Now that you have the new mod created and set as your default editor for the session, It is time to select a mission/map to use for your template. Click on File>New and you will see this window:
Just keep in mind that IGOR is dumb and only does exactly what you tell it to do. You should have an empty window since this is the first mission created for this mod. You will have to navigate back up to your Mods\Origmiss\Mission directory to grab the template for the map that we want. Keep in mind that if you are a maverick and want to use a different map, you might not be going in the direction that I am telling you to... Now grab that drop down arrow and select the Mods folder. Then navigate to your Origmiss folder:
Then navigate to your mission folder nested in the mods folder:
And finally we're here! Now select the mission template. Remember that I am using mp01 for the tutorial:
After you open this file your window should look like this:
Now what I usually do first is name a couple of things and set up some of the basic properties. Then I save my mission. I also recommend saving it often. Some people like to have different versions, but I can be stupid and prefer one unless I am going to try some major changes. It's your call, but don't say I never warned you about that surprise thunder storm that knocked out your power. Might as well click on your Map properties window now to bring up the following window:
The top field is grayed out so we can't change that. Map Shots selects the shots that display when you first boot up the mission in GR. These files are size specific so if you go and mess with this button and you don't know what you are doing... well... You will have a real quick trip to the desktop. After a few times of that crap you will get tired of it and learn. (I hope). If you have photoshop go ahead and check out the shots in there for the dimensions if you plan on making your own. The default ones are fine for my purpose and I would only use this if it was my own map.
You should change your Map Name field. The reason for this is because the briefing.wav file is tied directly to this field. Unless you want that guy talking over your briefing change the name. This map actually doesn't have a briefing.wav so it really doesn't matter for this one. Just warning you on the maps that do have single player missions. The Available to custom game types checkbox enables the custom .gtf files. That is it will be available for Firefight, Recon and the MP custom game types.
Weather is self explanatory. Intensity of precipitation doesn't matter past the value of 1.0 so choose what you want.
Now to Fog... Sometimes I play with this and sometimes I don't. The maps have all been exported and lit with the lighting tool so changing the color of the fog could have some undesirable effects. If you really need to change the fog, click on the Override Environment checkbox. This will allow you to change all of the values except the Far clip distance. Use some common sense here. If it is raining or snowing darken the fog up a notch or two and reduce the Max Spot Range while increasing the Far distance. Right now the way it is set up for this map is just fine with me. I may change the weather in game since that is easy enough to do. The Max Spot Range controls how far away the enemy can see you. This is a small map and I think 75 meters is cool. It is just something to play with and see for yourself. (This would be a good example of a time to save a different version in case you screw it up and don't like the results you see.)
When your done messing with these features, go ahead and click OK. Then click on the Mission properties button. You should see this window next:
Supported modes is the first section for you to work with. I have only used Single Player and Multiplayer Coop. It's a matter of preference. One of these days when I am feeling creative, I might give the other types a try. Don't quote me on it but I think that Multiplayer Solo or Team would be used mostly for creating a custom game type files. Check these boxes. I can't think of a name for this mission at the moment so I will just leave it as "Test Mission". Be creative and think of something why don't you...
IMPORTANT: Leave the Requires Unlocking unchecked and if it is checked uncheck it now. This is used for campaigns when you want to have the missions locked at the start and want to unlock them after they are completed. Leave that for the last thing you do before you release your campaign. I will cover that later.
Combat points are only assigned in non-campaign missions played in quick mission mode. I generally like to make my AI soldiers a little tougher than what RSE has given us so I tend to boost this up a little bit too. This boosts up your Weapon, Stamina, Stealth, and Leadership values.
Go ahead and choose a default team for the mission. This will affect the way that the Auto Assign button works in game. Might as well take the time to set it up keeping in mind the mission objectives that you have planned.
The Unlocked Hero File is the name of the file that will be created during a campaign when you have specialists to unlock. Try to make this name unique so it doesn't conflict with any of the other campaigns out there. (For example: When I put the Black Sun campaign together, I named the file bs_unlockedheroes.xml).
When your done here click OK to go back to IGOR. Now is a good time to do a save. File>Save. It will bring up a familiar dialogue box for you to name your mission. Test is fine for this one. If you were to put a campaign together it would be a good idea to number them in a similar fashion that RSE has done.
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon is a trademark of Rubicon, Inc. under license to Ubi Soft Entertainment.
Ghost Recon is a trademark of Ubi Soft Entertainment.