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Offline Annihilationzh  
#1 Posted : Thursday, February 11, 2010 9:35:28 PM(UTC)
Annihilationzh
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Given that it's getting quiet again, I thought I'd start this thread, because it tends to get more people modding.

First, I'd like to say that Generals is a great game to mod; there's a lot of freedom, unlike many games, and it's really easy once you get started. So Generals is a great place to start!

Download FinalBIG:
http://www.cnclabs.com/d...oads/details.aspx?id=240

Install it, run it, & go to your zero hour directory (Standard is C:\Program Files\EA Games\Command & Conquer Generals Zero Hour). Now find INIZH.big and open it (it might be in the Data\INI folder). Go to Edit->Extract All and extract to your zero hour directory (again, standard is C:\Program Files\EA Games\Command & Conquer Generals Zero Hour, DO NOT EXTRACT IT TO Data\INI). Close the program and there will be files in Data\INI that contain the code for the units in the game.

You can open and edit .ini files with notepad, which comes as standard with windows. So experiment with these files and when you get stuck, we're here to help.

If you want to modify the units, you go into the Object folder. LaserGeneral.ini contains every unit & building of the laser general. FactionBuilding.ini contains all the buildings of GLA, China & USA. Etc, etc.

If you want to change a weapon, it's in weapon.ini. If you want to change the units built at a building, it's in CommandSet.ini (don't forget to change the prerequisites in the units file). If you want to change the speed of a unit, it's in Locomotor.ini. The damage units take from different weapons is in Armor.ini. Etc, etc.

This will also work for generals, but the directory is different and the file is called INI.big instead of INIZH.big.

Tools and Troubleshooting

Generals and Zero Hour come with an in-built debugger. When you have a syntax error, you can generally find the problem by running world builder. It will tell you which file, which line, and often the exact problem.

The Zero Hour Module List will tell you everything you can do with a module.

The Creator of the Contra Mod made an INI Checker, which is hosted on Contra's website: http://contra.cncguild.net/oldsite/Eng/checker.php
It is far more thorough than world builder and will even tell you the original errors in the ini files. Unfortunately, these errors can make it difficult to find the real problem. So if you do use this checker, I recommend using a text difference checking tool to compare the original ini files errors to your own INI file errors.

Advanced

Map.ini
As no one ever seems to find my Map.ini tutorial, I'm adding a link here. It's a bit more in depth. You can find it here. If that link dies, you can find it in the tutorial section titled Map.ini basics.

Bike Logic
This is reasonably advanced. Not recommended unless you are experienced. Tutorial here: http://www.cnclabs.com/f...dvanced--Bike-Logic.aspx If that link dies, you can find it in the tutorial section titled Advanced: Bike Logic.

Edited by user Friday, December 25, 2015 7:55:29 AM(UTC)  | Reason: Added something

If you need help, post in the forum. You'll get help a lot faster than if you send me a PM.

I reject all buddy requests. I don't think 'buddy' needs to be made official. It's not like you're marrying me.
thanks 7 users thanked Annihilationzh for this useful post.
CommieDog on 5/22/2013(UTC), Lengo on 8/22/2013(UTC), UTD^Force on 11/15/2014(UTC), braxt on 6/12/2015(UTC), zero hour mad map maker on 11/13/2016(UTC), elliesy on 4/17/2017(UTC), Beer_Money on 11/24/2021(UTC)
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Offline CommieDog  
#2 Posted : Friday, February 12, 2010 11:18:12 PM(UTC)
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This is a short yet good guide to the most basic aspects of modding. I'm stickying this.
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CommieDog: Because someone has to do your dirty work for you
thanks 1 user thanked CommieDog for this useful post.
elliesy on 4/23/2017(UTC)
Offline Zero Hour Mad  
#3 Posted : Sunday, August 14, 2011 10:16:07 AM(UTC)
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This is really interesting and worth learning thing or two :)
Offline UTD^Force  
#4 Posted : Sunday, October 28, 2018 9:33:06 AM(UTC)
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I highly recommend starting small, change weapon damages, unit costs and behviours so you get basic knowledge about modding before getting right into making a whole mod.
Crash the game again and again until you are satisfied with the final result. And, if a problem persists, feel free to ask about it here in the forums.

