Designing a Modding tool

[Bingeling]

Not a modder, but I love this work.

At delusional moments I have even considered doing something similar, but that is by someone not really personally interested in using it, and that in addition hate any coding smelling like GUI work

If Universe lands with changes, don't scrap old work. Make multiple versions.

[yummie]

Well kinda of came to a stall can't figure out how to make the layout for the policy tab, every thing i have come up with so far ruins the flow of the tool. SO going to have to think on this one while i am out paying bills and what not. If you have any ideas that might work or you want to see what i am doing on page 28 is where the flow gets messed up. I will also talk to nick about it when he gets off work. But Day 5 looks like we hit a huge road block. I want it to look good and have a certain flow to it while being function. So really going to have to think about this and try come up with something that is both functional and looks good. Also thinking about making the drop down menus glow when you have selected something so it is easier to keep track of what you have chosen for the mod since there are so many chooses. Like to hear what you all think on that ideal.

[hewwo]

Even though I have no good feedback for you guys on the policy tab, I still want to chime in and say this is awesome! I was modding a bit but got annoyed with all the .txt files so I gave up. Oh, having a GUI for modding the diplomatic dialogs would be 100% awesome as well

[Igard]

I'm sure you'll come up with something. There are a lot of values in the policy file. Did you know you can edit the policy file in-game? It's not ideal because you have to load each race, but if you haven't looked perhaps it's worth checking out. It's pretty much just a big list of check boxes and combo boxes.

Glowy boxes!! That's a nice idea.

[yummie]

Okay response time,

ORIGINAL: Bingeling

Not a modder, but I love this work.

At delusional moments I have even considered doing something similar, but that is by someone not really personally interested in using it, and that in addition hate any coding smelling like GUI work

If Universe lands with changes, don't scrap old work. Make multiple versions.

Oh there will be several versions of this We are going to do one button updates for it also. So updating to different versions should be easy. We will deal with the changes as they come, No9t to worried about. If it is moddable then a program can be written for it.

ORIGINAL: hewwo

Even though I have no good feedback for you guys on the policy tab, I still want to chime in and say this is awesome! I was modding a bit but got annoyed with all the .txt files so I gave up. Oh, having a GUI for modding the diplomatic dialogs would be 100% awesome as well

Already in the planning stage for that So will be in the tool, also compents and even the game.txt will be there also. This is a complete modd total.Also thank you for your support, Glad to see some excited people

ORIGINAL: Igard

I'm sure you'll come up with something. There are a lot of values in the policy file. Did you know you can edit the policy file in-game? It's not ideal because you have to load each race, but if you haven't looked perhaps it's worth checking out. It's pretty much just a big list of check boxes and combo boxes.

Glowy boxes!! That's a nice idea.

Yeppers sure did, But dont want to copy them, But I think I got it figured out will have to go back and modify the race tab some what and make it constant, But will look more in sane and be grouped which will make it even easier to understand and find what you want to find.

Thanks for all those who have shown interest in this tool it harms my heart to see response and interest in something me and my bf are making.

[Shark7]

If this works out, it will make things a lot simpler for mods. Right now the biggest problem I have is not understanding how to mod the game, but rather the inevitable typos I make editing the text files. And those can be very difficult to track down...after a while of looking for errors, the whole document just turns into one giant jumble of letters. [X(]

[yummie]

Try looking for errors in the coding Me and nick are doing that can be a huge pain in the booty, But I think it is fun and a challenge. Also finding new and exciting ways to make it run smoother is also Fun. But very difficult. But fun when you do with people You enjoy there company. But When you are doing it alone Gets tedious, But you hit the head on the nail. I am to lazy to actually make a mod for this Game and then look for errors. So lazy That I am doing this tool hahah Joking.. But will be a snap when it is done. I also sent out latest release of the tool to igard so look for the new pictures tomorrow. Then you should differently check in for the the pictures after that as We have exciting developments That Will not only change the look but also speed up the program drastically. And of course more of the tool will be designed. Normally a tool like this takes Months to be released. We are shooting for a month tops. While having little to no errors. At this point we are on day 5, of the project and we are way ahead of scheduled.

