Modding Application

[evilhamburger]

I'd say around 8% (Both projects combined) towards a final release. (Final as in 100% finished, not final as in released)

The mod switcher is about 75% complete and the Modding application itself does not need to be at a final release stage before it is stable and able to edit certain things.

[Legendman3]

Im a curious guy arent I? Anyway If the modding application is that much completed than I could wait I wait for gigs to download on my slow little connection so I can wait for this. Oh and I knew it doesnt have to be made fully to work, thats what 2.3 is likeish......

[evilhamburger]

New version: (beta)

Report any suggestions/faults/etc
---Use with caution---

Major Updates:

• PK3 files can be created by the program from UFOs
• Supports backing up and restoring original PK3s
• Mods no longer overwrite existing PK3s
• Bug fixes and debug updates

TODO:

• Make into a quick launch application and streamline interface (any suggestions?)
• Support models, music, etc in mods instead of just new UFO files
• Stability updates -- alter Debug structure so an error is handled gracefully

SCROLL DOWN FOR LINK

Now I get to finally start work on the main modder lol

<last minute update>
Errors are now handled better...

[Legendman3]

Its been two days... Hows the thing going along? Ready for a release or screenshot? The mod switcher works fine except for the error at the beginning. Know it?

***ERROR***
An exception has occured. Error was a Bad File Parse exception.
Error says "Could not read settings file -- Invalid settings file magic"
Memory dump not supported...


Data rescue not supported...


Stack Trace:

DMSC.dll                       Debug                Error
DMSC.dll                       Debug                Error
DMSC.dll                       SettingsManager      ReadSettings
DMSC.dll                       SettingsManager      .cctor
DMSC.dll                       SettingsManager      SettingExsists
DMSC.dll                       PathHelper           ValidateUFOAIInstallion
DMSC.dll                       PathHelper           .cctor
DMSC.dll                       PathHelper           ValidateUFOAIInstallion
Mod Switcher.exe               ModSwitcher          .ctor
Mod Switcher.exe               Program              Main

And this when I try to put files with my mod:

***ERROR***
An exception has occured. Error was a Nonexsistent File exception.
Error says "File "" does not exsist, mod creation failed."
Memory dump not supported...


Data rescue not supported...


Stack Trace:

DMSC.dll                       Debug                Error
DMSC.dll                       Mod                  .ctor
Mod Switcher.exe               ModSwitcher          btnEdit_Click
System.Windows.Forms.dll       Control              OnClick
System.Windows.Forms.dll       Button               OnMouseUp
System.Windows.Forms.dll       Control              WmMouseUp
System.Windows.Forms.dll       Control              WndProc
System.Windows.Forms.dll       ButtonBase           WndProc
System.Windows.Forms.dll       Button               WndProc
System.Windows.Forms.dll       ControlNativeWindow  WndProc
System.Windows.Forms.dll       NativeWindow         Callback
System.Windows.Forms.dll       ComponentManager     System.Windows.Forms.UnsafeNativeMethods.IMsoComponentManager.FPushMessageLoop
System.Windows.Forms.dll       ThreadContext        RunMessageLoopInner
System.Windows.Forms.dll       ThreadContext        RunMessageLoop
Mod Switcher.exe               Program              Main

(probably posted this at the right time >.>)

[evilhamburger]

Just wondering if the program fully crashed or if the Error Window just opened?

The first one I'll have to look in to, however the second one I believe is because I forgot that custom *pk3 files exist only inside the .mod file.

Next version I will fix both these up, however I can not do any work during the week because of my school. (Just a lucky chance I happened to be checking my email and say this topic had been posted on)

[evilhamburger]

First error was a last second mistake by myself... I was testing the error window (last second addition) and wrote in a change to the settings file to make all things throw an error...

Fixed

Second error I will get to later, my break is almost over.

[Legendman3]

XD I KNEW IT WAS THE RIGHT TIME!!! Oh and for the second error that just happens when i try to select multiple pk3 files and put them in the program. Can I do that? Should have clarified that. Also can you add a feature that saves where the ufo.exe file is? Instead of it prompting for me to show where it is everytime?

[evilhamburger]

That's what the settings file is for, it also only ever prompts to back up once.

However the error means the settings file cannot be read (I mentioned why above) and as such it prompts again and backs the PK3s up again.

I couldn't find any registry entries that pointed to the UFO:AI installation, that's the only reason it asks for it in the first place...

[evilhamburger]

Ok, this is the last update until Saturday, at which time I will give you all news on how the modding part of this project is coming along.

Here are 3 bugfixes for the mod switcher:
1. Errorviewer was showing too much call stack information. (See above, call stack includes "Debug.Error" when that should be trimmed, actual debug.txt did not have this problem)
2. A typo would mean that settings.bin would always be viewed as "corrupt"
3. Temp directory is now cleared often to ensure mod files do not corrupt.

Download

[DiDiT]

evilhamburger, I salute you. this is awesome. 

cant wait for the mod maker itself, since I'v been itching to make one.

[Legendman3]

Dido that im gonna be hamburgers main supporter... unless didit wants to help support it to.

***ERROR***
An exception has occured. Error was a Nonexsistent File exception.
Error says "File "C:\Users\Public\UFOAI-2.3-dev\base\zz_Blah_0base.pk3" does not exsist, mod creation failed."
Memory dump not supported...


Data rescue not supported...


Stack Trace:

DMSC.dll                       Mod                  .ctor
Mod Switcher.exe               ModSwitcher          btnEdit_Click
System.Windows.Forms.dll       Control              OnClick
System.Windows.Forms.dll       Button               OnMouseUp
System.Windows.Forms.dll       Control              WmMouseUp
System.Windows.Forms.dll       Control              WndProc
System.Windows.Forms.dll       ButtonBase           WndProc
System.Windows.Forms.dll       Button               WndProc
System.Windows.Forms.dll       ControlNativeWindow  WndProc
System.Windows.Forms.dll       NativeWindow         Callback
System.Windows.Forms.dll       ComponentManager     System.Windows.Forms.UnsafeNativeMethods.IMsoComponentManager.FPushMessageLoop
System.Windows.Forms.dll       ThreadContext        RunMessageLoopInner
System.Windows.Forms.dll       ThreadContext        RunMessageLoop
Mod Switcher.exe               Program              Main

Ya, this happens because i put in the old pk3s and it calls them something else then i put in another pk3 then it shows this error. Pretty much why does it insist on makeing up pk3's that arent there? And thats all. (probably mentioned this though)

[evilhamburger]

It still works perfectly until you hit edit

The actual editor will take quite a while for the first release, I want it to be able to parse all UFO files and mod many of them before I release.

[evilhamburger]

Also, a few questions...

Does the game care what data is in which UFO? (ATM I am working on the assumption that the organisation is for readability...)
This is going to seem like a dum question... Where are the messages for techs/etc found?

   description {
      default "_laser_txt"
   }
   pre_description {
      default "_laser_pre_txt"
   }

IE where do I find/edit those messages?

And is everyone OK if I don't do a menu editor for a while? (Meaning leave that until last)

[bayo]

It think it is entries from the PO files.

[evilhamburger]

Awesome...
What PO files?