TUTORIAL: Basic AI Design FAQ # 1
 

CNC and I pooled our resources and desided to come up with a few basic AI Design FAQ's for those who might be interested in such a thing.

This is not much, and we hope to add more as we learn more.

Please forgive the crudeness of the document, we all know I cannot spell worth a damn.

Feed back is always welcome.


Basic AI Design FAQ # 1

Re: TUTORIAL: Basic AI Design FAQ # 1
 

You may find it interesting: this is an explanation of components installation sequence (_AI_DesignCreation.txt) from AI_DesignCreation CheatSheet by Atraikius:

"When Designing a vehicle, the AI appears to use the following sequence:

1. Verify that all 'Must Have' Abilities are available, and that they are capable of fitting in the current available Hull size.

2. Selects the Latest Hull design researched. At this time the AI also views the Majority Ability to determine if one of the special hull types is to be used.

3. The AI places the required Bridge, Life Support, Crew Quarters, and minimum engines. If the Design is using one of the special hull types the hull specific required components are also placed on the design.

4. The AI placed all 'Must Have' components.

5. The AI places the desired amount of Shields and Armor. Note: The AI may be forced to use Scattering and Emmissive armor by having it place no armor at this point, and then including the specific Ability in the Add. Abilities section.

6. The AI places the desired amount of Majority components, followed by the desired amount of secondary components. Note: The AI does NOT count any 'Must Have' components when placing the desired amount, and when placing weapons will always use the largest mount available.

7. The AI goes through the list of Additional Abilities in numerical order, checking each item and evaluating if there is enough room to place that component. The AI will continue to place the current component on the design until either the desired amount have been placed, or there is not enough room for an additional component. The AI then moves to the next Ability on the list and repeats the placement and evaluation process.

8. If space is still available once the AI has gone through the entire list, the AI will then place additional Majority Weapons (if attack or defense ship, or Base), there appears to be a limit on the number placed since the AI seems to stop after placeing 5-6 Majority Weapons on a design. If the design is not a combat ship, or it has reached its weapon limit, the AI will place additional shields/armor on the design until all remaining space is used."

Probably you have to ask his permission to use it in your FAQ. And another thing - it's about non-Gold AI files, but I believe that such basic thing hadn't changed alot.

[ March 05, 2004, 00:13: Message edited by: aiken ]

Re: TUTORIAL: Basic AI Design FAQ # 1
 

Thank You Aiken, can you post a link to where you got that info. I tried the modding tutorial site, but it is a dead link from SE.net

The info you posted is very helpful and I would like to include it if I could. I will have to ask permission first. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: TUTORIAL: Basic AI Design FAQ # 1
 

AI_DesignCreation CheatSheet by Atraikius:
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/newup...1040385338.zip

Re: TUTORIAL: Basic AI Design FAQ # 1
 

Atrocities

I have to say thank you for doing this. Many like me have had trouble with modding the AI files do to lack of documentation. Some of the text can be cryptic.

I like what you are doing with explaining the AI_DesignCreation.txt file. Another thing that would be very helpful is to go through an example. Say I'm designing an attack ship and I want these components... That would help a lot in understanding the AI_DesignCreation.txt file too. Maybe Rollo can do this.

I would also discuss the override field for Weapon Target in Components.txt as that is cool feature.

For the Research.txt, I would mention the AI state of "Not Connected" as it's not discussed in the text file.

Thanks again for doing this. This is long overdue. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[ March 05, 2004, 03:49: Message edited by: hicksz ]

Re: TUTORIAL: Basic AI Design FAQ # 1
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Atraikius has given permission to post his AI Designcreation Cheatsheet.

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana"></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">

Re: TUTORIAL: Basic AI Design FAQ # 1
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">That would be well beyond the scope of an AI modding tutorial though.

Re: TUTORIAL: Basic AI Design FAQ # 1
 

The nice thing is that the file can be improved as many times as needed to make it more useable.

Thanks for the links guys, and I do hope those old farts come back to visist us some day.

Re: TUTORIAL: Basic AI Design FAQ # 1
 

That is a good suggestion for another FAQ. Thanks. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: TUTORIAL: Basic AI Design FAQ # 1
 

How To Add A New Race To A Mod. Tutorial.

Re: TUTORIAL: Basic AI Design FAQ # 1
 

I would like to see a detailed explanation of how to make the .EMP files when you want to add a new Race to an existing Mod for example. If I try to add it in, it always says unable to load the .EMP file.

CNC did explain it to me, but I have not tried it. I think he said to just copy all the AI files from the Mod to your race. Load up the Mod with your race, create the 2,3 & 5K settings and save them. At this point I am a little lost. I assumed that the AI files were what made your race unique or special abilities. I know this must be logical, has to be, but I am thick skulled it seems. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/rolleyes.gif

Do I edit the AI files I copied over to my new race? Copy the org AI files for my race back in its folder? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif Go ahead and pick on me, this has to be very easy to do or there would be detailed instructions on adding races to existing Mods. Like the great AST Mod for example. Now I am working on my own mod and this is one thing I am having some problems understanding. Thanks. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: TUTORIAL: Basic AI Design FAQ # 1
 

gee, how did I get here? I guess I was bound to wander off track while on my mission.

Oh well, here is a nice shiny apple for the teacher.

Cheers! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: TUTORIAL: Basic AI Design FAQ # 1
 

A random post Major General? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: TUTORIAL: Basic AI Design FAQ # 1
 

this is a great idea-- great job)))--id like to see some specific AI tutorials in the future. some examples-- How to mod AI for more/optimal fighter use, how to make AI use troops more to actually conquer planets. AI shipbuilding in general-- (how to make em build what you want em to)--etc. Maybe the AI guru's can collaborate and add all there idea and examples. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif