HoF Map Finder/Generator Utility 2016-10-05

[Jachyra]

@Jachyra: I just remember something...when you use Window Explorer to browse the MapFinder folder or the Map Output folder, what color does it display in? If it's blue, it is compressed. If it's green, it's secured. If it's pink, it's whatever. Basically, if the color of your file system color isn't in black and white, it either compressed or secured or whatever.

Hi Moonsigner.

Nope, nothing blue or pink in windows Explorer, a normal folder if I remember correctly. Since i'm currently at work, I can't verify, but i'll be able to give you a definite answer tonight.

One thing, tho. My default browser is Firefox, not IE. I haven't read all through the 36 pages, but can this be the reason for it showing empty? Just an idea...

 

[Gyathaar]

nope.. works fine in firefox for me

 

[Jachyra]

I'm assuming you're using version 6.4. Was it also the case with version 6.3 before that?

 

[Gyathaar]

yes, that is what I meant.. tested and firefox works fine with 6.3

 

[Jachyra]

Ok, thx for the info...

I'm still lost here about the "generate report" thingie. I even tried using the *.exe (MapReport, IIRC coming with 6.4) with the version 6.3, but of course that didn't work

hnmmm... the plot thickens

 

[Moonsinger]

Hi Moonsigner.

Nope, nothing blue or pink in windows Explorer, a normal folder if I remember correctly. Since i'm currently at work, I can't verify, but i'll be able to give you a definite answer tonight.

Also check to make sure that folder isn't hidden either. Basically, when MapFinder tries to locate the list of files (the list of files to report as in version 6.3 or a list of rule files as in version 6.4), it found none. Something in your system preventing its from scanning those two directories. My Delphi code for grapping the file list is as follows:

var
  sr: TSearchRec;
  FileAttrs: Integer;
  sDirPath: string;
begin
  FileAttrs := faAnyFile;
  sDirPath := ....whatever map output folder or rule folder....

  if FindFirst(sDirPath, FileAttrs, sr) = 0 then
  begin
    repeat
        //Add sr.Name filename to the list of files found

    until FindNext(sr) <> 0;
    FindClose(sr);
  end;
end;

Here is the documentation of FindFirst and FindNext:

FindFirst searches the directory specified by Path for the first file that matches the file name implied by Path and the attributes specified by the Attr parameter. The result is returned in the F parameter. Use the fields of this search record to extract the information needed. FindFirst returns 0 if a file was successfully located, otherwise, it returns an error code.

The Path constant parameter is the directory and file name mask, including wildcard characters. For example, '.\test\*.*' specifies all files in the current directory).

For some reason, the FindFirst and FindNext won't work on compressed/secured directory. I will have to talk to the expert at Borland to see if there is a workaround or a better API to grab the file list.

Btw Gyathaar or any programmers here, how do you get the list of files? Is there another way without using FindFirst and FindNext?

One thing, tho. My default browser is Firefox, not IE. I haven't read all through the 36 pages, but can this be the reason for it showing empty? Just an idea...

It's not browser related!

 

[Moonsinger]

I'm still lost here about the "generate report" thingie. I even tried using the *.exe (MapReport, IIRC coming with 6.4) with the version 6.3, but of course that didn't work

Of course, it won't work! The Report program that come with version 6.4 will work only with anything coming from 6.4 or later.

 

[Gyathaar]

Btw Gyathaar or any programmers here, how do you get the list of files? Is there another way without using FindFirst and FindNext?

I havent programmed in Delphi in ages..
Tried using the FindFirstFile and FindNextFile WinSDK calls?
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/fileio/fs/findfirstfile.asp
The return structure returns info if the file is compressed or not, so I assume it should return compressed files..

 

[Jachyra]

Also check to make sure that folder isn't hidden either. Basically, when MapFinder tries to locate the list of files (the list of files to report as in version 6.3 or a list of rule files as in version 6.4), it found none. Something in your system preventing its from scanning those two directories.

I don't think that's the problem (preventing the scanning). I'm talking 6.3 here:

The dir where I installed mapfinder: c:\civ3map
The dir where the maps are saved: c:\civ3map\maps

Right after I stop mapfinder (usually manually by pressing the stop button), the program opens Firefox and there's the title, the little resource thumbnails on top, but the rest is empty. Also, there is a file created "index.htm" in the maps folder. IIRC, the file is like 177 bytes only (I'll have to check tonight to make sure).

That's why I think the program can access the folders (civ3map and maps) just fine...

 

[Moonsinger]

I don't think that's the problem (preventing the scanning). I'm talking 6.3 here:

The dir where I installed mapfinder: c:\civ3map
The dir where the maps are saved: c:\civ3map\maps

Right after I stop mapfinder (usually manually by pressing the stop button), the program opens Firefox and there's the title, the little resource thumbnails on top, but the rest is empty. Also, there is a file created "index.htm" in the maps folder. IIRC, the file is like 177 bytes only (I'll have to check tonight to make sure).

