works with 06 head ebo files but if it doesn't I think there is a tutorial around here that converts the newer ebo headshapes from 07/08 to 05/06 and back.
Rosters
FSS can be optional: Sooner or later I at least will release a no-FSS aiact so if you don't want to deal with the FSS abilities, don't.
Don't touch the Birth___.dbf files: If you try to use the 07 or 08 versions of this file it will cause crashes in the offseason of dynasties. Just use the original 06 versions instead.
AIACT
Assignment.act: Look at pdub's tutorial in the 08 patching help section.
Dunk.act: I think I made a tutorial on this in the 07 or 08 patching help section. Refer to this text file if you'd like to on my descriptions of each dunk animation. http://www.nba-live.com/jaosming/dunklist06.txt
FSS: FSS triggers can be taken out therefore making the FSS moves contextual just like 08. In most cases replacing the MOD_# and FSS Label (i.e. HIGHFLYER, SCORER, PLAYMAKER, etc) with a - will get rid of it. Look at the different act files to make sure you keep the formatting correct. pcontext.act controls the playmaker FSS, shotconditions.act for shots, dunk.act for layups and dunks, block.act for blocks, and so forth.
loco.act: No one has done much with this act file here but there is some serious potential for great gameplay changing features in it. There is an AIACT floating around the 06 section that adds post move spins and a replacement for freestyle dribbling. Not exactly ideal IMO but take a look at what he did and use his acts has a learning tool for your own.
Dunkpacks: Dont forget about these when editing the dunk.act, especially if you plan to get rid of FSS.
General
Don't Be afraid to release betas: Or incomplete work, constructive criticism can be very helpful and make you a better patcher.
Try to be original: If 3 people have already made a T-Mac CF, well then maybe you should work on another player.
Ask for permission: If you plan on editing, converting, or including someone elses work ask permission to do so first. And if they say no, that means no so don't just release it anyway.
Be constructive with your criticism: Yea, some people definitely don't need to be releasing some of their work while others who are talented should release more stuff. But that doesn't mean you have to call for releases or tell people that they suck. Offer up helpful suggestions or just stfu.
Even if you don't have 06: You can still help out on this mod. The texture formats are basically the same and I am sure you can find someone to make previews for your stuff if needed.
/rant, Dahl, Andrew and pdub, feel free to edit this post to add your own suggestions or edit my rantings.