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Creating a MOLLE backpack set ? (edited for clarity)[message #329539] Sat, 04 January 2014 04:07 Go to next message
AvianSavara is currently offline AvianSavara

 
Messages:34
Registered:December 2013
Location: Montr
Preamble: I'd like to create the USMC's ILBE system of main ruck/assault backpack and hydration pack.

I'm not such a fan of leg rigs, conceptually speaking. Backpackers will tell you that any hindrance should be removed from the lower body and that a good ruck should be "high and tight". SO. I've been wondering how to go about making backpacks MOLLE compatible.

Source: My own ILBE backpack at home has several rows of PALS loops outside (and even inside) that are just screaming "customize meeeeee", so I figure it could be done for JA2 as well.

On to work:
Objective 1: Create ILBE Gen II Main Ruck (3 Large Backpack pockets, options for All Molle on : 4 Small pockets and 1 Large pocket)
Objective 2: Create ILBE Gen II Assault Pack (2 Combat Pack pockets, options for Small Molle on 4 Small pockets) Combo with Main Ruck
Objective 3: Create a Medium-sized canteen-like item that has all the same behaviors, but has a larger water capacity. Shouldn't be too hard to adapt from the existing canteen. (STI to come later once testing is conclusive)

Currently using this thread for reference:
http://www.ja-galaxy-forum.com/board/ubbthreads.php/topics/326499/Creating_Molle_Items_%28Guide%29.html#Post326499

The option to add Molle Attachments to any item seems to be in the XML editor : I can give items Available Attachments field the "All Molle" value. For all the editor cares, I could put it on my gun (not sure the ramifications of that yeah). Ok, so far, so good.


Biggest Problem: Can't quite wrap my head around the difference between and

Let's say I'm designing the Main Ruck in XML editor. I set the 3 large backpack pockets as default in Pocket fields 10, 11 and 12.

Then... I want to be able to add up to 4 small pockets and 1 large pocket, but they're obviously not the same size.
How do I calculate the sum total of to reflect that?
(31 gives me my "five pockets", but doesn't help differentiate between types)

Secondly, is a complete mystery to me. OffTopic's thread only mentions the "basic unit" being "Tiny Pocket" as a base of volume 1. I'd like to imagine that it's the actual "number of pockets" but whenever I compare with other stock items in the editor that value is in the double-digits (suggesting another bitfield sum?)

Also, the pocket order/distribution in that thread seems to mention only vests and leg-rigs, which begs the question : Is there a code-related reason which prevents backpacks and combat packs from taking pocket attachments? Like specific item classes and behaviors, etc?


Thanks for anyone's input! Smile

[Updated on: Tue, 07 January 2014 05:21] by Moderator

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Private 1st Class
Re: Creating a MOLLE backpack set ? (edited for clarity)[message #329896] Tue, 21 January 2014 15:43 Go to previous messageGo to next message
DepressivesBrot is currently offline DepressivesBrot

 
Messages:3658
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Shows how bad I am at naming things. Think of lbeAvailableVolume as 'How many loops are on the carrier item?' and the corresponding pVolume for the pocket as 'How many loops will this pocket cover?'
lbePocketsAvailable is a simple bitfield mostly for aesthetic purposes, e.g. you theoretically have an empty big slot on your pack but want attached pockets to only show up in the small slots.
If you actually want to restrict what pockets can go into a specific location, you'll have to play around with the attachment slots and what those can take.

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Captain

Re: Creating a MOLLE backpack set ? (edited for clarity)[message #329946] Thu, 23 January 2014 18:42 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Off_Topic is currently offline Off_Topic

 
Messages:999
Registered:January 2009
Quote:
Secondly, is a complete mystery to me. OffTopic's thread only mentions the "basic unit" being "Tiny Pocket" as a base of volume 1. I'd like to imagine that it's the actual "number of pockets" but whenever I compare with other stock items in the editor that value is in the double-digits (suggesting another bitfield sum?)


