Modding: Custom component Groups, vehicle sizes, and other problems

[Noble713]

Problem 1:
I know that you can make custom component Groups by setting a number for the components in the components.txt file. I have done this for two externally-mounted 1-shot missiles (both set to custom group 1). I've gone into the vehiclesizes.txt file to set a maximum for the number of external missiles that all the ship sizes can have, but I can't get it to work. This is the code I'm using:

Requirement 1 Max Amount := 6

What is the correct way to type the requirements for a custom group?

Problem 2:
I'm using the path.txt file to direct SE4 to a different directory for the data, but it is still looking in the default AI directory for the data files. Can we use the path file for other subdirectories, or just the data?

Problem 3:
I had a problem with my mod that would cause the system area and galaxy mini-map to be totally black. I tried switching to other races but the problem remained. Hasn't occurred in the past few updates though...