How do you create a starter star system for a Faction?

from GalCiv3 Forums

I was wondering how do you go about creating a starter home system for a custom faction? :beer:

27,776 views 14 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

If you are going to use the replace method, first and for most make copys of the StarDefs.xml, StarSystemsDefs.xml, PlanetDefs.xml & PlanetArtDefs.xml and place them in the ExampleMod/Game folder located in ...Documents/My Games/GalCiv3/Mods. You will then add the below code to the top of each file.

If you are going to do the append method you will need to create four new xml documents and name them however you wish, it is however common practice to keep your files similar to how SD do thier's, eg :- MyMod_StarDefs.xml. You will then have to place these in the ExampleMod folder (or create you own) and place the below code in the corresponding files.


First you need to make a Star (Append Method):-

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" standalone="yes" ?>
<StarList
xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"
xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="../Schema/StarDefs.xsd">
 
  <!--Fixed System Stars-->

    <Star>
        <InternalName>FedStar</InternalName>
        <DisplayName>FedSystem_Name</DisplayName>
        <ObjectType>Star</ObjectType>
        <Type>YellowStar</Type>
        <ArtDefine>SunArt</ArtDefine>
        <SFXDefine>STAR_AMBIENT</SFXDefine>
    </Star>

</StarList>

First you need to make a Star (Replace Method):-

 
  <!--Fixed System Stars-->

    <Star>
        <InternalName>FedStar</InternalName>
        <DisplayName>FedSystem_Name</DisplayName>
        <ObjectType>Star</ObjectType>
        <Type>YellowStar</Type>
        <ArtDefine>SunArt</ArtDefine>
        <SFXDefine>STAR_AMBIENT</SFXDefine>
    </Star>

(I dont need and Star Art defines as I used exiting art defines)


Then you need to make some planets (Append Method):-

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" standalone="yes" ?>
<PlanetList
xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"
xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="../Schema/PlanetDefs.xsd">

    <Planet>
        <InternalName>PlanetMercuryFED</InternalName>
        <DisplayName>Mercury</DisplayName>
        <PlanetType>Dead</PlanetType>        
        <PlanetClass>0</PlanetClass>        
        <ArtDefine>MercuryArt</ArtDefine>
    </Planet>

    <Planet>
        <InternalName>PlanetEarthFED</InternalName>
        <DisplayName>Earth</DisplayName>
        <PlanetType>Habitable</PlanetType>
        <PlanetClass>16</PlanetClass>        
        <ArtDefine>EarthArt</ArtDefine>
    </Planet>
    
    <Planet>
        <InternalName>PlanetVenusFED</InternalName>
        <DisplayName>Venus</DisplayName>
        <PlanetType>Habitable</PlanetType>
        <PlanetClass>12</PlanetClass>
        <ArtDefine>VenusArt</ArtDefine>
    </Planet>

    <Planet>
        <InternalName>PlanetMarsFED</InternalName>
        <DisplayName>Mars</DisplayName>
        <PlanetType>Habitable</PlanetType>
        <PlanetClass>7</PlanetClass>
        <ArtDefine>MarsArt</ArtDefine>
    </Planet>
    
    <Planet>
        <InternalName>PlanetJupiterFED</InternalName>
        <DisplayName>Jupiter</DisplayName>
        <PlanetType>GasGiant</PlanetType>
        <PlanetClass>0</PlanetClass>
        <ArtDefine>JupiterArt</ArtDefine>
    </Planet>

</PlanetList>

Then you need to make some planets (Replace Method):-


    <Planet>
        <InternalName>PlanetMercuryFED</InternalName>
        <DisplayName>Mercury</DisplayName>
        <PlanetType>Dead</PlanetType>        
        <PlanetClass>0</PlanetClass>        
        <ArtDefine>MercuryArt</ArtDefine>
    </Planet>

    <Planet>
        <InternalName>PlanetEarthFED</InternalName>
        <DisplayName>Earth</DisplayName>
        <PlanetType>Habitable</PlanetType>
        <PlanetClass>16</PlanetClass>        
        <ArtDefine>EarthArt</ArtDefine>
    </Planet>
    
