Need help with modding
 

Recently acquired SE IV, now upgraded to v1.41. I want to get into modding, and I'm sure I've seen reference around here to software that helps out with generating the code (writing straight into .txt, although posssible looks to be a bit of a pain, and error-trapping.... *shudder*)

The problem is, theres so much going on in this forum (nearly 4k Posts!), that its tough to see what the latest Versions etc are, and what works with what. Does someones w/site have a full (or partial!) list?

Re: Need help with modding
 

You can use the forum's search function (right below "post reply"), or if that fails, just post a message. There's lots of people here ready to help http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif.

As for leaning to mod...
I would say that getting right into the text file is best.
Start by creating a modfolder, create a "data" folder in there, and copy the original components.txt. Change the path.txt in your SE4 directory to read "Path := <modfolder>", rather than "none"
Now you're ready to change stuff. Look through the file, and change some numbers, then work your way up to bigger changes.
The biggest and most confusing problem is the double-blank line. SE4 stops reading once it hits that, and you'll be left wondering why your stuff isn't showing up.
You'll want to keep a copy of Abilities.txt handy, as well as the top-most How-To part of components.txt.

PS: If you've got an idea, but aren't sure how to implement it, just ask.

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For what works with what, it would be best to check the ReadMe files, then ask the authors themselves.
In general, mods are incompatible if they change the same files, though there are fuzzy situations.

Re: Need help with modding
 

Don't underestimate the *usefullness* of that double blank line, either. It's one heck of a help when you're trying to isolate errors. Just double space at a random point in the file (at the end of a component), open up SE4. Does the error still occur? OK then, it must be above the double space.

A few things SE4 doesn't like:
-values for family numbers higher than 65000. Won't load components.txt. Ditto for many other values.
-invalid data, i.e. a letter where it wants a number.

Neither of those will give you a defined error message, just "cannot load components.txt".

Also, beware the unused abilities. Some of them work, some don't. Some- like the Only Boarding Parties targeting- work differently than you'd expect. Test them before you commit to using them.

Phoenix-D

Re: Need help with modding
 

A lot of the programs and guides have been collected in the SE IV Modding thread in the Scenario/Mod Archive forum.

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Cap'n Q
My first mod! Hypermaze quadrant
The most merciful thing in the world, I think, is the inability of the
human mind to correlate all of its contents. We live on a placid
island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was
not meant that we should go far. -- HP Lovecraft, "The Call of Cthulhu"