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create-a-skin-mod

Create a skin mod

Here is a step to make a simple player's skin mod.

Note, this method is the old method of creating playable skins. It is now recommended to use the Avatar mods.

  • Pro: those are way easier.
  • Con: only skins are compatible with the demo.

Phase 1: Define your mod#

1. New mod project#

Make sure you have the prerequirements for modding and download a fresh ModToolkit to start.

2. Remove unused content#

Make sure to remove the demo content so that we have a clean project to start with.

  • In the Unity toolbar; click Tools > Destructive > Cleanup All Content.

3. Product name#

Change the product name so that the mod folder name will not conflict with other mods.

  • In the Unity Toolbar: Go to Edit -> Project Settings -> Player.
  • Modify field Product Name to your new mod name. Use the format: YOURPREFIX_MyModName. Example: WMD_ChevalierWeapons

4. Prefix.#

Change the project prefix so that the mod files will not conflict with other mods.

  • In the Unity file browser: Open Assets -> Resources -> AddressableConfig.asset

  • Modify field Prefix to your new prefix name. Use the format: YOURPREFIX_MyModName_. Example: WMD_ChevalierWeapons_

    Note: The prefix used in the tutorial is WMD_. You will need to fill in your new prefix instead of every WMD_ in the tutorial.

5.Generate folder structure using the template wizard.#

  • In the Unity Toolbar: Go to Tools -> Template Wizard.
  • Make sure the inspector window is shown (Template Wizard will show there).
  • Enter a new mod folder name. Example: YourModName
  • Set the Mod Type to: Skin.
  • Fill in the desired ItemInfoConfig fields.
  • Fill in the SkinInfo:
    • skinName: The name of the model in the Skin folder you created，**Needs to be prefixed with your prefix**.
    • Name: The name displayed in the store.
    • Desc:The description of the item displayed in the store.
    • MeshRoot:Name of the root node of all meshes in the prefab.
  • Click the Generate Template button to generate the Skin folder structure.

6.Binding the model#

  • Navigate to Toolkit > Prefabs > Skin > Skin_player.
  • Use the model in ToolKit as a template to bind your model.
  • Save your model.

4.Hide the head of the model#

  • Drag the model into a scene.

To prevent the head from blocking the view, we need to set the head.

  • First we select and copy the head node.
  • Set the original node CastShadows to "ShadowsOnly".
  • Set the copied node layer to InvisibleFPS and set CastShadows to "Off"

5.Save the mode#

  • Drag the model into the Skin folder to save.
  • Name it the same as your mod folder.
    (Example: Build > SimpleCharacterSkinNew > Skin > SimpleCharacterSkinNew.prefab)

Phase 2: Prepare to export your mod#

Generating the icon

  • In the Unity Toolbar: Go to Tools -> Icon Generator.
  • Drag the Prefab of your mod (the weapon, avatar, scene) into the field: Game Object To Render.
  • Adjust the settings of the icon to your liking.
  • Click the Save PNG... button.
  • Overwrite the dummy icon in folder ICon of your mod that has been created for you previously. (keep the name as is. Don't change this).
  • Set the Max size to 256 and click Apply to save (yes screenshot shows 128, my bad).

Phase 3: Build the mod#

1. Update all addressables.#

  • Go to AddressableConfig(Assets > Resources > AddressableConfig) or use shortcut: ctrl+shift+e.
  • Click Clear Addressables and Create And Refresh Addressable Name.

Then you will see this tool has already setup addressable path for you in the Addressables Groups window. (Window/Asset Management/Addressables/Groups to open this window)

3. Build#

Click BuildTools > BuildAllBundles to Build.

Once you build it successfully, then you will find your mod in the Assets/Mods. If something errors, please checkout the Console information, unity will tell you what's going wrong. And feel free to ask questions on our discord server.

Phase 4: Test & publish the mod#

1. Install on device#

For PC (Recommend for debugging):

  • Make sure you have Battle Talent installed (Steam).
  • In Unity: Click BuildTools > InstallModOnWindows.

For Quest:

  • Make sure you have Battle Talent installed on your Quest (Quest store).
  • Make sure you've connected your headset correctly.
  • Make sure you've allowed sideloading.(if you are not sure how to do this, you can follow this tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoIXxIfRNTw)
  • In Unity: Click BuildTools > InstallModOnAndroid.

image-20220713173120535

2. Spot the issues via log panel#

Now that it's installed it's time to see if it's working correctly. See if the console gives you some errors. It'll be opened when you toggle Cheat Menu on.

image-20220713173120535

3. Upload your mod to mod.io#

  1. Zip your mod.
  2. Go to https://battletalent.mod.io/.
  3. Click Add mod.
  4. Authenticate (login).
  5. Fill in the required fields.