planet/system generation question
 

I'm trying to dig into the gritty details of system generation and it looks like I can only go so far based off of the data files.

If an entry in systemtypes.txt has "Size := Any", "Composition := Any", and "Atmosphere := Any", how is the planet generated? I can see two main possibilities:

1) One attribute is generated randomly, then the others are generated randomly from a list of valid values based on the previously generated ones. If this is correct, what is the order of the attribute generation?
2) A planet is chosen at random from secttype.txt.

Anybody have any idea which (if either) of these is correct?

Also, is it possible to have a Ringworld or Sphereworld be both built and "natural" (build by long-dead civilization)?

Re: planet/system generation question
 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by wilcoxon:
Also, is it possible to have a Ringworld or Sphereworld be both built and "natural" (build by long-dead civilization)? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I was working on a progenitor quadrant type mod that would do that. I know you cant have them 'randomly chosen' or anything, but it might be possible to deliberatly place one in a specific system type. I was unable to get it to accept a stellar construction as a valid variable planet type though, but it might depend on syntax. (stars have certain variable lines, planets have certain variable lines, what do you put in for the construction? planet lines probably, but what do you call the size?)

I was able to create 'lost' systems inside nebulas though, and generally up the random chance of finding ruins. I was also able to put together systems with real belts of astroids in them, and hide tiny planets inside asteroid fields, or any sized planet under a storm. 'storm systems' are another neat thing, where you can make wreaths of storms arround a star. you cant have them random AND homogenous though.