    <Planet>
        <InternalName>PlanetVenusFED</InternalName>
        <DisplayName>Venus</DisplayName>
        <PlanetType>Habitable</PlanetType>
        <PlanetClass>12</PlanetClass>
        <ArtDefine>VenusArt</ArtDefine>
    </Planet>

    <Planet>
        <InternalName>PlanetMarsFED</InternalName>
        <DisplayName>Mars</DisplayName>
        <PlanetType>Habitable</PlanetType>
        <PlanetClass>7</PlanetClass>
        <ArtDefine>MarsArt</ArtDefine>
    </Planet>
    
    <Planet>
        <InternalName>PlanetJupiterFED</InternalName>
        <DisplayName>Jupiter</DisplayName>
        <PlanetType>GasGiant</PlanetType>
        <PlanetClass>0</PlanetClass>
        <ArtDefine>JupiterArt</ArtDefine>
    </Planet>

Now ya need to make some Art Defines for said planets, I used existing Art for Earth, Mercury, Mars and Jupiter so I only need some Venus Art (Append Method):

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" standalone="yes" ?>
<PlanetArtList
xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"
xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="../Schema/PlanetArtDefs.xsd">
<!-- Created with the Gal Civ 3 Editor -->
<!-- PlanetArtDefs.xml -->
   
  <ArtDefine>
    <InternalName>VenusArt</InternalName>
    <Radius>18</Radius>
    <RotationSpeed>-0.06</RotationSpeed>
    <ModelFile>gfx/planets/planet_globe_with_seams.sdf</ModelFile>
    <AxisTilt>0.5</AxisTilt>
        <AtmosphereTextureFile>Planet_Atmosphere_Clouds_Generic_Brown_01.dds</AtmosphereTextureFile>
        <BaseLayerTextureFile>Planet_Base_Rock_Generic_02_Merged.dds</BaseLayerTextureFile>
        <BaseLayerGradientFile>Planet_Base_Yellow_Gradient_01.png</BaseLayerGradientFile>
        <AltLatGradientTextureFile>Planet_Generic_Continent_Gradient_Yellow_01.png</AltLatGradientTextureFile>
        <PolarCapTextureFile>Planet_Cap_Generic_Lava_01.dds</PolarCapTextureFile>
    <BaseLayerDiffuseColor>
      <Red>255</Red>
      <Green>255</Green>
      <Blue>255</Blue>
      <Alpha>150</Alpha>
    </BaseLayerDiffuseColor>
    <EmissiveColor>
      <Red>255</Red>
      <Green>255</Green>
      <Blue>225</Blue>
      <Alpha>255</Alpha>
    </EmissiveColor>
    <PolarCapTintColor>
      <Red>255</Red>
      <Green>255</Green>
      <Blue>255</Blue>
      <Alpha>255</Alpha>
    </PolarCapTintColor>
    <AtmosphereColor>
      <Red>255</Red>
      <Green>255</Green>
      <Blue>255</Blue>
      <Alpha>255</Alpha>
    </AtmosphereColor>
    <PolarCapSize>0.2</PolarCapSize>
    <ContinentSqueezeFactor>0.2</ContinentSqueezeFactor>
    <BaseGloss>0</BaseGloss>
    <BaseSpecularIntensity>0</BaseSpecularIntensity>
    <BaseMetal>0</BaseMetal>
    <TerrainGloss>0</TerrainGloss>
    <TerrainSpecularIntensity>0</TerrainSpecularIntensity>
    <TerrainMetal>0</TerrainMetal>
    <ShadowBuffer>0.1</ShadowBuffer>
    <Ambient>0.05</Ambient>
    <HaloIntensity>0.5</HaloIntensity>
        <HaloEffect>
            <RotationSpeed>5</RotationSpeed>
            <FadeSpeed>4</FadeSpeed>
            <MinIntensity>0.7</MinIntensity>
            <MaxIntensity>1</MaxIntensity>
            <Alternating>false</Alternating>
            <Scale>1.15</Scale>
        </HaloEffect>
        <HaloEffect>
            <RotationSpeed>2</RotationSpeed>
            <FadeSpeed>2</FadeSpeed>
            <MinIntensity>0.2</MinIntensity>
            <MaxIntensity>0.7</MaxIntensity>
            <Alternating>false</Alternating>
            <Scale>1.25</Scale>
        </HaloEffect>
  </ArtDefine>

</PlanetArtList>

Now ya need to make some Art Defines for said planets, I used existing Art for Earth, Mercury, Mars and Jupiter so I only need some Venus Art (Replace Method):
   
  <ArtDefine>
    <InternalName>VenusArt</InternalName>
    <Radius>18</Radius>
    <RotationSpeed>-0.06</RotationSpeed>
    <ModelFile>gfx/planets/planet_globe_with_seams.sdf</ModelFile>
    <AxisTilt>0.5</AxisTilt>
        <AtmosphereTextureFile>Planet_Atmosphere_Clouds_Generic_Brown_01.dds</AtmosphereTextureFile>
        <BaseLayerTextureFile>Planet_Base_Rock_Generic_02_Merged.dds</BaseLayerTextureFile>
        <BaseLayerGradientFile>Planet_Base_Yellow_Gradient_01.png</BaseLayerGradientFile>
        <AltLatGradientTextureFile>Planet_Generic_Continent_Gradient_Yellow_01.png</AltLatGradientTextureFile>
        <PolarCapTextureFile>Planet_Cap_Generic_Lava_01.dds</PolarCapTextureFile>
    <BaseLayerDiffuseColor>
      <Red>255</Red>
      <Green>255</Green>
      <Blue>255</Blue>
      <Alpha>150</Alpha>
    </BaseLayerDiffuseColor>
    <EmissiveColor>
      <Red>255</Red>
      <Green>255</Green>
      <Blue>225</Blue>
      <Alpha>255</Alpha>
    </EmissiveColor>
    <PolarCapTintColor>
      <Red>255</Red>
      <Green>255</Green>
      <Blue>255</Blue>
      <Alpha>255</Alpha>
    </PolarCapTintColor>
    <AtmosphereColor>
      <Red>255</Red>
      <Green>255</Green>
      <Blue>255</Blue>
      <Alpha>255</Alpha>
    </AtmosphereColor>
    <PolarCapSize>0.2</PolarCapSize>
    <ContinentSqueezeFactor>0.2</ContinentSqueezeFactor>
    <BaseGloss>0</BaseGloss>
    <BaseSpecularIntensity>0</BaseSpecularIntensity>
    <BaseMetal>0</BaseMetal>
    <TerrainGloss>0</TerrainGloss>
    <TerrainSpecularIntensity>0</TerrainSpecularIntensity>
    <TerrainMetal>0</TerrainMetal>
    <ShadowBuffer>0.1</ShadowBuffer>
    <Ambient>0.05</Ambient>
    <HaloIntensity>0.5</HaloIntensity>
        <HaloEffect>
            <RotationSpeed>5</RotationSpeed>
            <FadeSpeed>4</FadeSpeed>
            <MinIntensity>0.7</MinIntensity>
            <MaxIntensity>1</MaxIntensity>
            <Alternating>false</Alternating>
            <Scale>1.15</Scale>
        </HaloEffect>
        <HaloEffect>
            <RotationSpeed>2</RotationSpeed>
            <FadeSpeed>2</FadeSpeed>
            <MinIntensity>0.2</MinIntensity>
            <MaxIntensity>0.7</MaxIntensity>
            <Alternating>false</Alternating>
            <Scale>1.25</Scale>
        </HaloEffect>
  </ArtDefine>

Now we need to make the System (Append Method):-


<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" standalone="yes" ?>
<PlanetArtList
xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"
xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="../Schema/StarSystemDefs.xsd">
<!-- Created with the Gal Civ 3 Editor -->
  <!-- System Group -->
 