This just refers to the volume each pocket takes up on a Rig, E.G. The 3.11 Leg Rig has An available volume of 17, this means you could attach 2 Tiny Pockets (Pocket Volume=6x2=12) 0r 3 Pistol Mag Pockets (Pocket Volume=2x3=6). As long as you have pocket space/volume available you can add pockets. (I changed the tiny pocket size after that post from 1->6.)

Quote:
Also, the pocket order/distribution in that thread seems to mention only vests and leg-rigs, which begs the question : Is there a code-related reason which prevents backpacks and combat packs from taking pocket attachments? Like specific item classes and behaviors, etc?


You should talk to Silversurfer about the combatpack pockets, i didn't assign any while adding MOLLE to 1.13.

It may look easy to add these items through the editor, but you would be better off adding them through the xml files.

EDIT:

Rereading your post i forget to comment on this:

Quote:
Then... I want to be able to add up to 4 small pockets and 1 large pocket, but they're obviously not the same size.
How do I calculate the sum total of to reflect that?
(31 gives me my "five pockets", but doesn't help differentiate between types)


As it stands now, the Vests/Leg Rigs have pockets assigned to them. E.G. A leg Rig has a max of 5 pockets, 4 small 1 medium. These are different to the pockets you assign through the editor. These are the "pockets" you add the pockets to, if that makes any sense.

Go to Data 1.13/Tabledata/Items/Attachmentslots to see the index number you need for Backpacks/Combat packs. I'm pretty sure Silversurfer added them.

[Updated on: Thu, 23 January 2014 18:52] by Moderator

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First Sergeant

Re: Creating a MOLLE backpack set ? (edited for clarity)[message #329948] Thu, 23 January 2014 19:54 Go to previous messageGo to next message
silversurfer

 
Messages:2793
Registered:May 2009
AvianSavara

Also, the pocket order/distribution in that thread seems to mention only vests and leg-rigs, which begs the question : Is there a code-related reason which prevents backpacks and combat packs from taking pocket attachments? Like specific item classes and behaviors, etc?

Sorry, overlooked this thread and had a hard time to remember what exactly I did with Molle system. Very Happy

The layout of the different LBE classes can be seen in AttachmentSlots.xml. I gave each pocket a descriptive name. Check indexes 26 to 61. There you can also see from their x and y position which ones belong together in a row or column.

Vests:
	1	2	3	4	5	11 	11
	6	7	8	9	10	12	12

Leg Rigs:
	1	2
	3	4
	5	5

Combat Pack:
	1	2
	3	4
	5	5
	6	6
	7	7

Backpack:
	1	5	9	9
	2	6	10	10
	3	7	11	11
	4	8	12	12

The numbers that you see in this table are the entries for each pocket.

Maybe Off_Topic wants to add this missing info to his tutorial. Half the table is already there.

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Lieutenant
Re: Creating a MOLLE backpack set ? (edited for clarity)[message #329949] Thu, 23 January 2014 22:08 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Off_Topic is currently offline Off_Topic

 
Messages:999
Registered:January 2009
I added the extra info to that tutorial Silversurfer. It shouldn't make too much of a difference though, the fact they exist in means that the MOLLE combat/backpacks can be created in the same way as Rigs/Vests.

The only difference would be the number of pockets available and selecting the right LBE class.

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First Sergeant

Re: Creating a MOLLE backpack set ? (edited for clarity)[message #329972] Fri, 24 January 2014 12:36 Go to previous messageGo to next message
silversurfer

 
Messages:2793
Registered:May 2009
Off_Topic
I added the extra info to that tutorial Silversurfer. It shouldn't make too much of a difference though, the fact they exist in means that the MOLLE combat/backpacks can be created in the same way as Rigs/Vests.

The only difference would be the number of pockets available and selecting the right LBE class.

