Warfare Incorporated(TM) Mission Editor
Copyright 2004 Spiffcode, Inc.
All rights reserved.

Getting started

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1) Install .NET Framework v1.1. This can be installed via Windows Update (http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com).
2) Move the entire contents of the zip folder to a destination folder of your choosing.
3) Open up m.exe (double click on m)

Bring up Help->Help... for detailed help with screenshots on the M commands, units, terrain, triggers, conditions, actions, unit groups, and other mission authoring concepts. The remainder of this README is simply to get started.

M is a mission editor to create missions for the game Warfare Incorporated. Once created these missions can be freely shared with Warfare Incorporated players (commercial distribution is not allowed). The mission download site can be found here:

http://www.handmark.com/warfare

In addition, there is a mission authoring forum with much helpful information and users. If you have a question you can't find the answer to, come visit here:

http://www.handmark.com/warfare/forum

In a nutshell, authored missions get exported as "mission packs" from the editor. This exports a .pdb which can then be HotSync'ed (in the case of a Palm) or ActiveSync'ed (in the case of a PocketPC) to your device for testing.

Once you are ready for sharing your mission pack, go to the Warfare Incorporated forum and enter the "Mission Sharing" forum, and read the Announcement post for more information on how to post your new mission pack.

Basic Details

Opening an existing mission

1) Click File->Open
2) To open an existing mission, select a mission by clicking on it, and then click Open. There are three sample missions to choose from. These missions are an excellent place to begin because they are fully functional. It is useful to explore through all the settings of these missions to get a better understanding of how the mission editor works. This will be especially useful when attempting to set up triggers and unit groups. 

Creating a new map

1) First you will need to select a terrain type. Click File -> Open and then either select grassy.tc or desert.tc. These files will be located in the same directory as M.exe. Once you have selected the desired terrain click Open. The pieces for the background you selected should appear in the lower left window. 
2) Next click File->New. This should open up a main window with the terrain type you selected surrounded by a green border.
3) Now that you have a window open you can begin to place terrain pieces. Simply left click and hold the desired piece and drag it to the desired location in the main window. Note that the selected piece is displayed in the upper right corner along with the coordinates of its location on the main grid. 
4) To select different sides, click on the side selection menu which is found directly below the File menu. Select the desired side and drag the desired pieces to the main window.

Saving the game

1) To save a mission that you are creating click File->Save As. You should enter the name of your mission then click save. This will save your mission with the file extension of “.ld”.
2) Once you have saved the mission you can frequently save the game by either clicking File->Save or Ctrl s

Creating Mission Packs

1) Once you have created a mission that you would like to test out within the game you will need to create a .pdb file. To create the .pdb file click File->Export Mission Pack. If you have not already saved the level, you will be asked to do so. 
2) You will be asked to provide a name for the .pdb file. Pay attention to where you are saving the file so that you can navigate with a browser to that folder.

Loading and running your Missions

0) Mission packs require v1.1 of Warfare Incorporated. You can download this from Handmark's site.
1) To run the .pdb file, make sure that your PDA is in its cradle. If you are running a Palm device then double click on the .pdb file you just created. This will launch a the .pdb installer which will load it onto your device when you sync. If you are running a Pocket PC device you will need to use active sync to load the file onto your device, into the same directory that Warfare Incorporated is installed in.
2) Start Warfare Incorporated on the PDA. Select Play Mission->Play Challenge Mission. Your level(s) should be listed. Select one and tap Play.
3) There will likely be many iterations of editing the mission, then loading it to your device, playing it to test your level and then returning to the mission editor to make changes to the level. 

Note: M can edit multiple missions simultaneously. When you select File->Export Mission Pack, all the missions currently open will be exported into the .pdb.

Basic Concepts

The 3 included missions are the actual 3 missions that ship with the demo. These use all the concepts you will need to understand in order to make a mission. When you have a question, look for an example in these sample missions.

The AI of the enemy is controlled through “triggers”. Triggers are events that fire when specific actions occur. As the mission designer, you can choose what those conditions are, and what actions get executed once these conditions are met.

Each trigger has a list of conditions and a list of actions that you specify. You select your conditions or actions from a pull down list, and then you can parameterize each condition as you see fit. One of the central resources that you can control with triggers are Unit Groups.

Unit Groups are designer specified groupings of units that you give a name. A Unit Group can be spawned from within a trigger. An example of a trigger that references a unit group could be: When side 1 has 5000 credits, spawn unit group Alpha at Area MainBase. “Alpha” would be the name of the Unit Group that you had previously specified in the Unit Group editor, and MainBase would be the name of an area that you have already put on the map. Again, for detailed examples of this see the sample missions.

Properties

Most objects within M have properties. Properties are shown in the right hand side property window. It is important to set Level properties, Side properties, and even perhaps properties of units in the map. Level and Side properties can be edited by first selecting the appropriate item in the Settings menu. Properties for units on the map can be edited by first selecting the unit on the map.

A couple important Level properties are: The level name, which will appear on the list of missions within the game, and Bounds. Bounds is the green rectangle defining the boundary of your mission. The area inside the Bounds is what you’ll be able to see and scroll within inside the game.

More Information

1. There is much more extensive documentation in the help file: Help->Help... 
2. Please visit the Mission Authoring forum here: http://www.handmark.com/warfare/forum
3. Read through the 3 included sample missions!





