3rd party software request

[JLS]

Originally posted by Gandalf Parker:
Well I wasnt going to use MODs until I had played with the game abit. Maybe DevNull or TDM which seem to just add capabilities without trying to rewrite thegame (doesnt try to make the AIs harder or anything). Do I have those right?

I do not think TDM and for a fact AIC or DevNull (DOES NOT) - re/overwrites anything. Other then the PATH I mentioned earlier.

If you veiw the Zip File you will see that both DevNull and AIC just write to their own folder, and NO other: however, I would think you would know this, so please forgive my imprudence.
= = = =

I am unsure of TDM: because it has its own installer and I can not preview the file before hand or before it is installed; however, yes I think TDM is safe to install, I have played many memorable TDM games.

[ July 05, 2004, 19:19: Message edited by: JLS ]

[Gandalf Parker]

Well its becoming clear how I messed things up.

I do get the "slew of errors" so Im sure I added some of those races. Its too bad that they havent been upgraded.

Also, not all of the races installed the same. Some created paths as if from the SEIV directory. Some from the Pictures directory. Some with only a race-named directory as if it was already in the races directory. And one created a race-named directory off of its own race-named directory.

I got so smooth at cut-n-pasting races between two windows to get things where they should be, that I think I did it to the MOD directorys also (moved their races to the races directory)

*sigh* OK time for install #4 and do it all again. Does anyone happen to have nice full races, AI, Dsgnames, and neutral races which dont require any mods that would be willing zip it and send it? Or pop it into a webspace I can snag it from?

Gandalf@Community.Internet
(without the Inter of course)

[ July 05, 2004, 20:48: Message edited by: Gandalf Parker ]

[Fyron]

For your Design Names files needs, you want Design Names Anthology. It has most of the design names files from the various shipsets in it, plus many, many more.

Also, SE.net has a large number of shipsets available in it's Downloads database. Unfortunately many of the entries lack descriptions, and not all shipsets are updated to Gold compatibility... but they can be downloaded.

[ July 05, 2004, 20:51: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

[JLS]

Originally posted by Gandalf Parker:
Well its becoming clear how I messed things up.

I do get the "slew of errors" so Im sure I added some of those races. Its too bad that they havent been upgraded.

DevNull, Proportions, AIC, Adamant, AST and a host of other MOD RACE files (THEY ALL ARE INDEED UPDATED to v1.91)
However, they may totally be incompatible with stock se4 because they have MODED DATA components and facilities etc. (and as such, should remain in that MODS folder) Please review reference below.

- - - -

I can assure you: if you want an up-to-date AI Files and Race Ship SETS - ONLY FOR unmoded Space Empires 4 v1.84 plus

TDM 1.30 is the best way to go.
However, if you do not have access to the MOD Launcher that we discussed - you may alter the TDM path file to resume your se4 game or any other MOD at anytime. Please review reference below


REFERENCE se4 PATH.txt file

================================================== ================================
PATH DATA FILE
================================================== ================================

This file must be located with the executable to tell it which directories to look in.
(very important from se4's Aaron Hall)
" If you make your own data sets or modifications, you should install them in a {{{new directory}}} under the se4 directory, and then modify this file to be that directory name."

Some how all this info gets lost with the 3rd Party MOD launcher and this critical se4 {its own "new directory" procedure} - entirely lost with a few MODS/moders.???

Using Mod Directory:
This indicates the name of the directory under which to look for for the game files. If this value is "None" or blank, then the standard SE4 files will be used. If this is set to a directory name, then the game will attempt to load its files from that directory first.

If a mod directory is present, then it must contain all of the files that are
in the original SE4 directory. The only exception to this rule is in the case
of bitmaps. If a bitmap can't be loaded from the mod directory, then the game
will still attempt to load it from the standard SE4 directories.

For Stock se4 play := None

================================================== ================================
*BEGIN*
================================================== ================================

Using Mod Directory := TDM-ModPack back to NONE ================================================== ================================
*END*
================================================== ================================

Or use the MOD path file that is in that MODS directory and/or just copy it yourself to the se4 Gold Folder - MOST MODS also have the Original Path File stored for you as an aid to resume se4

[ July 05, 2004, 22:41: Message edited by: JLS ]

[Atrocities]

Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
For your Design Names files needs, you want Design Names Anthology. It has most of the design names files from the various shipsets in it, plus many, many more.

Also, SE.net has a large number of shipsets available in it's Downloads database. Unfortunately many of the entries lack descriptions, and not all shipsets are updated to Gold compatibility... but they can be downloaded.

An update of this is in order too. I shall send you some files.

[Gandalf Parker]

OK does anyone have a nice collection of subdirs I can just unzip with permission to overwrite for patched SEIV using
For Stock se4 play := None

Not the executables (of course) just the subdirs.
Or I can reinstall and try to weed my way thru the "this will work, this wont work" jungle of files

[psimancer]

gandalf try this heres a picture of a clean install of my se 4 then i made mod folders for each of my pbw games (guess thats why they all start with pbw some even have races and such which are stored under the mod's directory

ok well guess i have to email it to you

[DEEEEEEEEEEPPP Breath] INCOMING !!!!!!!

[dogscoff]

A little proggy would be cool though, that went through all AI files in pictures/races/* and either corrected or flagged up all missing/invalid lines in the files.

[Mephisto]

Hi Gandalf!
TDM will install a clean Version of itself with the new and additional races in the TDM-Mod-Subfolder. It will also install the latest ModLauncher. It will search for the correct path to install to all by itself and will add an Icon for the Modlauncher in your Start-Menu if you wish so. In short, TDM should be everything you wish for. All other "standard" races you wish to install should also be installed to the TDM-Folder. This way your SE4-Basis will be kept clean.
You can download TDM at Fyrons site since the main TDM-site is down at the moment.

[Gandalf Parker]

Originally posted by psimancer:
ok well guess i have to email it to you

[DEEEEEEEEEEPPP Breath] INCOMING !!!!!!!

Thank you. That may save me on cleanup.