Campaign???

[Moff Jerjerrod]

Great work Guardian and Tom! I look forward to playing a campaign someday.

What is interesting is I know there have been mods or talk of mods created for Paradox's Europa Universalis/Victoria/HOI that would allow you to play as a nation in EU, transition with all of your possessions, territory, etc. into Victoria, then in turn continue on in HOI. What an awesome thing it would be indeed if we could create linked scenarios like what Steph is suggesting in C3C.

 

[tom2050]

That sounds great Tom. Do you think there might be a way to document this so that other modders will be able to do this on their own and create there own campaign series?

BTW, I have tested a setup program that will make installation of the campaign mod very simple.

I can upload the graphic template, which uses layers, so others can simply change the text, graphic, etc. I'm not sure what file extenstions other graphic programs use (such as JASC) which can make use of layers; Photoshop uses PSD, etc. I can probably save it in another format for others though. Once someone updates it, they need to index the image and save. They would need to be familiar with layers (which are pretty easy and straightforward) to update the template.

Here's a pic with a massive ugly black box in the middle.


Now, what I would do is perhaps place a picture in the bottom area displaying something related to the campaign. The black box portion covers up the original text, so not much can be done with that, unless the overlaying image is very dark, the text will show through.

Obviously it could be made nicer, with a small border going around, etc... and use a textured image instead of pure black. And also, if the rest of the whole PCX was made a darker color, the black box would not stand out as it does now.

What graphics program do you use? If you want to do your own graphics editing on the current file, let me know... and I'll send it over... or if you wish to wait, I am going to make a generic one (that is completely changed-darker colors-get rid of Firaxsis graphics) to make everything look like it fits together and place a spot on bottom portion for a large picture to be put in.

Tom

 

[The Guardian]

This is great news Tom. You've done a great job so far and I will wait to see what you come up with for a final design. I think placing a pic, a large one, on the right side, under the next button is a good idea. Can't wait to see what you come up with.

I use PSP for my graphics work, but I am no expert at graphics. he he, I am not familiar with working with layers. Perhaps you could give me some pointers on that, after you have finished your work on this.

Can't wait to test this.

Are you familiar with the application - Setup Factory? Its a nice little program for writing installation programs and farely simple to use. I wrote a program to install the conquests campaign folder and it worked fine. So modders will be able to design their own installation easily and players will be able to install it with no problem.

Well, we're almost there.

 

[The Guardian]

Great work Guardian and Tom! I look forward to playing a campaign someday.

What is interesting is I know there have been mods or talk of mods created for Paradox's Europa Universalis/Victoria/HOI that would allow you to play as a nation in EU, transition with all of your possessions, territory, etc. into Victoria, then in turn continue on in HOI. What an awesome thing it would be indeed if we could create linked scenarios like what Steph is suggesting in C3C.

Yes it would Moff, that's the goal. The holy grail if you like. This is the first step. Hopefully, someday we may be able to get (or crack) the source code and then ????? Who know's what we can do. I've been reading posts on this site for ten years. I can't tell you how many times someone has asked, " how can I do This? ". There is always someone out there, a civfanatic member who has or comes up with an answer.

 

[The Guardian]

Great work Guardian and Tom! I look forward to playing a campaign someday.

What is interesting is I know there have been mods or talk of mods created for Paradox's Europa Universalis/Victoria/HOI that would allow you to play as a nation in EU, transition with all of your possessions, territory, etc. into Victoria, then in turn continue on in HOI. What an awesome thing it would be indeed if we could create linked scenarios like what Steph is suggesting in C3C.

I just wanted to add Moff, that once this project is finished, at least we will be able to create historical campaign series. The modder will be able to create a series of campaigns with historically accurate starting units in place. Such as Napoleonic wars, The American civil war, WWI, WW2, Alexanders Campaigns, Rome, etc. and of course, modders are free to use their imaginations and create whatever they want.

 

[Quintillus]

My idea would be more how to make a tool that could take a scenario at the end of the game, read data from it, and then create a new scenario based on the result of the previous one.

I don't see any problem with the first part. That would be just a matter of creating another biq file. You can include all the player info for both biqs in in the first biq. If you will be using a total of 31 civs in biq A, B, and C but only 8 civs in Biq A and 20 in Biq B and 31 in Biq C, you include all 31 civs (player data, units, buildings etc.) in Biq A but only activate the 8 civs that will be used in Biq A. Same with B and C. All data from each scenario can be autosaved. The problem is how to import the data into the next scenario, and most importantly, how do place it on a new map CORRECTLY?