Correct. Modders only need to know where each pocket is so they don't accidentally assign a medium pocket type to a small slot. Small pocket on medium slot will work but it probably looks strange.

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Lieutenant
Re: Creating a MOLLE backpack set ? (edited for clarity)[message #329982] Fri, 24 January 2014 22:11 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Off_Topic is currently offline Off_Topic

 
Messages:999
Registered:January 2009
I have a bit of free time so I can give you a few pointers.

Quote:
Objective 1: Create ILBE Gen II Main Ruck (3 Large Backpack pockets, options for All Molle on : 4 Small pockets and 1 Large pocket)


A good starting place would be to duplicate the TIMS Back Pack/Combat items (uiIndex 1094/1097).

Do this through the .xml file (open with Notepad++) by locating them with their uiIndex, copying them and placing them at the end of the items.xml. Make sure you correct their uiIndex so it is sequential to the last uiIndex.

They will be missing a tag required for MOLLE to work, this number determines what size MOLLE can be attached. E.G. TIMS Bacpack:


1094[color:#009900] Change this number![/color]
TIMS Backpack
TIMS Backpack
The backpack part of the TIMS set. You can mount the combat pack onto it in place of the flap.
TIMS Backpack
If you want to carry all sorts of big things cross-country, you'll need a backpack like this one. Can be worn in conjunction with a TIMS combat pack.
131072
32

[color:#33CC00]3[/color]

19
1
686
35
27
500
7
2
1
1
1
2
1
100.0





They have a lot of the qualities you want to begin with. After that, you would need to create two new entries in the LoadBearingEquipment.xml, one for Backpack/Combat pack.

19

This is the LBE it currently points to, you need to create a new one (sequential), and then point your new MOLLE Backpack to it in this field. Again you can copy the lBE ubClassIndex19 in order to have a starting point:

So this is the TIMS Backpack in the Loadbearing...xml: Again it's missing some Data in order for MOLLE to work.


19[color:#009900]Change this number[/color]
4
1
34
0[color:#006600]You need to add a number here, it's the capacity of the MOLLE. The best Vest has 100 at the moment, so add what you thinks is relative here[/color]0 [color:#33CC00]This is how many pockets (MOLLE) can be added 5=31 etc[/color]
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
4
4
4


The problem you will have here is that there are no Big MOLLE items/attachment points, so you'll either have to create them or be happy with small/Medium MOLLE items being attached. Same goes for Combat Pack Pockets.

You will have to edit other Tags above, weight/Camo/price and change the stis if you have new images.






Quote:
Objective 2: Create ILBE Gen II Assault Pack (2 Combat Pack pockets, options for Small Molle on 4 Small pockets) Combo with Main Ruck


Follow above

Quote:
Objective 3: Create a Medium-sized canteen-like item that has all the same behaviors, but has a larger water capacity. Shouldn't be too hard to adapt from the existing canteen. (STI to come later once testing is conclusive)


You could easily add a Canteen pocket to your gear, but again, i only added a normal sized one. You could duplicate this pocket to hold 2 or create a new item.

Anyway, hope this helps and i'll be around the weekend if you need help. It would be a useful addition to the game.

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First Sergeant

Re: Creating a MOLLE backpack set ? (edited for clarity)[message #329987] Sat, 25 January 2014 01:02 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Off_Topic is currently offline Off_Topic

 
Messages:999
Registered:January 2009
Here's you go: https://www.mediafire.com/?kvdt4b86g7bmgtv

I added them using depri's latest sci, so just drop it into your game and you'll have your USMC Backpack/Combatpack along with one more MOLLE Combat Pack and Backback (Not a combo).

The STI's I used are a bit off colourwise, maybe you can touch them up.


I followed your layout as best as i could from your first post, but as i said there are no large MOLLE pouches as yet so i just used a medium one and there is no Hydration pouch, i just added a canteen pocket.

EDIT: Added TT Backpack/Combat.

