new nation problem

Swan · #1 December 21st, 2009, 06:36 AM

i'm working on a new nation but when i try to test it i get this:
"cfh: can't open file".
i'm using windows 7, is this the problem?

elmokki · #2 December 21st, 2009, 08:40 AM

Windows 7 most definately isn't a problem in modding.

I doubt anyone can give you an answer easily without you posting the mod file here.

Swan · #3 December 21st, 2009, 09:32 AM

here there is the file

Sombre · #4 December 21st, 2009, 10:06 AM

I think you need another #end at the bottom of the file. This is just off the top of my head though, I haven't written a mod from scratch in ages, just based them off previous dms.

Fantomen · #5 December 21st, 2009, 11:14 AM

Could it be the .txt extension? Should be .dm right?

Sombre · #6 December 21st, 2009, 12:17 PM

Sure but I assume he converted to text for upload.

Swan · #7 December 21st, 2009, 02:00 PM

yes, i converted for upload.
i added #end, but i still get the error.
anyone else?

Stavis_L · #8 December 21st, 2009, 03:25 PM

Well, on the off chance that the error is meaningful, I'd say first of all make sure that all the files referenced in the mod (the .dm itself, and all the images) are a) not currently open in another program and b) in a location with the same security permissions at the main mods folder (by default they should be, assuming you created the subfolders by hand vs. eg. unzipping an archive or something.)

If that doesn't get rid of the error, I'd say next look for potential issues in the .DM file. I see that you've got some non-ASCII characters in it (e.g. line 25/26.) I've no idea what assumptions Dominions IIII's engine makes regarding text data, but it's something to try. Sombre already pointed out the missing #end command. Nothing else jumps out at me.

If nothing stands out, then a typical debugging approach is to try small bits of the program (and that's what the mod is, an extension to a program in DOM3's scripting language) to see if they work independently. Try making a "micro mod" that has just the bare bones - modname, description, and version. Once that's working, put in a little bit at a time of your actual mod to see if it works in isolation (obviously, you'll need to have anything it's dependent upon there as well, e.g. if your unit references a weapon number, both need to be there.)

Hopefully you should be able to isolate the problem area that way.

Foodstamp · #9 December 21st, 2009, 08:53 PM

I noticed you did not designate any start units assigned to the start commander. Also, some general game mechanic mod commands are contained in the nation, I think you misunderstood these to be nation modding commands.

They are:

#deathsupply 40
#nodeathsupply
#coldsupply 3
#coldincome 2
#unresthalffinc 25
#unresthalfres 50
#poppergold 75

Some of the above do not exist as modding commands period. Try commenting those out and assigning starting units (both types) to the start commander.

Swan · #10 December 22nd, 2009, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foodstamp

I noticed you did not designate any start units assigned to the start commander. Also, some general game mechanic mod commands are contained in the nation, I think you misunderstood these to be nation modding commands.

They are:

#deathsupply 40
#nodeathsupply
#coldsupply 3
#coldincome 2
#unresthalffinc 25
#unresthalfres 50
#poppergold 75

Some of the above do not exist as modding commands period. Try commenting those out and assigning starting units (both types) to the start commander.

This commands are in the mod manual, so they should be right. or these can be used only to modify existing nations?
and i wrote #startcom 2290 so these should not be the issue.
i'll try to eliminate the "£" symbol. <-- not the problem
i used copyspr, have i to put the already existing sprite in the venexia folder with other images?<-- yes i had to
problem fixed