Mods? Maps? Need some help

[GrudgeBringer]

OK....I am somewhat computer challenged although I have been able to figure out how to upload a Pretender and do turns (and revised turns)in a MP game.

But I seem to be stuck on a couple of things.

You would think that the description would be enough (and I think I know the answer) But what is the difference between a 'MOD' and a 'MAP'.

I take it a map is just that...a map that you can install and use in a SP or a MP game.

A Mod is changes in the gameplay if I am correct.

Now my problem,

I have read every post where it says to put it.

But I get confused beacuse of the terminology (told ya I was 'challenged').

I have D/L (and could someone link me up with this Worthy Heroes agian please) KingMaker and Worthy heroes to desktop.

I then tried to open them and nothing (it says I needed a program to open them). I DID get worthy Heroes to extract one time and I extracted it to the dominions Mod file (where I made another file inside saying "New Mods") and then happily went to the prefrences to see my new mod and nothing was there.

So, Could someone that has the patiance to teach someone on a remidial level PLEASE explain it to me in real words so I can try and play MP that doesn't use vanalli maps and no mods.

Thanks Guys I am really getting frustrated.

[Sombre]

Before anything else - what's your operating system? Windows? Linux? Mac?

[Gandalf Parker]

Windows? Mac? Linux?
I dont mean to be offensive but from your question Im guessing Windows. WinXP?

Maps go into the dominions3/maps directory (or folder depending on what OS you are using). The will usually have to be unpacked (unzipped, un-rar'd). The will usually give you an image file (.tga or .rgb) and a map info file (.map extension, ascii plain-text file). Sometimes a ReadMe.txt also

Mods go in the dominions/mods directory (or folder). They also often need unpacked. They should give you a .dm file (ascii text). They might also create a subdirectory and put other files such as small graphic files into that. The subdirectory needs to be off of dominions/mods

Maps should show up automatically on the choice list when you create a new game.

Mods should show up on the Preferences, Mod Preferences menu. Click it to set it to "enabled". Then start a new game.

[GrudgeBringer]

windows XP is my OS

[GrudgeBringer]

OK My Kingmaker Map D/L says KingMaker_wr

RGB File

AP2.RGB

Now the problem is that when i put it in the Dom map directory and tried to 'unzip' it...it came up with it can't open and I need something to open it with.

When I hit the option that is already checked it takes me to a screen that says I can purchase this or that.

My only other option is to select my own device (yeah, right).

I created a game and went to the map selection and it is not in there.

So do I have a bad D/L or am I just not getting it?

[Gandalf Parker]

Ahhh. KingMaker is a game in progress?
Sorry, MP games operate under different conditions.

The AP2.RGB is the graphic image of the map. If you grab an up-to-date image viewer like IrfanView then you could click on it and view it but its not necessary.

A multiplayer game does not have to give you the .map file for that map. In fact, they often dont because it could have information in it that you could read and make use of. When you are playing the multiplayer game, the host needs the .map file when it processess all the turns. It sends you the info you need. You must have a graphic iamge to show it on but you dont need the .map file.

Without the .map file, you cant start a game on that map. Its only going to be useful for playing the KingMaker game.

[GrudgeBringer]

So your saying its like the TRN (for example) file for MP?

I will get it sent to me and I just have to put it in the right directory (and maybe unzip it)?

If thats true then that simplifies the heck out of that.

Now Mods...when I D/L Worthy Heroes to desktop I put it in the mods file (well actually I made a New Mods file IN the Mods directory and extracted it in there)but it does't show up in the Mod Prefrences.

Did I do it wrong or maybe extracted it at the wrong time or to the wrong place?

BTW, Thanks...I always see you on here answering the same questions for us NOOBS over and over. For all of us THANKS!!

[Sombre]

About a mod zip or rar file.

You need to extract it 'with paths' to the mods subfolder of dom3.

In the end all .dm files must be in dominions3/mods or whatever the location is called. Not dominions3/mods/Newmods or anything like that. The graphic files used by the dm can be in subfolders of /mods, but not ones arbitrarily made up by you, they have to be in the correct ones defined in the dm - you get these when you unzip or unrar 'with paths' (keeping paths defined by the author of the zip/rar).

[Gandalf Parker]

GrudgeBringer said:
BTW, Thanks...I always see you on here answering the same questions for us NOOBS over and over. For all of us THANKS!!

Its not a stretch for me. Its been a part of my day job for as long as PCs have existed.

yeah what Sombre said.
Unzip it to the mods directory. It might create a subdirectory for itself but the .dm file would still land in the mods directory where dom3 can find it, and it would have inside it some instructions to dom3 telling it to look for its special files in the subdir it created for itself.

[JimMorrison]

Just to chime in here - it sounds like you are getting the NewLords folder that your premade Pretender lands in, confused with the Mod folder. Forget Newmods, it doesn't exist.