Download attachment

By Steinin & Master of Puppets

Before you do anything:

This tutorial continues on where Setting up a Mod part 2 ended. So we assume you've got some sort of Mod folder. You can use you Half-LifeValve folder too but I recommend caution if you do so.

How to modify game strings

What's a string?

A string is a line of text mostly. In the HL menus they are "Start a new game" or "Load a new game" and so on. In other words the descriptions of the buttons.

How do I modify them?

First we need to find out what the strings are. It's all in file package 1 available in the download custmod_03.zip. Within that directory is a file called HL_Res.RC. I recommend using a program that handles Resource template files for this. However text editors such as notepad are capable of opening them but it will be a bit harder to acquire values then. Opening the HL_Res.RC (Using a program capable of resource templates) will Look like this:If you have a resource template capable program

First of all: Ignore the ID.

To find the line you wish to modify: You need to know what the line is. Then select find from the edit menu and write in that particular line.

Next create a file called strings.lst inside your mod/GFX/Shell directory. Open it using a text editor. Now find the line you wish to edit. Look at it's value. Then write it's value first and then within " your text " write your text.

Example: 189 "Charge up Steinin's incomplete mod".

Start the mod and see if it has changed.

You don't have a resource template capable program?

If you don't have a resource template capable program you can use text editors. First open up the HL_Res.RC. Now the ID suddenly becomes important. Note that no values are written if you view in text editors. The values are stored in an external file called resource.h That's a file generated by MS developer studio. Open up resource.h too. Find the line in HL_Res.RC as described above. Copy the ID (Ctrl + C) from the HL_Res.RC, you can recognize an ID by the IDS_ . Go to resource.c. Choose find from edit and paste in the line (ctrl + v). Then note the number next to the ID. That number is the value written in the resource template. Write it down in the strings.lst as described above.<String Example> Making a console background and a loading screen.

I have described this earlier in a topic on the forums. However, that only created the same picture for the Conback and the loading screen. Now we want separate pictures. For this purpose, Master of Puppets and I have set up things to be as easy for you as possible.

You will need to open file package 2 found in the download custmod_3.zip.

Find a picture for the console background and one for the loading screen. Make sure they meet the following criteria:

The pictures must be:

• 320x200 pixels
• 256 colors or 8 bit
• BMP format

Name the files:

• The console background to console.bmp
• The Loading screen toLoading.bmp

Create the following folder: C:console. Copy qlumpy and cached.ls from the file package 2 into C:

Run command prompt and type the following: C:qlumpy cached.ls.

You should get a new file called cached.WAD in C:

Copy this cached.Wad to your mod.

Example: D:HLsmcached.WAD.

Run your mod with console and see if the console background has changed. If succesful, run HL again, this time without console. Start a new game. Has the Loading screen changed? It should have.NOTE: Master of Puppets and I demand that you do not use these samples included for your own maps and mods. Since we've made it this easy for you, you shouldn't have to much problem making your own. If you really would like to use our material, then you may acquire permission by speaking to us.

Master of Puppets wrote the custom cached.ls file for me and provided me with some excellent examples to the loading screen/console background part.