Modding Tools--Component Creator

Andr�s · #1 February 16th, 2002, 07:29 AM

I still find that the most powerful comp modder is the Excel spreadsheet I'm using now, using Word to mailmerge it into SE4 format.

geoschmo · #2 February 16th, 2002, 04:10 PM

How do you do that Andres? That sounds interesting. Does it format the lines properly and eveerything?

Geo

Andr�s · #3 February 16th, 2002, 04:54 PM

comps.zip
Here's an example of the Excel file. I don't have the Word merger document here, but I do make a line for every column even if it is not needed the game doesn't have problems with that (although the final file size is unnecessary bigger).

Val · #4 February 16th, 2002, 05:48 PM

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 · #5 February 20th, 2002, 06:05 AM

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 · #6 February 22nd, 2002, 02:19 AM

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 · #7 February 22nd, 2002, 04:32 PM

"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.