  <StarSystemGroup>
    <InternalName>STFactionMain</InternalName>

      <StarSystem>
          <InternalName>FedSystem</InternalName>
          <DisplayName>FedSystem_Name</DisplayName>
          <Description>FedSystem_Dec</Description>
          <OrbitLane>
              <LaneType>Star</LaneType>
              <Body>
                  <BodyType>UnaryStar</BodyType>
                  <BodyDef>FedStar</BodyDef>
              </Body>
          </OrbitLane>
          <OrbitLane>
              <LaneType>DeadZone</LaneType>
              <Body>
                  <BodyType>Planet</BodyType>
                  <BodyDef>PlanetMercuryFED</BodyDef>
              </Body>
          </OrbitLane>
          <OrbitLane>
              <LaneType>HabitableZone</LaneType>
              <Body>
                  <BodyType>Planet</BodyType>
                  <BodyDef>PlanetEarthFED</BodyDef>
                  <IsHomeworld>true</IsHomeworld>
                  <Position>5</Position>
              </Body>
              <Body>
                  <BodyType>Planet</BodyType>
                  <BodyDef>PlanetVenusFED</BodyDef>
              </Body>
              <Body>
                  <BodyType>Planet</BodyType>
                  <BodyDef>PlanetMarsFED</BodyDef>
              </Body>
          </OrbitLane>
          <OrbitLane>
              <LaneType>NoRandom</LaneType>
              <Body>
                  <BodyType>Asteroid</BodyType>
                  <BodyDef>NormalAsteroid</BodyDef>
                  <Position>0</Position>
              </Body>
              <Body>
                  <BodyType>Planet</BodyType>
                  <BodyDef>PlanetJupiterFED</BodyDef>
              </Body>
          </OrbitLane>
      </StarSystem>


   </StarSystemGroup>


</StarSystemList>

Now we need to make the System (Replace Method):-

 
      <StarSystem>
          <InternalName>FedSystem</InternalName>
          <DisplayName>FedSystem_Name</DisplayName>
          <Description>FedSystem_Dec</Description>
          <OrbitLane>
              <LaneType>Star</LaneType>
              <Body>
                  <BodyType>UnaryStar</BodyType>
                  <BodyDef>FedStar</BodyDef>
              </Body>
          </OrbitLane>
          <OrbitLane>
              <LaneType>DeadZone</LaneType>
              <Body>
                  <BodyType>Planet</BodyType>
                  <BodyDef>PlanetMercuryFED</BodyDef>
              </Body>
          </OrbitLane>
          <OrbitLane>
              <LaneType>HabitableZone</LaneType>
              <Body>
                  <BodyType>Planet</BodyType>
                  <BodyDef>PlanetEarthFED</BodyDef>
                  <IsHomeworld>true</IsHomeworld>
                  <Position>5</Position>
              </Body>
              <Body>
                  <BodyType>Planet</BodyType>
                  <BodyDef>PlanetVenusFED</BodyDef>
              </Body>
              <Body>
                  <BodyType>Planet</BodyType>
                  <BodyDef>PlanetMarsFED</BodyDef>
              </Body>
          </OrbitLane>
          <OrbitLane>
              <LaneType>NoRandom</LaneType>
              <Body>
                  <BodyType>Asteroid</BodyType>
                  <BodyDef>NormalAsteroid</BodyDef>
                  <Position>0</Position>
              </Body>
              <Body>
                  <BodyType>Planet</BodyType>
                  <BodyDef>PlanetJupiterFED</BodyDef>
              </Body>
          </OrbitLane>
      </StarSystem>

What is highlighted in red is a custom Group Name, now this will only work for a Faction made via XML as this system will not show up in the ingame faction editor because I did not use the default Group Name: FactionStart. That requires you to add your system to the vanilla StarSystemDefs.xml and include this file in your mod. I did it this way so I can change the Global Define that Points at FactionStart to my new Group STFactionMain.

If you decide to just add onto the exiting StarSystemDefs.xml you just need the code starting with: <StarSystemGroup> and ending with: </StarSystemGroup>  and everything inbetween.

What is in Purple is the Internal Name of the system we created, this is what you put in the faction xml as the "HomeSystem". You can Just type in your system name and description if you want rather than using Tag's like I did (FedSystem_Name & FedSystem_Dec) that link it to a Text.xml.