I am not a programer, but it looks like all the pieces are here. The game has auto save, so the data can be saved. The data can be imported. So, you are correct Steph, how DO we do it?

How well does Civ3MultiTool do with exporting data on the whole? I've been trying it's map export feature, and it seems oh-so-close to succeeding, but not quite there. Exporting a blank map works, but exporting it with all the data keeps giving me an error, despite trying multiple BIQ's:

"Error: Division by zero (11) in c3mt @ SAVE_CITY.cls Line 636"

How many times the above error occurs seems to vary; in one scenario I got it once, in another it appeared numerous times. Abort and Ignore and Retry don't seem to help.

However, the file it produces CAN be read by both the regular editor and Steph's editor*. So everything looks fine - until I load it up the new BIQ in Conquests. Then it gets all the way to "Configuring Scenario ..." and crashes after the "o" in Scenario. Resaving the scenario in the regular editor doesn't help.

* - I noticed that when I navigate to a particular place on the map in the regular editor, it always crashes. This only happens AFTER I input the rules/player data; however, even when I load only the map that Civ3MultiTool exported into Civ3Conquests, it still crashes .

Exporting the rules as well in Civ3MultiTool crashes, with PRTO being followed by FLAV, which is followed by WCHR (i.e., it isn't exporting the rules properly). However, if it would export the map properly, that problem would not be too difficult to overcome.

This would still leave the meshing of scenarios together, but we'll have to be able to reliably load the old scenario's data first, regardless.

Spoiler :

Although, one idea for the map is just to create one big map that will constitute the entire map for all the scenarios, even if it is too large to legally work in Civ3. Then each scenario would use a part of that map, and it would be straightforward, though not necessarily simple, to stitch the map data together that carried over from one scenario to the next.

 

[tom2050]

Although, one idea for the map is just to create one big map that will constitute the entire map for all the scenarios, even if it is too large to legally work in Civ3. Then each scenario would use a part of that map, and it would be straightforward, though not necessarily simple, to stitch the map data together that carried over from one scenario to the next.

I was originally thinking of doing something of this sort until The Guardian brought this thread up... You could use the hacked teleportation feature to transport from place to place. Only problem is controlling tech and other civ's from building up too powerful of armies while you are in another part of the world. Fully possible, I don't know how complicated it would be or how well it would work, may be interesting to test it though.

Sorry I have been short on time today (and tomorrow), I am going to see what I can do for graphics tonight.

Layers are pretty simple, it's just a stack of images that can be placed on top of each other (and moved around as you wish). It's common to give them transparent backgrounds so you can arrange images on top of others as you wish. Also makes it extremely easy to make changes later on. Layers were extremely useful for making civilopedia and advisor backgrounds.

Tom

 

[The Guardian]

I was originally thinking of doing something of this sort until The Guardian brought this thread up... You could use the hacked teleportation feature to transport from place to place. Only problem is controlling tech and other civ's from building up too powerful of armies while you are in another part of the world. Fully possible, I don't know how complicated it would be or how well it would work, may be interesting to test it though.

Sorry I have been short on time today (and tomorrow), I am going to see what I can do for graphics tonight.

Layers are pretty simple, it's just a stack of images that can be placed on top of each other (and moved around as you wish). It's common to give them transparent backgrounds so you can arrange images on top of others as you wish. Also makes it extremely easy to make changes later on. Layers were extremely useful for making civilopedia and advisor backgrounds.

Tom

Ok Tom, I THINK I understand what you mean regarding the layers. I'm going to give it try. But I'm really looking forward to seeing what you come up with. Don't ware yourself out. Best to ya.

 

[The Guardian]

I can upload the graphic template, which uses layers, so others can simply change the text, graphic, etc. I'm not sure what file extenstions other graphic programs use (such as JASC) which can make use of layers; Photoshop uses PSD, etc. I can probably save it in another format for others though. Once someone updates it, they need to index the image and save. They would need to be familiar with layers (which are pretty easy and straightforward) to update the template.

Here's a pic with a massive ugly black box in the middle.
View attachment 234240

Now, what I would do is perhaps place a picture in the bottom area displaying something related to the campaign. The black box portion covers up the original text, so not much can be done with that, unless the overlaying image is very dark, the text will show through.

