Need fast way to create AI research files

[Urendi Maleldil]

Anyone have and tools or tips to create and modify AI research files quickly?

I've been converting the AI to use the Pointer Mod. Converting the DesignCreation file is fairly quick, but creating a good Research file takes a really long time.

I've been using the AI tech modder, but it's only a little bit faster than doing it by hand. I know most of the AIs from the TDM mod have custom research files. Anyone know how those were created?

[NullAshton]

Copy and paste?

[TheDeadlyShoe]

IMHO, it's difficult to get more efficient than Wordpad at AI research modding.

I'm not sure there's a quick way...

[geoschmo]

I pretty sure all the TDM Ai research files were done using a long an laborious process of manual text editing, play-testing, and then more editing. If you simply need a decent research file for a new ai, pick an exsisting race that has the same racial traits as your new race and copy it's research file. If you want a good AND customized research file for your new race, there is no easy out.

[Mephisto]

Countless hours of play testing and re-structuring of the research files either manually or with the tech modder (nice tool!), that's how they were created. There is IMHO no quick and dirty way except for copying a research file and modifying it only slightly for the next race.

Edit: Strange, I sound just like Geo, only my wording differs. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/redface.gif

[Urendi Maleldil]

pick an exsisting race that has the same racial traits as your new race and copy it's research file.




Unfortunatley that won't work. The Pointer Mod uses a completely re-written tech tree (which I actually like better than the stock one).

I wish there was a way to target certain components or facilities and have the AI research the required techs automatically.

Maybe SE5 AI?