Newby question

[khanuk]

Apologies for the mundanity of this comment but put it down as an easy one for you SEIV pros out there.

I have just bought SEIV and cant work out how to change the name of the star systems - I can do planets, ships etc, but cant see how you can change the name of the star system you start off in

I presume I am missing something very very basic so any answers would be greatly appreciated.

Regards

------------------
sodomis non sapiens

[Suicide Junkie]

I'm pretty sure the system names are fixed.
If you could change the name of a system, it would reveal your presence to any ancient race instantly.

You can change the systemnames.txt, but systems are still given random names from that list.

[Dracus]

Yes, the names are fixed and are randomly selected at the start of a new game.

Try my systems file, it adds over 500 names, sot hat each game is a little different.

[khanuk]

suicide general, many thanks for that but on to stupid question number 2, being a computer virgin, how do I change the systemtxt file?

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sodomis non sapiens

[Suicide Junkie]

Double clicking on the file should automatically open an editor such as Notepad or WordPad.
Type away, cut,copy&paste and then save.

NotePad and Wordpad come with windows, so you should have them.

If that fails, hold down the shift key, and right-click on the text file.
In the menu that pops up, choose "Open With..."
Then scroll down through the options and select Wordpad. Check the "Always use this program" box, and hit OK.

From now on, double clicking on any text file will bring up the editor.


When editing SE4 files, it is best to copy pre-existing entries, and modify them, to save on typing and ensure you get everything you need.
Be sure not to leave two blank lines in a row, since SE4 will choke, and ignore everything after that point.

Also, see this thread for info on how to create a modfolder, so you don't have to risk losing your original SE4 files.

[Atrocities]

System Text editing is only the tip of the ice burg. You can also edit Design Names, Setting text, and others to tweak your game.

First make sure you have back ups.
Just right click on the target file, and click copy, and then go to your backup folder, and right click and click paste.

If you want to have more than 100 systems, you can change the SettingText file to 255.

It is really easy,
To open your SEIV folder, simply double click on the My Computer Icon, then click LOCAL DISK C, then the folder named PROGRAM FILES, then (may have to click SHOW files on the left hand side) Double click on the folder named SHRAPNEL GAMES, then double click on the folder named Malfador Machinations, then open the folder named Space Empires IV, (its the only one there), and find the file named DATA. Double click on it to open it. Look for a Text file named
SETTINGS.

Double click on it should open it in Note Pad or Word.

After its open, it should look like this at the top. The top is all you need to worry about in order to change the system setting from 100 to 255.

quote:

---

================================================== =====================================
GAME SETTINGS DATA FILE
================================================== =====================================

Maximum Number Of Systems:
Number of Systems the galaxy can contain. The maximum value for this
setting is 255.

================================================== =====================================
*BEGIN*
================================================== =====================================

Allow CD Music := TRUE
Use Old Log Political Message Display := FALSE
Maximum Number Of Systems := 100

---

Where it says "Maximum Number Of Systems :=100, change the 100 to 255 and then exit. I will ask you if you wish to save, click yes, and the next time your in a game and choose large galaxy, it will have 255 systems. Enjoy

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New Age Ship Yards

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