...
- Keep the same model names, eg ashto - tower shields;
- This might retain full backwards compatibility. We simply have DDS files in use on the old models to override any PLT, and the same for icons
- If it does work we add the new shields as 001 and up, simple enough. Maybe some as 100 and up too (increase MaxRange). The Toolset seems to check for the TGA file to validate after all.
- is a bit dodgy - sure custom content that adds new shields technically will sorta load, but it will probably not work correctly since the "bitmap" field is ignored
- It also assumes a clean namespace which isn't always the case due to Bioware testing models 001 with some stuff sometimes
- New model names - this is a "clean break" but breaks all compatibility, eg: "shtow_" or similar
- Can copy ID's to retain the same blueprint compatibility - eg; 011 still is the silver shield variant, with DDS/TGA textures
- This helps due to the dodgy thing with bitmap field essentially becoming ignored
However there are some bugs (to be reported to Beamdog):
- The toolset only checks for "iNAME_001.tga" - yes only TGA - to display it in the dropdown even if it then loads a PLT file. No idea why since helmets only have .PLT files. Likely as bug (ie helmets are treated as "special")
- Since it expects a PLT icon however, if only TGA or DDS exist then...it just shows nothing! Weird, but acceptable...
- The game displays icons properly only in these cases:
- PLT: No TGA or DDS file exists
- DDS or TGA: These show in normal priority order
Solution to the above: Final client hakpacks have the PLT only or DDS only. For toolset use a developer has to use a Toolset Only hakpack/development folder set of TGA files to "impersonate" the appearances. These can be either simply 1x1 black TGA files, since they should never show in game, or better maybe even just have a pink X or other noticable iconography since the icon won't be really displayed in the toolset; example of one with DDS and TGA only:
We could technically include some kind of PLT icon, maybe impersonating the model, so it makes it easier to view, but again only for development purposes.