squad.xml: Difference between revisions

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(added section "how to use it as a team-member)
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* [http://www.airpressuretendency.net/gfx/arma_xml_squad.zip ArmA_XML_Squad.zip]
* [http://www.airpressuretendency.net/gfx/arma_xml_squad.zip ArmA_XML_Squad.zip]
'''Update''':
"squad.xml" and "squad.xls" were modified to get diplayed properly also by Firefox (Gecko-Engine). Additionaly a "squad.css" was added for a more easier way to adopt the display of the Html-output to individual needs.
<dd class="notedate">Posted on January 24, 2007 - 00:42</dd>
<dd class="notedate">Posted on January 24, 2007 - 00:42</dd>
<dt class="note">'''[[User:TomNedry|TomNedry]]'''</dt><dd class="note">Would be nice to get this files hosted by the Biki maintainer ;-)</dd>
<dt class="note">'''[[User:TomNedry|TomNedry]]'''</dt><dd class="note">Would be nice to get this files hosted by the Biki maintainer ;-)</dd>

Revision as of 19:15, 26 January 2007

About

Example of a logo, provided by "squad.xml"

To support the Multiplayer-Community in their effort to play as teams, like many ArmA-clans and squads are trying, its possible to create a common information file - the "squad.xml" -, which is stored on a personal webspace and loaded by the ArmA-Gameserver, if a member of this team will there.

Beside detailed informations about the single player and its team which can be gained by pressing "P" ingame, the feature supports also a common logo, which will be displayed on vehicles, if such team has boarded it.


How to create a "squad.xml"

The file consist of three main parts:


1. Head: defines the doctype. Just leave it!

<?xml version="1.0"?> <!DOCTYPE squad SYSTEM "squad.dtd"> <?xml-stylesheet href="squad.xsl?" type="text/xsl"?>


2. Squad properties

<squad nick="[cHoe]"> <name>Chaos-Hoernchen</name> <email>admin@chaos-hoernchen.de</email> <web>www.chaos-hoernchen.de</web> <picture>choe_logo.paa</picture> <title>Chaos-Hoernchen</title>

nick The clan-tag, is displayed together with players nickname. Attention: Don't use reserved XML tags -> Link
name Squad name
email Your contact email
picture Your logo (optional), it has to in the same folder as the "squad.xml" file
title Squad name, displayed on vehicles manned by squad members


3. Member list

<member id="123456" nick="John"> <name>John Doe</name> <email>john.doe@anymail.com</email> <icq>N/A</icq> <remark>Mostly harmless</remark> </member> </squad>

id your ArmA-UID, always the same and irrespective of your selected character
nick your nick, the same as used with your selected character
name your "real" name...
email your personal email
icq your personal icq number
remark as the name says it...


Remarks:

  • You can leave any field blank, but it's recommended to fill it with a "N/A" instead.
  • Extend the members list by adding another XML-"Member" block

How to get your ArmA UID

ArmA UID 1: Start ArmA and select the player edit-menu
ArmA UID 2: In the bottom-right corner there your 6-digit UID

How to create a logo for the use with "squad.xml"

To create a logo for the use with "squad.xml" you'll need:

  • a bitmap manipulating software (aka "Paintprogram") which is able to handle bitmaps in TGA or JPG format.
  • Download Texview or the PAA-Plugin for the use with Photoshop


For a logo without transparency you can use an ordinary JPG without further treatment. To get transparency you'll have to convert a TGA to PAA format. Its always recommended to use PAA and to avoid alpha blending.

Create the TGA

In this tutorial we'll use GIMP - a open source tool - to create our sample-logo.

Important note: All logos must a have resolution of 2^x / 2^y (e.g. 16 / 16, 32 / 32, 64 / 64, 256 /256)

Step1: Create a new file
Step2: Select the appropriate size of image and set background color to transparency
Step3: Draw your logo and save as TGA...
Step4: after selecting TGA this window appears...

Convert TGA to PAA

Your logo should be something like this
  1. Start TexView
  2. Open your "logo.tga"
  3. Save it as "logo.paa" (replace *.tga with *.paa in the "save as"-dialog)

Remark: Your are absolutely free to name your logo as you like. The filename "logo.tga" etc. is just an example!

How to publish it

To use the "squad.xml" you'll have to upload the following files to a webspace:

  • squad.xml (mandatory)
  • squad.dtd (mandatory)
  • squad.xsl (optional), needed to show the "squad.xml" in a webbrowser, but isn't needed by the ArmA gameserver
  • mylogo.paa (optional)

All files will have to be in the same directory!

How to use it as a team-member

  • You have to have your own member-block in the "squad.xml" file
  • Additionally you have to put the URL, where the "squad.xml" of your team is located, in the "Clanpage" field in the player edit-menu. As reference see the picture "ArmA UID 2" in section How to get your ArmA UID.

Files

Update: "squad.xml" and "squad.xls" were modified to get diplayed properly also by Firefox (Gecko-Engine). Additionaly a "squad.css" was added for a more easier way to adopt the display of the Html-output to individual needs.

Posted on January 24, 2007 - 00:42
TomNedry
Would be nice to get this files hosted by the Biki maintainer ;-)

References