Creating OOB mod procedure?

Hi fellas

Just been toying with creating OOBs for use in Sandbox (Waterloo). I like Sandbox for SP games, as I don't know which direction the enemy will come from and don't know what I will be facing.

I also want OOBs that have a good mix and are where most divisions have a light cav presence. I want Corps with a Heavy cav division and probable no reserve artillery division.

I created a small OOB example and created an OOBNames xml file. I created a mod folder and relevant sub folders, ie OOBs, Language, Media, Layout(in proper order)

The mod doesn't work. Perhaps I've made a simple mistake on the spreadsheet but wondered if I need to do anything else.

I wondered if two mods can run at the same time containing OOBs and OOBNames xml files? Can there be more than one OOBNames xml or do I need to add it to that humongous one containing all the OOBs?

Is there another file I need to create or modify?

Would I have to add the files to the KS mod? Perhaps have my own version of the KS Mod with these added OOBs?

I would, of course, gladly add anything created to the KS Mod but want to be able to test and create first.

Cheers

Mike

There can only be one version of the xml file. If you are using versions of the KS OOBs then you won't need a new xml. All the entries are in the KS version. If you have created new OOBs with different commanders and units, then you will. In that case, load your mod after the KS Napoleon mod, (it is below the KS mod on the modifications screen), and that should fix it. If it is still crashing, take a look at the SOWWL.log file. It will probably tell you where the error is.

Thanks Kevin. I'm sure that will do it, although it will be a few days before I can test it. If I use units and commanders from differing OOB's, do I just keep the same codes that are in Column B of the OOB spreadsheet?
I might want to do an oob containing several nations.

Yes, keep the column B designations. Those are what link the OOB to the xml file. You can put as many entries from as many different OOBs as you like in your composite OOB. However, you can have only 2 sides. You can have more than one army for each side though.

Thanks Kevin.

Now for the Excell headaches

Been playing around with making the Sandbox oob.

Tested an composite OOB made from formations from two different OOBs. It would not work with different Column B codes in the same OOB.

I renamed the Column B to new codes and created a XML OOBNames file.

I put the new OOBNames file in the mod, in the appropriate folders. Ran the mod sequenced after the KS mod.

Hey presto! it worked. So you can have two OOBNames files running, which I think I misunderstood.

When I tried it previously, I'm sure my OOB was corrupt when I tried to create the MXL file, as the file created was only 1kilobyte.

Also, been considering adding a French Guards Corps to the KS Austria 1809 OOB. I think Gunship24 never got around to doing this.

Thanks again Kevin

Tested an composite OOB made from formations from two different OOBs. It would not work with different Column B codes in the same OOB

But that's how I make new OOBs and test them.  Only when I've finished one and am satisfied with it via game testing, do I change the values in column B.
The game only cares that a value in column B is unique in that OOB.  It doesn't care what they look like. You may have had the OOB additions misnumbered, (corps/division), or perhaps had the courier entry in the wrong spot.  The log file is pretty good in reporting these issues.

Once I release the new version of the mod, (hopefully this week), I'm going to spend some time putting together new OOBs.  I'm planning on 1800 Germany & Italy, 1805 fall & winter, 1809 summer, (Wagram) and 1813 Leipzig, (nothing says grandiose better than this one).  Any help is appreciated as it would give me more time to fiddle with the AI.  I'd like to create a proper cavalry screening behavior.

They'll keep you busy. Swedes would be a nice addition.
I can help, although my modding time remains minimal. I'm going to crack on with my Sandbox oobs first.
I'm really liking the cav scouting. You have to remember that the mother unit stops when taking back the scouts and needs fresh orders but otherwise very useful, great work.
Is there any way Divisional/Corps AI commanders could send similar messages when they engage? It would be good for knowing where the action is in sandbox.
One thing I noticed is there is an inf brigade formation or two which have the right and left order reversed, so sometimes the units will cross over when changing formation. Can't remember which off hand.
Mike

I don't think the Swedes did any fighting, did they? Bernadotte didn't want to risk his crown by getting any of his men hurt.

It wouldn't take much effort to add messaging from division and corps commanders concerning fighting in their sector. They could give their location and the general size of the force confronting them, (brigade, division or corps size enemy force).

I didn't know the parent unit stopped moving when collecting the scouts. I knew that they stopped when detaching and sending them off. I fixed that so this will be easy too.

I fixed the regiment stopping when absorbing the scouting party. It will now automatically move towards the cavalry commanders destination if he is moving.

Thanks Kevin
I think you are right about the Swedes. Got in some early experience in the Art of War Avoidance.

The Div/Corps engagement report would be really useful. Even in MP, It could represent a quick report sent by the Cheif of Staff, whilst the Commander is occupied.

How about a 'Sound of Guns' indicator?? General direction and distance or rough area on map. Just throwing them out there.

I'll work on the engagement reports. First up is the 1800 OOBs.

1800 Campaigns would be a nice change. Do you have an 1800 OOB?

If not, I have a good book on the Marengo and Hohenlinden Campaigns that i could dig out. I think it has OOBs that I could copy.

I expect there's also one somewhere on the internet

Mike

Thanks, Mike, but I've already got OOBs for both the German and Italian theaters. I've finished the French Armee du Rhin and am starting on the Austrians. The problem there is finding the regimental commanders. It seems the Austrians were happy to forget that period of fighting. Never happened. Fake news!