That's why I think the program can access the folders (civ3map and maps) just fine...

Trust me! It's the root of the problem. The reason you have an empty report is because the scan for the filelist return empty. Here is what the program is doing:

Step #1: Get a file list
Step #2: Read each file on the file list and generate the report
Step #3: Show the report to the user

As you see, if you get no file list on step #1, you would have a blank/empty report on step #3. That's exactly how the program work...it's the same as the spaceship project:

Step #1: Design and build your spaceship
Step #2: Launch your spaceship
Step #3: Set destination to Alpha Whatever

Although the problem is that we can't set the destination or can't get to the destination, but the root of the problem is that there was no spaceship to begin with. No spaceship = can't set destination to Alpha Whatever.

Btw, creating a new file isn't the same as scanning for a file. When you create a file, you already know in advance the property of the file that you are going to create. When you scan for file, you are at the mercy of your file system. Therefore, the "index.htm" got created even when it failed to scan that folder.

 

[Moonsinger]

I havent programmed in Delphi in ages..
Tried using the FindFirstFile and FindNextFile WinSDK calls?
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/fileio/fs/findfirstfile.asp
The return structure returns info if the file is compressed or not, so I assume it should return compressed files..

Thanks! I knew exactly what to do. I have coded with those functions back in the old days. I'm going to test those functions on a compressed folder when I get home tonight. Like I said, my programming skill is a little bit rusty.

 

[Jachyra]

@Moonsinger...

Ahhh, I see what you mean now.
Can't wait to get home to check the dir properties...

Cheers!

 

[Jachyra]

@Moonsinger

Ok, I checked the properties of both the mapfinder dir and maps dir and both are like your screenshot, nothing ticked

 

[Jachyra]

Eu-re-ka!!

I found it. For speed and disk space, I have turned off indexing on all my drives.

In order for mapfinder to scan the folder (read the rules and generate non empty reports), the indexing needs to be activated on the mapfinder folder and its subfolders (rules, maps, etc.). No need to allow indexing on your whole drive (which affect the performance) only on the mapfinder dir and subdirs.

Everything works now... i'm a happy puppy

Thanx again for all your help Moonsinger, it's REALLY appreciated...

 

[Moonsinger]

New update version 6.5:

http://www.civfanatics.net/uploads9/MapFinder_v65.zip

This baby will work with compressed folder, compressed disk, secured folder, and unindexed file system. You can thank Gyathaar for his suggestion with the FindFirstFile function. Believe it or not, the FindFirst function that I used before was classiffied as more "advance" than the FindFirstFile function. I also added the bi-directional sort to the report. Other than the first two columns, if you clicking on the column that has already sorted in one direction, it will reverse its sort direction (either ascending or descending). Enjoy!


@Jachyra: Great discovery! At least now we know why it didn't work. It has been very educational. I'm sure version 6.5 will work for you now. You should upgrade to the latest version...it's always going to be better with the newer and later version.

 

[Offa]

One of the old versions of this worked but now

Instead of starting a new game, it just loads up an old one and then dies. Any ideas why?

Yours hopefully,
Offa.

 

[Moonsinger]

One of the old versions of this worked but now

Instead of starting a new game, it just loads up an old one and then dies. Any ideas why?

Yours hopefully,
Offa.

The correct procedure for running MapFinder is as follows:

#1. Startup Civ3
#2. Start "New Game", select your map size, etc...to get to 4000BC
#3. Startup MapFinder
#4. Go to the setup menu of MapFinder to make sure you have picked the correct autosave directory. If you miss this step, it may load up the game or whatever.....the bottom line it won't work if you do this step wrong. Keep in mind that there is a separate autosave directory for each version of Civ3. Be sure to pick the right one. Also check on the "QuickStart" option in the MapFinder setup screen if you are using C3C.
#5. Start finding map.

That's it! It should work!

 

[Sandman2003]

Instead of starting a new game, it just loads up an old one and then dies. Any ideas why?

I had the same problem. As MS says the issue is with the autosave directory. The new version defaults to the vanilla autosave directory, rather than the C3C autosave directory. Once the directory is fixed Mapfinder works like a dream.

 

[Offa]

Dear me. I really was that dumb . Thanks for your advice Sandman2003/Moonsinger. It's working now. I can't believe I didn't check the autosave directory.

 

[gmaharriet]

I just downloaded MapFinder last night. It seemed to run fine during the 8 hours I left it on last night, BUT it rejected 588 maps and saved none.

Maybe I don't understand the AND/OR functions well enough. How do you tell it you want a river and either 2 cows, or 2 wheat (food bonuses?), or 1 cow and 1 wheat, and at least one lux and more than 2 bonus grasslands.

Also, there are choices for both generic lux or specific ones. How do you ask for a specific one, but be willing to settle of one of the others?

The utility is wonderful, but I guess I'm just dense, but I don't know how to tell it what to look for.