In addition to what has already been explained above, here are some useful links:

To learn about the ini code, read this. List of INI modules by rrtaya_tsumasiyu:
http://www.cnclabs.com/f...List-of-INI-modules.aspx

Modding tutorials:
http://www.cnclabs.com/modding/generals/
http://www.cnclabs.com/f...d-Modding-Tutorials.aspx

Mapping And Some Modding Tutorials by Adrianemapmaker:
http://www.cnclabs.com/f...-By-AdrianeMapMaker.aspx

Modding utilities, you will need FinalBIG to edit the codes.
http://www.cnclabs.com/d...modding-and-mapping.aspx

<< Public Sources >> by DetoNato:
http://www.cnclabs.com/f...622_-Public-Sources.aspx

C&C Ini Editor by AcidBrain:
http://www.cnclabs.com/f...53_CandC-Ini-Editor.aspx

C&C Cameo Studio V1.1 by AcidBrain:
http://www.cnclabs.com/f...C-Cameo-Studio-V1-1.aspx

Command & Conquer: Generals/Unused content in the expansion:
https://tcrf.net/Command...content_in_the_expansion

Generals Modding-Resource by adrianemapmaker, for extra information on modding utilities and for Csf editor:
http://www.cnclabs.com/f...ls-Modding-Resource.aspx

Finally, some tips, tricks and trouble shooting common problems. Tips and Tricks by rrtaya_tsumasiyu
http://www.cnclabs.com/f...604_Tips-and-Tricks.aspx

How to install Gmax:
Follow the first page of this guide that shows how to download Gmax with Renx and .W3D importer, you can also read the rest of the guide to get more info on how to use the program.
If you have problems getting the registration code for Gmax, you can get one from signing up here.

Finally, browsing the forums here is helpful as you might find out something new, find a solution for your problem or even solve someone's problems.
Reading the map.ini files of some maps can be very helpful to learn simple and advanced coding.

Examples:
Operation Kihill Beach V2
Bushehr: Operation Partisans' Challenge Version 1.5
Secret Weapons Test
Guantanamo Bay: Operation Cuban Freedom
ConYard MCV for Zero Hour This one is pretty advanced but really useful.
Proud Muslim

UTD^Force

Moderator and former map reviewer
CnC Labs
thanks 1 user thanked UTD^Force for this useful post.
Commander Newgate on 1/21/2019(UTC)
Offline Beer_Money  
#5 Posted : Saturday, April 10, 2021 6:00:35 PM(UTC)
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Joined: 4/10/2021(UTC)
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I used to mod Generals and ZH back in the day. Nothing too major, just added adjusted the speed, costs, and damage output on units, added unused generals powers, made SuperWeapons devastating and added some units that had not been in the game ie: Hyper Sonic Aurora, Nuke Hunters, Laser Col. Burton, etc. The biggest change I wanted to create but was never successful, was to make the Boss General work as an opponent. I could never figure that one out. Have any of you ever successfully made the Boss General work as an AI opponent?
Offline Adjiesman  
#6 Posted : Monday, April 12, 2021 1:35:38 PM(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: Beer_Money Go to Quoted Post
I used to mod Generals and ZH back in the day. Nothing too major, just added adjusted the speed, costs, and damage output on units, added unused generals powers, made SuperWeapons devastating and added some units that had not been in the game ie: Hyper Sonic Aurora, Nuke Hunters, Laser Col. Burton, etc. The biggest change I wanted to create but was never successful, was to make the Boss General work as an opponent. I could never figure that one out. Have any of you ever successfully made the Boss General work as an AI opponent?


I succeeded in making the new faction that I made into my AI, even though the AI ​​I made was not strong as the AI ​​made by other people. As for the Boss General, maybe I will try make it according to my wishes too, but only if the AI ​​for my new faction is finished. Even though my AI looks weird, it is at least good enough for a novice modder like me. Big Smile
thanks 1 user thanked Adjiesman for this useful post.
Beer_Money on 11/24/2021(UTC)
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