Main.pdt

[marcbarker]

Does the main.pdt need to encrypted as well? if so what is the process?

[Warhorse]

No Marc, it's not necessary to mess with that for the units, that's mostly for supply factors and such by year for each country and the like.

Mike

[marcbarker]

Yes I know this
Country , year, so forth and so on. I am familiar with this same type of file structure. I know there are slots for yet to be determined countries and have not been implemented. This I know is the main file for the program to execute properly. This is where certain values are used and stored for various units and countrie. Assault values, so forth and so on. Again the question is Can I request the Main to be encrypted/ decrypted?
 
I have some ideas that I would like to test out. Do a Shake out if you will.
 
Marc

[Warhorse]

Ahh, my bad, a misunderstanding on my part!!

Mike

[marcbarker]

by the way here is an article i ran accrross
 
[font="times new roman"]Once you hit the "Begin Next Mission" button in EFII four new data files are[/font]
[font="times new roman"]generated. These are:[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]DALTON.CCX[/font]
[font="times new roman"]DALTON.CPN[/font]
[font="times new roman"]DALTON.ORG[/font]
[font="times new roman"]DALTON.MAP[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]What the "CCX" file does:  This appears to be identical to the CCD file you[/font]
[font="times new roman"]began with and appears to be a "working file" for the campaign game. Don't[/font]
[font="times new roman"]fool with this file.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]What the "CPN" file does:  This contains campaign battle information on[/font]
[font="times new roman"]where forces are deployed on the battle map for both sides.  Essentially it[/font]
[font="times new roman"]is much the same in format as the scenario files (ending with the file[/font]
[font="times new roman"]extension "SCN") and it is possible to edit.  This file changes from battle[/font]
[font="times new roman"]to battle.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]What the "MAP" file does:  This contains graphic map information for the[/font]
[font="times new roman"]battle you are about to fight.  It can be modified using the EFII map editor[/font]
[font="times new roman"]but do NOT change the size of the map in any way or you will mess things up.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]The format for this file is identical to that of the scenario MAP files.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]What the "ORG" file does:  This contains organizational information for both[/font]
[font="times new roman"]friendly and enemy sides for the current battle you are fighting. You can[/font]
[font="times new roman"]edit this campaign ORG files with the EF Order of Battle Editor but the[/font]
[font="times new roman"]changes will only affect this single battle of the campaign.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]I have found a reasonably safe method to allow players to edit individual[/font]
[font="times new roman"]campaign battles using the existing EFII scenario editor all without[/font]
[font="times new roman"]altering by hand the data internal to the file itself.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]In case you did not know campaign information for each battle is stored in a[/font]
[font="times new roman"]file ending with the extension *.CPN. If you campaign name was Hauser then[/font]
[font="times new roman"]this would be "Hauser.CPN". With a few minor differences this file follows[/font]
[font="times new roman"]the scenario files (ending in the extension "SCN") more or less closely.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]To edit this file with the existing EFII scenario editor do the following:[/font]
[font="times new roman"]1. Start a new campaign.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]2. Generate your first battle.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]3. Exit EFII.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]4. Locate the campaign file of the name you chose that ends in the extension[/font]
[font="times new roman"]"CPN". Example: "Hauser.CPN"[/font]
[font="times new roman"]5. Rename the *.CPN file to *.SCN. Example: Change "Hauser.CPN" to[/font]
[font="times new roman"]"Hauser.SCN".[/font]
[font="times new roman"]6. Start up the EFII scenario editor and open this file.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]7. Edit all you want but do NOT make changes in the DESCRIPTION DIALOG. It[/font]
[font="times new roman"]will corrupt the data file![/font]
[font="times new roman"]8. When you are done editing then "Save file as" as a file ending with the[/font]
[font="times new roman"]"CPN": extension. An example would be to save as: "Hauser.CPN". Make sure[/font]
[font="times new roman"]you keep the original name you used or it won't load. If you started with[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Hauser.CPN that's what it needs to remain as when you are done here...[/font]
[font="times new roman"]9. Now load the campaign in EFII and resume playing it. That's it! Simple[/font]
[font="times new roman"]huh?[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]I have tried this and it seems to work without a hitch. Since no "by hand"[/font]
[font="times new roman"]direct data editing of the data files is involved I hope TalonSoft will not[/font]
[font="times new roman"]object to my sharing this with you.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Notes:[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]1. It is also possible to use the map editor on your campaign battle but do[/font]
[font="times new roman"]this BEFORE you use the scenario editor just as you would do if you were[/font]
[font="times new roman"]making a scenario. Also do NOT change the size of the existing map in any[/font]
[font="times new roman"]way![/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]2. Changes made with the scenario editor ONLY effect that one battle and not[/font]
[font="times new roman"]the whole campaign.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]I hope you find this as useful and valuable as I did.....[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Regards;[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Bob Dalton[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Grognard since 1970[/font]

[Warhorse]

Yep, that was what got me started on editing the campaign games many years ago!!! Everybody's efforts to perpetuate this fine series are just awesome, kudo's to all!! I collected lots of material over the years on editing this series, from Bob Dalton, Wyatt Kappely, Craig Foster and many others, great stuff.

Mike

[cw58]

Hi barker,

Nice article, but you can actually skip steps 4 & 5. You can open the campaign game in the scenario editor by typing "Hauser.CPN" (using his example) in the open scenario dialogue. Then after editing, exit and save at the prompt. Don't you just love the flexibility of this game? [:D] I think you'll have to ask Jason about encrypting the main.pdt file.

[marcbarker]

Not a prob...there are so many options that are available in this game. I have some buddies who are into war games and they never heard of this. They are at Ft Stewart down in Ga., Ranger Battalion and 3rd ID respectiviley. They are hispanic so I thought I would personalize it for them. But with files locked down I told them to go to the HPS web site and by their titles.

[marcbarker]

Remeber to add a nation you have to add the core units to the Platoon file and vehicles and such to the weapons. But they are locked down so the addition of a nation is impossible now

[Jason Petho]

ORIGINAL: barker

Remeber to add a nation you have to add the core units to the Platoon file and vehicles and such to the weapons. But they are locked down so the addition of a nation is impossible now

Only impossible if you don't wish to have your files encrypted here.

Jason Petho

[marcbarker]

like i said impossible.....you know as well as i when adding a nation with platoons etc is tedious. so the flexibility is gone to trouble shoot as you go. so like i said previously it is moot

[Jason Petho]

ORIGINAL: barker

like i said impossible.....you know as well as i when adding a nation with platoons etc is tedious. so the flexibility is gone to trouble shoot as you go. so like i said previously it is moot

The flexibility is still there.

It also provides the opportunity for error checking, quality control, prior to posting files. Which, in the long run, saves the modder time.

Jason Petho

[marcbarker]

No prob with error checking because I won't add anything else. That';s OK this game was a pipe dream anyhow. I will just be content with going to another company is all.

[simovitch]

Passenger 5: Hi, I was just wondering -

Steward: No, no, no - buh-bye! Buh-bye!

Passenger 5: Excuse, me.. hello! You have been rude to me..

Steward: Buh-bye!

Passenger 5: ..the entire flight -

Stewardess: Buh-bye!

Passenger 5: No! I wanted a blanket,

Steward: Buh-bye!

Passenger 5: and you never -

Stewardess: Buh-bye!

Passenger 5: ..you never brought it to me -

Pilot: Buh-bye!

Passenger 5: And I will -

Pilot: Buh-bye!

Passenger 5: I will -

Pilot: Buh-bye!

Passenger 5: I will -

Pilot: Buh-bye!

Passenger 5: You are so rude!

Pilot: Buh-bye!

Passenger 5: I will never fly -

Pilot: Buh-bye!

Passenger 5: This is ridiculous!

Pilot: Buh-bye!

Passenger 5: Screw this!! [ exits plane ]

Steward: Thanks for coming, buh-bye.

Stewardess: Buh-bye.

Steward: Buh-bye. Today! Peg-leg!

Stewardess: Ah, good, good.. I guess this is the part of the trip where we all wait for you! How fun! Okay. Buh-bye.

Passenger 6: [ on crutches ] I'm sorry, I just broke my leg -

Steward: How strange! I swear she said "Buh-bye", yet I still see your mouth flapping!

Passenger 6: Yeah, but I -

Steward: Ah, there it is again, the flapping mouth, how odd. I want to see motion, movement, buh-bye.

Stewardess: Buh-bye.

Steward: Okay, take care. Sorry about the leg. Buh-bye.

Passenger 7: I'm gonna be waiting for you outside in the terminal!

Steward: Great! Buh-bye.

Passenger 7: No, no, no, there's more! I'm gonna pound your face in.

Steward: Okay, slick. Buh-bye.

Passenger 7: I'm gonna destroy you.

Steward: Buh-bye!

Passenger 7: I am gonna kick the crap out of you!!

Steward: Yeah?! Buh-bye!

Stewardess: Buh-bye.

Passenger 8: Yeah, I -

Stewardess: Knock-knock.

Passenger 8: Who's there?

Stewardess: Buh-bye.

Passenger 8: Uh, I don't get it.

Stewardess: There's nothing to get. Buh-bye.

Passenger 9: Excuse me, could you tell me where the baggage claim will be?

Stewardess: Mmm.. your baggage.. right.. what was it I wanted to tell you about your baggage? Oh, yeah - nobody cares, buh-bye!

Steward: Buh-bye.

Passenger 10: Hi, uh, could you arrange for me--

Steward: Buh-bye.

Stewardess: Yeah, buh-bye.

[marcbarker]

nice...very funny...I have to admit that was rather unique. Very touching that I get a send off....snifffff sniffff.....touches the cockles of my OOB's. I already uploaded some of the weapons and platoon stuff to the talonsoft version and it seems to be working . so I will mod that. No worries

[Warhorse]

Marc, we all know how you feel by now, just please give it a rest already.


Mike

[marcbarker]

sure no prob....do you if the rocket LCVP was ever included. I would like to request that one. I think correct me if I am worng but the US did use them in both theaters?

[Warhorse]

No Marc, I don't see it, that is a good request though!

Mike

[TAIL GUNNER]

Yes good idea, but how to make them a "one-shot" weapon?

The ability exists for bridging units to go out of supply once they've laid a bridge....I wonder if this could be applied to artillery units?

ChadG

[marcbarker]

I don't see why not. Limited ammo, 2 volleys reload time 10 turns, barrage effect 3 hexes. That would be a heck of a unit!