Calling all programming geeks! : suggested utils

[Chema_Cagi]

I've no idea about programming, but the most I play this game, the most I miss some user-programmed utilities to make EU players life more easy

I've seen some posts about people that say to be working on some kind of game utilities. Let us know how's your work in progress.
There goes my wishlist:

1. A scenario editor, of course!: an user friendly utility to make easy the editing of scenario data files. A dreamed editor could include the possibility to edit the playable powers, game events, all kind of data and stats (regions, leaders, traits, etc)
A mega-editor would include some or all of the utilities below...

2. A utility to make easily readable and printer-friendly lists of scenario data: regions, characters, etc

3. A 'mod-manager': a utility to keep safe backups of original game data and graphics while installing user made ones. I would like to use some of those excellent user-made graphics and animations around.
(and I hate to see elite turkish janissaries as raw natives in some regions!)

EU fans around the world would be forever thankful to anyone making something like this...

 

[demendoza]

...And, in the case it was not possible, one text with the complete instructions for editing the files. It´s pretty hard to search the forum looking for these instructions.

 

[unmerged(181)]

Your requests for the editor have been noted. Please realize that I must receive my English version before I can get started and I have no idea how long it will take to code the editor if I have a chance to do it at all. And I do want a play a game or two. ;-)

 

[Depp]

There were a utility like this for CTP and it worked great, and those were just txt files as well. I think it could be done quite easily, but Im a mechanical engineerer, not a programmer

 

[unmerged(181)]

In theory, it is not particularly difficult. It is three simple steps:

1) Read all the data from the text files into a database.
2) Let the user change the database.
3) When the user is ready, write all the data back out to the text files.

However, step 2 is always more complicated than it looks. The more editable objects, the more entry to be programmed, the more effort that has to be taken to prevent conflicts that will cause crashes and so on. I also have some features I would like to do that take more effort such as randomization and a graphical map for choosing provinces. Those will probably have to wait for a later release if I have the opportunity to tackle them.

If anyone has any requests, please let me know. I'm all ears.

 

[unmerged(731)]

There is such a utility
It's called F4patch and is used for
Falcon 4 (a flightsim).

This util will install several different kinds of patches , addons, mods, twekas etc.
You can use it on the *.exe file but also add modifications or changes to whatever directory or file you choose.

It mainly uses notepad to make files witch you can use to install instead of other files....for instance the leaderproject could easily be installed andundone like this.

The great thing is that you can select all the changes you would like to have in the game and then the program will install them.
Don't you like the change? then you can easily deselect them again and they will be uninstalled again.

take a look at: http://www.bierling.net/joel/index.htm
After opening this page choose falcon4 on the left site to acces this utility


Joel Bierling has made this program, but I think its ideal to be used for EU.
But be so nice to ask Joel first..




[This message has been edited by ambush66 (edited 08-02-2001).]

 

[unmerged(548)]

It mainly uses notepad to make files

This might be a problem though. Some files used by EU might be too large to be opend in Notepad.

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/ Stefan Huszics EU FAQ
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[Chema_Cagi]

Thanks Pole and all who were interested in this thread. I hope you get your full version soon, Pole! (and not get caught too addicted to it like everyone else!)

Huszics, if notepad can't open a file because of its size, windows defaults to open it with Wordpad (IF it's installed. Wordpad is not a default utility with the standard Windows install)
It may be just a matter of warning everyone to install Wordpad before using the editor?

Thanks for the observation.

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JM Cagigal
Virrey de Nueva España