Where are the XML files

[Narnia]

Where are the XML files? I looked in the files of the folder: C:\(I deleted this part because it contained personal information)\My Games\Beyond the Sword and I didn't see it. Where can I find the XML files? Thank you.
PS, I use the Vista Operating System

 

[zyphyr]

Two steps farther down the tree... \Assets\XML

BTW, this is the wrong place for this - the tutorials section is for people to post tutorials. questions belong in the main Creation and Customization section.

 

[deanej]

Also the wrong place to be looking. The XML files are in the folder where the game is installed, not the user data folder.

 

[ainwood]

Moderator Action: Thread moved.

 

[Elukka]

The default location of the game's folder is C:/Program Files/Firaxis Games/Sid Meier's Civilization 4.
The XML's will be in Assets/XML, while expansion pack XML's will be in Beyond the Sword/Assets/XML.

 

[Narnia]

I copied the information into a mod folder. I then tried to use notepad to make some changes and it wouldn't let me save. Why?
PS: I use Windows Vista

 

[Willem]

I copied the information into a mod folder. I then tried to use notepad to make some changes and it wouldn't let me save. Why?
PS: I use Windows Vista

I'm guessing it's because of Vista's security features. Is everything in C:/Program Files? If so, put it somewhere else. Program Files is protected and you can't always write to it to make any changes. It's an issue that alot of games have with both Vista and Windows 7.

 

[Shiggs713]

yes it is Vista security crap. For any folder you want full access to (i.e. Fireaxis Games/) just right click it, click properties, go to security tab and give yourself or even all users full control. Then it wont bother you any more when you mod civ.

 

[Willem]

For any folder you want full access to (i.e. Fireaxis Games/) just right click it, click properties, go to security tab and give yourself or even all users full control.

I believe that's only necessary if the files are in the main C:/Program Files folder. Put them somewhere else and you don't have to take those extra steps.

 

[Shiggs713]

well i have vista so I could tell you. Its actually necessary for absolutely every thing except your users/My docs folder and your desktop. Program Files isn't the main dir in Vista anyways, its Program Files (x86), but there is also another Program Files/

 

[deanej]

If it's that way it's only on 64 bit versions. I have 32 bit and I have civ installed to C:\Civilization IV and I have never had to mess with the permissions to be able to use the folder properly. Program Files (x86) also only exists on 64 bit systems as that's where 32 bit apps install.

PS: it's not crap, game modding is a very special case, and I can think of no other legitimate reason to be messing around in Program Files. It's that way so a virus can't change the way your programs work (the first thing a virus will do is neuter your AV software and infect other applications so that even if you remove it, you'll be reinfected when you run your apps). 64 bit does have stricter security, mostly because Microsoft doesn't have to worry about breaking poorly written programs as people expect some things to not work when they change from 32 bit to 64 bit.

 

[mathepic]

If you don't want to lower your security features by changing access in Program Files (which isn't a smart thing to do), a nice way to do it is to just right a script (whether it be batch, python, bash (or any shell), or whatever) that copies over the files from a location to the installation mod folder in program files. This lets you edit the files without administration privileges, compile the SDK if necessary, and then install into the program files.

Also, don't use Notepad.

 

[deanej]

I believe we only discussed changing the access for civ's install folder, not all of program files!

What's wrong with notepad? It edits the files fine (though some are too large for it to handle, which it will refuse to open; for those you can use WordPad; just remember to open them from explorer, not File -> open).

 

[mathepic]

Notepad is a very crude and basic editor. Its nice to use something that has more tools (such as built-in grep, search-replace, and syntax highlighting).

A popular example is Notepad++, but there are others as well.

 

[deanej]

No idea what grep is... Wordpad has search/replace (though it could use improving), and I personally haven't found the need for syntax highlighting for XML.

I typically use a combination of WordPad and and an editor you can download here, depending on what I'm doing.