+1 Loading…
Reply #2 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Thanks for the Reply. :beer:

Siege of Centauri
Reply #4 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting Ragnar6645, reply 3

Quoting Horemvore,
reply 1
What is highlighted in red is a custom Group Name, now this will only work for a Faction made via XML as this system will not show up in the ingame faction editor because I did not use the default Group Name: FactionStart. That requires you to add your system to the vanilla StarSystemDefs.xml and include this file in your mod. I did it this way so I can change the Global Define that Points at FactionStart to my new Group STFactionMain.

If you decide to just add onto the exiting StarSystemDefs.xml you just need the code starting with: <StarSystemGroup> and ending with: </StarSystemGroup>  and everything inbetween.

What is in Purple is the Internal Name of the system we created, this is what you put in the faction xml as the "HomeSystem". You can Just type in your system name and description if you want rather than using Tag's like I did (FedSystem_Name & FedSystem_Dec) that link it to a Text.xml.



Actually, you can add a new system to the StarSystemDefs.xml like so,

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" standalone="yes" ?>
<StarSystemList
xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"
xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="../Schema/StarSystemDefs.xsd">
<!-- Augmentation to StarSystemDefs.xml -->




The part in red makes it append (add) what you put in-between <StarSystemGroup> and </StarSystemGroup> to the vanilla StarSystemDefs.xml without having to include everything that is already in the vanilla .xml file.

Also, what is in red can be added to any of the .xml files GalCiv3 uses so long as you use the exact name of the .xml file you are trying to add something to then just save the said .xml under a unique name in your mod directory.

Something I do is just add the name of my mod to the start of the name of the .xml I am adding something to, so for Horemvore's example I would save the .xml file as FedStarSystemDefs.xml so as to keep things orderly and simple.

Ummm.  Pretty sure anything in an <!--     --> tag is ignored by the GC III engine, since that is basically a documented comment.  Without seeing exactly what your xml file is, all you're doing is making a regular old append mod, which doesn't require that red bolded line at all*.

And, yes, StarSystemDefs.xml can be appened to with little issue.  It's the duplication of <InternalName> in the following:

<StarSystemGroup>

<InternalName>FactionStart</InternalName>

blah blah blah

</StarSystemGroup>

in a separate xml that makes GC III cranky.  As long as <InternalName>foo</InternalName> is different in each StarSystemGroup, you can have as many star system xmls as one wants. 

* For clean documentation, in my mods, I tend to rename that red bolded bit to whatever the name of the xml actually is.  But that's just for "clean looking" code, as it really doesn't matter what is put there.

Reply #5 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Ok thanks for the tip. One question? which xml file do I edit in the steam folder of galciv or my games folder? Thanks again for the help. This is my first time working with XML files so a little confused. :beer:

 

Reply #6 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

StarDefs.xml for Stars

StarSystemDefs.xml for Systems

PlanetDefs.xml for Planets

PlanetArtDefs.xml for Planet Art

FactionDefs.xml for Races

Reply #7 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

ok I just tried editing the StarDefs.XML and got this error:  C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Galactic Civilizations III/Data/Game\StarDefs.xml(118,5): error:
expected end of tag 'StarList'. Any thoughts on what I'm doing wrong.  :beer:

Reply #8 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

This is what I did

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" standalone="yes" ?>
<StarList
xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"
xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="../Schema/StarDefs.xsd">
 
  <!--Fixted Sytem Stars-->

  <Star>
    <InternalName>SolStar</InternalName>
    <DisplayName>SolName</DisplayName>
    <ObjectType>Star</ObjectType>
    <Type>YellowStar</Type>
    <TypeDisplayName>YellowStarType_Label</TypeDisplayName>
    <ArtDefine>SunArt</ArtDefine>
        <SFXDefine>STAR_AMBIENT</SFXDefine>
  </Star>

  <Star>
    <InternalName>DrengiaStar</InternalName>
    <DisplayName>Drengia_Name</DisplayName>
    <ObjectType>Star</ObjectType>
    <Type>YellowStar</Type>
    <TypeDisplayName>YellowStarType_Label</TypeDisplayName>
    <ArtDefine>SunArt</ArtDefine>
        <SFXDefine>STAR_AMBIENT</SFXDefine>
  </Star>

