The Tutorial Database

[Tzommar]

I think it's well known the Tutorial Database made by peugeot407. In it Lord Kitchener, describes many modding tutorials on AoE 3. We will reproduce it here.

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Given how AoE3H's community is becoming smaller and smaller and most modding questions these days are asked on these forums, I thought I'd repost my updated Tutorial Database here.

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by peugeot407

Welcome to the Tutorial Database, a list of all tutorials written on the subject of Age of Empires III modding. They have been ranked according to difficulty and split into three categories, Beginner, Advanced and Expert. It is recommended to read Beginner tutorials first, before advancing to more advanced levels of modding.

For convenience's sake, the tutorials have been given special tags to give some more information about them. The basic tutorials that are needed for many different sorts of modding and can be advised to everyone are labeled Modding Essentials. Tutorials that are really easy to understand, even for secondary or tertiary speakers of the language are labeled Simple English, this also applies to translations of the tutorial. Lastly, tutorials are also labeled according to their age, with Very Old signifying that a tutorial may no longer have working pictures or that its writer may no longer be part of the community, while tutorials tagged as Brand New will likely have excellent support, with the writer still very much around and available for questions. Tutorials tagged as Monologue use a monologue format. It doesn't help with understanding the tutorial, but it is epic and worth mentioning and generally just really rather fantastic. Tutorials tagged Video are video tutorials rather than traditional text-based ones.

Beginner "Introduction to modding"
Creator: BilboBeutlin
URL: HeavenGames Main Site
Description: The most basic of basic tutorials, this tutorial does little more than tell you exactly what modding actually is. It also includes some useful tricks
Tags: Modding Essentials, Simple English
Requirements: Basic knowledge of English
Kitchener says: For true raw recruits without any experience, this is a real must-read.

What programs do I need to start modding?

Well, modding is mostly about editing XML files, so you will need a proper programmer's notepad. Windows' Notepad will work, but another tool worth trying is Notepad++. Bear in mind you can also use your notepad to edit XS and TACTICS files.

Secondly, if you want to alter any textures in the game, you'll need Graphics software like Adobe Photoshop or Jasc/Corel Paint Shop Pro. GIMP will also work, with the added advantage of it being free.

Lastly, although it's perhaps the most important program in modding, is AoE3Ed for Windows or Mac. It consists of two little tools, one can be used to view and extract BAR files, the other can be used to convert XML to XMB and TGA to DDT (and vice versa).

Does modding require any skills?

Not really. A basic understanding of how XML works might come in useful, as might some experience in working with Photoshop-like software. None of this is strictly needed though, as most AoE3 material is really easy to understand, and you'll probably have grip on it in a few.

I can't play on ESO2 with my modded game. Why is this?

Modding is all about Single Player and LAN Multiplayer. Multiplayer through ESO2 would work, but ES (the makers of AoE3) cut us off there. Not too surprising either, given the fact that all players require exactly the same game version for a multiplayer match to work.

I've modded AoE3, now when I start the game I get a message box saying "Initialization Failed"!

Read the first few posts of this discussion, and you should know how to fix it.

Beginner "Creating a Decent Idea"
Creator: Pepp
URL: War of the Triple Alliance Forums
Description: This tutorial does not talk about the process of actual modding, but rather about what comes before that, thinking of good and usable ideas.
Tags: Brand New, Modding Essentials
Requirements: Nominal knowledge of English
Kitchener says: Good ideas are the key to innovation. Imagine where we'd be if we hadn't invented khaki and would still run about in scarlet uniforms!

Beginner "The most important tutorial of all"
Creator: Lord Tahattus
URL: HeavenGames Forums, Clan Spetsnaz
Description: This tutorial describes exactly how Age of Empires III handles modded files. Be that sound, art or data files, XMLs, DDTs or BARs, this one covers it all.
Tags: Modding Essentials, Monologue
Requirements: Nominal knowledge of English
Kitchener says: A proper command structure is everything. This is just like it, I think...

