NOVALOGIC INTERACTIVE LEVEL EDITOR
HELP MANUAL
VERSION 1.0
Compiled by Iceman
NILE EDITOR
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................................. 2
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................................ 3
NILE SCREEN OVERVIEW...................................................................................................................................... 4
Menu Bar:.................................................................................................................................................................. 4
File Menu:.............................................................................................................................................................. 5
Edit Menu:............................................................................................................................................................. 5
View Menu: ........................................................................................................................................................... 6
Toolbars Menu:..................................................................................................................................................... 6
Tools Menu:........................................................................................................................................................... 6
Missions Menu: ..................................................................................................................................................... 7
Extensions Menu ................................................................................................................................................... 7
Help:....................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Toolbars:.................................................................................................................................................................... 8
3D Tools Bar.......................................................................................................................................................... 9
2D Tools Bar.......................................................................................................................................................... 9
2D Tools Bar Showing Tile pallet Buttons........................................................................................................ 11
Standard Toolbar................................................................................................................................................ 11
KEYBOARD & MOUSE COMMANDS:................................................................................................................. 15
Movement Keys................................................................................................................................................... 15
Numeric Keys:..................................................................................................................................................... 15
Function Keys: .................................................................................................................................................... 16
Arrow Keys in 3D View:..................................................................................................................................... 16
Numeric Keys Pad: ............................................................................................................................................. 17
General Keys:...................................................................................................................................................... 18
3D View Navigation:........................................................................................................................................... 18
2D View Navigation:........................................................................................................................................... 19
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NILE EDITOR
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to Nile!
I have decided to write this manual and place it into PDF format unlike the Help File I collated for the Delta Force
Land Warrior Mission Editor.
The reason!
Well! The Nile program is still under construction by NovaLogic so until the finale release is available it will be
easier for me to update then transfer into an Adobe PDF file, which will be available from the DFBarracks site.
I have used some of the information supplied in the Help File that is supplied with the Nile program. As well as
adding new information from experienced map makers.
If you have any constructive suggestions or ideas that you think may help in producing further versions of this
manual, please feel free to email Iceman or Eagle Eye at DFBarracks. Note: Eagle Eye will pass on any relevant
suggestion or information to me.
Email Address.
[email protected]
or
Regards
Iceman
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[email protected]
NILE EDITOR
NILE SCREEN OVERVIEW
This section is for those out there who are new to map editors, especially the new Nile editor. The following is a
screen shot of the main screen of the Nile map editor.
We will take a closer look at the components that make up the main screen.
As you can see the Nile editor has two main screens. The Object Data window and the View Window (edit area).
There are also some toolbars.
Menu Bar:
•
All windows based application programs tend to use a “Menu Bar” system to perform operations within
each application.
•
Each “Menu Bar” title has a drop down menu which will display even more command choices when click
on with the mouse pointer.
•
Some of the commands are the same in all applications such as “Open”, “New”, “Copy” and “Paste” just to
name a few.
The following section displays each “Menu Bar” and gives an overview of each command available. You can access
each menu by clicking on the appropriate word on the “Menu Bar”
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NILE EDITOR
File Menu:
Command
New
Function
Creates a new Nile file – You can also create a new Nile file by pressing the”CTRL” and
“N” keys.
Open
Opens an existing Nile File – You can also open an existing file by pressing the “CTRL”
and “O” keys
Save
Saves the current Nile file to the appropriate directory on hard-drive. When saving for the
first time Nile will display Save As dialog window so you can name your Nile file. You
can also save a file by pressing the “CTRL” and “S” keys.
Save As
Saves the current Nile file and allows the user to give the current file a new name.
Recent Files
Nile will list the last ten recently opened files; you can double click on these files using the
left mouse button to open.
Exit
Exits the Nile program
Edit Menu:
Command
Undo
Cut
Copy
Paste
Delete
Move
Function
Will undo the last action the user did.
Will remove selected item form the editing area and place into the clipboard.
Will Copy selected item form the editing area and place into the clipboard.
Will Paste the item that was Copied or Cut form the clipboard and place into the editing
area
Will remove the selected item from the editing area permanently. Note: You cannot use the
Undo command
When an Item is selected and the move button is used a dialog window will appear
requesting new “X”, “Y”, and “Z” coordinates.
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NILE EDITOR
View Menu:
Command
Zoom Active View
Status Bar
Zoomed Tile Palette
Function
When using two or more view windows in Nile this function will zoom in to the active
window or camera view.
