[Question] Is there an XML guide?

[padillah]

I relise that XML is supposed to be self-documenting but, in classic "uber-hype" fasion, it's actually not.

Is there someplace I can get a full guide on what's in all the XML files and what they are used for?

Tom P.

[rjwoer]

Nope. Not at least for Civ 4 specific XML files. There are, of course, plenty of good books out there about XML in general.

[padillah]

XML I'm fine with I just need to know things like what's "bFound"? Or "iMinAreaSize"? Or "Rands\RandApp1", "Rands\RandApp2", "Rands\RandApp3", "Rands\RandApp4"?

Things like that. I might need to know this stuff for resource placement. I'd like to, eventually, have WorldPainter use the XML files when it generates a map so you could have new resources and the like without having to take extra steps.

Tom P.

[Peter Triggs]

Isak's working on it:

http://modiki.apolyton.net/index.php?title=Reference_xml

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by padillah
XML I'm fine with I just need to know things like what's "bFound"? Or "iMinAreaSize"? Or "Rands\RandApp1", "Rands\RandApp2", "Rands\RandApp3", "Rands\RandApp4"?

What you need to know is not XML but the schemas. There should be various files on them in the Assets folder, together with the actual XML files.

[rjwoer]

What Urban Ranger said.

[padillah]

Originally posted by Urban Ranger


What you need to know is not XML but the schemas. There should be various files on them in the Assets folder, together with the actual XML files.

Fine, I can determine that bFound is only 0 or 1.

But what the heck IS it? How many times this terrain is found? If this can be found or is hidden (invisable terrain)?

Guys, I've written applications that use XML before. Heck, I'm writting an application to read THIS xml. If it were the files themselvves I'd have no problem. In fact a good portion of the XML is readable. I've got no question what <Yield> is for. <RiverYieldChange> I can figure out by myself.

It's the weird ones like <bFound> and <bFoundCoast> that get me.

There is work being done in the MOD-wiki so I'll keep my eye out there.

Thanks for the help though.
Tom P.

[padillah]

Originally posted by rjwoer
What Urban Ranger said.

Nah, more like "what Peter said".

That WIKI looks like it might be promiseing.

Tom P.

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by padillah
It's the weird ones like <bFound> and <bFoundCoast> that get me.

IIRC, the schema files have comments explaining things. Though I haven't read them in quite some time and the memory is hazy.

[padillah]

from CIV4TerrainSchema.xml

<!-- edited with XMLSPY v2004 rel. 2 U ([url]http://www.xmlspy.com[/url]) by Rob McLaughlin (Firaxis Games) -->
<!-- Sid Meier's Civilization 4 -->
<!-- Copyright Firaxis Games 2005 -->
<!-- -->
<!-- Terrain Schema -->
<Schema xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:xml-data" xmlns:dt="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:datatypes">

...

	<ElementType name="bWater" content="textOnly" dt:type="boolean"/>
	<ElementType name="bImpassable" content="textOnly" dt:type="boolean"/>
	<ElementType name="bFound" content="textOnly" dt:type="boolean"/>
	<ElementType name="bFoundCoast" content="textOnly" dt:type="boolean"/>
	<ElementType name="bFoundFreshWater" content="textOnly" dt:type="boolean"/>
	<ElementType name="iMovement" content="textOnly" dt:type="int"/>
	<ElementType name="iSeeFrom" content="textOnly" dt:type="int"/>
	<ElementType name="iSeeThrough" content="textOnly" dt:type="int"/>
	<ElementType name="iBuildModifier" content="textOnly" dt:type="int"/>
	<ElementType name="iDefense" content="textOnly" dt:type="int"/>
	<ElementType name="Button" content="textOnly"/>
	<ElementType name="FootstepAudioType" content="textOnly"/>
	<ElementType name="FootstepAudioScript" content="textOnly"/>

If there are comments, then I ain't findin' 'em.

Maybe you're thinking of the Python files... or something.

Tom P.

[Apocalypse Cow]

My suggestion is to change a value, and see what changes in play.

[padillah]

I tried that a little but I couldn't determine if the change I made made more resources show up, or more get clustered, or more passes taken to place them well, or more were allowed to be closer to each other, or just the random number generator fell sweet.

I have no idea WHY what I change makes more or less resources.

I think I've got what I need for my application though.

Tom P.