FAQ
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Frequently Asked Questions for the Age of Empires 3 Scenario Editor!
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Most Frequently Asked Questions/The Basics (Sorted By Importance)
My computer players don't move.
You have to assign an AI (Artificial Intelligence) to them. Like so:
- Place a Town Center or Covered Wagon at the desired location. If you place a Town Center use a normal (not the IGC) one.
- Place an "AI Start Object" for each computer player next to the Town Center or Covered Wagon or nearby. Go to the Objects Menu, select Place object, then find the object "***AIStartObject" and put it on the map. You can also add the AI Start object later on in the game with triggers. Then the AI will start working at the time the AI Start object is created.
- Go to the players menu ("Scenario" -> "Player Data") and select as "Control" for each human player "Human", for each computer player "Computer".
- Click "AI" and select aiLoaderStandard.xs (there're other AI files as well, although they are mostly for campaign-scenario purposes). Then click "Open". Don't double-click the *.xs files, otherwise the scenario will 'forget' your AI settings (which is one of AoE3's bugs). Click once on the file, then "Open".
- To enable shipments select Home Cities for the players. "Reset HC" sets the default civilization-specific HC, "Set HC" displays the current one and enables individual selection (requires a HC file in folder "Campaign").
- To support a specific AI behavior set according flags in "World" -> "Map Types", depending on the kind of your map.
Do that for every computer player you want to act like in normal random maps. (Don't assign an AI though to the player that actually plays the scenario, otherwise the human and the computer will both command the same units and buildings.)
It might also be that they don't work in playtest mode -- only by choosing a custom scenario and actually playing the game.
I can't find any of the upgraded versions of units.
Unlike in AoK, AoE3 only lets you place the base units in the editor. Use the effect Set Tech Status and activate the techs necessary for the upgrade.
How do I set the Age of a player?
With the help of Player: SetAge.
How do I disable auto-formations?
Sadly, this can't be done easily. It requires creating a new effect with the following code (if you don't know how to add new triggers, you can see the Adding Custom Triggers guide):
<Effect name="Auto Formations">
<Param name = "On" dispName = "Use Auto Formations" varType = "bool">false</Param>
<Command>if (%On%) config("RegroupUnits");</Command>
<Command>else config("-RegroupUnits");</Command>
</Effect>
Use this effect in an active and run-immediately trigger. Loop it as well, because when you save the game, exit AoE3 and load the game again, the effect of this trigger effect will be gone.
Put no other effects in that trigger to safe performance. (This way it doesn't affect performance at all, according to the FPS.)
After playtesting there's Black Map and Fog of War in the Editor.
Download this (http://aoe3.heavengames.com/downloads/showfile.php?fileid=87) patch. It fixes the issue among other things. (Attention: Doesn't work with patch 1.04!)
There's so many triggers! How do I go about finding the one I want?
The answer is no further away than our Triggers section, which has an illustrated guide to every condition and effect.
The camera isn't pitching, how can I make it do so?
Download this (http://aoe3.heavengames.com/downloads/showfile.php?fileid=58) or this (http://aoe3.heavengames.com/downloads/showfile.php?fileid=87) mod.
The first one is a pitch editor, you can change the pitch to different angles by clicking on certain buttons. The second one patches some other issues as well, but it also lets you move the camera like in AoMtT. For both files read the readme files for more information.
Without these mods you can't pitch the camera in AoE3 (at least not in a convenient way).
How do I make a Cinematic Movie?
- Use the Cinematic mode effect, and choose either ON or OFF in order to start or end the cinematic.
- Use the Cinematic Tools to create Camera Tracks, and integrate them in your cinematic with the Camera Track effect. Use Camera Cuts as well.
- To display text use Play Dialog.
- If you want the units not to automatically start fights, use SetIdleProcessing OFF. Don't forget to turn it ON again when the cinematic ends.