Will Show/Hide the status Bar at the bottom of the Nile program
This function is permanently selected in the menu. The user can use the zoom button
in the “Tile Palette” located in the “Object Info” window
Toolbars Menu:
Command
Standard
Object Info
Tools
Camera Tools
Function
Shows/Hides the Standard toolbar.
Shows/Hides the Object Info window
Shows/Hides the Tools toolbar
Shows/Hides the Camera Tools toolbar
Tools Menu:
Command
String Resource
Editor
Test Mission
External Tools
Function
This opens the “String Table Resource Editor”, supposedly allows the user to edit.
It is a bit like the “Bin File Editor” that is used for Blackhawk Down. I think this
application is still under development.
This function is not functional yet.
This will display a dialog window, which gives the user the option to assign internal or
external applications to the tools button on the menu bar. Refer to the” Camera Tie
Button” in the Toolbar section
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NILE EDITOR
Missions Menu:
Command
Briefing
Level Properties
String Table
Resource Editor
Terrain Variables
Victory Conditions
Function
The Briefing dialog window gives you the ability to add a story to your mission. Refer
to the section on Briefing
This is where you place your missions name and the type of mission you wish to make.
Refer to the section on Mission type
The String Table Resource Editor replaces the old Text Tool that came with previous
NovaLogic Mod tools. Refer to the section on String Table Resource Editor
The most basic of the foundation elements is the Terrain Variables menu. You will
need to choose a terrain before you can lay out any of the objects that define your map.
Refer to the section on Terrain Variables
Victory Conditions apply specifically to Single Player and Cooperative missions
because all other game types tend to have predetermined conditions that dictate who
wins and who loses. Refer to the section on Victory Conditions
Extensions Menu
Command
Object Population
Function
Using Object Population, you can place multiple copies of the same or multiple objects
in a selected area. Refer to the section on Object Population
Help:
Command
Help Topics
Update
About Nile
Function
This gives the user helpful information about the Nile Application
There are two ways to make sure that you have the latest version of Nile. From the
Help menu you can select Update. This will close Nile and run the update utility.
Gives the user some basic info about the Nile application
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NILE EDITOR
Toolbars:
There are 3 sets of “Toolbars” available for use and each can be docked either to the top (standard position) or on the
side of the window within the application environment, as shown in the following picture.
The “Camera Tool” bar allows the user to set three camera speeds
Rabbit Button – is used for fast camera speed when in the view window
Turtle Button – is used for slow camera speed when in the view window
Rabbit/Turtle - combination is used for medium speed
The 3D button when clicked on will do two tasks at the same time
It will place the view window (edit window) to a 3D view and cause the “Tools” bar to ghost
out certain options, see “Tools” bar
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NILE EDITOR
Click on the 2D icon to place the view window (edit window) to a 2D view. Also the “Tools”
bar will show more available commands, see “Tools” bar
The “Tools” bar gives the user different tools for each 3D/2D mode. These tools have there own unique on screen
icons, you will also notice that there is a difference between the 3D/2D “Tools” bars, some buttons on are ghosted or
not available yet.
3D Tools Bar
Select tool – allows the user to select items shown in the view window
Movement tool - allows the user to choose and move an object in the view window
Rotate tool - allows the user to choose and rotate a selected object in the view window (edit
window). This tool has 3 modes, each mode will change the Heading, Pitch and Roll of a
selected item.
Rotate Icon – How to use the 3 modes
• Press and hold mouse button to change the “Heading” of the selected object.
• Press and hold the “Shift” key then press and hold the mouse button to change the
“Pitch” of the selected object.
• Press and hold the “Ctrl” key then press and hold the mouse button to change the
“Roll” of the selected object.
2D Tools Bar
Select tool – allows the user to select items shown in the view window
Movement tool - allows the user to choose and move an object in the view window
Rotate tool - allows the user to choose and rotate a selected object in the view window (edit
window). This tool has 3 modes; each mode will change the “Heading”, “Pitch” and “Roll” of
a selected item. Note: The Pitch and Roll modes should be used with 3D mode.
Select tool – 2D only – This button appears as a crosshair icon with a + or – sign depending on
the mode used. This allows the user to select or unselect items shown in the view window.
Select mode – crosshair with a + sign. Hold left mouse button down and draw a box around the
desired object
Unselect mode – crosshair with – sign. Hold the “Shift’ key and press left mouse button and
draw a box around the desired object.
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NILE EDITOR
Magnify tool – 2D mode only – Appears as a magnifying glass icon with a + or – sign
depending on the mode used. This user can zoom in or out on an object view window.
Zoom In – magnifying glass with a + sign. Hold left mouse button down to zoom in on a
desired object. Note: This is a very coarse zoom the mouse wheel has finer zoom increments.
Zoom Out – magnifying glass with – sign. Hold left mouse button down to zoom out on a
desired object
Panning Button – 2D mode only – allows the user to move around the 2D view window in any
direction.
Measuring Button – 2D mode only – This button has two modes of operation that allows the
user to measure distances on the map. All measurements are shown in meters.
Measuring Icon – This icon allows the user to measure distances in the view window.
• Place the icon on the 2D view window at your chosen start point. Press the mouse
button once a little arrow will be placed on to the terrain.
• Move the icon to the designated end point and Press the mouse button once a little
arrow and a white line will be placed on to the terrain. Note: the distance is displayed
in the top left of the 2D box.
Remove Icon - This icon allows the user to remove the measure distances markers in the view
window.
• Place the icon over the end point and press and hold the “Shift” key then press the
mouse button once the little arrow and a white line will be removed from the terrain.
• To remove the initial marker place the icon over the arrow and press and hold the
“Shift” key then press the mouse button once.
Grid Button – The grid is only available in 2D mode. When you click on the grid button a pop
up window will appear
•
Set the X and Z spacing to the required size. Note: Grid spacing is in meters and in
whole numbers.
•
As you can see I have set the Grid to 10 meters by 10 meters. The following grid will
appear on the 2D view window after pressing the “OK” button
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NILE EDITOR
Snap to Grid Button – This button will snap the selected object to the grid. Note: The objects
center point will snap to the nearest grid coordinate as you move the object around the terrain.
2D Tools Bar Showing Tile pallet Buttons
Note: the “Tile Pallet” buttons will only appear when you select the “Tile Pallet Tab” in the “Object Info” window
Tile Layer Down Button – If two tiles overlap, this places the selected tile below the other
one.
Tile Layer Up Button – If two tiles overlap, this places the selected tile below the other one.
Rotate Tile Counter Clockwise Button - This button is not functional yet, but it is used to
rotate the tile to the left.
Rotate Tile Clockwise Button - This button is not functional yet, but it is used to rotate the tile
to the Right.
Flip Tile Horizontally - This button is not functional yet, but it is used to flip the chosen tile
horizontally.
Flip Tile Vertically - This button is not functional yet, but it is used to flip the chosen tile
vertically.
Standard Toolbar
New Button – This button will open a “New” session of the Nile editor. Note: A dialog
window will appear prompting you to save the existing file.
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NILE EDITOR
Open Button – This button will let you “Open” a previously saved file. As this is a standard
windows application button I will not explain it in detail.
Save or Save As Button - This button will let you “Save” a new or existing file. As this is a
standard windows application button I will not explain it in detail.
Copy Button - This button will let you “Copy” a selected object/item from either 3D or 2D
view windows. As this is a standard windows application button I will not explain it in detail.
Paste Button - This button will let you “Paste” a selected object/item into either 3D or 2D
view windows. As this is a standard windows application button I will not explain it in detail.
Text Tool Button – This button will open the “String Table Resource Editor”, supposedly
allows the user to edit. It is a bit like the “Bin File Editor” that is used for Blackhawk Down. I
think this application is still under development.
Waypoint List Button – This button is ghosted out so I am assuming that it will bring up a list
of inserted waypoints.
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NILE EDITOR
Centre View on Object – This button will move the active camera to the center point of the
selected object or groups of selected objects this will work in either 3D or 2D mode.
Note: Beware when using this button in multiple object selection it will zoom right into the
centre point of the selected object so you may find yourself looking at the terrain between
objects.
Camera Tie Button – This button opens a dialog window that allows the user to tie (join)
cameras together.
•
To tie cameras together Click on the “X” between the 4 sets of cameras this will
change to a “Tick” and one of the cameras buttons will appear as not pressed. If two
or more cameras are tied together the cameras will move to the location of the camera
whose button appears pressed
•
An “X” indicates that the cameras are not tied together. Note: I would suggest
experimenting with this function. I personally think it becomes confusing.
Default Tool Button – This button when pressed will display a dialog window, which gives the
user the option to assign internal or external applications to the tools button on the menu bar.
How to Set up and internal or external application:
•
•
Press “Tools” on the “Menu Bar” and a menu will appear.
Choose “External Tools…” and a dialog window will appear.
•
I have set up Edit Plus as an example:
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NILE EDITOR
•
•
•
Add a Title of your application to the Title text box.
In the command line add the path or URL (Uniformed Resource Location) of the
executable file you wish to apply. Example "C:\Program Files\EditPlus 2\editplus.exe"
Place a tick in the appropriate boxes as listed below;
Set this as launch default
Prompt for arguments
Close Nile on launch
Wait for termination
•
•
Press the “Add” button, which will add the application to the “Menu Contents”
window.
Press the “Done” button to finish
Help Button – This is not available yet.
About Button – A pop-up window will appear with the developers information.
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NILE EDITOR
KEYBOARD & MOUSE COMMANDS:
The follow section looks at all the available “Keyboard & Mouse Commands” available for the Nile Editor.
Movement Keys
2D View
3D View
Scrolls the map upwards
Zooms the map out
Scrolls the map downward
Zooms the map out
Scrolls the map to the left
Scrolls the map to the right
Scrolls the map to the right
Scrolls the map to the left
Zooms the map out
Scrolls the map upwards
Zooms the map in
Scrolls the map downward
Deletes selected objects
Deletes selected objects
Numeric Keys:
2D View
3D View
Displays 2D
Standard Cursor
Displays 3D
Standard Cursor
Displays 2D
Move Cursor
Displays 3D
Move Cursor
Displays 2D
Rotate Cursor
Displays 3D
Rotate Cursor
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NILE EDITOR
2D View
3D View
Displays 2D
Select/Deselect
Cursor
N/A
Displays 2D
Zoom Cursor
N/A
Displays 2D
Panning Cursor
N/A
Function Keys:
Displays the Help Menu
Slow Camera (Turtle Speed)
Displays 2D view in selected
window
Accelerating Camera
Display 3D view in selected
window
Launch Default Tool
Fast Camera (Rabbit Speed)
String Text Resource Editor
Arrow Keys in 3D View:
Change the pitch of the
selected object by 1°
upward
+
Change the pitch of the
selected object by 15°
upward
Change the pitch of the
selected object by 1°
downward
+
Change the pitch of the
selected object by 15°
downward
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NILE EDITOR
Numeric Keys Pad:
+
+
Pitch selected object downward
Pitch selected object upward
+
Nudge selected object forward
+
Nudge selected object to the left
+
Nudge selected object to the right
+
Nudge selected object backward
+
Lowers selected object by 1 meter at a time
+
Raises selected object by 1 meter at a time
Lowers selected object by ½
meter at a time
Raises selected object by ½
meter at a time
Snaps selected object to the
terrain level
Snaps selected object to the
water level
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NILE EDITOR
General Keys:
Will deselect selected objects
Scrolls up the list
contained in the object
Info
Will Delete selected objects
Scrolls down the list
contained in the object
Info
Will open the selected objects
edit window
3D View Navigation:
+
+
+
+
+
+
Dolly (Left/Right)
To move the view left/right, press &
hold space bar & right-click & hold
the mouse, and dragging left/right.
Zoom (Forward/Backwards)
To move the camera forward or
backwards, by moving the mouse
scroll wheel up/down.
Elevation (Up/Down)
To move up/down, press & hold the
space bar & right-click & hold the
mouse, and dragging up/down.
Pitch (Rotate Up/Down)
To rotate the camera up/down, press
and hold the space bar, left-click the
mouse, and drag it up/down.
Yaw (Rotate Left/Right)
To rotate the camera left/right, press
and hold the space bar, left-click the
mouse, and drag it left/right.
Rotate Around Object
To rotate the camera around a selected
object, press and hold the space bar,
click the middle mouse button, and
drag it around.
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NILE EDITOR
2D View Navigation:
+
+
+
optional
Move (Left/Right)
To move the view left/right, press &
hold space bar & left-click & hold the
mouse, and drag left/right.
Move (Up/Down)
To move the view up/down, press &
hold space bar & left-click & hold the
mouse, and drag up/down.
Zoom (Forward/Backwards)
To move the camera forward or
backwards, by moving the mouse
scroll wheel up/down.
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