Custom NLOs

This tutorial will show you how to add a custom nlo to a light. This will not cover adding a light to another object, that is a bit more complicated, but a tutorial is in progress for that. LIGHTS AND “LGHT” FILES by Numenor will be of help if you want to add lights to an object that don’t already have light defined.

Personally I find custom nlo’s to be unnecessary as the game has many variations of lighting that can be used, and you can use the repository method for light definitions.

But if you want to create different lights, particularly a glow like the neon lights then custom nlo’s are the way.

*just use the maxis light name in the cres instead of your custom one shown here. You can look at my pool lights on MTS to see how I repo’d those to the NL neon light.

Create NLO. This is a text file with the extension of .nlo. Just copy the light definitions from one in game, then edit as you wish based off link above where Numenor explains what known values do. Replace the name of the light definition with one of your own.

See mine is luniePrisonerAzkalamp_red_Light. This is the light name we need for the CRES. This needs to use underscores, and afaik also needs Light appended to the name. I’ve used a color name because I have been trying to add multiple colors to a light, no success yet. But maybe you will!

Create Folders. It is easiest to use The Scriptorium by Numenor for installing NLOs. Either use the automatic installation or the manual. Your newly created NLO will install in Scriptorium_CustomLights.

Edit CRES. In the cres, select the last tab CRES Hierarchie. Then select the line line with (cLightRefNode). Select the cObjectGraphNode tab. In the Filename box replace the light definition here with the custom one in your NLO.

** You can add the nlo to your light package so you don’t need to have a custom nlo in the script folders! Download this nlo resource, then edit the nlo file and save. Right click in the Resource List in your package and choose Add, then select the nlo.xml file.

Download the red light at simfileshare.

Commit and Save.