[Updated on: Sat, 25 January 2014 18:38] by Moderator

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First Sergeant

Re: Creating a MOLLE backpack set ? (edited for clarity)[message #330114] Tue, 28 January 2014 09:58 Go to previous messageGo to next message
AvianSavara is currently offline AvianSavara

 
Messages:34
Registered:December 2013
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Oh wow. What an amazing set of responses. Very educational Smile

Not to mention Off_Topic basically doing my work for me Razz

I'll get moving on this. Will let you know if I succeed... orrrrrrrrr I'll be crying back to momma for more pointers Wink


Quote:
The problem you will have here is that there are no Big MOLLE items/attachment points, so you'll either have to create them or be happy with small/Medium MOLLE items being attached. Same goes for Combat Pack Pockets.


I guess I wasn't thinking that far ahead. Silly of me. But yes, I'll probably find a way to duplicate the 3.11 flat pouch and give it the required numbers. At the same time I realize there are practically no "large" MOLLE attachments in the real world either.

So I should probably revise my stated intent to have a medium-sized pouch (sitting in a the large pouch position 12) will simply be for the "hydration carrier" (that canteen pouch I mentioned) holding the canteen-behavior-type hydration bladder item.

[Updated on: Tue, 28 January 2014 10:27] by Moderator

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Private 1st Class
Re: Creating a MOLLE backpack set ? (edited for clarity)[message #330132] Tue, 28 January 2014 20:59 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Off_Topic is currently offline Off_Topic

 
Messages:999
Registered:January 2009
No worries, I actually was able to create a "Hydration" system. The only reason I didn't include it was because I didn't have a sti for it.

This is how I did it:

Create a MOLLE item with one pocket, attachment point 2, and give it canteen status.

I then created a new "fake" pocket type which held nothing, this was only to provide a silhouette to show the "hydration" system was taking that MOLLE space. It worked perfectly.

If I can get a Bladder Sti/silhouette i'll add it, it's a pretty neat little feature.

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First Sergeant

Re: Creating a MOLLE backpack set ? (edited for clarity)[message #330147] Wed, 29 January 2014 08:39 Go to previous messageGo to next message
AvianSavara is currently offline AvianSavara

 
Messages:34
Registered:December 2013
Location: Montr
I've actually been meaning to get into STI editing for a loooonnng time (My professional background is graphic design and audio recording)

Tox's upcoming editor and looks very nice. But while I'm waiting, is there a guide somewhere to the basic tools already available with 1.13?

I could probably whip up something for the bladder. It doesn't have a very complex shape.

So far I'm guessing we need art assets for :
- actual hydration bladder item (three sizes, on ground, in inventory, and desciption image/BR catalog)
- Hydration pouch MOLLE item (same three sizes)
- hydration pouch empty silhouette (inventory)

Right?

Notes on the bladder item: The classic military plastic canteen is 1qt (0.94L in metric. The most common hydration bladder currently issued with troops is 3L (3.17 qt, so rounding it up for game simplicity about 3.25 times the amount of water the in-game canteen can hold)

[Updated on: Wed, 29 January 2014 09:18] by Moderator

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Private 1st Class
Re: Creating a MOLLE backpack set ? (edited for clarity)[message #330156] Wed, 29 January 2014 12:14 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Off_Topic is currently offline Off_Topic

 
Messages:999
Registered:January 2009
This post may help. It's for guns but I presume it's the same principle. Smeagol would be the man to ask for advice.

You're right in a way, but you'll only you need 3 sizes: Bigitem, Interface, and Tileset (0).

The silhouette needs to be done, if possible, in a way that shows it's full/occupied not an empty pocket. It should be inverted.

[Updated on: Wed, 29 January 2014 12:14] by Moderator

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First Sergeant

Re: Creating a MOLLE backpack set ? (edited for clarity)[message #330161] Wed, 29 January 2014 12:45 Go to previous messageGo to next message
AvianSavara is currently offline AvianSavara

 
Messages:34
Registered:December 2013
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Ooooooh nice. Time to get cracking Very Happy

I'm guessing the silhouette is Interface -sized (31x21 px) ?




