Modders: Text File Editor

[Baron Munchausen]

The most important thing for a "mod editor" is that it do the CONSISTENCY checks for you. Spiffy looking forms are nice but hardly worth the trouble when you've got notepad, wordpad, and probably several full-blown word processors on any decent PC these days. Specialized abilities to suit the task of editing SE IV data files is what will make it worthwhile. Are the Roman Numeral values in sequence for all components in a set/tech field? Are the settings for number of abilities consistent with the ACTUAL number of abilities for each component? Etc. It can be really tedious to have to edit, save, load SE IV, quit because of error, edit, save, load SE IV, quit because of error... A custom editor should save us from that cycle.



[This message has been edited by Baron Munchausen (edited 23 January 2001).]

[Tampa_Gamer]

and somehow assist with spacing errors between "segments"! Although I don't know how you would program this. . .

[SirDarwin]

Well we do plan on making this a editor tailored to SEIV, and will of course be wanting input from people on here.

Like I said the first Version is just going to allow you to modify the present files (I actually got this pretty much working now while my friend was at work, just don't know file writing in VB

Then we'll sit down and plan on how we will do modifications (adding new abilities, verify technologies, etc), and then the addition of new items (hulls, componets, facilities, etc).

[SirDarwin]

quote:

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Originally posted by Tampa_Gamer:
and somehow assist with spacing errors between "segments"! Although I don't know how you would program this. . .

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Well I'm guessing when you say spacing between segments you are talking about making sure you only have one space between each say Hull? Well the key to this program will be that it has to have a valid file to begin with, and once you start editing with it, it will of course output so you don't have spacing errors. If you mean something else please explain.

[Daynarr]

Well, all I can say is - go for it.

[Tampa_Gamer]

Yes, good example. All of the files depend on consistant spacing and hard returns at the end of certain data elements. I, and other modders, have found that it is very easy to slip an additional space or extra return in there. This would not result in an invalid file like you see when you start up the game. Instead, the race will just stop researching, contructing, or designing based on the file in which the extra spacing is located - no error, nothing (very hard to track). Also, any editor should have the ability to compare two files similar to the "track changes" ability in Microsoft Word. This is always the first thing I do when a new patch comes out or I want compare my files with another modder to see what has or needs to be changed.

[This message has been edited by Tampa_Gamer (edited 23 January 2001).]

[Instar]

VB? That sounds like some veneral disease! Use C! Now thats a real programming language! (heh, JK, programming in any language is good, but I love C)