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Map.ini Tutorial

Rob38

Category:	Code
Level:	Beginner
Created:	Friday August 17, 2007 - 12:31
Updated:	Sunday March 20, 2011 - 13:22
Views:	12654
Summary:	benefits and limitations to this amazing file

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What is a map.ini file?

It is a file located in your map folder that allows you to change parts of the coding in the game for your map only. This means that the changes you make will only be affected on the one map and you don't have to create a mod for your game making it much more online friendly. If you play online, the map.ini file transfers with the map. This means that the player doesn't need it already installed to start a game.

What's the point in creating one? Can't I just use Worldbuilder instead?

Worldbuilder is an amazing tool but there are many things that can't be edited with it. By creating a map.ini file, you can create new fx, edit powers and stats for heroes, make custom spellbooks, and so much more. In a way, a map.ini file allows you to create a mini mod for your map, and it gives you many more opportunities to expand on making your map more unique and creative.

How do I create one?

Open up a word document like notepad. Save it under the name "map.ini" without the quotes. Then take this file and drag it into your map folder. Your map folder should be located in: C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Application Data\My Battle for Middle-earth(tm) II Files\Maps. The path may change depending on what game you're using. You now have a map.ini ready to be worked on.

Ok, so I've made a map.ini file...now what!?

You need to download a program called FinalBig found here. Once downloaded, you want to extract your files to a safe place like the desptop. So once downloaded and installed, follow this path on your computer: C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\The Battle for Middle-earth (tm) II.Again, the path may change depending on what game you're using. Search for a document called 'ini' and open it up with FinalBig. In FinalBig, go to edit and click extract all. Hit ok and then save it in a desirable location like the desptop. You should see a folder called 'data' after it is finished extracting. That is what you'll use from now on.

Allright, so what do I put in my map.ini file?

All the coding you need is located in the folder you just extracted. There's really no easy way to explain how to learn to code. You just have to dive into it and learn from trial and error. What you put in your map.ini file is anything you wish to change for your map.

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Comments

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Rob38 (Team Chamber Member) - Saturday June 5, 2010 - 14:44

Not sure about Inheritable Modules. It's worth a try.

Masterini - Saturday June 5, 2010 - 6:27

I have a question : How to Change the Inheritable Modules ? Is it possible ?
I would like to change the OCL of the Morgul Blade who summon a BarrowWight.
And when i tried to change totally the Barrowwight i bugged :/

Rob38 (Team Chamber Member) - Sunday January 13, 2008 - 21:17

Probably want to post your question in the forums as you'll get more help there ;)

ILUTAVAR - Sunday January 13, 2008 - 13:59

how do i add more powers to a hero?

Sulherokhh (Team Chamber Member) - Saturday October 6, 2007 - 1:33

I knew some of that already, but it is a very helpful reference. I bet that it is even better for starting map.ini coders.
Very good. :P

Bart (Administrator) - Saturday August 18, 2007 - 17:36

Quote

Hold on 2play... It seems you are talking about the game being modded. I'm talking about just a stand alone map with a map.ini file included.

nope, map.ini. i've gotten quite some experience with it when making my helms deep map

Quote

What isn't true? I was refering to trying to change an upgrade already in the game ;)

what isn't true, is that you can't edit existing upgrades. only, removing things from existing upgrades isn't possible. if you need a better explanation, contact me on msn

Quote

Does that work in a map.ini file? Can you put the mappedimage code in it?

haven't tested it, but someone posted it a while ago and i can't see why it wouldn't work (but then again, many things don't work that should :-/)

Quote

Again, I'm confused. I'm almost positive you have to change the name of it no matter what.

if your set is

Code

1 = Button1

2 = Button2

3 = Button3

then overriding it with

Code

1 = Button5

2 = Button12

3 = Button6

will work, but

Code

1 = Button5

2 = Button7

will leave the 3rd button in too

Quote

Again, I'm talking about a stand alone map. You may be right though with creating a new object. I'll test that out.

of course, but only the map maker has to do this mini-mod. an object in worldbuilder is just a reference to an object name, and this mini mod tells WB that it exists

Rob38 (Team Chamber Member) - Saturday August 18, 2007 - 14:08

Hold on 2play... It seems you are talking about the game being modded. I'm talking about just a stand alone map with a map.ini file included.

Quote

As far as I know, this isn't true. It doesn't work however to copy an upgrade from the original ini (the literal text, so without changing the name) and removing a line, because it's already there when the game is loaded. In this case you would need to add a new upgrade indeed.

What isn't true? I was refering to trying to change an upgrade already in the game ;)

Quote

You can also find a button with a completely unused image, and then edit that mappedimage to the actual texture you want on your button

Does that work in a map.ini file? Can you put the mappedimage code in it?

Quote

Not if you can override every slot

Again, I'm confused. I'm almost positive you have to change the name of it no matter what.

Quote

Yes you can, but you can't use them in WB. That can be fixed with a simple ini file in the game dir when editing your map (see my -mod tutorial)

Again, I'm talking about a stand alone map. You may be right though with creating a new object. I'll test that out.

Bart (Administrator) - Saturday August 18, 2007 - 6:30

Good tutorial, some comments:

Quote

I found out that if you want to change anything in an existing upgrade, you must make a new one and name it something else. This can be a real pain for big map.ini files since you have to change all the units affected by the upgrade also :( I did find, however, that you do not need to change the names of special abilities for the game to read the changes made in it.

Quote

You can't change the name of commandbuttons. If you try to make your own with a unique name, the button images will not show in-game no matter what. So what you have to do is go through the commandbutton.ini, find one with the button image you want, and change everything else (except the name) for it. This can be annoying at times.

You can also find a button with a completely unused image, and then edit that mappedimage to the actual texture you want on your button

Quote

To change a commandset, you must make a new one and name it something different.

Not if you can override every slot

Quote

You can't create new objects. You must use an existing object from the game. You can, however, change almost everything with the object and give it a new model, etc...

Yes you can, but you can't use them in WB. That can be fixed with a simple ini file in the game dir when editing your map (see my -mod tutorial)

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