[Updated on: Wed, 29 January 2014 13:30] by Moderator

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Private 1st Class
Re: Creating a MOLLE backpack set ? (edited for clarity)[message #330166] Wed, 29 January 2014 16:26 Go to previous messageGo to next message
AvianSavara is currently offline AvianSavara

 
Messages:34
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Okay, so I'm still trying to get the Main Ruck and Assault pack items to work first before I get seriously started on the hydration system.

Off_Topic, I got your .7z file and brought it home to my JA2 directory. In this case, I overwrote the .sti files but I had to edit the xmls manually so it wouldn't squash previous edits I'd done to item 1705 (not the same sequence as your files).

As it stands:
The Main Ruck is uiIndex 1706 and ubClassIndex 99, and points to ubGraphicNum 220
The Assault pack is uiIndex 1707 and ubClassIndex 100 and points to ubGraphicNum 219
(changed some item names around too, to taste, but that's just me)

I wanted to test it out by loading up a save and ordering it from BR, but it's not showing up in the inventory. I opened up the xml editor to see if it was being picked up, and items 1706 and 1707 don't seem to show up there either. But they are in the XML files Items.xml and their classes are defined in LoadBearingEquipment.xml, no problem there.

Inspected all .sti files to see if the items 219 and 220 were showing up and yes they are.

Is there a range for the of items (ex: 0-1705) defined in some other file that I'm unaware of?

Included the relevant snippets code here, just in case you pick up something weird about it.

Toggle Spoiler

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Private 1st Class
Re: Creating a MOLLE backpack set ? (edited for clarity)[message #330168] Wed, 29 January 2014 16:34 Go to previous messageGo to next message
DepressivesBrot is currently offline DepressivesBrot

 
Messages:3658
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Did you wait for BR to restock?

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Captain

Re: Creating a MOLLE backpack set ? (edited for clarity)[message #330169] Wed, 29 January 2014 16:50 Go to previous messageGo to next message
AvianSavara is currently offline AvianSavara

 
Messages:34
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o____O

*tests it*

and now it works....

Well dang, Depri, is there nothing you can't solve with a single sentence? Razz

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Private 1st Class
Re: Creating a MOLLE backpack set ? (edited for clarity)[message #330170] Wed, 29 January 2014 17:53 Go to previous messageGo to next message
JMich is currently offline JMich

 
Messages:546
Registered:January 2011
Location: Greece
AvianSavara
I opened up the xml editor to see if it was being picked up, and items 1706 and 1707 don't seem to show up there either. But they are in the XML files Items.xml and their classes are defined in LoadBearingEquipment.xml, no problem there.

If you have set to true in XMLEditorInit.xml, manual edits will not be shown in the XML Editor. Set it to false and reopen XML Editor, or alternatively, delete Data-1.13\XmlWorkingData

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First Sergeant
Re: Creating a MOLLE backpack set ? (edited for clarity)[message #330171] Wed, 29 January 2014 18:16 Go to previous messageGo to next message
AvianSavara is currently offline AvianSavara

 
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Oh nice, that's another thing I just learned. Awesome JMich Very Happy

(Working on the hydration stis now)

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Private 1st Class
Re: Creating a MOLLE backpack set ? (edited for clarity)[message #330174] Wed, 29 January 2014 21:03 Go to previous messageGo to next message
AvianSavara is currently offline AvianSavara

 
Messages:34
Registered:December 2013
Location: Montr
Alright gents. Thanks again for all the coaching. Currently going through the motions but I have to stop because It's nearing 2:00 pm my time and I've been awake since 7:00 pm yesterday night... yeah...

Progress so far:

1) Tested the backpacks, all good!

