Beginners guide to editing units

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Introduction

This guide is for starting modding enthusiasts who wish to start creating a mod for World in Conflict. This guide will show you some of the basics of using Juicemaker and how to perform some basic unit attribute changes.

Before you start reading through the guide, it is recommended you have done the following:


About Juicemaker

Juicemaker is a tool created by Massive Entertainment that edits files with the .juice prefix. These .juice files are then compiled into .ice, .loc and .hash files (that use the same name of the parent .juice file) which are in turn read by World in Conflict.

Using Juicemaker, you can do many things. From editing unit attributes to inserting new sound effects, its all possible using Juicemaker.

When using Juicemaker, and editing .juice files (or any file for that matter) its always a good idea to save an unedited backup. This saves you from having to reinstall the Mod Kit because you accidentally edited a file and are unsure how to revert the change.


Juicemaker Basics

To start using Juicemaker, just simply double-click on the Juicemaker file within your World in Conflict Mod Kit directory. You will be presented with a screen that looks like this.

Then simply click "File" then "Open...". Now navigate to your World in Conflict Mod Kit directory (if its not displaying it already).

Open the units folder, then select the juice file labelled "unittypes_wic". You should now clearly see on the left-side of the screen a list with 3 entries (DamageModel, GlobalUnitValues and UnitTypes). This tutorial will be covering some important aspects to be found within the UnitTypes entry of the unittypes_wic.juice file.


Navigating in Juicemaker

Now that you have opened Juicemaker and loaded up a .juice file, its time to learn the ropes on how to navigate your way through Juicemaker.

To expand an entry in Juicemaker, simply click on the + sign next to the entry. Do this now to the UnitTypes entry. You should now be able to see all the entries within it.

To close an entry, simply click on the - sign next to the entry.


You will notice that there is an organised hierarchical structure within the .juice files.


Editing in Juicemaker

One of the most common editing functions you will be performing in Juicemaker (and in particular when editing the unittypes_wic.juice file) is changing the value of an entry. Whether it be a number, words or a file location the method is the same.

To simply edit an entry, simply right-click on it within Juicemaker. This normally will bring up a dialog box prompting you to enter in a new value. Try this now on the myHealth entry of the US_Tank_Abrahms entry within the UnitTypes section. If you followed the steps correctly it should look something like this.


Another editing function within Juicemaker is the ability to add additional entries. These entries have varying effects on the game, depending on the type of entry you add in and the type of .juice file you are editing.

To demonstrate this, expand the myParasites entry within the US_Tank_Abrahms entry. Now right-click on it. Presented to you is a dialog box that allows you to choose from a select list of new entries you can add (depending on the juice entry you right-click on). You can add additional new entries (given that they don't already exist). These new entries all have different functions and effects.


Here is a brief description of some of the entries in myParasites for US_Tank_Abrahms:

  • TankMover - this controls the movement capability and speeds of the tank.
  • EngineSoundSource - this controls the engine sounds of the tank.
  • Armor - here you can set the various armour values of the tank.
  • Eyes - controls the unit's ability to see the battlefield when in-game.
  • ZoneCapturer - a simple myParasites entry that allows the unit to capture Command Points within the game.
  • aimerSound - controls the sounds made when aiming.
  • MultipleShooter - controls the various weapons of the tank.
  • SpecialAbility - controls the tank's special abilities.

As you can see, adding and editing entries can have a significant effect on how the unit performs in-game.


The final main editing function you should be aware of while using Juicemaker is the ability to delete entries. To do this, simply select the entry you want to delete and hit the delete key on your keyboard.


Editing units

By now you'll understand that the unittypes_wic juice file (and the subsequent UnitTypes entry within) controls alot of the unit attributes within World in Conflict. This file is where you will want to go if you wish to change an attribute of a unit within World in Conflict.

This aspect of the guide will help show you some of the more popular or important entries that you will probably most likely want to view and change when editing the units within World in Conflict.

The following is a list describing some the main attributes most modders will want to know when working on a mod. Its not a complete list of all possible attributes used by units in the unittypes_wic juice file, only the main ones which are most likely to be edited.


  • UnitTypes > unit > myHealth - sets the number of hitpoints the unit has.
  • UnitTypes > unit > myRep - controls the visual representation of the unit in-game.
    • myRep > myModelName - what model the unit will use in-game.
    • myRep > myShadowFile - what shadow file the unit will use in-game.
    • myRep > myTracksTexture - what tracks texture the unit will use in-game.
    • myRep > myPhysFile - what physics file the unit will use in-game.
    • myRep > myTracksWidth - the width of the tracks left by the unit in-game.
    • myRep > myWaterTrailWidth - the width of the water trail left by the unit in-game.
  • UnitTypes > unit > myParasites - contains various entries that affect the unit's performance and behaviour in-game.
    • myParasites > InfantryMover - controls the movement speed of an infantry unit
    • myParasites > TankMover - controls the movement speed and other variables of a vehicle unit.
    • myParasites > Armor - controls the armour type and levels of the unit.
    • myParasites > Eyes - controls the unit's seeing / detection ability in-game.
    • myParasites > EngineSoundSource - controls the unit's noise made when moving.
    • myParasites > Stealth - controls the unit's stealth capabilities.
    • UnitTypes > unit > myParasites > MultipleShooter - controls the unit's weapons.
      • MultipleShooter > PrimaryShooter - controls the unit's primary weapon.
        • PrimaryShooter > weapon > myAmmoTypes > ammotype > myMinRange - sets the minimum range of the weapon. It will not be able to fire within this range.
        • PrimaryShooter > weapon > myAmmoTypes > ammotype > myMaxRange - sets the maximum range of the weapon. It will not be able to fire further than this range.
        • PrimaryShooter > weapon > myAmmoTypes > ammotype > myAccuracy - sets the scatter of the weapon. The higher this number, the larger the scatter (and the more inaccurate the weapon is).
        • PrimaryShooter > weapon > myAmmoTypes > ammotype > myFireRate - sets how often the weapon can be fired. The number in this entry is measured in seconds, and should not be below 0.1 due to speed servers make calculations in World in Conflict.
        • PrimaryShooter > weapon > myAmmoTypes > ammotype > myMagazineCapacity - sets how many rounds the weapon can fire before it has to reload.
        • PrimaryShooter > weapon > myAmmoTypes > ammotype > myReloadTime - sets the reload speed of the weapon. Measured in seconds.

Guide still slightly work-in-progress

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