  <Star>
    <InternalName>AltarisStar</InternalName>
    <DisplayName>Altaris_Name</DisplayName>
    <ObjectType>Star</ObjectType>
    <Type>YellowStar</Type>
    <TypeDisplayName>YellowStarType_Label</TypeDisplayName>
    <ArtDefine>SunArt</ArtDefine>
        <SFXDefine>STAR_AMBIENT</SFXDefine>
  </Star>

  <Star>
    <InternalName>IridiiStar</InternalName>
    <DisplayName>Iridii_Name</DisplayName>
    <ObjectType>Star</ObjectType>
    <Type>YellowStar</Type>
    <TypeDisplayName>OrangeStarType_Label</TypeDisplayName>
    <ArtDefine>OrangeStarArt</ArtDefine>
        <SFXDefine>STAR_AMBIENT</SFXDefine>
  </Star>

  <Star>
    <InternalName>KrysethStar</InternalName>
    <DisplayName>KrysethName</DisplayName>
    <ObjectType>Star</ObjectType>
    <Type>BlueStar</Type>
    <TypeDisplayName>BlueStarType_Label</TypeDisplayName>
    <ArtDefine>BlueStarArt</ArtDefine>
        <SFXDefine>STAR_AMBIENT</SFXDefine>
  </Star>

    <Star>
        <InternalName>IcosStar</InternalName>
        <DisplayName>IcosName</DisplayName>
        <ObjectType>Star</ObjectType>
        <Type>YellowStar</Type>
    <TypeDisplayName>YellowStarType_Label</TypeDisplayName>
        <ArtDefine>SunArt</ArtDefine>
        <SFXDefine>STAR_AMBIENT</SFXDefine>
    </Star>
    
    <Star>
        <InternalName>IconisStar</InternalName>
        <DisplayName>IconisName</DisplayName>
        <ObjectType>Star</ObjectType>        
        <Type>YellowStar</Type>
    <TypeDisplayName>YellowStarType_Label</TypeDisplayName>
        <ArtDefine>SunArt</ArtDefine>
        <SFXDefine>STAR_AMBIENT</SFXDefine>
    </Star>

    <Star>
        <InternalName>ThalisStar</InternalName>
        <DisplayName>ThalisName</DisplayName>
        <ObjectType>Star</ObjectType>
        <Type>YellowStar</Type>
    <TypeDisplayName>YellowStarType_Label</TypeDisplayName>
        <ArtDefine>SunArt</ArtDefine>
        <SFXDefine>STAR_AMBIENT</SFXDefine>
    </Star>

    <Star>
        <InternalName>SnathosStar</InternalName>
        <DisplayName>SnathosName</DisplayName>
        <ObjectType>Star</ObjectType>
        <Type>YellowStar</Type>
    <TypeDisplayName>YellowStarType_Label</TypeDisplayName>
        <ArtDefine>SunArt</ArtDefine>
        <SFXDefine>STAR_AMBIENT</SFXDefine>
    </Star>
 
  <Star>
    <InternalName>AtholStar</InternalName>
    <DisplayName>Planet_Athol_Name</DisplayName>
    <ObjectType>Star</ObjectType>
    <Type>YellowStar</Type>
    <TypeDisplayName>YellowStarType_Label</TypeDisplayName>
    <ArtDefine>SunArt</ArtDefine>
    <SFXDefine>STAR_AMBIENT</SFXDefine>
  </Star>

  <Star>
    <InternalName>TorusStar</InternalName>
    <DisplayName>Planet_Torus_Name</DisplayName>
    <ObjectType>Star</ObjectType>
    <Type>YellowStar</Type>
    <TypeDisplayName>YellowStarType_Label</TypeDisplayName>
    <ArtDefine>SunArt</ArtDefine>
    <SFXDefine>STAR_AMBIENT</SFXDefine>
  </Star>
 
  </Star>
  <InternalName>WyvrenStar</InternalName>
  <DisplayName>Planet_Wyvren_Name</DisplayName>
  <ObjectType>Star<ObjectType>
  <type>YellowStar</Type>
  <TypeDisplayName>OrangeStarType_Label</TypeDisplayName>
  <ArtDefine>OrangeStarArt</ArtDefine>
    <SFXDefine>STAR_AMBIENT</SFXDefine>
  </Star>

