System Pics in SE4

Vokell · #1 October 8th, 2003, 10:07 AM

Hello all,

This is my first time posting here, and it's also one of the first times I've tried to mod Space Empires 4. I made some new system pics (blackhole, rupture....etc). Now that they are made however I cannot figure out how to get them to show up in the game. I want to be able to have my pictures along with the boxed ones. Any help?

Vokell

DavidG · #2 October 8th, 2003, 10:48 AM

you need to edit the SystemTypes.txt file that is in the data foldder. The lines like "Background Bitmap := Starmap.bmp" tell the game what image to use for the various system types.

[ October 08, 2003, 09:49: Message edited by: DavidG ]

Fyron · #3 October 8th, 2003, 03:23 PM

You must add new systems to SystemTypes.txt using the new pics, AND you must edit QuadrantTypes.txt, adding the new systems to all quadrants you want them available in. You will have to lower the chances of existing system types appearing. So, if you add a new black hole system, you can just redistribute the X points already given to the 2 types of black holes to the now 3 types.

Vokell · #4 October 8th, 2003, 08:46 PM

Alright, I edited the QuadrantTypes.txt and so far I still haven't seen mine in the any systems. I actually haven't looked in the game just in the map editor.

Fyron · #5 October 8th, 2003, 09:27 PM

Make sure you are loading the Map Editor in the mod, and not stock SE4.

The easiest way to do this is to use the Mod Launcher. Select the mod, then hit the Edit Maps button, and it loads the Map Editor using the mod.

Also, did you make sure to update the Number of System types at the head of the quadrant type to reflect the new number of system entries for that quadrant? That line is extremely important.

Vokell · #6 October 8th, 2003, 09:58 PM

Thanks that worked good. Now however, there is something wrong with the map editor. It keeps telling me when I want to edit the system that it's "Unable to insert a line" and then when the Edit System dialog pops up the Pysical Type is blank and I can't add anything to it.

Fyron · #7 October 9th, 2003, 01:01 AM

The map editor is a bit buggy.

If you are making random maps and then editing, it is best to start with a random map generated in SE4 itself, then saved, then opened in the Map Editor.