Moons ??

[alien2]

I've seen references to planets having moons on this site, but all I've ever encountered are what are described as "Tiny Planets" in the same orbit. Is that what people mean ??
If so, then maybe the description of them in the game needs altering.

Cheers.

[Suicide Junkie]

Is it really that critical? It would involve creating a whole new class of objects, and changing the system design files.

The end result of all that work, is an altered decription for moons. Not really worth the time & effort required.

On the other hand, if you're really want good descriptions, save the map, and edit the ones you don't like.

[alien2]

I take your point. It is not a major issue.

How would I go about editing a saved map ??
Forgive my ignorance but I've never tried this before.

[Suicide Junkie]

Assuming you've got a saved map already, look in your SE4 directory, and run "SE4MAP.EXE"

It's got a classic SE3 looking interface, and is pretty easy to figure out.
Just click a sector, and then the ADD/EDIT/DELETE button on the related window.

[Baron Munchausen]

Not that big a deal, but yes you could fix it by adding a new type 'moon' and making entries with descriptions more appropriate to a moon. Then use them in the systemtypes file and you've got what you want. Once you try to invent several dozen original descriptions for moons, though, you'll realize why MM's descriptions are so quirky. It's not easy to come up with many short, original descriptions

[alien2]

Thanks. In the Last few hours I've undertaken a crash course in map editing ! There are several things I would like to mention:

1) I added a solar system and noticed that you cannot play from an Earth starting point with finite resources enabled. I tried this and all my solar system planets had resources of minerals 1kt organics 0kt and radioactives 1kt. This is a shame as I enjoy the added realism of playing with finite resources.

2) I didn't dare delete any systems as I read in the archives of this forum that the planet names get re-distributed amongst the remaining systems which can of course cause problems. Does anyone know whether this particular issue has been fixed ??

3) Is there a Definitive guide anywhere to using the Map Editor ?? Some guidance from MM would have been appreciated.

4) I had to have Saturn as a Tiny planet just to get the rings displayed. It's a pity there are no graphics of the larger size planets with rings. Unless I'm wrong of course.

5) I set Earth as my starting point (Race number 1) then I added a moon in the same orbit. Funny thing was, when I commenced the game, my Terran Race Homeworld was the moon and not the Earth !? Very strange.

6) Can anyone shed light on using the Abilities text box in the editor ?? And also the Description Box and Value Boxes ??

Best wishes to all members

Cheers

[alien2]

PS
7) I posted the Last message before Baron Munchausen's reply appeared. I presume you are talking about editing the Text files ?
Alas, I'm not too confident about doing that either, but I guess I'll have to undertake another crash course

[Suicide Junkie]

1) You saved the map from a non-finite resources game. The value of "Earth was then set to 120/90/120 or something.
In finite resources games, those numbers become 1.2K/900/1.2K or something.

Create the map for a finite resources game, then save, and when adding/editing planets, you'll have to use HUGE value numbers.

2) You must delete all the objects inside the system first. Also delete both sides of warppoints leading in and out of the system. Then it should be OK.

3) Not that I know of, but there probably is at least some threads on it. Try the search function (near the post reply/thread buttons)

4) For rings, yeah. What you need to do is edit the PlanetTypes.txt, and make a large to huge world that uses the right picture.

5) TRY: Add the Moon first, then the Earth.
The moon should be small, and earth medium. (Medium can be a homeworld size)

6) Abilities.txt in the data folder will tell you about the abilities, and what the values mean. The description is totally up to you.
Be aware that not all abilities will work on all types of object, even if it would make sense, like "planet-shield generation" on a planet

7) Yep. That would be a data mod.
Do you know how to use the Path.txt to keep your original game and mod(s) separate?

[alien2]

Thanks for the advice. It's greatly appreciated.

In answer to 7)
No I don't know how to. I must admit that I get pretty anxious about messing around with the default files, although, ultimately I realise that I could re-install the game and install the latest patch again if need be.

Anyway, thanks once again.

[Suicide Junkie]

Here's what you do:

- Make a directory in the same place as you find SE4.exe. Call it "myMod" or something.
- If you ever feel like changing anything, copy the file, including its parent directories.
- When you want to play your mod, edit Path.txt, and change the one entry from "none" to "myMod"

Thats it.

Example of step 2:
Editing components.txt
Components.txt is in "SE4/Data/Components.txt"
So, create an "SE4/myMod/Data" directory and place a copy of components.txt inside.

Your mod directory should look identical to the directory where SE4.exe is, with perhaps a few less sub-directories and files.