A Long Time Ago, In A Harpoon version far far behind us...

[Bucks]

I love to see flames rants and raves... NOT!!! Anyway here's some of what I believe to be helpful advice to new Database editors and scenario designers alike. Many of you will have seen a great deal of "discussion" about the problem with scenarios not working with the various different databases.

Fear not there's an answer so many of you. In the long dark years of the harpoon 2 underground the very first of the database editors was a tool that did much of the original work on the early Database modifications. PFEdit... This is a DOS based app that will happily work under windows. There's only one catch your database can't be too large. So far I've opened the following databases ->

PFEDIT Compatible
HUD-II
ANWDB
ODB

Not PFEDIT Compatible
Harpoon 3 DB2000 6.5.31
Players DB

Anyway this app will allow you to create a user specific database for each of your scenarios at least it will generate a file that the utility can re-read and load in a directory as a database. It reads the scen and associated DB and creates a SDB file. If the scen creator then places this file with his scen the player will have the correct database for his DL'ed scen. No matter how many times the Database is updated from the time the scenario is created the DL zip file will have the scen and the specific database used to create it.

Here's how it works. You build your scen as per usual with whatever active database you wish. ANWDB, ODB and even if you you have added a specific platform (aircraft, sub, ship or whatever) PFEDIT will create a database that is specific to that scenario based on the modified database you used to create it.

There are full instructions with the download package available at the following URL:
http://www.harpoonpages.com/harpoon2.htm

direct link to file download:

Pfedit ZIP

I can imagine that most of this is beyond most starting players, but I was sure that the staff at Matrix maybe interested in this utility and some of it's functions. The sole ability to create a database specific to a scen would aleviate some of the db scen relationship issues. If the H3 launcher was modified it may be that we could see a more appropriate version of what this app does for the new H3 ANW.

BTW If anyone would like instructions on using this old utility with H3ANW let me know and I'll post a "How to" ASAP.

Cheers

Darren

[mikmykWS]

Hmm..Sounds good. Darren have you tried this with ANW yet?

[Bucks]

mikmyk, I've managed a single test with success although I'll have to write up a manual/how to for using Pfedit and the SDB (Scenario Database) feature with H3ANW. As soon as I've run a couple more import tests and then try a SDB creation.

I tried the scen that Saul Jacobs included in the PFEdit zip package ARK.SCN and the included SDB, ARK.SDB. I had an initial error with the DB but the game opened but wouldn't give any log messages (database error). I imported the SDB into Jon Reimer's editor and then simply re-exported it. The scen then loaded perfectly and everything seems to be updated and working. Like I said I'll run a few more tests and let everyone know when it's working correctly and I have a set of new instructions for using PFEedit.

On a humourous note I now have a use for the harpoon2 directory on my NTFS drive, running pfedit from it. Seems the utility was hardcoded to look on the drive it's run from for -> Drive Letter:\Harpoon2 [:D]

Darren

[mikmykWS]

Thats great thanks Darren.

How does it do with the new database fields etc.? (CRT's is a biggie IIRC). Assume that'll have to be set in Reimer's editor after?

[hermanhum]

The idea of having a specific ScenarioDB for each scenario was discussed here on Matrix at the beginning. However, it looks like that thread has since been deleted. The PF edit concept got me thinking about how it might be utilized for ANW scenarios.

I also did a bit of manual testing with Dave Steinmeyer's Power Sweep scenario and the PlayersDB. I chose this scen since it only has 5 units overall since I don't know how to use the PFedit.

I located the units in the PlayersDB and deleted every platform and entry that was not needed by this particular scenario. Normally, the scen and DB would form a zip file about 1mB in size. However, the condensed format is only about 300kB. This could conceivably save some storage space and download time.

However, since PlayersDB has new text descriptions and, AFAIK, individual text description entries cannot simply be extracted from the 'middle' of the database, I don't think that there are considerable economies to be had. I think that any PlayersDB scenario is going to need all the text files in their full and complete format. Without the PlayersDB text entries, the file (scen and SDB) would only have been 32kB.

With over 70 PlayersDB files already created and with more coming out every month, I don't know if there will be any 'savings' in the long run. It appears to me as though the concept is more customized for smaller scenarios and databases. Am I missing something?

