@Keisari Tapsa,
"Yes currently you can only open dat files using command line. I can make more commands. What kinda command line format we are talking about here? How would it make doing unique graphics faster?"
I should clarify- I am currently using Advanced Genie Editor 3 for AoE2HD, not AOK. The new modding format in AoE2HD unpacks the data files into loose SLP files.
Creating a graphics mod to replace an SLP is easy enough- simply create a new SLP and it will override the existing SLP graphic. However, what is a problem is giving each civilization unique building/unit line graphics without updating the pointers to point to these new units/buildings.
For example, say I want 18 different feudal barracks graphics for 18 different civs. The tasks that I want to be able to automate are (1) copying the SLP files (easily done now with loose files), and (2) updating the pointers for each civ to point to these new graphics.
For SLP files I copy the feudal barracks SLP and Graphic for each graphic set (N - 1) number of times, where N represents the number of total civs per graphic set, i.e.:
Graphic Set 1: East Europeans (Goths, Germans, Vikings, Huns), N = 4
Current Feudal Barracks Graphics file for East Europeans: BRKS2NNE
Copy 3 (N - 1|
N = 4) times, so for example you have:
BRKS2NNE_1 BRKS2NNE_2 BRKS2NNE_3
The second task is updating the standing graphic pointers in the "Units" tab of AGE3 for each civ:
Goths - no change: Standing Graphic BRKS2NNE
Germans: Standing Graphic BRKS2NNE_2
Huns: Standing Graphic BRKS2NNE_3
That's it for one building for one age for one civ graphic set! Phew. That's why I'd like to be able to automate the task of doing this via a command line AGE that supports the copy/paste operations available in the GUI version already.
To answer your question of why this would enable unique graphics faster- This type of automation can be used to create a data file that no longer has hardcoding of building graphics/unit graphics to civs. Thus, one simply creates an SLP that corresponds to a civ graphic. Lastly, such a file would be multiplayer compliant for civ-specific modded building graphics and units.
Memories are like footprints. If you don't revisit them, they are soon enveloped by new snow...[This message has been edited by destroyo64 (edited 06-04-2015 @ 02:17 AM).]