Riddle me this

[Suicide Junkie]

- Even single-computer, sequential turn games can be played hotseat multiplayer. AI players can be switched to human control at a moment's notice. SE4, really can't tell if you're playing alone.

- As for why it is complaining, probably a safeguard for modders who might forget to add a generic image.
As far as SE4 is concerned, anybody could be playing it, not just you. That isn't the case here, but it dosen't matter.

======================

If you want to avoid the complaints WITHOUT making new generic images, simply set the ALTERNATE BITMAP NAME to something that already exists, preferably something close in size to what you've added.
That will fix all the problems with using other shipsets, automatically.

[Elowan]

I tried using an alternate bmp name. Problem is - I got the alternate picture when I tried to load my new ship.

[Suicide Junkie]

Hrm, I see what you mean...
I'll fiddle around with this for a bit and see what I can come up with.

EDIT:
Well, my problem had to do with copying the files to the wrong place.
I don't have any problems now, even without the generic images.

My setup:
P&N - Battlemoon images:
Primary := worldship
Alternate := massivebaseship

Installed races: default AIs + Vikings (who have a unique battlemoon pic)
Even without the default images, I got no errors, and the viking's unique Horned Moon with sails appears.

Things to check:
SE4 tries to load images in the following order:
1) the pictures/races/thisrace in the mod's folder
2) the pictures/racegeneric in the mod's folder
3) the pictures/races/thisrace in the default SE4 folder
4) the pictures/racegeneric in the default SE4 folder.

If it isn't there already, try moving your race into the modfolder, so it is the first place SE4 looks, and then, SE4 shouldn't complain.

[ August 27, 2002, 17:33: Message edited by: Suicide Junkie ]

[Elowan]

I appreciate your help. This folder is in the place it's always been - the Races folder under Pictures.

My issue is that it worked before I updated with 1.78.

However - I'll try putting that folder where you suggested.

Tis a puzzlement.

[Elowan]

Originally posted by Suicide Junkie:
Hrm, I see what you mean...
Things to check:
SE4 tries to load images in the following order:
1) the pictures/races/thisrace in the mod's folder
2) the pictures/racegeneric in the mod's folder
3) the pictures/races/thisrace in the default SE4 folder
4) the pictures/racegeneric in the default SE4 folder.

If it isn't there already, try moving your race into the modfolder, so it is the first place SE4 looks, and then, SE4 shouldn't complain.

That didn't work. I'd like to send the save game files, .emp files, etc to Malfador but I can't find an addr.

[Captain Kwok]

Again...I do not think this is a bug. I have added many ship designs and have never encountered this problem. Perhaps there is a typo or something in the entry.

[DirectorTsaarx]

To answer the easiest question first: try se4@malfador.com for bug reports.

Next, the SE4G patch 2 overwrites a number of files (the whole point of a patch, after all); there should be a file called "DataFileHistory.txt" that will list all altered data files (of course, looking at the files listed, none of them should be causing this error). In addition, looking at the "InstallLog.txt" file shows that the "path.txt" file gets overwritten as part of patch 1.78. So you may want to double-check and make sure you're using the right mod folder.

Finally, having a "generic" Version of the new ship pictures (or at least using an alternate bitmap that already exists) will also help if you make a mistake and choose the "wrong" shipset (i.e., one that doesn't include your special hullsize pictures) when you start a new solo game.

OT BTW - nice references to "The King and I" with "'tis a puzzlement". And that "...no old, bold space jockies" sounds familiar - I think there's a line "...no old, bold wizards" in the Bakshi movie "Wizards"?