Simple Editor: Libraries

This is one of the most important tabs of the Simple Editor. Here you actually import all the kinds of libraries (trooptype, historical, event, etc..).

This is also one of the most complicated tabs to comprehend. So please sit down and take your time to read up on it.

Core interface

You see here in the top of the tab a maximum of 4 listboxes. These are:

1. Libraries loaded list Every library you will load will appear here.

If you click it you can inspect and configure its contents in the listboxes right of this one.

There is always an item on top here called 'No Library' and here all the data can be inspected that is non modular (not library based).

2. Content categories of selected libraries Each library can contain different kinds of data.

Here all the types of data present are listed. Each type can contain multiple instances. Click in this 2nd listboxes to see all the instances of the selected datatype for the selected library appear in listbox 3+4.

3+4. The data of the the selected libraries content category

Some data types use only listbox 3. Items here are often configurable. Others use listbox 3+4 and in that case the items in listbox 4 are often configureable.

5. Load Library

When you click it you can select a library file to (re)load.

Keep in mind that you can load different kind of libraries here and can set the kind you search for in the right-bottom corner of the file loading dialogue:

Once you select something the Load Library Popup will appear that will help you configure how to load the library.

Library Load Popup

6. Remove Library

Does exactly what it says. It removes the currently selected library. This means you'll lose all the data that was in it and that depends on it. If it for example you delete one of your historical unit libraries you will lose all units on the map that were set to one of the historical units/models defined in that library. So be carefull with removing libs.

7. Item info Here appears detailed info of the data instance you have selected.

Here you can also change the values of configurable values or data instances of the libraries.

What datatypes can appear in 2nd listbox?

Global libvars CONFIGUREABLE Libvars are short for library variables.

The global libvars are values that are not instanciated like all the other type of libvars. They will be often used to allow the user to configure the library.

Hex libvars CONFIGUREABLE Are the only libvars you cannot configure from here since they are map based and each hex can have a different values. Use the map tab to draw hex libvar values on the map.

The other libvar types CONFIGUREABLE These are: Landscape-, RoadType-, RiverType-, Historical unit-, Historical Model-, Trooptype-, LocationType-, Commander-, People- and Regime- libvars.

They all act the same albeit for different kinds of data. A library could use these to allow you to set different behaviour for different kind of data instances.

For example the VR Basic library allows you to set a Regime libvar called 'Music'. Because its a Regime libvar you can set a different music track for each regime in the scenario.

But for example 'hypothetical' libraries dealing with advanced weather effects could use LandscapeType libvars to allow the user to set custom effects.

Or for example a 'hypothetical' library dealing with wear&tear of equipment could use TroopType libvars to set a breakdown chance on a trooptype per trooptype basis.

Executable events EXECUTABLE Some libraries might come with these. Basically the only use it to provide the user of the library with automization tools for scenario creation or to allow the creation of automated PDF documents. The only example of an executable event is the 'auto set map labels' event in the VR basic events library.

Non-excutable events JUST FOR INFO So you have a rough idea whats in the library.

Tables JUST FOR INFO So you have a rough idea whats in the library. But you can also read the table description. Editing the table data is done however in the 'table' tab.

(for experts: tables aka stringlists)

Trooptypes JUST FOR INFO So you have a rough idea whats in the library.

Historical models JUST FOR INFO So you have a rough idea whats in the library.

Historical units JUST FOR INFO So you have a rough idea whats in the library.

Officers JUST FOR INFO So you have a rough idea whats in the library.

People JUST FOR INFO So you have a rough idea whats in the library.

Event pictures JUST FOR INFO So you can see the actual image.

Small graphics JUST FOR INFO So you can see the actual image.

Action cards JUST FOR INFO So you have a rough idea whats in the library.

Regimes JUST FOR INFO Just for your info.

How can I add graphics to be used by libraries?

You can add event pictures (which have 1 zoom level) and small graphics (which have 3 zoom levels). The library in question will tell you what kind it needs.

A well designed library allows the user to set the graphics or illustrations it uses. Since that would make it possible to easily use the library in widely different settings.

You can add event pictures by going to the 'No library' item and then selecting event pictures category. This allows you to add event pictures. A button will appear to the right 'Add eventpicture'.

You can add small graphics by going to the 'No library' item and then selecting small graphics category. This allows you to add small graphics. A button will appear to the right 'Add Smallgfx'.

NB: Be carefull not to delete the initial trans.png eventpictures since they are placeholders from the masterfile. If you delete these slots whatever is in there will be overwritten by the trans.png from the masterfile the next time you load your scenario. This can be improved upon by VR Designs. Just be aware of it for now. Same goes for the small graphics that has 100 slots defined by the masterfile.

NB: If you just stick to the rule of only deleting what you ADDED yourself all will be well.