XML:Basic tutorial: Difference between revisions

First off, we'll assume that you understand the material in the [[Modding Oni]] article. This tutorial is written with the [[Anniversary Edition]] in mind, because the AE installs the modding tools you need, gives you the framework for making a mod package, and globalizes more data. Global data can be used in any level.

:[[wikipedia:XML|E'''X'''tensible '''M'''arkup '''L'''anguage]] is a plain-text file format designed to be both human-readable and machine-readable. It stores data in between tags, e.g. <tt><Data>Some data here.</Data></tt>, and these tags can be arranged in a hierarchy to keep things organized. The only difference between a normal text file and an XML file is that the file ends in .xml instead of .txt and that it typically begins with the string <tt><?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?></tt>. While you thus could easily make an XML file by hand in any text editor, there are programs listed below which are better suited for easy XML editing.

:In the old days, most of Oni's resources had to be edited by [[wikipedia:Hex editor|hex editor]]. Then [[User:Neo|Neo]], writer of OniSplit, introduced XML exporting. This turns "binary data" -- raw Oni resource data -- into human-readable XML which allows much easier modding. You can then import your edited XML file back into Oni's resource format with a simple command. The list of file types with XML support can be seen [[XML:File_types|HERE]]. The instructions for doing this manually on the command line are found at the bottom of the page, but before that, see the illustrated guide below to see how to do this more easily with a GUI.

:[[OniSplit]] will be your main tool. [[XmlTools]] is also needed for making XML patch mods. Installing the [[AE]] is the recommended way to get these tools and a helpful framework installed.

:OniSplit cannot be opened by simply double-clicking it; it's a command-line tool. But you are lucky -- we now have a [[wikipedia:GUI|GUI]] for it: [[Vago (tool)|Vago]]. It's best to install Vago through the [[AEI#Tools|AEI]].

===Is there an easy exercise to get me started?===

:Just see at the following table. Read left side if you use a Macintosh PC, read right side if you use a Windows PC.

[http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn207/unknownfuture/Oni_Galore_Images/XML_modding/code_folding.png http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn207/unknownfuture/Oni_Galore_Images/XML_modding/code_folding_preview.png]<br>Macintosh (xcode)

The XML basic tutorial deals with xml <=> oni conversion and how to get the data into the game.