Obviously it could be made nicer, with a small border going around, etc... and use a textured image instead of pure black. And also, if the rest of the whole PCX was made a darker color, the black box would not stand out as it does now.

What graphics program do you use? If you want to do your own graphics editing on the current file, let me know... and I'll send it over... or if you wish to wait, I am going to make a generic one (that is completely changed-darker colors-get rid of Firaxsis graphics) to make everything look like it fits together and place a spot on bottom portion for a large picture to be put in.

Tom

Still haven't been able to figure out how to work the Layers, but I was able to do this to give you an idea.

camprecBQ

I want to be sure that you understand. What we want to block out is the Names of the scenarios, and be able to write in the names of the scenarios we want. The scores we want to keep. Can we do this?

 

[tom2050]

Still haven't been able to figure out how to work the Layers, but I was able to do this to give you an idea.

camprecBQ

I want to be sure that you understand. What we want to block out is the Names of the scenarios, and be able to write in the names of the scenarios we want. The scores we want to keep. Can we do this?

That is what I have been doing.

If that is the case, they only thing that could be done is to graphically alter the camprecBG.pcx itself in a way to black out the campaign names there, and make it so you'd have to enter in your own campaign names on the left side.

I extended the inner canvas of the PCX to the left and to the right on the image above. To the left so you can put your own Campaign names in. You cannot write them on top of the box that covers the hardcoded campaign names (the hardcoded text appears above all graphics).



Tom

 

[The Guardian]

That is what I have been doing.



I extended the inner canvas of the PCX to the left and to the right on the image above. To the left so you can put your own Campaign names in. You cannot write them on top of the box that covers the hardcoded campaign names (the hardcoded text appears above all graphics).

View attachment 234358

Tom

OK I follow you now. So thats why the blackout goes above the line to blackout the Text above that line. Can you send me that camprecBQ so I can test it in game? Can you PM to me?

 

[tom2050]

OK I follow you now. So thats why the blackout goes above the line to blackout the Text above that line. Can you send me that camprecBQ so I can test it in game? Can you PM to me?

Sure, I'll PM it now... Sorry I've been gone most all day. I don't know if PSP can read Photoshop PSD files, so I'll just send the PCX.

Tom

 

[The Guardian]

OK folks, It is time to do the Walter Houston dance.


Tom has done done it.

We have some final testing to do and some setup testing but, we CAN do it.

 

[The Guardian]

Sure, I'll PM it now... Sorry I've been gone most all day. I don't know if PSP can read Photoshop PSD files, so I'll just send the PCX.

Tom

I'll put together a couple small scenarios for testing and then I'll send you a setup file and see if it works.

 

[tom2050]

I'm still making up a nicer screen... but I may not have much time tomorrow to finish it.

Tom

 

[The Guardian]

I'm still making up a nicer screen... but I may not have much time tomorrow to finish it.

Tom

Take your time bro, we know it works. It's just fine tuning now. Great job.

 

[Blue Monkey]

When you're confident that it actually works, please post it in one of the subforums - for example "Completed Modpacks" or "Graphics Modpacks".

 

[The Guardian]

When you're confident that it actually works, please post it in one of the subforums - for example "Completed Modpacks" or "Graphics Modpacks".

As soon as Tom finishes the graphics we will figure out where this belongs. Perhaps a tutorial or a How to would be appropriate.

 

[tom2050]

As soon as Tom finishes the graphics we will figure out where this belongs. Perhaps a tutorial or a How to would be appropriate.

Sorry, I have had very few time this last weekend and yesterday... I have time today though to finish the graphics. What campaign text do you want for each campaign, I can add them in for you on completed graphic if that makes it easier.

Tom

 

[The Guardian]

Sorry, I have had very few time this last weekend and yesterday... I have time today though to finish the graphics. What campaign text do you want for each campaign, I can add them in for you on completed graphic if that makes it easier.

Tom

This is going to be something each modder will have to do Tom. Do you think you can write up a tutorial for doing the graphic work ( just explaining how to change or enter the names for the campaigns?) For just put in what you want, it wont matter I have a small scenario I will use for testing purposes. The name you put on the camprecBQ.pcx has nothing to do with the actual scenario name.I will explain this to you indetail latter.