Sinperium Sinperium

Modder's "Get-an-Answer" Thread

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Modder's "Get-an-Answer" Thread

Answers from Modders, for Modders who "Ask a Question"

from Sins Forums

This is the place to ask and recieve specific modding (mod making) questions and answers. If you have a mod making question, post it here.

If your question involves long snippets of entity files and the like, please don't paste the entire file contents here but put them at the incredibly easy to use http://pastebin.com and then provide the link to your paste in your question posted here.

Please do limit  "just comments" here to brief posts please.  If you don't know the answer or can't point to help--don't post.  Please note that a random, uninformed guess isn't an actual answer.  

You can refer people to another source--IF it actually helps answer their question.  This could be in the form of links, outside sites, specific modding-useful programs, direction towards another post or poster, etc., etc.

Remember--specific questions, specific answers.  Only respond to the ones you can help solve.  Also, feel free to amplify, clarify, suggest alternatives to or correct answers seen here if such actions are merited and help provide a real solution. No flaming, insults or put downs here in the answers or other posts please.

Thanks in advance for your help and cooperation.  The reason for the rigid rules here is those this thread becomes a usable resource in the future to new people looking for answers.

NOTE: If an answer resolves your issue, please share it here.  These answers will help others coming along later too.  Karma is a great way to respond to people providing help without clogging the thread or bombing their forum mailbox here. Thanks!

 

OTHER SINS HELPFUL MODDING LINKS*

*Links are updated when requested.





The Soase Idiot's Guide

Confused?  No idea where to even start?

Determined to work at it?

This is the place!

 


 

  
   

Sins Modding Wiki

ZombieRus's Eclipse Wizardry

 
     

Tutorials

MyFist0's full modding site.

Emphasis on modeling  and

texturing.                            

 

 

 
                    

REBELLION MODDING TOPICS

Rebellion Modding Q & A

Mesh Editing

Changing Diplomacy Files to Rebellion

IT REALLY HURTS MY BRAIN--HOW TO START

An Idiot's Guide To Getting Started

MyFist0's Modding Megasite!

MOD DOWNLOADS

ZombieRus5's Mod Yard

Directory of Planet Mods

STEAM

STEAM Sins Forums

DEVELOPERS

Sins Developer Journals Forum 2007 to Present

REFERENCE FILES

Research Modifier List

MyFist0's Exported Models & Files

Modifier List

Harpo's Converted Sins Reference Files 2011

THIRD PARTY TOOLS

3dS Texturing Toool & Tips

Ship Fleet Calculator

SoaSE Eclipse Plugin Project

Mesh Resizing Tool--courtesy of the Reqiuem team.

Harpo's Sins Utility Package -- Dropbox

The Sins Optimization Project (TSOP)

Artificial Unintelligence (Mod and AI info)

Sins Data Converter by BCXtreme

EXPLANATIONS & DISCUSSIONS

Rebellion Updates by Blair Frazier

How to Add a Fourth Race

User-updatable Ship Reference Chart

Sins Modding Dictionary

Adding phase Effects to other weapon types

Culture, Explanation/Discussion

Weapons, Explanation/Discusion

Shield Mitigation & Armor, Explanation/Discussion-1

Shield Mitigation & Armor, Explanation/Discussion -2

Graphic Chart of Sin's Counters

Annotated Guide to the Developer.exe

In-Game Map Creator

Weapons Banks & DPS

Combat Mechanics

Rebellion Shield Mitigation & Focus Fire testing

PARTICLE FORGE

Particle Forge Help Thread

GALAXY FORGE

Adding Artifacts

Working Template Examples

SemazRalan's Template Guide

Pirates Base Start Template

SOUND RESOURCES

[SFX] Black Sun SFX/Music Resource for Modders

MODELING & TEXTURING--SOFTIMAGE XSI, 3DS MAX

XSI Texturing, Tutorial

3dS Model Exporter

3DS Max Rigging, Texturing & Exporting, Guide

Modding/Modelling/Texturing/Converting, Tutorials

WIKI'S

Sins of a Solar Empire Official Wiki

 

modding
7,619,922 views 2,761 replies
Reply #401 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting Volt_Cruelerz, reply 400
(Seriously, how many other fields would ever have those two things required?)
End of Volt_Cruelerz's quote

Maybe some sort of engineering. Smart cars, planes with autopilot etc. Of course you'll need even more path to actually know how to make those things.

Reply #402 from Sins Forums Top

Rewards Update!

I had mentioned at the start when creating this thread that I wanted to offer rewards as I was able--starting with karma for good answers--and that later I hoped to be able to offer something more tangible (no, I am not giving money!).

I have had a Makerbot sitting in my house for three months as I worked up the nerve to assemble it--hoping I wouldn't destroy it and consequently send several hundred dollars into the rubbish bin. As it turns out, I went to strike a deal at the local electronics repair store to see if he might assist me for payment.  turns out his son is building one in college this fall and he had planned to get one.  So three electronics technicians spent  a sleepless night over the weekend assembling the beast.  They will finish it this coming weekend--all for no charge.  You just can't do better than that.

