Modding Tools--Component Creator

[Val]

I have been doing the same thing for any text file I want to create, from Components to TechAreas. All you really need to do is make an excel sheet with a header row for each of the catagories you are going to want in the final merge (a hint that will save time and repetition - if you have a row that is going to be the same all the way through, such as "Custom Group := 0", then you can put that in the Merge file rather than a column). After you setup your Excel file, go into word and copy out a sample component and the clear out the variables you want to change (eg - Name := PDF Cannon I - Erase the "PDF Cannon I, but leave the space after the := ), also be sure to hit enter at the end to give you a space in between components! Then you go to Tools and choose MailMerge and pick Catalog for the merge (this will create a stream of components/techs/etc. rather than one per page). Then you can either save it as a text file or (what I do) copy it and paste it into the correct data text file in metapad or notepad.

By using the merge option, I have been able to create over 2000 weapons in the B5 test mod where the only real trouble was creating the data on the spreadsheet for the merge!

If you want to get fancy, you can even create VB scripts and excel formulas that will increase/decrease the techs by preset percentages

[Krsqk]

Version 0.90 of the Component Creator is now released. This patch fixes a bug in v0.75 which caused the left/right damage multipliers not to be saved to data files. It also adds some requested features, such as parsing of text files and editing damage at range. See included readme.txt for complete details.

A patch is available for Users of v0.75.

Component Creator v0.90--extract to SE4 directory (will install in its own directory)

v0.75 to v0.90 patch--extract to SE4 directory

Questions/comments/suggestions still very much welcome.

[Suicide Junkie]

I downloaded from those links you provided, but the title bar on the program still read 0.75, not 0.9

PS: I did browse through the readme, but I didn't see how to enable/use matrix (dimensional) components.

[Krsqk]

"I downloaded from those links you provided, but the title bar on the program still read 0.75, not 0.9"

Heh heh. Oops, you're right. I forgot to change the title bar.

"PS: I did browse through the readme, but I didn't see how to enable/use matrix (dimensional) components."

They're not available yet. I need to tweak my classes a bit before they'll be workable. Since my graduate recital is tonight, don't expect an update today.

[Gimboid]

Newest Version of my component editor/creator

Program now displays a listing of all components from the components.txt file found in the same directory as the program and allows the user to browse and edit the component data at will.

All component data fields are loaded for easy visual modification.

This makes it useful for inexperienced modders to browse the types of data associated with existing components, and saves time for modding when adding new Versions of existing components


As before, this program can be used with ANY existing modded Versions (or differing Versions such as Gold vs 1.49) of the components.txt, abilities.txt and techareas.txt files by placing the program in the same directory as those 3 files.

[EDIT] NOTE - Have yet to implement saving of data for edited components (as in if u modify PPB 1 it saves changes to PPB1 in file) currently if u save the edited component it just adds it to the file. Will fix this once i have time tomorrow. Browsing capabilities are fully functional though

Component Editor v0.48

Program Version 0.48
File size 26.5 Kb (Zipped), 88 Kb (Unzipped)
See Release notes for further information

Gimboid

[ 09 March 2002: Message edited by: Gimboid ]

[Captain Kwok]

It looks like it'll be quite useful. It also reminds of the original data editor for Space Empires III...

[Atrocities]

Another MODDING tool that would be of great help would be one that allowed use to modify ships. Right now in order to mod a ship you have to do it manually by opening VehicText. A program that works like the component modder but only for ships would be a great addition to the modding tools already availible.