Data directories are directories where data files (such as models, skins, and particle graphics are stored. There are three types of data directories:

Data directories are directories where data files (such as models, skins, and particle graphics are stored. Directories may be added to this list using the add_data_dir() function, which takes a single string argument and adds the named directory to the beginning of the search list.

1. The basic data directory, where defaults for all Zippy-based games reside.
2. Game-specific data directories, where those defaults may be overridden for a particular game.
3. Object-specific data directories, where files needed for specific objects may be stored.

Whenever a character type is created, it is given its own data directory, which is the directory where the script that defines it was found. This class-specific directory is given precedence over all others for filenames referenced in the type's profile.

The "foundry" and "subgroup" parts are named after subdirectories of data directories. So the first example searches each data directory for (using UNIX path names) "booger/future/bar.bmp".

Examples (expanded paths given relative to the Zippy root):

Examples:

"[foundry[.subgroup]+].type:name"

"[foundry[.subgroup]+:]name"

Where "type" is one of the following:

Examples (expanded paths given relative to the Zippy root):

• "model" for models
• "particle" for particles
• "skin" for skins
• "icon" for icons?

Examples:

• "booger.future.particle:bar"
• "zippy.magic.necromancy.icon:book"
• "spyro.skin:cobol"
• "model:advent"

• "booger.future:bar.bmp"
• "zippy.magic.necromancy:book.bmp"
• "spyro:cobol.md2"
• "advent.md2"

%META:TOPICINFO{author="ElminI" date="1075016159" format="1.0" version="1.1"}% %META:TOPICPARENT{name="MakingZippyObjects"}% Data directories are directories where data files (such as models, skins, and particle graphics are stored. There are three types of data directories:

1. The basic data directory, where defaults for all Zippy-based games reside.
2. Game-specific data directories, where those defaults may be overridden for a particular game.
3. Object-specific data directories, where files needed for specific objects may be stored.

In Lua scripts, files in these directories may be referred to by strings with the following format:

"[foundry[.subgroup]+].type:name"

Where "type" is one of the following:

• "model" for models
• "particle" for particles
• "skin" for skins
• "icon" for icons?

Examples:

• "booger.future.particle:bar"
• "zippy.magic.necromancy.icon:book"
• "spyro.skin:cobol"
• "model:advent"

-- ElminI - 25 Jan 2004