Vehicle size question

[Eclipsetech]

heres a sample

Name := Escort
Short Name := Escort
Description :=
Code := ES
Primary Bitmap Name := Escort
Alternate Bitmap Name := Escort
Vehicle Type := Ship
Tonnage := 150
Cost Minerals := 150
Cost Organics := 0
Cost Radioactives := 0
Engines Per Move := 1
Number of Tech Req := 1
Tech Area Req 1 := Ship Construction
Tech Level Req 1 := 1
Number of Abilities := 1
Ability 1 Type := Combat To Hit Defense Plus
Ability 1 Descr := Small size makes ship 40% harder to hit in combat.
Ability 1 Val 1 := 40
Ability 1 Val 2 := 0
Requirement Must Have Bridge := True
Requirement Can Have Aux Con := True
Requirement Min Life Support := 1
Requirement Min Crew Quarters := 1
Requirement Uses Engines := True
Requirement Max Engines := 6
Requirement Pct Fighter Bays := 0
Requirement Pct Colony Mods := 0
Requirement Pct Cargo := 0

thats the original

Engines Per Move := 3
Requirement Max Engines := 2

those are the changes. Identical to proportions mod, and using proportions mod ai files but the comp will NEVER use that design. I started with tech maxed and that as the only hull size and it still refuses to build anything.

[Gandalph]

Does the AI design the ship? Is the ship called for in the AI_construction_vehicles.txt file? Is the AI set to not build x size for x turns?

EDIT - Just noticed you have 3 engines per move but only allow 2 engines on the ship, that could be the problem. If it takes 3 engines for 1 move, you have to allow 3 engines minimum in the design.

[ July 23, 2002, 01:24: Message edited by: Gandalph ]

[Eclipsetech]

It has to be in the ai files somewhere but damned if I can find it. The 3 - 2 thing is right. A nuclear engine I generates 6 movement points. 2 engines max = 12 movement points. 3 engines per move is actually points per move so 12/3 = 4 space movement. Its a slight variation of proportions mod. I may have to start over from proportions mod as a base and make one change at a time till i figure out the problem.

[Baron Munchausen]

Close, Gandalph, but no cigar.

When you get the max engines to 2 you created a contradiction with the default MINIMUM engines in all the design creation files. You'll now have to edit every design to use only TWO minimum for engines or the ships will never be built.

But then, you'll never have ships built by the AI with MORE THAN TWO ENGINES. See the Design Creation files for Proportions for a way around this. A seperate design for EACH size class. That's what we're stuck with right now...

[ July 23, 2002, 01:33: Message edited by: Baron Munchausen ]

[Eclipsetech]

If I understand correctly Baron you will never have an "Escort" with more than two engines, which is correct. The other ship sizes in vehiclesize.txt all have their own minimums and maximums. The ai design files I was using are all the files from proportions mod. Originally all I did was edit some proportions stuff but now I'm trying to clean up my data files and get out what I don't need anymore. Apparently I got something wrong when I redid it all. Right now I have 3 installations on my hard drive, original, proportions, and my own edits. Just trying to clean up a bit.

[Eclipsetech]

Well, whatever it was I solved the problem. I reinstalled the game, then proportions over it, then my edits on top of that and it all seems to work correctly now. As long as the end result is correct then the hell with the means.

[Fyron]

It is better to use mod folders than to make a lot of installs of SE4. And don't mess with the default files; always work in the mod folders.