Data Management And Data Tables

Data Tables are now used to store data for the UI3. This moves some of the data out of the Info Map. It also gives a way to save and re-use data entered.

This is a brief overview about how data tables are used.

• Designer Data Tables for the Designers
• Edit Data Tables for Features with Preview
• MultiUnit Data Tables for Unit Data and Users
• UI Data Tables for Interface Design

It's recommended to make a copy of the existing data table instead of modifying the default data table. This avoids the changes being overwritten with an update of the UI3.

Data tables are read only in run-time and cannot be changed during a walkthrough.

There might be more places where data tables are used. This gives a general understanding of how data tables work.

Changes are made in the Data Table window. Click on the tab with that name or open it through the Window menu in the top menu bar.

The window is divided into two parts:

• Data Table in the top part shows all data in rows.
• Row Editor in the bottom part contain the data for each row as a list of variables.

The Row Name identifies each row and needs to be unique. The numbers in front of the Row Name are mostly cosmetic. The Row Name is assigned automatically but can be changed by right clicking it in the Rows section.

• Use MM Data Table needs to be ticked to copy the data table content to the array.
• Tick the box off and on again to update the array if the data table has been changed.*
• Keeping the box ticked will automatically update the array from the data table when a level is loaded.
• Un-tick the box to allow making changes in the array instead.
• Data can be copied and pasted between the array index and the data table row (right click menu)

The data table can be shared between project scenes. An example would be a multi-unit project where each unit has the same UI layout.

*) Changes to the data table will happen outside of the info map. So the change won't be recognized by the info map. It will only be applied if anything else in the Info Map is being changed.

Color Presets

Color presets can be changed in the DT UI Colors data table.

In case you want to add a color variation and not just modify an existing one

• Add an entry to the drop down list stored in Enum_UIColors
• Then add a row to the DT_UIColors or the data table that is assigned to the Info Map.

Icons

Icons are now categorized and stored in two data tables. They can be changed and saved with the data table. The array length or the position of the icon in the array should not be altered.

Text Translation

Text used in the UI that isn't a header or similar can be changed in the UI Text data table. A copy can be created, translated into another language, and then applied to the Info Map. A German version is provided with the UI3

Server Data Table

For Multi Unit Projects or when User Management is set to Local Data Tables

Server is the host on which the walkthrough runs. There may be more than one instance of the game running.

Users Data Table

The app looks for the user name from the User ID that is set in the Server Data Table. All other columns are ignored.

Units Data Table

Contains data for every unit that will be displayed in the Unit Info Actor or Unit Widget

Unit Types Data Table

Most buildings will have Unit Types that are similar in layout. The Unit Type Name (Units DT) links to the Row Name here.

More will be explained in the Multi Unit Project Documentation

Both Editor Data Tables are linked in the same way as the other two Units Data Tables.