Matrix Games Forums

And, if so, how?

ORIGINAL: Steely Glint
And, if so, how?

I am using ToF game version 1.04 and Editor version 1.04 and have done some small scale editing of stock scenarios. Others have done larger scale work, including creation of new scenarios with earlier versions of the game and editor, these are discussed in the mods section of the forum.

When you say 'get the editor to work', are you having trouble getting the editor to run, or problems in using the editor when it does run.

I am using Windows 7 Home Premium on a laptop and the editor runs. I have had problems using the editor in finding out how it works and after saving edited scenarios, getting them to run in the game.

One problem I have just discovered is that after editing a scenario, it fails to run in the game. I would do the editing work in stages and check run the edited scenario to see how it looked in the game. After several successful stages the edited scenario would then crash and not run, for no apparent reason. I found that the commanders.csv got scrambled lines of data after being saved by the editor. This happened on lines which had names using accents (Brašiæ, Dönitz), this does not happen when you manually edit and save the file. The fix is restore the file from a clean back-up.

A lot of editing can be done by working on files direct in Excel and Notepad, I am only using the editor to change maps. [:)]

I am using Windows 7 Home Premium on a laptop and the editor runs

I am trying to use it on three different Windows 7 Home Premium systems. They all have dot.net and XNA installed. It gives me errors on all three. I wish I knew how you got it to work. I would love to do some map editing.

don't even go there.
[:@]
I am a Wastelands fan, BUT the editor is their Achilles heel, for ALL their games.
Still waiting for a finished robust intuitive editor with an accompanying manual or tutorial.

ORIGINAL: Agent S
don't even go there.
[:@]
I am a Wastelands fan, BUT the editor is their Achilles heel, for ALL their games.
Still waiting for a finished robust intuitive editor with an accompanying manual or tutorial.

Agent S you are the pinnacle for modding the look of these games [&o] and I use a lot of your work, but I am making progress with the editor on amateur small scale work, having noticed that the editor corrupts files on save. Finding and fixing the scrambled, or missing text, allows the edited scenarios to work. I still get CTDs at random times, whatever I do, but the scenarios do eventually run and seems to be OK, after the initial teething period is over and you get into a game.[:)]

ORIGINAL: Steely Glint

I am using Windows 7 Home Premium on a laptop and the editor runs

I am trying to use it on three different Windows 7 Home Premium systems. They all have dot.net and XNA installed. It gives me errors on all three. I wish I knew how you got it to work. I would love to do some map editing.

What sort of errors are you getting, one simple problem was that the game files are set to read only and you have to go into file properties to allow changes to edit them. No way am I claiming to be an expert, but I have stumbled over this ground and made some progress.

Rasp, thanks; yes, if you persevere with regular ctd's and constant spreadsheet tweaks, I am sure existing scenarios can be modified for game balance and a.i strengthening.
But the editor is such a pain there is still no community with posted scenarios that suggest any large scale successes.
It's a real pity, because I enjoy this series of games from Wastelands, and while the graphics are 70% modifiable; (30% off due to the random selection of terrain tiles!, but that's another story), we shouldn't have to stumble about trying to walk a software minefield waiting for an inevitable glitch. To derail or stall a scenario attempt.

We (not just me) have been politely and patiently requesting a revamp of the editor since Time of Wrath, Storm and Fury, and while I appreciate that only a tiny number of people would create scenarios, it would continue to strengthen these titles. But it seems more time is devoted to projects already in the pipeline. Perhaps these will ship with a more complete editor.
We shall see.
[EDIT]
...and please no discussing the upcoming ashes tour...everyone in Aus. are already embarrassed.

ORIGINAL: Agent S
Rasp, thanks; yes, if you persevere with regular ctd's and constant spreadsheet tweaks, I am sure existing scenarios can be modified for game balance and a.i strengthening.
But the editor is such a pain there is still no community with posted scenarios that suggest any large scale successes.
It's a real pity, because I enjoy this series of games from Wastelands, and while the graphics are 70% modifiable; (30% off due to the random selection of terrain tiles!, but that's another story), we shouldn't have to stumble about trying to walk a software minefield waiting for an inevitable glitch. To derail or stall a scenario attempt.