- For in-game cinematics, use the effect Deselect Units. This hides the ugly waypoint flag.
- If you use a low camera angle use skies in order to make your cinematic look better.
- Don't show the borders of the map in a cinematic. It just looks ugly.
How do I add sound to my scenario?
Use the effect Sound Filename. Note that the editor only accepts sounds in .wav and .mp3 format.
When I play my scenario I control the wrong player's units.
The scenario will be played through the perspective of the last player you used in the editor, for example in the Place Object or Playtest Scenario menu.
To play as the right player, select the right player and save the scenario, like so:
- Changing the player in the Place Object or Playtest Scenario menu changes the active player. So make sure to select the right player here before saving the final version of your scenario.
- You can also switch between players in the editor with a hotkey combination: Press CTRL+F(number of player)
Example: CTRL+F1 for player 1.
Then save the scenario and you're done.
What are Fake Players?
Go here.
How do you edit objects?
The Modify Protounit effect doesn't fully work in AOE3. You can use it for things like Healthpoints for most units, but attack modifications are rarely possible. You could achieve the desired effects with techtree.xml modding (make a new tech with all desired effects on your units and use it in your scenario. Don't forget to distribute your techtree.xml file along with the scenario then).
Where are all my scenarios?
Unlike previous games like Age of Kings, AoE3 scenario files are stored in the "My Games" folder. Go to "My Documents\My Games\Age of Empires 3\Scenario".
How do I activate triggers?
Use the Fire event effect.
How do I resize objects?
Unfortunately, no way to resize objects is currently known.
How do I remove Allied Line of Sight (LOS)?
In the very first trigger of your scenario use Set Tech Status and set it to Spies, "Unobtainable". The Black Map will still be revealed where your allies' units stand though, so use Player Reset Blackmap in the same trigger, too.
Voilà . Easier than Player LOS Change (plus that one was buggy in AoM, so I don't trust it).
How do I place a Trading Post (in the editor)? If I place a Socket, I cannot place the Post on top.
There're different kinds of Sockets (you can access a whole list of them in the Place Object menu). In order to make them work you have to distinguish between the two basic types:
- A Socket as a native American village:
Firstly, go to the Native American Manager. Tick the boxes to determine which tribes can be used on your map. Then place a Socket of that tribe and you can put a Trading Post on top. - A Socket next to a trade route is even easier:
Position the specific Socket for trade routes next to a trade route (use the Trade Route Tool to create one) and you can place a Trading Post on top. If there's no trade route next to it it won't work.
Use this (http://aoe3.heavengames.com/downloads/showfile.php?fileid=87) mod to align the Sockets, so that the AI (computer players) can use them.
How can you change the appearance of the sky? At first it is only black.
Place a skybox object (in the Place Object menu). They're called SPC Skybox and SPC Skybox 1.
There is also (in the Place Object menu) a group of 11 " sky objects " called: " HC SKYBOX Boston " for the first one and so on. Those are huge and okay for cinematics. And " movable " almost anywhere. You only need to install this mod. (http://aoe3.heavengames.com/downloads/showfile.php?fileid=1094)
(The trigger effect Render Sky doesn't work.)
How do I create new objectives?
Use the objective editor. You create new objectives and apply a number to each one. Then, using the four objective related effects, you can show and hide them.
How do I take an in-game screenshot?
CTRL-F12 (Or PrtScr) creates a screenshot, which will be created in "My Documents\My Games\Age of Empires 3\Screenshots", while CTRL-ALT-F12 will create a full map screenshot, located in the same area. From the editor, full map screenshots can be taken by clicking on "File", then "Screenshot" and checking the button "Hide interface".
Further Questions (Sorted Alphabetically)
Animations: How do I use Animations?
Use the effect "Set animation" and select the unit you wish the animation to effect. Keep in mind that only certain animations work for certain units. An almost full list of animations can be found here (http://aoe3.heavengames.com/cgi-bin/forums/display.cgi?action=ct&f=12,25081,0,10).
Area: What's with the "In Area" conditions?
AoE3 uses a radius system for any "In Area" condition, instead of painting tiles. You select a center unit, and then specific the radius from it you want the area to contain. It is a good idea to use a cinematic block as the center for most areas, as they are invisible.
Circle: Do all maps have to be a circle?
No, maps can be a square or a circle. It all depends on how you proportion the map. To proportion the map, go to the editor. On the top bar, search for World Menu. Click it, and click Map size. From there, you can modify the sizes of the map.
Demo: Where can I find AoE3's demo?
Here (http://www.ageofempires3.com).
Diplomacy: How do I change player diplomacy in game?
Use the Diplomacy Effect.
Editor: What is the AoE3 Editor like?
The editor looks just like the previous AoMtT editor, much like AoK's editor was to AoE's. There are however different changes to the interface. Some new features were added, but some (or actually many) new bugs occurred, too.
File types: Where do all of AoE3's file types go?
Look at the last three letters (the extension) of the file.
If it is:
- .age3scn it's a scenario, place it in "My Documents\My Games\Age of Empires 3\Scenario".
- .age3sav it's a saved game, place it in the "My Documents\My Games\Age of Empires 3\Savegame" folder.
- .age3rec it's a recorded game, place it in the "My Documents\My Games\Age of Empires 3\Savegame" folder.
- .ddt it's a texture, place it in the "\art" folder.
- .wav it's a sound file, place it in the "\Sound" folder.
- .mp3 it's a sound file, place it in the "\Sound" folder.
- .xml it can either be:
- a Random Map (RM) and goes to "My Documents\My Games\Age of Empires 3\RM". Do not place it in the game's install folder, that will not work.
- a data file, like proto.xml, and goes to the "\data" folder.
If you're not sure what it is, read the readme of the mod (or whatever you downloaded) to know where to put it.
- .xmb it's an .xml file converted to the game's language. Those can be data files, sound files, etc. Read the readme of the mod (or whatever you downloaded) to know where to put it.
- .xs it can be
- a Random Map (RM are composed of two files, an .xml and an .xs), place it in "My Documents\My Games\Age of Empires 3\RM". Do not place it in the game's install folder, that will not work.
- an AI file which you have to place in the "\AI" folder.
- .lgt or .lgt.xmb it's a custom light for scenarios or RMs, place it in the "\data" folder.
Note: If the author of the thing you downloaded tells you to put the files elsewhere, follow the author's instructions.
why
The "Nature" and "Embellishments" tabs on the Place object window are similar to the GAIA tab in AoK.
Lighting: How do I change the lighting?
Go to the World Menu and click Lighting.
Mods: Do editor mods cause Out of Sync when I play on ESO?
Fortunately mods to the editor itself do not cause OOS. However, most unit mods do (except texture mods).
New Features: What new features are there compared to AoM?
It sports a new wooden textured UI (User Interface), the units are alphabetically ordered by group - The Musketeer for example, is listed as: âINF Musketeerâ. The terrain editing is probably the most changed part of the editor. Terrain editing now includes many new tools, such as Pre-Mixed Terrains, River Tool, Forest Tool and a Cliff Tool.
Placing rivers in Age of Empires III is not simply selecting a water body and a small brush and painting a line around. In Age3 rivers have currents, and to simulate those, you need to use the river tool. To place a river, you place waypoints from one point to another, select a width and some other options, then click create and bam, your river will show up ever so gracefully. In AoE3, you can't just select a forest type and paste as many as you want wherever you want. In Age3 you place an area for a forest to be created on, and then use the Forest Tool to set density, type, clumpiness, and the amount of underbrush. Cliffs, since they're much updated and different than AoM or AoK's, it has a little bit of difference in placement.
Contrary to AoM's cliff tool where you had 3 heights to choose from, Age3's Cliffs can be of any size you define. You may also reverse the cliffs or modify them once placed without messing up the map. As for eye candy, not only you have a ton of the normal â rocks, trees, bushes and etc but now you have building pieces to play with. There are also a ton more props, and a ton more units to play with.
OR/NOT: How do I use the OR and NOT statements in conditions?
Condition Logic: When viewing the conditions of a trigger, you can now chose "OR" and "NOT" from the trigger editing UI panel. If "OR" is checked it will cause the trigger to fire when any individual condition is true. If "NOT" is checked it will cause the trigger condition logic to be negated. Here is a quick table showing the logical states of a trigger, assuming it has two conditions, A and B.
| What's Checked | Math | Description | Nothing is checked: | A && B | Both A and B must be true for the condition to fire | OR is checked: | A || B | Either A or B must be true for the condition to fire | NOT is checked: | ! (A && B) | If either A or B is false, the condition will fire | Both are checked: | ! (A || B ) | A and B must both be false for the condition to fire |
Ownership: How do I change a unit's ownership?
Use the "Convert" or "Army convert" effects.
Priority: What's "priority"?
Go here.
Tension, Continuity and Bias: What do the parameters in the Camera Editor mean?
The default values for all these are 0. Negative values are also possible.
- Tension: Controls the amount of curvature in the animation curve. High Tension produces a linear curve. It also has a slight Ease To and Ease From effect. Low Tension produces a very wide, rounded, curve. It also has a slight negative Ease To and Ease From effect. The default value of 0 produces an even amount of curvature through the key.
- Continuity: Controls the tangential property of the curve at the key. The default setting is the only value that produces a smooth animation curve through the key. All other values produce a discontinuity in the animation curve causing an abrupt change in the animation. High Continuity values create curved overshoot on both sides of the key. Low Continuity values create a linear animation curve. Low continuity creates a linear curve similar to high tension except without the Ease To and Ease From side effect. The default setting creates a smooth continuous curve at the key.
- Bias: Controls where the animation curve occurs with respect to the key. High Bias pushes the curve beyond the key. This produces a linear curve coming into the key and an exaggerated curve leaving the key. Low Bias pulls the curve before the key. This produces an exaggerated curve coming into the key and a linear curve leaving the key. The default setting distributes the curve evenly to both sides of the key.
Those effects are very theoretical though. Use the default value 0. The only use of altering these parameters is setting the Tension to 1: Then the track will have no curvature at all and show a linear movement.
Text Color: Can you change text color in AoE3?
Yes you can, but only for certain types of text. Check out Changing text color.
Triggers: Help! My triggers aren't working!
Something may be wrong with the trigger itself. See Faulty Effects And Conditions. Also, you may have done something wrong. See What to do when triggers stop working.
Snow/Rain: How do I create snow or rain?
Use Render snow or Render rain. This will cover the entire map with falling snow/rain.
Villagers: How do I make the villagers active? Chopping wood, farming and mining?
Use the "Unit work" effect or activate the computer player.
Related Topics
- See Triggers, Mapwork, and Editor Functions for design articles.
- Design Dictionary, for the definition of a specific word.
- Design section for a categorical listing of design topics.
External Links
- Elpea's preview of the AoE3 Editor (http://aoe3.heavengames.com/cgi-bin/forums/display.cgi?action=ct&f=12,24264,,10)
- Interex's Mods and Extras Thread (http://aoe3.heavengames.com/cgi-bin/forums/display.cgi?action=ct&f=12,24241,,10)
- Trigger Conditions and Effects, as well as some unit listings (http://aoe3.heavengames.com/cgi-bin/forums/display.cgi?action=ct&f=12,24250,0,10)
- Age of Empires Three website - has demo. (http://www.ageofempires3.com)
The Question Center
To ask a question, please use the forum (http://aoe3.heavengames.com/cgi-bin/forums/display.cgi?action=t&fn=12). Thanks!
-The Managment
