Cart Search
New Topic
Forum Home | Login
Annatar11
Annatar11
Join Date 11/2006
+527

Changes concerning modding in Entrenchment

December 16, 2008 10:24:42 PM from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

So modding and hardcodes has been a rather hot issue recently, and I figured why not start a thread to detail all the modding-related changes Entrenchment can bring. Anyone's welcome to add to the list as you notice things.

What I noticed:

- The new cap for number of squadrons on carriers is now 4.

- Ships can now have 5 abilities. Capitals still have the upgrade button on the UI that covers up the slot, but all the other ships are fair game.

- Research can change ship/building mesh appearance. Each entity file now has a listing of its mesh stages and what triggers them. Ships/turrets can use RESEARCHSUBJECTs, and Starbase entities can use their own upgrade triggers.

- Weapons can now be tied to research for unlocking purposes. For example you can have a ship with 2 weapons, but until you research a specific tech only one weapon can fire.

modding
Locked Post
Search this post
Advanced Search
Subscription Options
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
4 Pages1 2 3  Last
Annatar11
Kibbler
Join Date 10/2008
0
Reply #1 December 17, 2008 2:52:08 AM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

Quoting ,
quoting post


- It looks like carriers are no longer capped to 2 types of strike craft. The Advent carrier gets an upgrade to allow it to build a *third* squadron that acts as mobile mines.

If that's true, then this is definitely good news.

Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
Annatar11
Kitkun
Join Date 06/2008
+175
Reply #2 December 17, 2008 2:59:22 AM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

Starbase upgrades and abilities should have a few interesting uses.

 

Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
Annatar11
Tkins
Join Date 10/2008
+12
Reply #3 December 17, 2008 1:40:27 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

Yeah, I'm not sure I get the starbase entity yet, but it looks like a ship to me, but has how many abilities + it can build ships and have squadrons. Not to mention it can work as a trade port.

 

I haven't been able to use all the abilities yet, but does the one upgrade allow it to have population?

 

If so, this looks like it can combine ships with buildings and possibly planets!  Really coold cool (edit, i guess the cold here is affecting my brain! -25!).  We could now make traveling trade ports for instance.

Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
Annatar11
Jackian
Join Date 05/2008
+3
Reply #4 December 17, 2008 11:49:21 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

Where did you get the game info data in the text file for entrenchemnt mine in a bin file.

I tried to convertdata with the command "for /r c:\GameInfo %a in (*.entity) do convertdata entity %a %a txt" after copying the gameinfo folder to C; and copying convertdata.exe and it's Dll file. but I get a runtime error.

 

Help

Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
Annatar11
Spartan
Join Date 03/2006
+172
Reply #5 December 18, 2008 9:24:49 AM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

@Anna - I think a thread for hardcoded changes only is exactly what is needed. Ahhh.... Sadly I guess I have to give you yet more karma. This is especially so if you are going to actively maintain it.

Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
Annatar11
Annatar11
Join Date 11/2006
+527
Reply #6 December 18, 2008 9:35:59 AM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

Quoting Jackian,
reply 4
Where did you get the game info data in the text file for entrenchemnt mine in a bin file.

I tried to convertdata with the command "for /r c:\GameInfo %a in (*.entity) do convertdata entity %a %a txt" after copying the gameinfo folder to C; and copying convertdata.exe and it's Dll file. but I get a runtime error.

 

Help

We can't convert Entrenchment files yet, the convertdata we have is for 1.1

I'm just going by in-game observations, since I can't peek into the files

+1
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
Annatar11
Teal_Blue
Join Date 08/2008
+42
Reply #7 December 20, 2008 2:26:59 AM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

- Research (at least) can change mesh appearance it looks like? (upgrading turrets/starbases)

 

  This looks very very interesting!!  I havent had a chance to get the upgrade to Entrenchment yet, but from what it sounds like you are saying is that the visual appearance of the ships change with research upgrades? If that is correct, then that is wonderful news!!  We are getting different appearing ships with each upgrade, so a glance at the battlefield should be able to tell us approximately what level the ship is.    This is Great!! 

Thank you as always Annatar11,

-Teal

 

Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
Annatar11
ShadowMastiff2468
Join Date 08/2008
+67
Reply #8 December 20, 2008 4:00:12 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

TEAL IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK

 

YOUPI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
Annatar11
ShadowMastiff2468
Join Date 08/2008
+67
Reply #9 December 20, 2008 4:02:45 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

BTW Teal if you could send me your e-mail (msn) adress through PM, I would grately appreciate it! We have muchto discuss!!!

 

Justin S.

Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
Annatar11
Teal_Blue
Join Date 08/2008
+42
Reply #10 December 20, 2008 6:07:13 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

Quoting ShadowMastiff2468,
reply 9
BTW Teal if you could send me your e-mail (msn) adress through PM, I would grately appreciate it! We have muchto discuss!!!

 

Justin S.

 

Wow, i am like flattered with all the stars and stuff!!  Thank you!!

