Easy Edits to Modify Your Random Games

[GaryChildress]

This is a relatively easy edit for those who want to design their own map on a random game:

First generate a random game using a "small" map and all the parameters you want in your final product such as number of regimes, tech level (stone age or not), etc.

Then go into the "Settings" menu and add about 50 hexes to either the top or bottom of the map, then delete 50 hexes from the opposite side of the map. This will give you a clean map with only "Plains" on it which you can then edit to your heart's content.

[bobarossa]

ORIGINAL: Webizen

Make your changes and return to "Main" or save your changes to load up later.

When I return to "Main" I don't see any way to save my changes without starting it. I would like to save the changes so I can use it as a scenario and start up as different regimes. Also, is there any way to save the data as a masterfile?

[cpdeyoung]

I go to "Map" and click the computer icon at the bottom. I save the file in atgscenarios.

Chuck

[bobarossa]

I reopened ATG and saw those icons on Map but then after making some changes to the Items (after deselecting the masterfile), all the icons disappear from the Map screen (except the return to Main).

[cpdeyoung]

I have just tested it with a scenario I edited. I had no trouble saving my changes, even after I removed the master file. Perhaps you could try saving first, then reloading the scenario, remove the master file and see if you have the computer icon.

This worked for me.

Chuck

[bobarossa]

Thank you! That seems to work. In the initial random game creation, as soon as you detatch the masterfile, the save goes away. I had to save first then reload as scenario to be able to save changes.

[Tac2i]

Time for another bump to the top...

[Tac2i]

Back to the first screen.

[Villiamza]

Step 3:

Massively helpful, many thanks.
Wanted to tweak the Ranger stats to bring them a little closer to SF.

[Tac2i]

For others to see, bumping this post.

[Tac2i]

The Phoenix version of ATG makes this an easy thing to do.

Hello, How do i change out one of the regimes. say if i wanted to add the states or replace soviets with the states. how would i do that.
thanks.

[Magpius]

Hi All,
(Okay, time to show my total ignorance).
While we are on the topic of modifying games...
Can anyone please explain to me the graphic mods structure for this game.
I'm at a total loss, when I look at the file structure, this game has more sub-folders of graphics than any other game I run.
Yet I only ever seem to see two map types, and Nato or Icon options. I've never been able to set a path for the various unit descriptors/ images, which has bugged me no end.
If this topic has been covered in a thread years ago, please point me to it. Even some basic screenshots would be helpful.
(I used to use the boardgame mod for Advanced Tactics by Delyn Locksmith? years ago, I know it's obsolete now, but was fun).

and Merry Christmas to all.
Agent S/ Magpius

[ernieschwitz]

Ok, here goes.

there are three directories called at2. One of them at2, the next at2BIG, and then at2SMALL. These are core directories for graphics for the upgrade done to AT when it went Gold. That is everything you see on the map, including Flags and such, in the ANewDawn games. Also Officer faces.

One of them is called BIG, because that one contains graphics relevant for the zoom in mode, and the other one is called SMALL because that one contains graphics relevant for the zoom out mode. This BIG, SMALL and no suffix of folders, is general in connection with graphics. If you make your own scenario, from scratch, and a graphic that is supposed to be in one of those folders is not there, then it will be scaled up and down, and put into a folder with the relevant suffix.

In My version of the game, there is also an alt group of graphic directories. These are for alternative graphics, for landscapes. It again has a BIG and SMALL version. I am unsure if this comes with the game or not.

The there are the Default folders. These contain the graphics for the original AT. So everything you'd find in the stock version scenarios of that type.

Newdawnmodgraphics folders contain the TO&E graphics for ANewDawn random games, as well as the special landscape graphics, that can be put over existing landscapes, via the LT part of the editor. Mines for instance.

Phoenixmodgraphics folders contain the TO&E graphics that are used in Phoenix. Again in various sizes. They also in the same list of graphics include special landscape graphics

systemgraphics folders contain the graphics that make up the GUI.

NONE of these should ever be touched, or added to or otherwise tampered with. The reason mainly being that updates will overwrite these, should there be updates in them, and... other players will not get files in these folders with the scenarios that are packaged. So you would get error messages when starting up a game, about missing graphics.

The correct way to make a scenario or graphics mod, is to make a folder, that you call something or other. There will be no need to make the SMALL and BIG folders to begin with, but, if you want to have cooler looking zoomed in graphics, then you should make BIG graphics too, and put a version of them in there, with the appropriate dimensions. This is where you deposit your own graphics, and these will be packed with the ATZIP function.

If you then want to use for instance the NATO counters of another folder, you direct the link in the setng menu to those. You can even make your own Systemgraphics folder in it, and get special graphics for your own PC. (I have yet to see these being packed by the ATZIP).

Setng menu.jpg (110.37 KiB) Viewed 414 times

In the scenario itself, you can direct graphics to any folder you wish.

To get graphics for cards working, you need to have a Event Graphic. These too can be linked to in the Setng part of the editor. You just select the EventPics menu from the Property sheets:

Setng menu2.jpg (147.34 KiB) Viewed 414 times

The pictures can be jpg, gif, bmp and png. I don't believe any other formats are allowed. These event pics have numbers, which are then used in the card and in messages in the event editor too.

Did this answer your questions?

[Magpius]

Thank you for the info.
Have a great 2025.

[ernieschwitz]

... and a good new year to you too