View source for How The Engine Uses Files

(This example focuses on InfantryTypes, however, all other object types (VehicleTypes, AircraftTypes, BuildingTypes) work roughly the same way.

[[Image:Artwork scheme.png|thumb|150px|right|A crude graphic version of this explanation]]
The engine loads the object artwork like this:
* Reads the [{{Tt|InfantryTypes}}] section from {{Tt|Rules(md).ini}} and creates a list of all objects listed in it.
* For each object listed, it:
** Tries to find a section with the same name as the object.
*** If it fails, it continues to the next object.
** Tries to read the {{Tt|Image}} flag from that section.
*** If it fails, it assumes that the object's {{Tt|Image}} is the same as section name.
** Tries to read a section in {{Tt|Art(md).ini}} with the same name as the object's {{Tt|Image}}.
** Reads the {{Tt|Cameo}} and {{Tt|AltCameo}} flags from that section. Let's say the section says
 Cameo = ioncicon
 AltCameo = tanyicon
** Loads the object's artwork from a file named {{Tt|''section_name''.shp}} {{Fnl|1}} {{Fnl|2}}.
*** If it fails, the object will be rendered invisible.
** Loads the object's cameo from a [[SHP]] file named the same as the {{Tt|Cameo}} value, in this case, {{Tt|ioncicon.shp}}.
** Loads the object's alternative cameo from a [[SHP]] file named the same as the {{Tt|AltCameo}} value, in this case, {{Tt|tanyicon.shp}}.
*** If either of these loads fails, the dummy cameo, from the file {{Tt|xxicon.shp}} is loaded instead.

{{Fn|1|If the object has {{Tt|Voxel&#x3d;yes}}, the extension changes to {{Tt|.vxl}} , and another file with the same name, but the extension {{Tt|.hva}}, is also loaded.}}

{{Fn|2|For certain object type, the {{Tt|Image}} value in {{Tt|art(md).ini}} is acknowledged and overrides over the {{Tt|Rules(md).ini}} value of {{Tt|Image}}. (To the revision author's knowledge, this does not apply to InfantryTypes (proof &#x3d; CAML), VehicleTypes (proof &#x3d; BFRT) and AircraftTypes, but applies to BuildingTypes and Animations (proof &#x3d; any damaged active animation). ) }}

[[Category: General Editing Information]]
[[Category: Tutorials]]