Tools for Modding

[Wydraz]

I thought I'd post a request for programmers (read: Suicide Junkie) to let us know what tools they are working on for us modders. I'm just itching to start wortking on my mod...

[DeadZone]

Ive found this fantastic Campaign modding tool
Its simply the best
Now wot was the name of it....

......

......

Oh yeah I remember, its called notepad http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif
And theres a program called Textpad (wot I use)

Sry couldnt resist

[Wydraz]

Maybe It's a pipe dream, but I'm hoping for a mapping utility. I shudder at the prospect of mapping my systems with a text editor. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif Is one included with the full game?

[ September 30, 2003, 04:41: Message edited by: Wydraz ]

[Instar]

Well, SE4 got a lot of modding tools made for it. Comp Sci rocks. Myself though, I really do not know the WinAPI well enough to make a windows program that would work well.

[DeadZone]

Well if there isnt any then surely someone could make one

OT - wot modding tools were there for SEIV (beside the map thing)

[ September 30, 2003, 07:20: Message edited by: DeadZone ]

[General Woundwort]

Originally posted by DeadZone:
OT - wot modding tools were there for SEIV (beside the map thing)<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">There is a posting thread for SEIV modding tools here...

http://www.shrapnelgames.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=50;t=000004

[DeadZone]

Well I dont know the SEIV forum that much http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

[tesco samoa]

i say we start a david g campaign. and send him an email every hour until he makes some tools .

That way we have David g tools and SJ tools

[DeadZone]

lol

[General Woundwort]

Originally posted by DeadZone:
Well I dont know the SEIV forum that much http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">With this new format (not to mention its - to be frank - tepid colors), the older threads like that get lost easily. That's why I posted it.

[DeadZone]

And I thank you for it http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

[Instar]

Hmm, I dunno, guys, do you think you could have access to an IBM OS/390 mainframe? I am doing COBOL on one, so if you want, I can make programs for that platform. Heh, http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

[Fyron]

Originally posted by DeadZone:
Well if there isnt any then surely someone could make one

OT - wot modding tools were there for SEIV (beside the map thing)<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">There were none that came with SE4, and the map editor came in a patch IIRC. Gold has it on the CD of course. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

[Wydraz]

Well, for SESF at least there is SJ's slot utils for ships and shops. I wish we had more going for us, but I guess I'll have to wait. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

[DeadZone]

Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Originally posted by DeadZone:
Well if there isnt any then surely someone could make one

OT - wot modding tools were there for SEIV (beside the map thing)<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">There were none that came with SE4, and the map editor came in a patch IIRC. Gold has it on the CD of course. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Well I didnt get SEIV until gold and patch 1.84 so I already had it sorted http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[ColdSteel]

Is anyone (SJ, hint hint) working on a universe creation/layout utility? Something like Suicide Junkie's slot mod utility where you could drag and drop systems and build the wormhole links between them graphically would be wonderful.

I was thinking about writing a program that would randomly create universe layouts based on some basic parameters. Sort of like a random map generator. It would relieve a lot of tedium. You could also do the same kind of thing to build the layout of individual star systems' geometry. Something like this functionality could always be added to the above drag and drop utility or at least work in conjunction with it. Is anyone working on mod tools like any of these for the game?

I can't believe how much you can mod this game. SE4 was great but I think Aaron has taken it even further with StarFury. I love the old Elite game so I'm planning to try and create a mod with Elite style merchant trading. Looking over the files I think it's possible. Modding darn near ANYTHING appears to be possible with this game.

I've aleady modeled a ship and stuck it in the Demo to play with. The only thing I don't like that much is the DirectX format for the models. Not many 3D modeling programs have good support for .X files. Right now I have to export from Blender (great free open source project modeler) and use Accutrans 3D (file converter) to get models into the .X file format. The textures are funky though. Has anyone found a good solution for this? Will MM include any kind of DirectX file converter with the full game?

I hope MM is planning one releasing some specs/tips on ship sizes/layouts/modding like they did for SE4. Anyone know?

-ColdSteel

[Wydraz]

Originally posted by ColdSteel:
I was thinking about writing a program that would randomly create universe layouts based on some basic parameters. Sort of like a random map generator. It would relieve a lot of tedium...<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Amen to that. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif I can't imagine how long it would take to create an entire galaxy in notepad. *shivers*

[Wydraz]

Update Bump: Now that the game has shipped, let's hear from the mod utility programmers. What are you guys working on? Any updates? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/confused.gif

As for me, I'm working on a mod. So far I've only been doing the graphics... those data files still look pretty daunting, but I'll slog through. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

If I can help with developing utilities, let me know. But all I can offer is pretty pictures. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

[Phoenix-D]

heh Wydraz. I have the opposite problem. The text files don't look difficult- just big, and a few things that need clarification- but getting graphics into the game is eating me alive..

[Suicide Junkie]

Well, just in case you didn't realize it, I do have a SlotModder and a StoreModder available to handle those files.

Between assignments and midterms and stuff, I haven't had much time to work on tools lately.

[DeadZone]

*strats crying*

I want in

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif I hate not being able to get a job
missing out on all the good stuff http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

[Wydraz]

Yes, so far we have SJ's wonderful Slot modding utility! Here is a link, since he must have forgotten how important it is for all of us modders to find it easily http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/newuploads/1063160765.zip

Now all we need is a galaxy editor, and a campaign data manager... and a dozen others, I'm sure would be nice. Any other programmers up to it? SJ can't do all the work! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Phoenix-D: While I have plenty to do, I might be able to help out. What do you need?

[ October 08, 2003, 20:49: Message edited by: Wydraz ]

[Phoenix-D]

My copy just arrived (2 days, not bad) so I'm still looking. I was trying to port my Cluk-Ruk shipset to .x format, and the texturing was..not my friend.

[ColdSteel]

Phoenix-D, I'm having the same problem porting models with textures to DirectX. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif What are you using?

I'm using Blender (great *free* modeler/renderer/animation/gaming software - www.blender3d.com) (http://www.blender3d.com)) to create the models but the export to DirectX via a Python plugin is shaky at best. Most of the file converters out there have spotty support for DirectX as well. They can handle the mesh faces okay sometimes but not the textures. It seems like nothing decent out there supports the .X file format except for MS developer tools. Stinks.

If you've found anything better, please share. I'm frustrated. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon8.gif

-ColdSteel

[Wydraz]

I've had some success making models for SF. I've just posted a little tutorial here:

http://www.shrapnelgames.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=70;t=000100

[Phoenix-D]

I just use Lithunwrap, that ports to .x fine. Its getting the textures to look right that's hurting me. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif