Data File Reference
Context: HL Kit … Kit Reference
Overview
The data file is where you'll be defining all of the top-level elements that the user will directly control. This includes visual elements like panels, layouts, templates, and portals. It also includes game system elements like things.
All data files have the ".dat" file extension and are loaded after all of the structural files have defined the framework for the game system.
This section outlines the structure and mechanics for writing a definition file.
IMPORTANT! This section utilizes critical notational conventions that can be found in over here.
IMPORTANT! Just because you can put numerous different elements in the same file does not mean you should do so. Keeping your data files small and focused will also keep them much more manageable, so break up all the information across files where appropriate. See the Skeleton data files for examples of this.
Structural Composition
The overall file structure is that of a standard XML file. The file must start with an XML version element in the form: "<?xml version="1.0"?>". Following this, the top-level XML element must be a "document" and it must have a "signature" attribute containing the explicit value "Hero Lab Data".
The following table defines the attributes for a "document" element.
signature Text – Must be the value "Hero Lab Data".
Within the document element, every data file possesses the following child elements, appearing in the sequence given and with the names specified.
portal Zero or more "portal" elements may appear as defined by the given link. This element specifies an assortment of portals for use within layouts. template Zero or more "template" elements may appear as defined by the given link. This element specifies an assortment of templates for use within layouts. x Zero or more "x" elements may appear as defined by the given link. This element specifies a variety of x that will be utilized within the game system. x Zero or more "x" elements may appear as defined by the given link. This element specifies a variety of x that will be utilized within the game system. x Zero or more "x" elements may appear as defined by the given link. This element specifies a variety of x that will be utilized within the game system. x Zero or more "x" elements may appear as defined by the given link. This element specifies a variety of x that will be utilized within the game system. x Zero or more "x" elements may appear as defined by the given link. This element specifies a variety of x that will be utilized within the game system. x Zero or more "x" elements may appear as defined by the given link. This element specifies a variety of x that will be utilized within the game system. x Zero or more "x" elements may appear as defined by the given link. This element specifies a variety of x that will be utilized within the game system. x Zero or more "x" elements may appear as defined by the given link. This element specifies a variety of x that will be utilized within the game system. x Zero or more "x" elements may appear as defined by the given link. This element specifies a variety of x that will be utilized within the game system.