 

Haha, missed everyone, been busy with family and christmas coming, think i got on the computer twice in two weeks, haha. Boy was that a new one!  Anyway, sure, np, Hello ShadowMastif!!   Hello Annatar!!

Good to see/hear/read everyone haha, something like that,

Keep modding!!

-Teal

 

Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
Annatar11
Taverius
Join Date 10/2003
+4
Reply #11 December 20, 2008 8:48:01 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

Quoting ,
quoting post
- Research (at least) can change mesh appearance it looks like? (upgrading turrets/starbases)

I'm curious as to how this was implemented. Given that one might need to support different combinations of upgrades, is it using submodels that get switched on/off, or separate models for each part altogether?

Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
Annatar11
Tkins
Join Date 10/2008
+12
Reply #12 December 20, 2008 9:13:44 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

T..T...TEALQ!!!!! wooohooooo

 

Glad to see you back.

+1
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
Annatar11
Annatar11
Join Date 11/2006
+527
Reply #13 December 20, 2008 10:07:47 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

I'm curious as to how this was implemented. Given that one might need to support different combinations of upgrades, is it using submodels that get switched on/off, or separate models for each part altogether?

No clue. Can't read the files yet

+1
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
Annatar11
Taverius
Join Date 10/2003
+4
Reply #14 December 20, 2008 10:28:32 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

I know I know, just idle curiosity, as it were ^^

Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
Annatar11
jjz-
Join Date 11/2007
+9
Reply #15 December 22, 2008 3:11:31 AM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

V1.12 provides a different ConvertData.exe file in the sins install directory than the one provided by forge tools v1.1

Have you attempted to use this ConvertData.exe? It is a newer build than the one in forge tools.

+1
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
Annatar11
zagfel
Join Date 11/2008
0
Reply #16 December 22, 2008 12:24:15 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

That actually works -- just tried it. Good spot!  

 

You can now build up to 4 types of fighters / entity.

Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
Annatar11
Annatar11
Join Date 11/2006
+527
Reply #17 December 22, 2008 12:34:21 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

Interesting, I didn't know the 1.12 convertdata was different, and never would've guessed it can work on Entrenchment files. I'll have to peek at some starbase entities tonight. Thanks!

Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
Annatar11
Tkins
Join Date 10/2008
+12
Reply #18 December 22, 2008 12:37:37 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

Oh cool! Will have to try this out tonight.

Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
Annatar11
jervolino
Join Date 01/2008
+1
Reply #19 December 22, 2008 12:56:24 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

I used the convertdata.exe that is located in the stardock games folder from the new entrenchment download.

Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
Annatar11
EvilleJedi
Join Date 03/2006
+42
Reply #20 December 22, 2008 7:47:03 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

the biggest question in my mind about entrenchment editing is how will a mod work between entrenchment and non-entrenchment clients. for example, is vanilla going to get patched to support 4 fighters per entity, but not have the content? is there going to have to be two seperate mod sets one with 2 and one with 4? or is it going to just pick the first two entries and ignroe the rest.

Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
Annatar11
MindsEye
Join Date 05/2008
+7
Reply #21 December 22, 2008 9:38:32 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

Im not sure how to use the convertdata can someone elaborate please?

Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
Annatar11
Teal_Blue
Join Date 08/2008
+42
Reply #22 December 22, 2008 11:45:53 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

Quoting Tkins,
reply 12
T..T...TEALQ!!!!! wooohooooo

 

Glad to see you back.

 

Hiiiiiii Tkins!!!!   Good to see you too, thanks for the wonderful welcome back!!  <blush>

Its wonderful to see everyone!! 

<sorry to disrupt the thread>

-Teal

 

Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
Annatar11
ShadowMastiff2468
Join Date 08/2008
+67
Reply #23 December 23, 2008 12:14:53 AM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

How do you use it...convertdata...on my pc (vista)! Ive set it in my main soase directory with develloper and all other thingies but wont load!

Had this problem with all previous versions, it just blinks on and off !

Someone please explain a detailed layout of how to make this work !

 

THANK YOU IMMENSELY!

Justin S.

Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
Annatar11
Kitkun
Join Date 06/2008
+175
Reply #24 December 23, 2008 12:37:35 AM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

V1.12 provides a different ConvertData.exe file in the sins install directory than the one provided by forge tools v1.1

Have you attempted to use this ConvertData.exe? It is a newer build than the one in forge tools.
Yer a genius!

 

To all wanting to know how to use it: https://forums.sinsofasolarempire.com/320363: Reply 2.

 

Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
Annatar11
Tkins
Join Date 10/2008
+12
Reply #25 December 23, 2008 12:39:23 AM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

You, Kitkun, Please explain how to use ConvertData to make binary into txt.

 

PLEASE!

 

EDIT

 

Thank you Very Much, Kitkun

Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
4 Pages1 2 3  Last
Stardock Forums v        Server Load Time:   Page Render Time: