As many maps are now nearly ready for release, I thought it the right time to release my work-around for the loadscreen problem.

Essentially, there are 3 causes to the problem:

1. Launcher wont let you make a loadscreen at all, because the .DLL file for AssetManager is the one for COD4 and doesnt work with the SQL .DLL for the COD5 tools. It therefore returns an error of a .DLL file mismatch;

2. There are missing CSV files that Launcher looks for. These are assetlist CSV files, which are the game is told to ignore on load. However, when the compiler cant find them, it returns a series of errors which are enough to make it abort notwithstanding the .DLL error mismatch of 1.

3. The Treyarch Wiki gives the wrong info in building the level.GDT file. The correct settings are these:



You will notice that the materials files for victoryBackdrop and defeatBackdrop are not the ones you are told to use in the Treyarch Wiki. If you use the ones on the Wiki, when you try and run your map, the game will crash with an error saying that it cannot load image mile_high_victory_screen.

No matter what you do, it will refuse to load that image. However, if you use the settings above, all will be fine.

Ok, so how to overcome this? Simple: dont use Launcher to build your loadscreen at all. Use a .BAT file and a mp_map_load.csv file.

Here is a download for a test map loadscreen I did:

DOWNLOAD EXAMPLE


Inside the .ZIP file you will find all the necessary files you will need to make your own loadscreen. Just use them as a guide. Pay close attention to both their setup and their syntax and wording.

SETUP

1. Place the folder 'compiler' inside the 'mods' folder in your root game install. That is by default:

C:\Program Files\Activision\Call of Duty - World at War\mods

Rename the example CSV file mp_gap_load.csv to match the name of your map.

Go into the CSV file, and rename the map referenced inside. that is, edit this line:



Edit the .BAT file. You need to change every instance of mp_gap_load. That is, you have to edit this:



2. Place the files inside the enclosed 'zone_source' folder inside your game's 'zone_source' folder.

The assetlist CSVs go in the 'english' folder. The game needs these although it will be told to ignore them.

The example mp_gap_load.csv goes just inside 'zone_source'. Rename the file itself to the name of your map.

Open the CSV file, and rename the loadscreen to match your map's name.

3. Place the contents of the enclosed 'raw' folder in their respective folders in your game's tolls 'raw' folder. Obviously, you cant actually use the materials and image files, but use them as a guide to where you place your map's ones.

That is, your maps' loadscreen IWI file and materials go in their respective folders inside the 'raw' folder.

BUILDING LOADSCREEN FAST FILE

Go back to mods/compiler, and double-click the .BAT file. This will run linker_pc.exe and return a .FF file named after your map.

If you've followed everything correctly, the tools should return a FF file named after your map.

This is one I built for a "Jump" map named mp_gap (the example used):



I have created about 5 such loadscreens for different mappers using this method.

RUNNING YOUR MP MAP

1. As we all know, COD5 uses the local Application Data directory to run maps and mods. What isnt clear at the moment is that Treyarch have reverted us back to the COD4 pre-1.5 patch method, where all map IWDs go inside a mod folder.

NB: You cannot run your map IWD inside the 'usermaps' folder.

2. So, to set up your map, place everything but the IWD file in:



Inside the 'usermaps' folder, create a folder named after your map (just like you did for COD4).

So, the directory root will now be:



3. Place your 3 fast files:

1. mp_mapname.ff
   
2. localized_mp_mapname.ff
   
3. mp_mapname_load.ff

4. Next, choose a mod to run your mod from. There is a default mod named mp_usermaps. Place your map's IWD, with its loadscreen IWI and minimap IWI, inside it.

edited on Dec. 12, 2008 09:20 pm by Tally

thanks Tally, it works perfect! I followed the steps and loaded my map, loading screen was there and I almost fell off my chair when i saw the loadscreen worked LOL

Merry Christmas

awesome work tally, final piece of the jigsaw puzzle

Thanks Tally for sharing. Got mine to work on the first try also. Great job.

sry but wheres the BAT file

sry time expired to edit my post but i need the location of the BAT file where im supposed to open it an add

copy /Y mp_yourmap_load.csv ..\..\zone_source
cd ..\..\bin
linker_pc.exe -language english -compress -cleanup mp_yourmap_load
cd ..\mods\compiler
copy ..\..\zone\english\mp_yourmap_load.ff

pause

k once again i found it but new problem on this step

Obviously, you cant actually use the materials and image files, but use them as a guide to where you place your map's ones.

What is the material file supposed contain? there is no file type cuz i cant open it to look at it.......

also where do u get ur map IwD

edited on Jan. 6, 2009 12:52 am by reborn1213

reborn1213 writes...

No one said you had to edit the materials file. You create one using Asset Manager:

http://wiki.treyarch.com/wiki/Loadscreen

But I cant edit my levels.gdt its read only. Can I change that and not affect anything?

Also, I thought the info in the Treyarch Wiki was wrong relating to the loadscreen??

{PP}Bloodletter writes...

Creating the loadscreen image and materials file with Asset Manager is one thing; creating the level briefing assets and getting Launcher to build the fast file is another.

One works; the other does not. That is what this tutorial tells you.

With the help of this tutorial, and the asset download provided, you dont even need a level.gdt.

Always best to read a tutorial and try to understand it.

edited on Jan. 6, 2009 09:15 am by Tally