What it takes to be a Co8 modder.

New textures for existing models can be done, models can be edited to a point, though reskinning may be both needed and problematic. I personally haven't done ant 3d model modding so far, though I may need to very soon.

 

It could theoretically be possible to make a single weapon that could be scripted to make those alterations to size, damage dice, model, throwable etc... it wouldn't be a script that I'd want to write as it would be well beyond my abilities.

Regarding throwing the weapons, they would need new animations for being thrown. Currently I think the only throwable weapon in ToEE is a dagger, that animation might be useful as a starting point.

 

You could name all the weapons 'Mind Blade', I still think the easiest way would be to create 16 versions of the weapon, the 12 throwing versions in all 4 possible sizes of each of the 3 weapon types used, and the 4 non-throwing shortsword versions for level 1 characters, as the stats of the weapons change for the size of the wielder, and ToEE allows for a total of 4 PC sizes.

This would certainly make scripting the ability easier as you would just need to check the characters size and create the size appropriate weapon rather than creating a generic weapon and scripting at least 13 specific changes to that weapon's proto...

EG: size category,
item weight,
weapon model,
weapon icon,
damage dice,
allows throwing or not,
magical bonus,
the feat associated for it's use,
additional magical abilities (upto 3 of these),
the render scale (to change the size of the model itself)
and anything else I've missed.

 

Anim8or is a free package, there are conversion tools for ToEE's .skm files to turn them into files Anim8or can read here on our forum.

3ds Max is hideously expensive if you were to buy it, they do allow students to download the package for free however... And don't seem to check with the college that you're actually enrolled there... Conversion tools for ToEE's files are also available on our forum.

 

I wouldn't know, I haven't actually tried either yet.

 

download ToEEExtract from the tools section and place it in it's own folder, then copy ToEE.dat from the modules folder (for maps)
ToEE1 (for 3d models and artwork)
ToEE2, 3 & 4 (for other game files)
then drag and drop each in turn onto the ToEEExtract.exe this will decompress the files. Bare in mind that these are the Vanilla files for ToEE. Any newer files from Co8 patches will override the .dat versions, so any changes you make will need to be made using the upto date version instead of the .dat version.

Any files not in the Co8 patch haven't changed since vanilla, so aren't included.

3d models are in the art/meshes folder.

 

AFAIK, weapons don't need animations since it's. The creature that's moving, as long as the weapon has no moving parts, you're golden.

If you are after a blue glowing effect perhaps exploring the particle system would be a useful option?

 

Ha, I wish I could get a job as a night-time shelf stacker. I keep applying for those jobs and they don't even answer me.

Re the OP, also no programming training here, and only experience in BASIC and some assembly language from many years back. Have since gotten into other OOP languages like C++ (and learned what OOP is). Python (the language for ToEE) is easy to use - so easy they joke about it in XKCD.

I'm doing a Soulknife for KotB atm, let us know how you go Winston and we can compare notes at some point. Re effects on your sword, check what Cujo and HalfKnight had to say, both of them achieved it (HalfKnight posted screenshots of his characters with light sabres he made just for giggles).