Riddle me this

[DirectorTsaarx]

Originally posted by Elowan:
Are you saying that the AI can pick any trait off the list? If that's the case - how can you make anything race specific?

As Phoenix and SJ point out, if you play multi-player, other humans could choose your special racial trait. And, since you can't force players to use a particular shipset based on using a racial trait, you have to have at least a "generic" Version of special ship hulls.

[Elowan]

Everthing you say about multi-player is all well and good. However - I play alone.

I established a racial trait for the soul purpose of being able to display specialized ship designs. Call it 'role playing', whatever. I am not aware that the various AI's pick their traits at random or that the AI will pick random traits to generate one of the 'neutral' races.

Having said that, let's get back to my problem.

Before I installed the update - SEIV would display my designs just fine. Since the update - it complains that it can't find generic_mini/portrait_whatevership.bmp. It only complains about the specials and only the Last 2 on the list.

Why is it asking for a 'generic' pic? Did Malfador restrict the number of vehicles in VehicleSizes.txt?

[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.