Porting a mod to a new M&B version: by the numbers

[Fisheye]

A simple guide in point form.

WRONG way: Copy over everything, use winmerge to mash the code together, cross fingers / pray / make sacrifice to gods, try to compile and run, cry when the error message appears. Yes, I did it this way before I learnt better. Without the crying.

RIGHT way:

Do a full test of the execution of the mod at each numbered step. That means compile if needed. Use Winmerge to do the merge for files you're unsure about. Note: in some steps you may need to edit module_constants (comment out some stuff temporarily) to get things to compile.

0. Start with a copy of Native.
1. Resources, Textures, sounds, music: BRFs, DDS, MP3, etc... copy them over and update module.ini
2. module_items.py (recommend putting some of your new items in the Zendar chest to check them out quickly)
3. Basic files: module_animations, module_factions, module_map_icons, module_meshes, module_music, module_particle_systems, module_quests, module_scenes, module_scene_props, module_skills, module_skins, module_sounds, module_strings.
4. module_troops.py
5. module_parties, module_party_templates, map.txt (also copy over the Sceneobj/*.sco files)
6. Scripts I: recommend breaking this up and compiling in parts if possible: module_constants, module_scripts, module_game_menus, module_mission_templates, module_presentations
7. Scripts II: module_triggers, module_simple_triggers, module_dialogs

Now you're done!

[Winter]

A simple guide in point form.

What Fisheye said. That's how I port when I have to.

A slight modification for when you're running modified Native code: Try to keep all modified code in custom module files separate from the Native files (via Scion's method, documented in the Modding Knowledge Base) and document all your changes. Use WinMerge to look for any changes between the new Native and old Native, then incorporate changes/bugfixes into your modified code where appropriate. Lastly, replace/delete the Native scripts in order to allow your modified scripts to run.

[grailknighthero]

*hitting head on wall*
Why didnt I know about winmerge before?....
This is very useful for me since I didnt know a good way to port.

[nema]

Fisheye, winmerge rules.

Thank you for this tip.