Source Files

[KingAlbert]

I am thinking of writting a tool for Civ3 C3C. The tool should enable the user to keep a history-book of his game (style 1100 AD attacked greek phalanx, captured Athens...)

The user would click on preset events which would add the appropriate text to the history book.

I am analysing all civ3 - text files in order to import all the data into the tool, like unit stats and encyclopedia entries. However some data still eludes me.

It is probable that Firaxis hard-coded the data into the game but I need to know for sure.

The data that I need is:
1/ where are the nation names and noun (netherlands, dutch ...) stored?
2/ where are the unit data like attack, defense and movement stored?

I know that the editor can read this data but where is it stored.

for the interested: here is a function in VB.NET that retrieves a list of races from the encyclopedia:

Function ListCivs()
'description: list all the different civilizations based on
'the civilopedia
Dim iList As New ArrayList
Dim filenum As Integer = FreeFile()
Dim templine As String
Dim searchstr As String
FileOpen(filenum, CivStr, OpenMode.Input)
Do Until EOF(filenum)
templine = LineInput(filenum)
searchstr = Microsoft.VisualBasic.Left(templine, 6)
If searchstr = "#RACE_" Then
iList.Add(Microsoft.VisualBasic.Right(templine, Len(templine) - InStr(templine, "_")))
End If
Loop

 

[KingAlbert]

Function ListCivs()
'description: list all the different civilizations based on
'the civilopedia
Dim iList As New ArrayList
Dim filenum As Integer = FreeFile()
Dim templine As String
Dim searchstr As String
FileOpen(filenum, CivStr, OpenMode.Input)
Do Until EOF(filenum)
templine = LineInput(filenum)
searchstr = Microsoft.VisualBasic.Left(templine, 6)
If searchstr = "#RACE_" Then
iList.Add(Microsoft.VisualBasic.Right(templine, Len(templine) - InStr(templine, "_")))
End If
Loop
End Function

 

[zulu9812]

This sounds great

Currently wrong forum, but I'd like to see this utility made.

 

[Cyber Dreyk]

The data that I need is:
1/ where are the nation names and noun (netherlands, dutch ...) stored?
2/ where are the unit data like attack, defense and movement stored?

I know that the editor can read this data but where is it stored.

Welcome to the Civ3 mode makers, Your Majesty!

The data that you need stored in the BIC/BIX/BIQ files, i.e. it's unique for each scenario. You can try to get it directly from scenario files.
To know more about scenario files structure I suggest to visit the following forums (they are VERY useful):
Civilization III BIX/BIQ file format and BIC/BIX Format spreadsheet

Good luck!

 

[Steph]

You cannot use the civilopedia for that.

It can include information which are not in the game.

For instance, if you delete a civilization in the editor, but let it in the civilopedia, the game will still work. But if you base your utility to the civilopedia, you will get a civilization which is not in the game. So you won't get any info on it.

You should try to contact Gramphos, he probably knows everything you need to know from Civ3 Multitools

 

[Psyringe]

That's a great idea!

I always watch the playback after winning a game, and I'm always a little sad that there's so little information it. I'm missing things like when you researched which tech, who got which tech first, some more infos of the epic battles that have been fought ... so any tools that even remotely goes into this direction is a good thing for me.

 

[deo]

Good Idea!

 

[warpstorm]

If you could make it as good as the King Of Dragon Pass story that is written after the game it would be awesome.

 

[KingAlbert]

You cannot use the civilopedia for that.

It can include information which are not in the game.

For instance, if you delete a civilization in the editor, but let it in the civilopedia, the game will still work. But if you base your utility to the civilopedia, you will get a civilization which is not in the game. So you won't get any info on it.

The main purpose of the tool is to facilitate writing stories about a game. The general concept is, that the user can select standard phrases (i.e. Our sciencitists discovered masonry) and add own phrases (i.e. discovered dyes near washington).

In order to get general information about discoveries and nations, I can use the civilopedia. However mods and scenarios that haven't changed the civilopedia won't work properly with the tool.

Furthermore some data, like unit statistics, are stored in the bic-files. Unfortunetaly I don't have the knowledge to read that file (read: I don't know the hell how I could write a program that could translate the bic-file in a proper text-format)

As it turns out, I will have to write the tool in such a manner that the user can add data himself quit easily.

Let me know if someone has a tool to translate a bic-file to a comprehensible text-format (style civilopedia).