The Neverwinter Nights 2 (NWN2) toolset is a powerful utility that will allow
you to create your own NWN2 modules. This is the same tool that has been
used by Obsidian game designers to create the official NWN2 campaign.
This brief guide will help you get started by demonstrating the basics of
the toolset. You will learn fastest by experimenting with the toolset and by
joining the NWN2 mod community, which can be reached through
www.obsidianent.com (click on NWN2 logo).
Note: This version of the toolset documentation has been assembled for
the purpose of the toolset beta test. We recognize that this documentation is
not as thorough as desired and appreciate your patience and understanding in
testing the toolset with only this limited documentation to assist you. In
addition to your comments on the toolset itself, we would appreciate your
feedback on what additional documentation is most needed to help both new
and experienced modders create their own NWN2 worlds.
The exclusive NWN2 Toolset Beta Test forum can be found at
www.ataricommunity.com. Please look there for more information on this Beta
Test.
OVERVIEW
The NWN2 toolset package includes the following elements:
The NWN2 game and toolset.
NWN2_BetaTest_Toolset_HowTos: A series of HowTos to explain basic
toolset use. These HowTos include the following topics:
Creating a Module: The three components that comprise a module: areas,
conversations, scripts. Create a new area, including placing a start location and
trying it out in the game.
Placing Content: Place and set-up creatures, placeables (props), and
loot.
Writing a Conversation: Create a dialogue and attach it to an NPC. Simple
use of scripts in conversations.
Basic Trigger Usage: Place a trigger and use it to cause something to
happen.
Create items: Create your own magic items for players to find (and
enemies to use!) Use armor attachments and coloring to create unique armor
appearances.
Map Making: Create and sculpt an exterior or interior area. Understanding
how to create maps isn�t necessary to get started, but that will help you create
your own world with its own unique flavor.
NWN2_BetaTest_Toolset_Scripting: This document is primarily intended
for advanced users and includes:
An explanation of NWN2 global script naming conventions.
A library of over 50 available action and conditional scripts (for use in
conversations).
Descriptions of new and modified scripts (as compared to those in
NWN1), including new scripting systems (ambient life and scripted
waypoints).
NWN2_BetaTest_Toolset_FAQ: A short collection of some specific
questions that have come up during our development of NWN2.
Sample Module: A sample module, 0100_UninvitedGuests. This module
is an extremely simple adventure that makes use of many of the concepts
discussed in the HowTos. It is designed to be easy for you view examples of
how to accomplish certain tasks.
Starter Maps: Six �blank� maps that are fully sculpted but contain no
content (monsters, NPCs, etc.). You can use these to quickly set-up your own
quests and adventures!
WHAT�S NEW?
If you are experienced with the Aurora engine and NWN1 toolset, then you will
find many familiar features in the NWN2 toolset. The toolset you have now has
been redesigned, however, to make the most of new features and technology
that is available for NWN2. Some of the new features include:
World Creation
Terrain Painting. You can sculpt the terrain and apply textures, water,
and animated grass. Various brush sizes are available for initial
sculpting/painting and refined work.
Trees. You can quickly generate unique and animated trees.
Weather Control. You can set sky color and cloud density and
velocity.
Dynamic Day/Night Cycle. You can set various weather and lighting
conditions and the game will dynamically move between them as time
progresses. For example, you can have a light fog roll in during the dawn and
then burn away as the sun rises.
Special Effects Editor. The toolset comes with the special effects editor
that was used for the NWN2 spells.
Armor Customization. With over 100 different greaves, vambraces, and
more, you can custom tailor armors to create your own unique-looking magic
items or uniforms. All armor pieces can be individually tinted with multiple
colors.
Object Scaling. You can scale most placeables and creatures easily,
allowing you to make a tougher looking bugbear chieftain or a cat-sized giant
spider hatchling.
Enhanced Camera Controls. New camera features allow for more
cinematic cut scenes.
Global Scripts. The NWN2 toolset has a much more robust collection of
global scripts that are ready for use in your own modules.