[ehsumrell1]

Keep up the good work Yummie (& Yummieslave! [:D] )

Can't wait until you see what's been done in DW Universe!

Charge on!!!!

[yummie]

ORIGINAL: ehsumrell1

Keep up the good work Yummie (& Yummieslave! [:D] )

Can't wait until you see what's been done in DW Universe!

Charge on!!!!

I know he should be just as bold as me but he is to busy sleeping on his stomach so i cant give him a reach around hahahah and of course how else is it going to get done and thanks.....

[tjhkkr]

ORIGINAL: yummie
Try looking for errors in the coding Me and nick are doing that can be a huge pain in the booty, But I think it is fun and a challenge. Also finding new and exciting ways to make it run smoother is also Fun. But very difficult. But fun when you do with people You enjoy there company. But When you are doing it alone Gets tedious, But you hit the head on the nail. I am to lazy to actually make a mod for this Game and then look for errors. So lazy That I am doing this tool hahah Joking.. But will be a snap when it is done. I also sent out latest release of the tool to igard so look for the new pictures tomorrow. Then you should differently check in for the the pictures after that as We have exciting developments That Will not only change the look but also speed up the program drastically. And of course more of the tool will be designed. Normally a tool like this takes Months to be released. We are shooting for a month tops. While having little to no errors. At this point we are on day 5, of the project and we are way ahead of scheduled.

From my own days in data processing many moons ago, I should think once you have the basic pattern, it just becomes an issue of getting the correct values for the program to do the data edit. And you might be able to even create a flat file to aid in that so you do not have to recode the program if they make value changes ...
I am very impressed. This is a fine piece of work.

[yummiesslave]

Thanks, it's always nice to hear from another programmer. We started out separating our tasks, yummie on the front end, me on the back end; but now I'm teaching her oop. She's a quick study, and should be able to finish it on her own, though I won't let her. I'm having too much fun. Programming is my passion, and I can't get enough. We have a surprise for tomorrow that will cut down on processor load heavily, while being visually appealing and easy to use. We're doing our best to follow simple naming conventions and spread the code across easy to recognize classes, so that when we decide to release the code, someone could pick up the mantle easily. Yesterday we got the opportunity to create a custom user control, which I haven't done in a while. Too much fun. Bonus points for who can tell where the custom control is when the new screenies come out.

[yummie]

ORIGINAL: yummiesslave

Thanks, it's always nice to hear from another programmer. We started out separating our tasks, yummie on the front end, me on the back end; but now I'm teaching her oop. She's a quick study, and should be able to finish it on her own, though I won't let her. I'm having too much fun. Programming is my passion, and I can't get enough. We have a surprise for tomorrow that will cut down on processor load heavily, while being visually appealing and easy to use. We're doing our best to follow simple naming conventions and spread the code across easy to recognize classes, so that when we decide to release the code, someone could pick up the mantle easily. Yesterday we got the opportunity to create a custom user control, which I haven't done in a while. Too much fun. Bonus points for who can tell where the custom control is when the new screenies come out.

Oh i know i know pick me pick me oh wait i helped write it lol. So i suppose my guess doesn't count.

[hewwo]

hehe you guys are awesome

[yummie]

if someone that can post img links would be so kind as to message me ill send you the link to the new images as long as you post them here for me i still cant post till i think Thursday. that be awesome. igard seems to not have checked his mail. probably busy today ill check back every 5 minutes to see if i have a message. and thanks we are average people that do awesome things is all. well i am average nick is insane

[yummie]

Updated images
This one is the about page not many changes

Race page basically fully working just buggy since we started using containers. The switch Has caused some bugs that need to be worked out. But basically its change class names and locations and also a few other complicated issues.

Polices page as of right now Will change format in races to follow this format.

Okay so this is how races will some what for loading races. Polices will have a similar loading option so.


Okay that's it for now hope you all like it, Bussy day today got to work a lot of hours. Will try and work on it later on tonight. Oh and honorary I can finally post my own pictures finally so Will be more updates and less waiting for Up dates and pictures.

[Igard]

Sorry guys, couldn't get near my computer yesterday. This is looking glorious! Keep up the excellent work. [:)]

Here's the last report that yummie sent me before she got her link posting privileges -

So here we go Progress report time, A lot got done. As you can see We Gotten it to read the Pictures and verify they are there. To display and also be click-able, This will turn into the way you edit and delete existing races. Very simple design very easy to use. Also We are going to switch the Races design over next few days to match the Style of the Policy tab. As it cuts down on space and also organizes it in a fashion Me and Nick think will be more user friendly and less overwhelming for the user. We have also Talked about Adding editing bay so you can even edit and listen to the sounds for the Game and modd them. Expect a lot of Little changes over next few days that will Make this tool a lot less cumbersome and also improve the look and fell of the tool. Me and Nick would Like Say thank you to all those that Have made comments supporting the development of this tool and would love to see more support oriented replys being made. It is helping us Push to make the best possible tool For all the Modders and would be modders out there. At the end of the Making of this tool Expect to see a few modds designed by both me and nick made from this very tool Also Want to thank Igrad For posting The Pictures of the tool as we are designing it. Since the forum rules wont allow us to do so. I my self I am very excited about the direction this Project is going even with the frustration of the policy tab has caused. Also want to thank Nick for drooling over me and making me horny and not able to concentrate on the damn tool, or it would be futher along so blame him c(8....

Nick, try to control yourself sir! [:D]

[yummie]

ORIGINAL: Igard

Sorry guys, couldn't get near my computer yesterday. This is looking glorious! Keep up the excellent work. [:)]

Here's the last report that yummie sent me before she got her link posting privileges -

So here we go Progress report time, A lot got done. As you can see We Gotten it to read the Pictures and verify they are there. To display and also be click-able, This will turn into the way you edit and delete existing races. Very simple design very easy to use. Also We are going to switch the Races design over next few days to match the Style of the Policy tab. As it cuts down on space and also organizes it in a fashion Me and Nick think will be more user friendly and less overwhelming for the user. We have also Talked about Adding editing bay so you can even edit and listen to the sounds for the Game and modd them. Expect a lot of Little changes over next few days that will Make this tool a lot less cumbersome and also improve the look and fell of the tool. Me and Nick would Like Say thank you to all those that Have made comments supporting the development of this tool and would love to see more support oriented replys being made. It is helping us Push to make the best possible tool For all the Modders and would be modders out there. At the end of the Making of this tool Expect to see a few modds designed by both me and nick made from this very tool Also Want to thank Igrad For posting The Pictures of the tool as we are designing it. Since the forum rules wont allow us to do so. I my self I am very excited about the direction this Project is going even with the frustration of the policy tab has caused. Also want to thank Nick for drooling over me and making me horny and not able to concentrate on the damn tool, or it would be futher along so blame him c(8....

Nick, try to control yourself sir! [:D]

Thanks, for posting I Forgot all the changes We had made, And now I can post. On lunch break Yeah wont be another picture up till tomorrow, But Ill be able to focus on it more then. Sorry pay check comes first.

[tjhkkr]

Do you have a real time code interpreter... or do you have to compile to check if your syntax is clean?
Or is the struggle with testing the completed screens/logic flow?

[ASHBERY76]

Looks nice.The race polices have 6 tech focus and not 2 like shown.

[yummie]

ORIGINAL: ASHBERY76

Looks nice.The race polices have 6 tech focus and not 2 like shown.

policies isnt done yet, So if there are 6 then there will be 6. As for races Everything is there altogether with just those 2 is 117 for races and 155 for polices, to mod. This is according to the manual. So every thing is there or will be there when done. Plus you'd have to scroll down further to see every thing. It also will not allow you select out side the ranges of what the game deems valid.