Beginner "Using the Granny Viewer"
Creator: peugeot407
URL: HeavenGames Forums, Clan Spetsnaz, Knights and Barbarians forums
Description: This tutorial gives a short summary of what a modder can do with the Granny Viewer, a powerful tool that's often overlooked.
Tags: Modding Essentials, Monologue
Requirements: Nominal knowledge of English, Granny Viewer software
Kitchener says: This is for looking at models! Don't start taking a three-hundred and sixty degree look at real grannies...

Beginner "Creating a new Unit I"
Creator: Argalius
URL: HeavenGames Main Site
Description: Not surprisingly, this tutorial tells you how to create a brand new unit for the game. Don't worry, it's easier than you think.
Tags: Simple English, Very Old
Requirements: Basic knowledge of English, Very basic knowledge of XML code
Kitchener says: Military innovation, I like it. Go and create those new units!

Beginner "Creating a new Unit II"
Creator: Lord Tahattus
URL: Eye Candy Guild
Description: This tutorial is slightly older than that of Argalius, but still useful. It's probably a bit easier to understand if you're not too familiar with XML, that's a plus.
Tags: Simple English
Requirements: Basic knowledge of English
Kitchener says: More new units? Yes, please!

Beginner "Everything related to sound"
Creator: Lord Tahattus
URL: HeavenGames Forums, Clan Spetsnaz
Description: This easy tutorial tells you all you need to know about sound in Age of Empires III, not only the actual sound files, but also the XML files that control them.
Tags: Monologue
Requirements: Nominal knowledge of English
Kitchener says: The noise of cannon fire is as much a nuisance as a boon. Scares the enemy blind, you see...

Beginner "Homecity Editing"
Creator: irishlegend8
URL: HeavenGames Main Site, Clan Spetsnaz
Description: Every AoE3 player must at one point have looked at level 40 homecity cards in jealousy. Well, there's a way to reach them without playing with that HC for the rest of your life. This tutorial explains how.
Tags: Simple English, Very Old
Requirements: Basic knowledge of English, Basic knowledge of XML code
Kitchener says: I myself prefer the front lines, but support from the home city is truly crucial. Get working on it.

Beginner "Adding a custom flag"
Creator: ToMyBoy
URL: HeavenGames Forums
Description: A tutorial that explains how to change the flags on top of buildings. It's jolly old and the pictures don't work, but it might be useful nonetheless.
Tags: Very old
Requirements: Nominal knowledge of English, Experience in using graphics software like Photoshop
Kitchener says: A well placed Union Jack can demoralise the enemy like no soldier can.

Beginner "Understanding animfiles"
Creator: peugeot407
URL: War of the Triple Alliance Forums
Description: A tutorial that explains how animfiles work. It goes to great detail, and explains everything in a really basic way.
Tags: Brand New, Monologue
Requirements: Nominal knowledge of English
Kitchener says: How can one work without understanding his equipment? This should prevent that from happening...

Beginner "Guide to AI Scripting"
Creator: murdilator
URL: HeavenGames Forums
Description: This tutorial explains in basic steps how to create and modify AI Scripts. It consists of two parts, the link to the second part is at the bottom of the first.
Tags: -
Requirements: Nominal knowledge of English
Kitchener says: It would be foolish not to educate our allies in how to properly manage their armies...

Advanced "Texturing"
Creator: Tilanus Commodor
URL: HeavenGames Main Site
Description: Texturing isn't hard, and pretty self-explanatory, but there are certain things you should know about it. You guessed it, they're in this tutorial.
Tags: Simple English
Requirements: Basic knowledge of English, Experience in using graphics software like Photoshop
Kitchener says: Every once in a while, uniforms have to be reconsidered, don't you agree? Don't forget to add khaki...

Advanced "Player Colour and Transparency"
Creator: Lord Tahattus
URL: War of the Triple Alliance Forums
Description: Player colour and transparency are both extremely useful in creating textures. This tutorial will tell you all about them
Tags: Brand New
Requirements: Nominal knowledge of English
Kitchener says: Colour? I'll have khaki. Mess dress should still be scarlet, of course.