2) Created the graphics for:
- Hydration Carrier (bigitem, interface and tileset)
- Hydration Bladder (bigitem, interface and tileset)
- Hydration x1 (silhouette)

3) loaded these assets to their relevant STI files

4) Created the Pocket type for "Hydration" which has the silhouette and is Medium in size, limited to misc items

5) Created a food type called "Hydration Bag" that behaves like a rather large canteen.

6) Created the Hydration Carrier (LBE) and Bladder (canteen) items


Problems encoutered:

A) Going to have to fix the blue on BigItems version of the Bladder, whoops...

B) For some reason, the silhouette in the Carrier still appears as a canteen... Haven't quite figured how to link the silhouette number (49, in my case) to the actual frame in the .sti (I define it in the .xml, but nothing tells me that they are connected)

C) I define the pocket type as medium but the carrier only seems to want to go into small size pockets... (And the point is that it's meant for a backpack or Layout position 11 or 12 on a vest)

I'll be grateful for any comments!

And of course, as soon as I'm absolutely satisfied with the .sti graphics, I'll release the raw bitmap data for whoever wants to play around with it Smile

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Private 1st Class
Re: Creating a MOLLE backpack set ? (edited for clarity)[message #330175] Wed, 29 January 2014 21:36 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Off_Topic is currently offline Off_Topic

 
Messages:999
Registered:January 2009
Where did you put the silhouette?

You need to insert it at the end of the existing file: Data-1.13/Interface/Silhouette

Then you need to create a new entry in the Data-1.13/Tabledata/Lookup/Silhouettes


		
		48
		Grenade x2
	


Then you need to assign that to Data-1.13/Tabledata/Item/Pocket


		55
		Grenadex2
		48
		1
		256
		10
		2
		2
	


Looking forward to having a Sti for the hydration bladder.

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First Sergeant

Re: Creating a MOLLE backpack set ? (edited for clarity)[message #330190] Thu, 30 January 2014 07:02 Go to previous messageGo to next message
AvianSavara is currently offline AvianSavara

 
Messages:34
Registered:December 2013
Location: Montr
Ahaaa, I believe I might be missing the second step (Lookup table for Pockets) though I was pretty certain I did it. But just to be sure, I'll verify all this once I get back gome (at the office for another 8 hours or so right now)

[Updated on: Thu, 30 January 2014 15:59] by Moderator

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Re: Creating a MOLLE backpack set ? (edited for clarity)[message #330200] Thu, 30 January 2014 15:51 Go to previous messageGo to next message
AvianSavara is currently offline AvianSavara

 
Messages:34
Registered:December 2013
Location: Montr
Hmmm... doesn't seem to be any different than expected.

Quote:


[color:#009900]49 same number as my STI's last frame where the silhouette sits[/color]
Hydration Bladder x1




Quote:


56
Hydration
[color:#009900]49 same number as my STI's last frame where the silhouette sits[/color]
2
268435456
22
1

[Updated on: Thu, 30 January 2014 16:00] by Moderator

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Private 1st Class
Re: Creating a MOLLE backpack set ? (edited for clarity)[message #330201] Thu, 30 January 2014 16:27 Go to previous messageGo to next message
AvianSavara is currently offline AvianSavara

 
Messages:34
Registered:December 2013
Location: Montr
Tested some more. It appears the silhouette appears now.

Also, the bladder functions like a canteen. Perfect.

BUT, the carrier still won't attach to a Medium spot on Molle-compatible gear (tested with leg rigs, vests and packs) Ideas? (Did I set one something wrong in my class definition?)

Working on the .sti set a bit more now. Cleaning them up.

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Private 1st Class
Re: Creating a MOLLE backpack set ? (edited for clarity)[message #333667] Thu, 12 June 2014 17:56 Go to previous message
Off_Topic is currently offline Off_Topic

 
Messages:999
Registered:January 2009
Did you ever clean up the .sti set?

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First Sergeant

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