Difference between revisions of "OXP howto"

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== OXP Overview==
 
== OXP Overview==
  
An Oolite Expansion Pack can implement many big changes or additions to Oolite's gameplay, or it may represent just a small, subtle alteration. By appearances, there is no way to tell what is inside, as it's merely a folder with the added extention '''.oxp'''. Inside, it will at least contain a folder named ''Config'', and possibly others such as ''AIs'', ''Models'', ''Textures'', etc.  It is down to the desired effect of the OXP, which way to combine the OXP's contents.
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An Oolite Expansion Pack can implement many big changes or additions to Oolite's gameplay, or it may represent just a small, subtle alteration. By appearances, there is no way to tell what is inside, as it's merely a folder with the added extention '''.oxp'''. Inside, it will at least contain a folder named ''Config'', and possibly other folders such as ''AIs'', ''Models'', ''Textures'', ''Sounds'', etc.  It is down to the goal of the OXP, which ways to combine elements to the OXP's contents.
  
 
== Config==
 
== Config==
  
This folder would contain
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This folder would contain Property Lists such as:
 
*''shipdata.plist'' that introduces any new entity (ships, stations, objects etc.) to Oolite
 
*''shipdata.plist'' that introduces any new entity (ships, stations, objects etc.) to Oolite
 
*''shipyard.plist'' that introduces new ships available for player purchase
 
*''shipyard.plist'' that introduces new ships available for player purchase
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*''planetinfo.plist'' that plots system specific changes from the default. may also contain ''script actions''
 
*''planetinfo.plist'' that plots system specific changes from the default. may also contain ''script actions''
  
Many other types of files can also be included in Config when needed. For instance, ''missiontext.plist'', ''demoships.plist'', ''descriptions.plist'', ''speech_pronunciation_guide.plist'' could appear, as well as custom HUDs. Config is where all plist files belong, except for those introducing new AI.
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Many other types of plists can also be included in Config when needed. For instance, ''missiontext.plist'', ''demoships.plist'', ''descriptions.plist'', ''speech_pronunciation_guide.plist'' could appear, as well as custom HUDs. Config is where all plist files belong, except for those introducing new AI.
  
In its simplest form, an OXP could contain only a Config with an altering ''script.plist'' or ''planetinfo.plist''.  An OXP that adds a new ship would with the ''shipdata.plist'' entry, be committed to include its model and texture.  
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In its simplest form, an OXP could contain only a Config with an altering ''script.plist'' or ''planetinfo.plist''.  An OXP that adds a new ship needs a ''shipdata.plist'' entry, and unless it is based entirely on existing Oolite data, would include a model and texture.  
  
 
* [[OXP howto plist|Making Oolite plists]]
 
* [[OXP howto plist|Making Oolite plists]]
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== Models==
 
== Models==
  
Oolite models need to be in the '''.dat''' format. There are available utilities available that easily convert models made in Wings3D (.obj) and Meshwork (.mesh) into this. A .dat file can be opened in a plain text editor where one can view the object's assigned texture names and see that they correspond with the actual file names in the Textures folder. The .dat file must be named exactly as it is referenced in the shipdata entry.
+
Oolite models need to be in the '''.dat''' format. There are utilities available that convert models made in Wings3D (.obj) and Meshwork (.mesh) into this. A .dat file can be opened in a plain text editor to view the object's assigned texture names and see that they correspond with the actual file names in the Textures folder. The .dat file must be named exactly as it is referenced in the shipdata entry.
  
 
* [[OXP howto model|Making Oolite models]]
 
* [[OXP howto model|Making Oolite models]]
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== Textures==
 
== Textures==
  
Oolite's textures are in the '''.png''' format, and must be named exactly as they appear in the .dat file.
+
Oolite's textures are in the '''.png''' format, usually at a standard 512x512 size, and must be named exactly as they appear in the .dat file. Pictures that have other purpose than to skin objects, such as background images for missiontext, would be placed in another folder to be named ''Images''.
  
 
* [[OXP howto texture|Making Oolite textures]]
 
* [[OXP howto texture|Making Oolite textures]]
  
 
[[Category:Oolite]]
 
[[Category:Oolite]]
[[Category:OXP]]
 

Revision as of 17:53, 6 January 2006

OXP icon

OXP Overview

An Oolite Expansion Pack can implement many big changes or additions to Oolite's gameplay, or it may represent just a small, subtle alteration. By appearances, there is no way to tell what is inside, as it's merely a folder with the added extention .oxp. Inside, it will at least contain a folder named Config, and possibly other folders such as AIs, Models, Textures, Sounds, etc. It is down to the goal of the OXP, which ways to combine elements to the OXP's contents.

Config

This folder would contain Property Lists such as:

  • shipdata.plist that introduces any new entity (ships, stations, objects etc.) to Oolite
  • shipyard.plist that introduces new ships available for player purchase
  • script.plist that plots conditional script actions
  • planetinfo.plist that plots system specific changes from the default. may also contain script actions

Many other types of plists can also be included in Config when needed. For instance, missiontext.plist, demoships.plist, descriptions.plist, speech_pronunciation_guide.plist could appear, as well as custom HUDs. Config is where all plist files belong, except for those introducing new AI.

In its simplest form, an OXP could contain only a Config with an altering script.plist or planetinfo.plist. An OXP that adds a new ship needs a shipdata.plist entry, and unless it is based entirely on existing Oolite data, would include a model and texture.

Models

Oolite models need to be in the .dat format. There are utilities available that convert models made in Wings3D (.obj) and Meshwork (.mesh) into this. A .dat file can be opened in a plain text editor to view the object's assigned texture names and see that they correspond with the actual file names in the Textures folder. The .dat file must be named exactly as it is referenced in the shipdata entry.

Textures

Oolite's textures are in the .png format, usually at a standard 512x512 size, and must be named exactly as they appear in the .dat file. Pictures that have other purpose than to skin objects, such as background images for missiontext, would be placed in another folder to be named Images.