Modpacks: Tutorials: SLP Overview

We'll start out this Overview Of .Slp Files by explaining the basics of a .slp file and generally what they contain and do.

Note: Everything written here is presumed to be true, but could be wrong. Remember, I'm just a fan, I didn't make this game.

Q.) What is a .slp file?
A.) A .slp file is a smaller file, within the larger .drs database files, that contains a Age of Kings graphic or animation.

Q.) What does a .slp do?
A.) A .slp file displays in the game whenever Age of Kings calls up that particular graphic/animation.

Q.) How many .slp files are there?
A.) Literally thousands. There are approximately 5000 to 6000 .slps. Counting them is not an easy task, as sometimes the numbers will skip.

Unit SLPs

Unit SLPs each contain one animation of the unit.

They are:

a.) Attacking
b.) Standing Ground
c.) Dying
d.) Rotting
e.) Moving

Thus, to replace a unit, you must first replace all the .Slps relating to it. Each .Slp has approximately 50 frames. This totals to about 250 seperate graphics to replace, not an easy task.

One .slp of a certain animation contains the unit preforming that action in five different directions.

Villagers, of course, have many more SLPs because of their varied actions. Also, boats are another exception to the rule. They are made up of two .slps each, the Sail and the Hull.

Building SLPs

Building SLPs are very simple. They only contain the image of one building in the game, each. If you replace a building with a bigger graphic, be warned, you will be able to walk on part of your building with units, because the area a building takes up is programmed into the game, and is not editable currently.

Dust, Arrows, and Miscellany

The number of frames in dust, arrows, and other miscellany widely varies. These things are scattered throughout the graphics.drs.

Shadows

Everything in the game has a shadow. Units have their own shadow in their own .slp, but buildings and miscellany have the shadows in seperate .slps. There are large numbers of shadow .slps, most of which are un-identifable.

Town Center Pieces

Because of the ability to walk "through" or "under" Town Centers, they have had to be broken up into many smaller chunks. There are a large number of these also.

Summary: By editing the .slp files, we can alter the graphics of Age of Kings.