So You Want to be a Stormworks XML Edit Master? A Guide for the Slightly Clueless
Ever looked at a creation in Stormworks and thought, "That's cool, but if only it had a disco ball on top launching flaming rubber duckies?" Well my friend, you've stumbled upon the thrilling (and slightly terrifying) world of XML editing!
But XML editing sounds scary! What if I break everything?
Don't worry, my intrepid tinkerer! Breaking things is practically a right of passage in Stormworks. XML editing is just like playing with virtual Lego, except the pieces are made of confusing letters and numbers instead of those lovely little bricks. But fear not, with this guide, you'll be a pro in no time (or at least you'll know how to make a giant, wobbly banana out of a tugboat).
Step 1: Acquiring the Necessary Tools (Besides a Spork)
- A Text Editor: Notepad will work in a pinch, but something a bit fancier like Notepad++ is recommended. Trust me, your eyes will thank you.
- Courage (and Maybe Some Coffee): Things might get weird. Buckle up!
Step 2: Locating Those Elusive XML Files
- Fire up Stormworks and build something incredible (or at least moderately explodey).
- Save your creation! This is super important. We don't want to be editing a pile of digital ash.
- Head over to AppData\Local\Stormworks\Data\Vehicles. This location might be slightly different depending on your operating system, but a quick web search will sort you out.
- Here you'll find a bunch of files with your creation's name. The .xml file is the one we crave.
Step 3: Cracking the XML Code (No Indiana Jones Required)
- Open the .xml file with your text editor. Brace yourself for a wall of text that looks like it was written by a particularly enthusiastic robot.
- Don't panic! Most of the stuff you'll be editing is under the
<components>tag. This is where the magic happens (or terrible mistakes are made).
Here's the Fun Part: Tinkering with the Numbers!
- Block Size: Want a car that looks like it swallowed a bouncy castle? Look for the
rtag under a block. Changing the numbers here will stretch and squish your creation to hilarious (or horrifying) proportions. - Colours: Feeling a bit bland? You can change the colours of most blocks by editing the
BC(base colour) andAC(additive colour) values. Go wild! Rainbow tugboat, anyone? - Advanced Stuff (For Those Who Like a Challenge): There's a whole lot more you can edit, from engine power to propeller spin (because who doesn't want a propeller that plays Beethoven?). Just be prepared to do some digging and maybe make a few sacrificial vehicles to the Stormworks gods in the process.
Remember:
- Back Up Your Files! Seriously, this is like rule number one of XML editing.
- Start Small: Don't go straight for the nuclear reactor modifications. Take it slow and learn the ropes.
- Have Fun! XML editing can be frustrating, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. So grab a cup of coffee, crank up the wacky music, and get ready to unleash your inner mad scientist (or engineer, whatever floats your boat... car... giant banana?).
Bonus Tip: If things go horribly wrong, you can always just verify the integrity of your game files in Steam. It'll replace your corrupted creation with the pristine (and hopefully non-disco-ball launching) version.
Happy XML editing, and may your creations be glorious (or gloriously terrible)!