Advanced "Texturing Issues"
Creator: peugeot407
URL: HeavenGames Forums
Description: Texturing is quite ok, but if you're having problems with your texture's XML file they're often hard to find. Read this tutorial if you want to give it a try
Tags: Monologue
Requirements: Nominal knowledge of English
Kitchener says: Ah, proper difficulties, and a lack of luck. They truly test one's skill...

Advanced "Creating proper flags"
Creator: Lord Tahattus
URL: War of the Triple Alliance Forums
Description: Creating ingame flags is a difficult business. Unless you've read this tutorial, then it's easy
Tags: Brand New
Requirements: Nominal knowledge of English
Kitchener says: The Union Jack is a glorious little flag, don't you agree?

Advanced "Cultures"
Creator: peugeot407
URL: HeavenGames Forums
Description: This tutorial explains what you have to do to get your brand new civ a unique set of buildings. It's a bit bugged, sorry for that.
Tags: -
Requirements: Nominal knowledge of English, Experience in working with XML code
Kitchener says: Frankly, if Paris had a parliament looking just like that of glorious London, the world would be a bland old place...

Advanced "Enabling arbitrary units to gather and claim resources"
Creator: BilboBeutlin
URL: HeavenGames Main Site
Description: Ever wondered why military units can't pick up treasures? Well, they can! After you've been through this tutorial, that is.
Tags: Very Old
Requirements: Nominal knowledge of English, Experience in working with XML code
Kitchener says: There's no denying that looting is an efficient way of keeping an army going. Take those treasures!

Advanced "RM Scripting"
Creator: M0nTy_PyTh0n
URL: M925 Studios
Description: This is a really basic tutorial on RM scripting, that explains pretty much everything about creating RMs. It is not very concise, though.
Tags: Very Old
Requirements: Nominal knowledge of English
Kitchener says: What a brilliant idea, to create brand new battlefields from scratch!

Expert "Importing custom 3D models"
Creator: Yomgui
URL: Napoleonic Era Forums
Description: Adding custom 3D models to AoE3 has long been deemed impossible, but it's not, it turns out. Read this tutorial to see how.
Tags: -
Requirements: 3DS Max 7 software, Exportron plugin for 3DS Max, Nominal knowledge of English, Experience in working with 3D modeling applications
Kitchener says: Importing attachments? Surely that doesn't mean I am going to have to wear a pickelhaube?

Expert "Modeling"
Creator: arcalion
URL: War of the Triple Alliance Forums
Description: You already knew how to import new models, this tutorial will take you through their creation.
Tags: -
Requirements: 3DS Max 8 software, Granny Viewer, GLXtractor, Photoshop, Granny Import/Export Plugin for 3DS Max, Nominal knowledge of English
Kitchener says: Adding new models? Getting ambitious, are we?

Expert "Creating a new civilisation I"
Creator: Argalius
URL: HeavenGames Main Site
Description: It is possible to add new civilisations to AoE3, though it is hard and quite labourous. Overcome those issues, then read this tutorial.
Tags: Very Old
Requirements: Nominal knowledge of English, Experience in working with XML code, Daring to alter things that might ruin your game if you do them wrong
Kitchener says: A new civilisation? Let's just make sure it is under proper British patronage.

Expert "Creating a new civilisation II"
Creator: Lord Tahattus
URL: HeavenGames Forums
Description: This tutorial is slightly easier to understand than the one above. Still, adding a nation is no peanuts.
Tags: Monologue
Requirements: Nominal knowledge of English, Experience in working with XML code, Daring to alter things that might ruin your game if you do them wrong
Kitchener says: More new civilisations? Will there be an empire left after all this???

Tutorials only available in other languages

Changing the game's language
3D Modeling with Blender
How does modding work?

In case you are aware of any tutorials that have not yet been listed, please tell me, and I'll endeavour to make sure it's added to the list. I mean to keep this database as complete a list as possible, so any help with it will be hugely appreciated.


peugeot407

In the category of pointless information, here's a list of who's written the most tutorials:

1. Tahattus (7)
2. peugeot407 (4)
3. Argalius and BilboBeutlin (2)
4. Everybody else (1)

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