So, my first home project as I learn to use the thing is going to be trying to 3D print some Sins models.  I have the vanilla version only and obviously won't be selling them, etc. but I am going to gift a few to "heroes" on this thread.  If you have your own models in a mod and want me to give a try printing them I'd be willing to give it a shot.  I need the practice.

The Makerbot isn't a commercial level manufacturing printer--its a "first draft" sort of device and so it has some limitations.  Extreme angles and micro detail may be tough for it.  That said, it still can make some pretty decent things (check the site).  Thanks to ZombieRus for the 3DS models of Sins Trinity which is what I'll be converting.

Elemental: Reforged
Reply #403 from Sins Forums Top

Ishkatumek's SFX link added to OP links.

Reply #404 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting GoaFan77, reply 401

Quoting Volt_Cruelerz, reply 400(Seriously, how many other fields would ever have those two things required?)

Maybe some sort of engineering. Smart cars, planes with autopilot etc. Of course you'll need even more path to actually know how to make those things.
End of GoaFan77's quote

Yeah, my dad's an engineer.  I've known that I've never wanted to do that simply due to the sheer amount of math involved.

 

 

Quoting Sinperium, reply 402
Rewards Update!

I had mentioned at the start when creating this thread that I wanted to offer rewards as I was able--starting with karma for good answers--and that later I hoped to be able to offer something more tangible (no, I am not giving money!).

I have had a Makerbot sitting in my house for three months as I worked up the nerve to assemble it--hoping I wouldn't destroy it and consequently send several hundred dollars into the rubbish bin. As it turns out, I went to strike a deal at the local electronics repair store to see if he might assist me for payment.  turns out his son is building one in college this fall and he had planned to get one.  So three electronics technicians spent  a sleepless night over the weekend assembling the beast.  They will finish it this coming weekend--all for no charge.  You just can't do better than that.

So, my first home project as I learn to use the thing is going to be trying to 3D print some Sins models.  I have the vanilla version only and obviously won't be selling them, etc. but I am going to gift a few to "heroes" on this thread.  If you have your own models in a mod and want me to give a try printing them I'd be willing to give it a shot.  I need the practice.

The Makerbot isn't a commercial level manufacturing printer--its a "first draft" sort of device and so it has some limitations.  Extreme angles and micro detail may be tough for it.  That said, it still can make some pretty decent things (check the site).  Thanks to ZombieRus for the 3DS models of Sins Trinity which is what I'll be converting.
End of Sinperium's quote

That's really kind of awesome lol.  

 

Reply #405 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting Volt_Cruelerz, reply 404

That's really kind of awesome lol. 
End of Volt_Cruelerz's quote

How many people have Sins keychains?  Maybe Even a flash"cozy" that fits over the end of a standard flash thumb drive.

I'll see what I can come up with.

I also have an idea for an iPad add-on but it isn't Sins related specifically.

Reply #406 from Sins Forums Top

Even a plain-old Sins figurine would be awesome.  How big can makerbot print?

Reply #407 from Sins Forums Top

I have a problem.  The GalaxyScenarioDef file get the "Missing TextFile Archive" eror for my mod, when trying to add in the Planet Items for my race.  Do you know how I could stop the minidumping?

Reply #408 from Sins Forums Top

upload it to pastebin and tell us what you added or want to add so we dont have to check the whole file.

Chances are you are missspellin or missin an entity reference or count is off.

Also version and expansion and where you got the org file from

info info info  :S :waaaa:

Reply #409 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting Volt_Cruelerz, reply 406
Even a plain-old Sins figurine would be awesome.  How big can makerbot print?
End of Volt_Cruelerz's quote

Within a 4"x4" base and 6" height.

Reply #410 from Sins Forums Top

Sounds good, Vasari are little bastards anyway  :P

 

 

 

 

 

Reply #411 from Sins Forums Top

I posted my script on Pastebin.  The whole GalaxyScenarioDef file is on there.

 

Link: http://pastebin.com/n18jqK1f

Reply #412 from Sins Forums Top

lol, took me all of 2 seconds to see that error.|-O

You cannot just add stuff to the bottom of the file. You need to find the section for the planet items and add your stuff there and change the count. Add your player to where the other players are and change the count.   :S

Reply #413 from Sins Forums Top

I did that, and still got a minidump.

Reply #414 from Sins Forums Top

Okay, a few issues.

First, your planet item type count is off.  You have the count set at 108 even though you only have 102.

Second issue is you have a gap following that section which according to the sins engine means the file is done meaning everything after it is not loaded which is why you're crashing.

Third issue is that you have your player count set at 4, yet you have 5 entries.

Fourth issue is that you have the number of valid theme groups set at 5, but only have 4 entries.