[Bucks]

Mik,
Here's my results so far. I used the included ARK.scn that came in the original zip package some 10+ years ago and it's relevant ARK.sdb file. Here's how I made it work, first off created a new Harpoon2 directory.

Then placed the required folders into it as per PFedit included docs. I ran pfedit and extracted the database Dat files from the SDB file. they were now in the SDB directory(D:\Harpoon2\SDB) from where I loaded them into Jon Reimer's editor (Rev 1.21) and without alteration exported the DAT files into a new SDB directory. D:\Harpoon 3 Advanced Naval Warfare\Databases\SDB.

I've had 2 members of this forum test the scen, and although designed over 10 years ago. It was finally saved as a SCN file on 27th March 1996. It seems it works for both sides. What this scenario involves is the alteration of the original GC1 battleset scenario "malvinas.scn" The Brits have use of their last true CV the HMS Ark Royal along with her FGR.2 Phanton's and Buccaneers. Makes for a change from attempting it with Sea Harriers.

What Pfedit really does is allow for scen designers to customise a database to a scenario or group of scenarios where the designer has made a small custom DB for whatever reason. He knows after packaging the scen and it's required database in SDB form that his scen will always be playable it seems even 10 years after it was created.

I have no knowledge of any new database fields. I would have suggested myself, to anyone fixing the game that before we started adding new stuff I would have at least tried to make what was there work first. The aircraft defensive figures would be nice seeing as how a fully loaded F-15E with 20+ 500lb bombs is just as hard to shoot down as a clean (unloaded) aircraft. There'd be many a combat pilot who would be wishing for that.... Opinion mode off

[mikmykWS]

Okay thanks for putting some time in Darren. Sounds like a great little application.

The current scenario/db editor (AGSI's not Reimer's) allows for some customization of the actual plaforms within the scenario (independent of database values).. Not sure all of its capabilities have been fleshed out and lots of folks are timid to use it given past history (myself included) but its a nice idea and offers similar capabilities as pfedit seems to have along with batch scenario rebuilding, working magazine rebuilds etc. etc. etc. Suppose the Harpoon wiki will have more information on the whole thing at some point.

[Bucks]

As a further update PFedit has a feature I haven't seen elsewhere. It can be used to edit the "launch video" ref in the relevant res file, obviously allowing for the replacement of inappropriate video displays due to weapons being copied rather than created from scratch.

Cheers

Darren

[mikmykWS]

Nice thanks Darren,

I know of at least one copying fool who might like that. [:D]

[hermanhum]

Is there any hope of getting PFedit to accept larger files like PlayersDB ?

I think that it could certainly be a handy utility. However, if file size remains limited to 640kB, the usefulness is moot. [:(]

[Bucks]

Herman it's still available for the DB's I said it didn't work with. You could grab a blank DB and import the relevant HCF file if they are still working? Anyway you would have a tiny DB that you used to edit this feature of the relevant weapon.dat file.

PFedit will open that weapon file and you edit there. Then save re-import into Jon's editor and reverse the process of HCF import into your master DB. Yeah complicated I know but possible. My main aim had been to make anyone unaware of it's existance and who may have a use for this old standard aware. I know looking at the size of the dat files in the DB1945 could use it if they had any weird videos showing up.

I doubt Ton Wenck is around to dabble with it and after 10 years only Harpoon still gets upgraded [:)] so you can forget about that. Maybe the good Gents at Matrix can look at the way it does things in case there's any features that could be utilised in any future editor releases.

Thanks

Darren

[VistaJohn1]

Hi Bucks

I have used the PFEDIT on the current H3 without problem. I then import into the Access one. For new unit based on an existing one, this is very easy. Always kept mutiple windows open so could find elements to complete the modification.The Ops manual is still on the net. I have a printed copy, but not a file. I will try to find it again and let you know where to find it. There are parts to it that are great. You could post a new unit (TPF file) and another could use PFEDIT to add to thier own custom DB. This would include all the loadouts and weapons if aplicable. The way it sorts numeric and then alpha makes it easy to find things in weapons and so on. You can still use it to take a single platform from one database and import it into anther (ones that it will work with).

John