  <!--Generic Stars-->
    
 
    <Star>
        <InternalName>YellowStar</InternalName>
        <ObjectType>Star</ObjectType>        
        <Type>YellowStar</Type>
    <TypeDisplayName>YellowStarType_Label</TypeDisplayName>
        <ArtDefine>SunArt</ArtDefine>
        <SFXDefine>STAR_AMBIENT</SFXDefine>
    </Star>
 
  <Star>
    <InternalName>RedGiantStar</InternalName>
    <ObjectType>Star</ObjectType>
    <Type>BlueStar</Type>
    <TypeDisplayName>RedGiantStarType_Label</TypeDisplayName>
    <ArtDefine>RedGiantArt</ArtDefine>
        <SFXDefine>STAR_AMBIENT</SFXDefine>
  </Star>

  <Star>
    <InternalName>OrangeStar</InternalName>
    <ObjectType>Star</ObjectType>
    <Type>BlueStar</Type>
    <TypeDisplayName>OrangeStarType_Label</TypeDisplayName>
    <ArtDefine>OrangeStarArt</ArtDefine>
        <SFXDefine>STAR_AMBIENT</SFXDefine>
  </Star>

  <Star>
        <InternalName>WhiteStar</InternalName>
        <ObjectType>Star</ObjectType>
        <Type>WhiteStar</Type>
    <TypeDisplayName>WhiteStarType_Label</TypeDisplayName>
        <ArtDefine>WhiteDwarfArt</ArtDefine>
    </Star>

    <Star>
        <InternalName>BlueStar</InternalName>
        <ObjectType>Star</ObjectType>        
        <Type>BlueStar</Type>
    <TypeDisplayName>BlueStarType_Label</TypeDisplayName>
        <ArtDefine>BlueStarArt</ArtDefine>
        <SFXDefine>STAR_AMBIENT</SFXDefine>
    </Star>
 
  <Star>
        <InternalName>PurpleStar</InternalName>
        <ObjectType>Star</ObjectType>        
        <Type>BlueStar</Type>
    <TypeDisplayName>PurpleStarType_Label</TypeDisplayName>
        <ArtDefine>PurpleStarArt</ArtDefine>
        <SFXDefine>STAR_AMBIENT</SFXDefine>
    </Star>




</StarList>

The Star I added is the Wyvren star. Now the Game crashes as soon as it starts.

Reply #9 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Easier question, how do you force a custom race to start at a particular star in a custom map? I downloaded a map off of steam and tried assigning start locations to my custom races but the only option is "random AI" or "Random Human". being the only human makes it easy for me to start at the required location but my AI races have a slim chance of getting it right.

Reply #10 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Order you use while editing the map = Order of AI you choose at game setup.

Minor Races will mess this right up, you have to disable them.

Reply #11 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Primary issue: stop editing core files. Delete everything you touched and reinstall/validate.

Append or replace from your mods directory if you want to mod. Create NEW files in a mod folder, give them unique names, and put what horemvore said into them. Just copy and paste. Then boot it up and tell us if it works or the error log for what you did improperly.

 

Reply #12 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Thanks a bunch. I have never tried modding before so any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks again for the info. :| :omg: :beer:

Quoting exelsis, reply 11

Primary issue: stop editing core files. Delete everything you touched and reinstall/validate.

Append or replace from your mods directory if you want to mod. Create NEW files in a mod folder, give them unique names, and put what horemvore said into them. Just copy and paste. Then boot it up and tell us if it works or the error log for what you did improperly.

 

Reply #14 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Looks like it's been a year and no one seems to have had my problem.

I've done pretty much everything shown in the first post (as far adding to and not appending goes).  I had an error I didn't understand with the Venus Art; so I 've simply skipped that for now and used the generic art.

Anyway, the problem is now this: I load the game, select my customized race and "lo & Behold" no Star and/or Homeworld.  In addition, my ships are all over the map.

Any idea what I did wrong?

SK

Never mind; as I found my silly little typo.  I had a small t (PlanetKotHome) in the planets file and the (preferred) large T (PlanetKoTHome) in the system file.