Fifth issue is at the end of your file you're repeating the planet item type section with a second whole count and another player type count section...  These entries must be moved to their proper sections in the GSD.

Reply #415 from Sins Forums Top

Holy crap. 8C  Even experienced modders test way before making that many changes to a file.  

I seen the bottom of the file and assumed that was the only error. Silly me.  o_O

Reply #416 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting myfist0, reply 415
Even experienced modders test way before making that many changes to a file.
End of myfist0's quote

Or we count on using the Dev.exe to show us what line caused the problem. ;)

Quoting Stant123, reply 414
Okay, a few issues.

...

End of Stant123's quote

Though that requires you know how the files works, which this guy obviously didn't have a clue to what he was doing. But that's okay, that's what this forum is here for.

Reply #417 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting Stant123, reply 414
Okay, a few issues.

First, your planet item type count is off.  You have the count set at 108 even though you only have 102.

Second issue is you have a gap following that section which according to the sins engine means the file is done meaning everything after it is not loaded which is why you're crashing.

Third issue is that you have your player count set at 4, yet you have 5 entries.

Fourth issue is that you have the number of valid theme groups set at 5, but only have 4 entries.

Fifth issue is at the end of your file you're repeating the planet item type section with a second whole count and another player type count section...  These entries must be moved to their proper sections in the GSD.
End of Stant123's quote

Every one of these is also caught by my Eclipse plugin ;)

Reply #418 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting GoaFan77, reply 416
Or we count on using the Dev.exe to show us what line caused the problem.
End of GoaFan77's quote

You would need one hell of a Dev exe to show everything in that file  ;)

 

Quoting myfist0, reply 418
Every one of these is also caught by my Eclipse plugin
End of myfist0's quote

Yup. That is a m0dders dream what you made there  :smitten:

 

Reply #419 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting ZombiesRus5, reply 417
Every one of these is also caught by my Eclipse plugin
End of ZombiesRus5's quote

I was going to mention that.  I haven't had the opportunity to look at the most recent update, but I downloaded it shortly after you made it available.

 

But in this case, I used Beyond Compare 3 to compare it to the original and for text files it's far faster on the loading then eclipse.  I mean, it took me longer to write this post then it did to load up the program, set which files to compare, and find all of those issues.

Reply #420 from Sins Forums Top

I use Eclipse for compares as well. No shame in using a tool for file comparisons. Though I disagree with the concept of the time to load eclipse and run the tool. It took all of 30 seconds to do...

Edit- Removed those due to not having full Reference files such as English.str...

 

 

Description	Resource	Path	Location	Type
check structure definition. found unexpected keyword: planetItemTypeCount: 18	GalaxyScenarioDef.galaxyScenarioDef	/Test/GameInfo	line 1585	Entity Problem
check structure definition. found unexpected keyword: planetItemTypeCount: 18	GalaxyScenarioDef.galaxyScenarioDef	/Test/GameInfo	line 1585	Entity Problem
expected 108 occurences, only found 102: planetItemTypeCount 108	GalaxyScenarioDef.galaxyScenarioDef	/Test/GameInfo	line 308	Entity Problem
expected 108 occurences, unexpected value found: playerTypeCount 4	GalaxyScenarioDef.galaxyScenarioDef	/Test/GameInfo	line 615	Entity Problem
expected 5 occurences, only found 4: validThemeGroups 5	GalaxyScenarioDef.galaxyScenarioDef	/Test/GameInfo	line 1247	Entity Problem
expected 5 occurences, unexpected value found: autoAddPlayers 2	GalaxyScenarioDef.galaxyScenarioDef	/Test/GameInfo	line 1252	Entity Problem
expected only 4 occurences: playerType	GalaxyScenarioDef.galaxyScenarioDef	/Test/GameInfo	line 628	Entity Problem
expected only 4 occurences: playerTypeCount 4	GalaxyScenarioDef.galaxyScenarioDef	/Test/GameInfo	line 615	Entity Problem

 

 
Reply #421 from Sins Forums Top

Yes, I didn't know what I was doing.

Reply #422 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting Stant123, reply 419
But in this case, I used Beyond Compare 3 to compare it to the original and for text files it's far faster on the loading then eclipse.  I mean, it took me longer to write this post then it did to load up the program, set which files to compare, and find all of those issues.
End of Stant123's quote

Or for giggles... The tool is really meant to be used while your coding. Not as an after the fact recourse though it does help some in that regard especially for mods with large amounts of missing string entries.

Reply #423 from Sins Forums Top

back when I modded, I would start over when I got that many errors, lol. Eventually I discovered one little thing can bring up so many errors... you're attention to detail will quickly improve, lol.

Reply #424 from Sins Forums Top

Where can i download the Eclipse plugin?  According to what you say it is, I can use it to figure out my problems by myself if I have anymore, which means I won't have to go to this thread again.