Learn how to create a basic furniture item in Paralives using the modding tools. Follow our step-by-step guide to add meshes, surfaces, tags, and swatches.
This guide will cover the basics of adding items in the Paralives modding tools, step by step.
1) Create the item
Find the Items tab in the Control Panel, under the Build category. Once in the menu, click on the + button next to All Items to add a new item. Scroll all the way down to find the new item.
2) Name the item
Name the item in the Display Name field. Click on the little icon next to the field to open the Edit Translation menu. Make sure to also write the item’s name in the Translated text field.
3) Create a Prefab
Click on the little icon next to the None button of the Prefab field. This will prompt a pop-up to create a Prefab. Input the item’s name for New Prefab Name, and press OK to launch the Prefab Editor.
4) Add ItemMeshReference
To add a mesh, make sure to have the item’s Root selected, and select Add. From the pop-up menu that appears, search and select ItemMeshReference.
5) Select a FBX
Click on the button next to Asset Mesh to select the mesh. If the asset was imported properly, it should appear within the list.
6) Fit the bounding box
The item should now be inside the blue cube. The blue cube around the item is the item’s Bounding Box: it defines the size of the selection UI, how the item will snap to walls and other items, and whether the item is out of bounds. It should be fitted to the item. Click the GO button next to Set Edited Prefab Size to Mesh Size to get the box perfectly shaped to the item.
7) Add a surface
Add a surface to the item. This is the material that the item will have. Click the + to add a surface, then None to get a selection pop-up. Pick from the many surfaces already created in the game, or create your own.
8) Save your item
This wraps up the steps in the Prefab editor. Click Save and return to the Items page.
9) Add an item tag
The item needs a tag to appear in the Build Mode catalog. Click the + to add a tag, and click on None to choose a tag in the list. The tag will also give the item a base price, as well as some other settings on the back-end.
10) Add swatches
Last, the item needs swatches. The item from this tutorial is quite basic and made of a single surface/color. Pick an already existing Swatch Group like BasicWood, which sets up the item with already picked out colors for a wooden item. Set Swatch Color Zone Count and Swatch Thumbnail Type to OneColor.
The new item should now appear in the Build Mode catalog.
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