Usability
Customizable Workspace. You have much more control over where
various tools and windows are located and how much space they take up,
allowing you to adjust the toolset�s layout as you wish.
Improved Conversation Editor. You can pass parameters to scripts and
assign multiple conditional and action scripts. A �main question node� feature
makes it much easier to construct certain types of conversations.
Level Baking. A semi-automated baking process creates the walkmesh for
your level, which causes placeables you specify to automatically block
movement without dealing directly with the walkmesh.
Multi-tasking. You can have multiple areas, conversations, and scripts
open simultaneously, allowing for faster content creation.
Campaign System. Multiple modules can now share resources and journal
data.
Flexible Categories. NWN2 has no item palettes, allowing you to organize
your blueprints and instances in whatever categories you�d like.
Plugins. You can create plugins for the toolset, much like you can for
Photoshop or 3DS Max.
QUICK REFERENCE
To use the toolset, just open the file NWN2ToolsetLauncher.exe. After a few
moments, you should see:
All windows within the NWN2 Toolset can be docked, resized, and moved to
set things up however you prefer. The main components of the toolset
are:
Menu Bar.
Toolbars.
Area List/Conversation List/Script List. Tabs at the bottom select which
list you are viewing. Double-click on any area, conversation, or script name in
the list to open it.
Area Contents. Lists all of the components of the currently selected area,
if any. Components include items, creatures, triggers, placeables, and
more.
Area Viewer. Shows what the area looks like. You can modify terrain and
textures, place objects, etc. through the Area Viewer.
Property Panel. Shows properties for the selected object. The Property
Panel contains many tabs (Basics tab, Skills tab, etc.). If you select an object in
the Area Viewer (5), Area Contents (4), or Specific Blueprints (8) section, its
properties are shown here.
Blueprint categories. Blueprints are templates for any object that can be
placed in an area. Note that the Area Contents section (4) has the same
options. Blueprints include all global content as well as local templates you
might create.
Note: If you click on a blueprint, its properties automatically appear
in the Property Panel. You can right-click on a blueprint to see its properties in
a new window, but this process can be slow and no more than 3 property
windows can be open at any time.
Specific Blueprints. This section is similar to the Area Contents, but lists
all available objects, not just those placed in the current area. For example, this
section would let you select a goblin, while the Area Contents section lets you
select a specific goblin that you have placed.
Tabs to switch from Blueprints to the Terrain (exteriors) and Tile
(interiors) tabs.
The HowTos provide additional detail about many of these features. Open the
Sample Module to reverse engineer our content and learn more about the
toolset�s functionality.
To try the Sample Module, start NWN2, click �New Game,� then �New Module,�
and select 0100_UninvitedGuests.
To open the Sample Module in the toolset, start the toolset, then File
Open, and select 0100_UninvitedGuests.mod.
Some simple tips:
If you get stuck, please visit www.ataricommunity.com and post on the
forums.
In the Area Viewer, use Ctrl-middle-click to rotate the camera and the
mousewheel to move the camera forward and backwards.
For fast creation of objects (creatures, items, placeables � anything in the
Blueprint Categories section) copy the blueprint of an existing object that�s
similar to what you want. Then change the properties of the copied
blueprint.
You can use Copy (Ctrl-C) and Paste (Ctrl-V) in the Area Viewer to
quickly duplicate placed objects.
Check View Options and the Plugins menu to change settings
and to access helpful supplemental tools.
We hope you enjoy all of the features of the NWN2 toolset. We appreciate
your time and interest and look forward to your comments and
suggestions!
10 - A Masterpiece, Genuinely Groundbreaking 9 - Outstanding, a Must Have 8 - Excellent, Recommended to Anyone 7 - Very Good, Deserves a Look 6 - Good, Qualified Recommendation 5 - Fair, Solid yet Unremarkable 4 - Some Merit, Requires Improvements 3 - Poor Execution, Potential Unrealized 2 - Very Little Appeal 1 - Not Recommended to Anyone
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