The scenario selector has been tested, and is available for use. This tool uses the "*.scn" files as input and builds a display of the data contained within. It allows for sorting by complexity, and turns, and can display a "best guess" at how the designer recommends it be played. A special feature is that the program can launch a scenario with a setup phase. This is intended for generated scenarios, and allows selection of a type other than "Meeting Engagement". Now you can generate a "River Crossing", for example. Exit the scenario ASAP, and use ScnPick to launch it with the "Setup phase" checked. You will then have a setup phase as if you were in a campaign. Note that campaign restriction apply.
The program should be installed in the User_Mods folder in your JTCS location. The zipfile contains a folder called ScnPick, which, in turn, holds ScnPick.Exe. If you use WinZip then extract with "Use folder names" checked, and extract into "User_Mods". On my machine the path to the installed Exe is "C:\Matrix Games\John Tiller's Campaign Series\User_Mods\ScnPick\ScnPick.exe" and yours will probably be the same. The About menu item should say this is version "D20080808V01".
Here is a screen shot of the program. The zip file is in the next post.
Edited for new version : D20080811V01.
Edited for another new version : D20080814V01
Folks,
Here is the zip fle for ScnPick. It has a ".txt" extension so please rename it to "ScnPick.Zip" after downloading.
I hope it enhances your JTCS experience.
Thanks to all who worked on it.
Chuck
Version History :
D20080808V01 : Release version.
D20080811V01 : Fix long file name bug. Fix theater selection bug.
D20080814V01 : Add ability to select first side, Allied or Axis. Add ability to set number of turns.
Your creation looks great and I would like to try it but I can't seem to figure out to download it? [8|]I'm not the "sharpest knife in the drawer" but when I clicked on this attachment you posted it opens another window. Clicking on the file name only brings up another window with what looks like computer gibberish? Help
@Eagle
Hm, didn´t noticed any problems.
When i clicked the download link, i got the following window:
I just clicked "speichern" (save) & got the file.
Sidenote: i use Alzip. An easy free tool, as I ´m also evrytime wondering what happens, if i´m running my pc. [;)]
I even didn´t had to change the file ending from .txt to .zip. The programm discovered it by itself.
Eagle Strike, please try this, use your mouse to "right click", ie. click with the right had button, not the normal left one. This should bring up a popup context menu which will include "Save target as". Use this choice to save the file to your desktop. Rename it to ScnPick.Zip and you should be ready to unzip.
I am going to dinner but I will check with the forums later. I can send you a private email if we need to.
Good luck,
Chuck
Sorry for this late response... off line for awhile. Thanks for your suggestion but that procedure was exactly what I did a few times. Using Firefox there is no option of "Save Target As" but only an option to save the "Link". When I try to download I only see a file with the extension of .asp not a .txt as you mentioned... no doubt what my problem is. I'll try using IE and see if that works?
to download the attachment in post #2, left click the attachment file then left click on the file named 'ScnPick.txt', a new window will open containing gibberish, copy the file name at the top ( upfiles/25841/15A4169BB10749759DA0EADA4C2AE24D.txt )and past it into your navigation tool bar for firefox, when the page opens select 'Save As' from the file menu and save as 'ScnPick.zip' to a location of your choice.
In scenarios with too long Names (like MarketGarden ) it dont found his .scn file.
Use only the displayed (and too short) file name of the scenario.
Only first Time i start the prg. and select RS it work.
If i select a second time RS or other (EF/WF) i will only acess EF/WF, no RS more.
Can switch between EF/WF without problems.But cant acces RS more.
(the RS button is always highlighted)
In scenarios with too long Names (like MarketGarden ) it dont found his .scn file.
Use only the displayed (and too short) file name of the scenario.
Only first Time i start the prg. and select RS it work.
If i select a second time RS or other (EF/WF) i will only acess EF/WF, no RS more.
Can switch between EF/WF without problems.But cant acces RS more.
(the RS button is always highlighted)
R_TEAM <Aka R-TEAM>
Not sure about the reference to Market Garden (that's an LCG, isn't it?) but I did find one scenario with a long name that the program can't find the file for; that's "Blunting the Sword" in WF (file named 'blunting the sword II). The Scenario Selector won't launch that particular scenario. Sorry Chuck, wish I could've found that earlier. [:(] Ditto with the RS button.
This program was created to address scenario selection, and to allow launching generated scenarios which require a "setup phase". Like some others I felt it was tedious to get to the scenario I wanted to play. I longed for a standard Windows list, with scroll. The ScnPick list addresses this desire.
When the program is opened the user should configure the options available. Clicking on which "theater" you want will populate the list according to the chosen options. Thus it is worthwhile to select the desired options before choosing the theater.
The "Detailed List" checkbox should be the first place you look. It is checked by default, but if you already know the name of the scenario you desire then you will get very rapid population by unchecking it. You will be presented with a list of scenario file names, and clicking on one will bring up the display for that scenario. You will get where you want to be very quickly this way.
If you are just browsing, then consider leaving the 'Detailed list" checked as this gives you more details "up front" and tells you valuable data about the scenarios in a scrollable form.
The next decision regards the "Random" choices. Scenario names which start with "Random" are generated by the format "Random1.scn", "Random99.scn", etc. The list will present these as "Random001" and "Random099" for proper sorting. If you are planning on playing a generated scenarion, and do not need to see the standard scenarios then check the "Only random" check box, and population will be much quicker. Conversely if you are only interested in a standard scenario you might want to check the "Exclude random" checkbox.
If you have decided to go with the "Detailed list" then you have two more thing to choose. The sort orders offered are "Scenario", "Complexity" and "Turns". Choose Turns if you are interested in looking for a quick game, or a long one. Complexity is an index of the unit density. "Scenario" sorts by name.
The second choice is what data to show in the list. Your choices are title, or a best guess at the scenario designers recommendation of "Best played as". This will show you some criteria to guide your examination of scenarios.
Once these options are set click on a "Theater", and the list will be populated. This can take some time as the program runs through the actual "*.scn" files. You should find that the Windows cache will make this quicker as you reclick on this theater. Once the list is populated you can browse the information about the scenario by clicking on the list.
If you decide to launch a game using a scenario you can just click "Launch" with the desired scenario selected. A copy of the scenario will be launched as 'ScnPick.Scn". A special feature of ScnPick is that you can get a Setup phase for generated scenarios. These are necessary for all but meeting engagements, and ScnPick uses a campaign style launch to provide this functionality. Once you launch with the setup option you can complete the setup, then quit and relaunch ScnPick.Scn without the setup phase, which will give you side selection, scenario victory conditions, and normal scenario options.
August 15, 2008 : A new version D20080814V01 adds the ability to change first side, and number of turns. This will allow you to set up both sides. Choose which side to setup, and make them the first side. Launch with setup, move units, save, and exit. The list will adjust to point at ScnPick.Scn. Change sides, and launch with setup again. Move this side's units, save and exit. Select the side that should be first, and launch without setup. Choose your side and play a normal scenario, no campaign restrictions.
Go to your start menu, JTCS, Scenario Selector should be there.
Conflict of Heroes "Most games are like checkers or chess and some have dice and cards involved too. This game plays like checkers but you think like chess and the dice and cards can change everything in real time."
) it dont found his .scn file.
