[Feedback needed] AND2 Checker: Easy installation and update v0.3

[<Nexus>]

You have to thank Sogroon and Sparth (C2C) for this one

It's the work of Sprath. I just edited it work with RAND.

BTW. Did you include those files in the main mod? Do you think it could be added as a option in the regular installer?

 

[dbkblk]

It's the work of Sprath. I just edited it work with RAND.
BTW. Did you include those files in the main mod? Do you think it could be added as a option in the regular installer?

Yes, 4 sets of textures have been included in the mod. Starting with rev867, you can use the launcher (v1.05) to change textures (even if you don't have internet at home).

 

[dbkblk]

Launcher updated to 1.06
-> Fixed dropdown not remembering the previous choice on close/open options window.
-> Created the exclusion window when the button is clicked, instead of during the options initialization.
-> Added menu for the civilopedia strings translation.
-> Start the updater in a separate thread to avoid GUI lockup.
-> Fixed the launcher sometimes not closing when launching the updater, avoiding it to be updated (i forgot this one in the revision log)

 

[dbkblk]

@sogroon: I'm working a very simple tool for people like you that can't play our mod on a PC with an internet connexion. Basically, you just enter the revision of your game installation and it generate a patch file with the latest version. Then you go home and apply patch file.

 

[<Nexus>]

@sogroon: I'm working a very simple tool for people like you that can't play our mod on a PC with an internet connexion. Basically, you just enter the revision of your game installation and it generate a patch file with the latest version. Then you go home and apply patch file.

Hmm... Sounds promising. Thank you

BTW: I tried to run the launcher (to test the terrain changer) but it failed:

[The application could not be started, because MSVCP100.dll is missing. The re-installation of the program may solve the problem.]
It was rev867. Tonight I'm gonna try it with rev868.

 

[dbkblk]

Just install "vcredist_x86_2010.exe" under checker/. This is required for the program to launch. This is installed by default with the new installer but you have to manually install it if you use svn or another method to update.

 

[Gunner1964]

I'm new to this idea and am trying to understand. If I download this program, then I can use it to update my version of the MOD. I will not have to download the entire MOD each time?

Thanks, the idea sounds very helpful.

 

[dbkblk]

Yes, but it is more than that. You can just download this TO INSTALL the mod. Then, it will tell you when an update is released, show you what has changed and you'll just have to click on a button to update the mod entirely.

 

[<Nexus>]

Just install "vcredist_x86_2010.exe" under checker/. This is required for the program to launch. This is installed by default with the new installer but you have to manually install it if you use svn or another method to update.

Okay, I did it and now it works.
Pretty nice app you did. Really good job

I tried the "change terrain" option but it seemed to be not working
I chose Vincent's and Sprath's variant but both times it ended up with the same textures... I think it was BlueMarble, but it could be plain BTS too, I dunno. I haven't played BTS for ages, and used Sprath's variant in the past months

 

[dbkblk]

Do you have "terrain_textures_*.tar.xz" in the Assets folder ? I packed these with the revision 868.

 

[<Nexus>]

Do you have "terrain_textures_*.tar.xz" in the Assets folder ? I packed these with the revision 868.

Okay, will check when I get home. THX

 

[<Nexus>]

Do you have "terrain_textures_*.tar.xz" in the Assets folder ? I packed these with the revision 868.

Yes, I have them.

BTW, is there a way to change these manually? In some xml or ini file? Or is that some archive format I can extract someway?

 

[dbkblk]

The texture changing is pretty basic:
- The launcher look at what you've chosen
- It extracts the files .tar.xz file accordingly (high compressed file)
- The result is a "terrain_textures_*.fpk" which your game should reload.
- It removes the other terrain textures.

Looking at your screenshot, the system works as "terrain_textures_alternative.fpk" is extracted and this isn't the default file. May be you just need to empty the cache (Menu > Fix installation > Empty cache)?
If this is the problem, i'll force empty cache on texture changing in the next version.

 

[<Nexus>]

Aha. I will try that.

An other thing: The launcher doesn't always start the mod at all. It closes the launcher, but nothing happens. I think it may have something to do other mods or maybe the other mod launcher I often use to launch other mods.

 

[dbkblk]

@Afforess: Thinking about that, i wonder if it's not better to provide the full installer as default (no distinctions between online or offline installer) and to remove the small installation. In any case, the launcher is installed and support updating. Right now, every installation download on your server.
I will clean up the installation page and put the full installer by default for everyone. I work on a fortunate tool that just download patches (with svn diff) and apply them on a folder (with patch) so offline players can still update easily.

@Sogroon: Have you fixed your previous error ?

 

[<Nexus>]

No.
I can change the interface colour, but not the terrain.

 

[Afforess]

@Afforess: Thinking about that, i wonder if it's not better to provide the full installer as default (no distinctions between online or offline installer) and to remove the small installation. In any case, the launcher is installed and support updating. Right now, every installation download on your server.
I will clean up the installation page and put the full installer by default for everyone. I work on a fortunate tool that just download patches (with svn diff) and apply them on a folder (with patch) so offline players can still update easily.

The only downside with the full installer is that you would need to generate a new full installer for each new revision. If that is not a problem (or you can automate it) then it's fine with me.

 

[dbkblk]

The only downside with the full installer is that you would need to generate a new full installer for each new revision. If that is not a problem (or you can automate it) then it's fine with me.

I don't have the time to upload a full installer for each revision. However, with the online update, it's easy to get the latest using the launcher. I've made an offline updater for those without internet.
I will try to upload a full installer once every major update, like Vokarya's r873 or mine r874 (i'm currently uploading a full r875).

 

[Noyyau]

Just to be sure, to keep any addons installed (More Music, the MCP) when updating, I have to go and mark each file/folder of the addons as "exclude from update"?

 

[dbkblk]

@Noyyau: In theory, no you don't. I have deployed mods support on the launcher a few days ago. MCP is compatible if you downloaded it less than 5 days ago.

Basically, all the mods in Assets/Modules/ are preserved during update (and the activation state). Audio will also be injected automatically into main files. MCP contains files outside the modules folder but these are preserved because these are listed in the MCP module folder (modInfo.xml).
Sogroon will release an update of his mods but there is no hurry because these are compatible (More Music and Dinosaurs).

So it's a NO, and compare to before, you don't even have to inject audio into xml by woc_installer. It's automatic.