We (not just me) have been politely and patiently requesting a revamp of the editor since Time of Wrath, Storm and Fury, and while I appreciate that only a tiny number of people would create scenarios, it would continue to strengthen these titles. But it seems more time is devoted to projects already in the pipeline. Perhaps these will ship with a more complete editor.
We shall see.
[EDIT]
...and please no discussing the upcoming ashes tour...everyone in Aus. are already embarrassed.

Many of the frustrations reported in the game come from faulty scenario design and with a more user friendly editor the gaming community would produce much better configured games, but ........[:(]

As regards the Ashes, counting chickens come to mind. [;)]

I don't use the editor. Not being a big modder. However, since you guys report that it doesn't work, why not fall back on the tried and true method of text editing the data files? Notepad works well enough.

What data files do I edit to turn the Qattara Depression into sea hexes?

countries.csv?

GW, I have often asked for someone at Wastelands to do an AAR for a scenario design,(from start to finish), so we could follow along, create our own in parallel, and ask questions along the way; all to no avail.

I have revisited the Editor and noticed that newer versions seem [do not work properly].EDIT: False alarm;they work fine.
Version 1.01 is the one I employ to make scenarios. look at this post.

ORIGINAL: Steely Glint

What data files do I edit to turn the Qattara Depression into sea hexes?

No data files, you need to edit the map in the editor to do that.

I used the SWiE Editor v.1.05.
I made there a small (single hex) Island with a port on it (the Canaries) just for e test. And I made some railroad tracks along the north african coast as well.
It all went well.

Have al look here:

"How to make a new island with a new port - problem" in the forum "Strategic War in Europe" >> "Mods and Scenarios"
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3186145

I've made the 1915 Gallipoli peninsula with initial units. and a space opera game with colony fleets and a starship troopers bug planet.
..all with the appropriate graphic mods...
But it all begins to fall apart with fleets, sea zones, connecting zones and the like.
If I had the patience and the time I'm sure I could eventually bash it enough to work.
BUT IT SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE SO DIFFICULT!
almost all the games on matrix come with working editors or none at all, why not this one?

I suspect Wastelands does not use the editor, but does it all manually, maybe with the exception of the map? I don't know, speaking from ignorance. Just seems like if they used the editor, they would make it work.

ORIGINAL: Agent S
almost all the games on matrix come with working editors or none at all, why not this one?

Maybe that's the question: I assume that TOF does not include an Editor (it is not included in the features list) instead they give us the software they use to create scenarios -Almost- an Editor for free.
I am grateful that they have taken this decision instead of not including an Editor at all.

Peter, I generally agree.
I've been with Wastelands since road to victory.
It's just the bugginess of what passes as an editor just leaves things a little sour.
Your modding work however, seems to have largely overcome the hurdles that have stumped me.
perhaps a tutorial thread???[8|]

ORIGINAL: Agent S
Peter, I generally agree.
I've been with Wastelands since road to victory.
It's just the bugginess of what passes as an editor just leaves things a little sour.
Your modding work however, seems to have largely overcome the hurdles that have stumped me.
perhaps a tutorial thread???[8|]

It's not just finding out how to use the editor, important though that is, if the editor is going to scramble files on save, you don't get to use your work. Is this something that came in with later versions, or is it my system.[&:]

ORIGINAL: Rasputitsa
Is this something that came in with later versions, or is it my system.[&:]

That happens; the last country Id. in countries.csv is the only thing I must fix.

Do not replace your playable scenario with the Editor outpout (it replaces most files).

Edit a copy of your scenario and move only the files that you have modified (usualy the map, or cities, units, etc.) to your playable scenario folder.

Edit by steps. Keep backups.

Later versions are fine, I was wrong.