EM4 Basic Modding Info

Emergency 4 - Basic modding info

Difficulty: Easy

Programs used:
Emergency 4 Editor (v1.3)
WordPad

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HOW DO I UNDERSTAND MODDING?

By reading tutorials you won't learn everything about modding, because it's not possible to explain every detail in tutorials.
You have to put time in understanding every aspect. Comparing stuff is VERY important.
You can compare your mod with other mods or even the Data folder to learn how a mod is build up.
You will learn much more from that than reading tutorials or asking questions.

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MODS IN EMERGENCY 4:

Unpacked and installed Emergency 4 mods can be found in your "~/Emergency 4/Mods/" folder.
Each mod has its own folder and the content of that folder will look similar to the content of the Emergency 4/Data folder.

When you start Emergency 4, files in the Data folder will be loaded.
when you load a mod, all files in the mod folder will be loaded, possibly overwriting files from the Data folder.
This means you only have to add files to your mod which have been changed for your mod.

You can load mods in the Modifications screen after you have started Emergency 4.
You can only load one mod at the same time!
You have to restart Emergency 4 when you want to play another mod.

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CREATE A MOD FOLDER:

To create a new mod, start the Emergency 4 editor, go to Modifications -> Create a new mod...
Make up a mod name. For example: "My mod". Click on Create -> OK.
A new folder with your mod name is created in your .../Emergency 4/Mods/ folder.
You can now load your mod under the Modification menu in the editor or game.

Image 01: Create a mod

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MOD STRUCTURE:

Just like the Data folder files must be placed in folders and subfolders.
Models must be placed in the Models folder, prototypes in the Prototypes folder and etc...

Example: If you want to reskin the STW you have to copy rtw.dds from your "/Emergency 4/Data/Models/Vehicles/Police/" folder to your "/YourMod/Models/Vehicles/Police/" folder.
Create new folders when necessary.
You don't have to copy the models or prototype files of the STW because the copied STW file will just 'overwrite' the original one when you load the mod.

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PACK YOUR MOD:

You can pack your mod to an .e4mod file with the ModInstaller.
You can find the ModInstaller in your Emergency 4 directory or a shortcut under the Start menu.
When you've started the ModInstaller, select your mod and click 'Pack'.
Type a file name and click OK. The ModInstall will make the package now.

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OBJECTS IN EMERGENCY 4:

Every object (including vehicles) in Emergency 4 has three main file types.
*.E4P - Prototype file extension. All ingame information about the object is saved in this file, like the lights, vehicle type, physics, doors, wheels and superstructures.
*.V3O - Model file extension. 3D objects and animations are saved in this file.
*.DDS - Texture file extension. Changing this file will change the colour of your vehicle. This file belongs to the model file.
The prototype files always belong in subfolders in the Prototypes folder.
Vehicle, persons, objects, houses and openhouses prototypes are different, the game will only reconize them when they placed in the subfolders.
The model- and texture files always belong together in subfolders in the Models folder.

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TEXT (LANGUAGE) FILES:

To load text files you have to make a Lang folder (and subfolder) in your mod.
Copy language files from your .../Emergency 4/Data/Lang/[game language]/ folder to this folder.
Also copy metastrings.xml from your .../Emergency 4/Data/Specs/ folder to your mod (in the Specs folder).
Open metastrings.xml with WordPad. The paths to the language files must be changed or different a game language won't open your language files.
Change the paths so they look like this:
"mod:Lang/en/infotexts.xml"
"mod:Lang/en/portraits.xml"
In this case the language files have been placed the subfolder 'en' too.

For questions about this tutorial:
Emergency 4 - Basic Modding Info

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Tutorial made by Hoppah
March 2008