hud_messages are different from unicode_string_lists that the string list editor saves. These you're going to have to do manually in notepad and compile them with Tool.

First off, in your notepad file, each line will be one hud message. Don't make them too long, as Halo does not clip the message to a new line in-game, and instead it runs off the screen.

You have to name each message with a name that's easy to remember so you can refer to it in a script, and then directly after the message name, stick an "=" sign and then write the message right after. So, here's an example of a few lines:

vehicle_warning=>> WARNING: Enemies Alerted
crapload=>> Eliminate All Covenant Forces
crapload_1=>> Then Advance Into The Area

You don't have to include the ">>" at the beginning, but it was used for most hud messages and it looks best to have it.

After you have all of the messages you need, save the file in the exact same directory as your scenario is located under the "tags" folder, but in your "data" folder, and you must save it as "hud messages.hmt" without quotes and change the "Encoding" to "Unicode", not the default "ANSI". You will know what I mean when you go to save with Notepad. Tool will not compile correctly unless you do all of these steps.

For example, if your scenario is located in "tags\levels\amazingmap\amazingmap.scenario", then you either have to find "data\levels\amazingmap" or create that directory and then save it there, resulting in the file's path being "data\levels\amazingmap\hud messages.hmt".

Then at this point you're ready to do the tool command hud-messages, which is:

tool hud-messages (path) (scenario name)

So, for the example above, I would type:

tool hud-messages levels\amazingmap amazingmap

because the path to either the scenario or the messages file is the same: "levels\amazingmap" and the scenario name is of course "amazingmap".

It then compiles your hud_messages tag into the tags folder where your scenario is and automatically gives a reference to it from your scenario so you don't have to do it yourself. Then, you're ready to refer to these messages in your script.
Edited by Me KS on Oct 14, 2008 at 04:11 PM

(show_hud_help_text "boolean")

shows or hides the hud help text

"boolean" meaning you can enter "true" or "false", as in "yes" or "no", or you can enter "1" or "0", respectively. When this is turned on, the hud message selected will be constantly displayed, so you should turn it off again when you want it to disappear.

(hud_set_help_text "hud_message")

displays "message" as the help text

This command selects which hud message to be displayed when the command above is set to "true". You use the name of whatever was before the "=" sign for the message you want in the original ".hmt" file you compiled. For example, for this line in the hmt file:

ohcraphelpme=>> You're Screwed, Have Fun

If you want that message, you use this command like so:

(hud_set_help_text ohcraphelpme)

(hud_set_objective_text "hud_message")

sets "message" as the current objective

This command does the same thing as the one above, except it sets the message to be displayed when you hit "Esc" and go to the pause menu under "Objectives".

i dont understand what you said ME KS. can you make a script that shows on the menu and in your screen plz? coz i didnt get a word you wrote there =P

these are my messages.

elite_rangers=>>Kill the Elite Rangers this is at the start. no cutscenes.
bridge=>>Get to the Bridge after ive walked through the trigger "bridgemsg"
lifepod_1=>>Make your way to the Lifepods after ive walked through the trigger "lifepod1"
hanger_flood=>>Clean the Hanger of Flood after ive walked through the trigger "h_floodmsg"
lifepod_2=>>Get into the Lifepods! after ive walked through the trigger "lifepod2msg

and ive saved it all right and such but i need a script. plz help?