Combining TDM Modpack and Imagemod mod

[Rex_the_Hex]

Combining TDM-Modpack and Imagemodmod...

I am trying to figure out how to do this. It appears that the imagemod consists of 4 downloads, combat, components, facilities and planets. I am trying to figure out how this all works. Looking at the one for facilites, I see many facil_xxx.bmp files. Then looking at my install of SEIV I can see a bunch of facil_xxx.bmp in there, so I assume I just add the new facil_xxx.bmp files to there. Hopefully the other three files have bmps files in them as well that I can figure out where to add them. It also appears that there are just one set of images for these, that are not effected my the mod you are playing.

Now, I would assume we need to let the game know about these new bmp files we have. I think that is where imagemodmod comes in. imagemodmod has a data folder and inside of that folder are a bunch of text files. I also see two data folders in my SEIV install. One is under the Space Empire IV Gold directory and the other is under the TDM-ModPack directory. All three of these data folders seem to contain the same .txt files. Well, files with the same names, but I am sure the contents of the files differ between the three folders. I checked the ones called facility.txt and they seem to be the same except for the Pic Num, which is encouraging.

So, what do I do with the .txt files in the imagemodmod data directory to get the new images in my TDM-MODPack mod, without otherwise changing the TDM-Modpack mod? I bet I need to replace/edit some of the .txt files in the data folder of the TDM-ModPack directory.

Wheh, did that make any sense? Is there an automated way to do this or no?

Thanks.

[Krsqk]

The TDM-Modpack does not alter any of the data files which require pictures (components, facilities, sectortypes, etc). You should be able to copy the imagemodmod files into the directory and overwrite the existing files. I would take the larger of the formations, colonytypes, and strategies files--TDM changes these (I think), and the larger file should incorporate the TDM changes.

[Suicide Junkie]

Install the imagemod normally.
(extract all the images to c:\programs\SE4\pictures\components for the componentpack, similarly with facilities, combat, and planets)

Now, you can either copy the whole TDM folder or just overwrite the TDM files with:
- components.txt
- facilities.txt

I think that may be all you need to have from the imagemodmod.

[Rex_the_Hex]

Right, those are the only two .txt files that were different.

But, when I try to view a Research Center II, it is asking for facil_242.bmp, but the image pack only goes up to facil_241. I got the new Mineral Miner image and others, but that Research Center II Pic Num is wrong as there is no facil_242.bmp.

Also, for the components.txt all it seemed to change was the "Weapon Display" field, which I am guessing changes what it looks like when it fires. It did not change the "Pic Num", so it is not using any of the new component images. Is that right? If so, how do I get the new component images?

Thanks

Oh, what .txt files need to be changed to get the extra planet pics?

[ May 15, 2003, 16:29: Message edited by: Rex_the_Hex ]

[Suicide Junkie]

The components you install on ships are pretty well represented already... I don't think I changed many of them.

The weapon animations are the major change to components.txt

As for #242...
Looks like you found a problem.
The full v9 is missing ten portraits I'll have to fix that tonight.

In the meantime, just grab the v8 to v9 patch and install that overtop to get the missing images.

[Rex_the_Hex]

It looks line Replicant Center I is also messed up as it is requesting Facil_260.bmp and the Last facil_xxx.bmp file that I have is facil_241.bmp.

I assume I will need new facil_xxx.bmp files and a new Facility.bmp but that I won't need a new facility.txt.

When you get the fixes in, will they be available on all the download sites?

Thanks.

I think I see the problem. The Shrapnel Games site only has v1.8 of the facilities stuff. The SJ mirror site has v1.9. It also has that v1.8 to v1.9 upgrade. I will download that upgrade and see if that fixes me up.

Well, that fixed part of it, but it is calling for facil_242.bmp, but the file is named facil_0242.bmp. It looks like you dropped the leading 0 in the number in file name it files atfer 241. I will just go and rename that file, removing the 0.... K, now it is happy.

[ May 16, 2003, 11:14: Message edited by: Rex_the_Hex ]