HawaiiFive-O HawaiiFive-O

GalCiv Writer

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GalCiv Writer

from Stardock Forums
A beta version of my Event Writer program is now available for any hardy souls who'd like to give it a try.

You can find a screenshot here:
http://www.ctuit.com/bill/galciveventwriter.jpg

You can find the instructions file here:
http://www.ctuit.com/bill/EventsInstructions.txt

This program has *not* been put through vigorous stress testing, so I do not recommend you install it without knowing what you are getting into. It will make several backups of the .event files in case something goes awry, but if you are not comfortable finding/renaming files on your hard drive, I highly recommend you stay away for the time being. In addition, as mentioned, this program is in a fairly untested state, so if this makes you nervous, stay away as well. I can confirm that GalCiv will load my modified event files, and fire off the events, so all seems well, but I only tested it on 4 machines that might not be representative of the general population (Win98, Win98SE, Win2000, WinXP, that's the extend of my testing facilities at work ;p ) Proceed at your own risk.

If you are interested in beta'ing this program, please contact me at:
[email protected]
and I will e-mail you a self extracting zip program with the install package. It is 1.7 megs, so if you are on dialup you'll have to be patient.

Future updates will be available via http download.

I moved the Events onto a separate form at the last minute, in anticipation of *maybe* adding more editing screens for techs, UP issues, SB modules and the like (no promises!), so in order to get to the events you have to select Edit>>Events.

The install package will add a program group, the default installation location is C:\GalCivWriter.

Please post here with any questions, comments, and feature requests.

Thanks!
26,774 views 272 replies | Pinned
Reply #77 from Stardock Forums Top
Event: Do I purchase expensive PCX Viewer for free software I am slaving to produce for limited acclaim?

[GoodOption:] Yes, The modding public is my primary concern and if a PCX Viewer will help them make more Modding Goodness then I'm willing to starve for a week... [Modifiers:] +15 Forum Morale, -$200 Grocery Budget.

[NeutralOption:] Post links on forum to inexpensive PCX Viewers that users can integrate into your program themselves. [Modifiers:] -5 Forum Morale.

[EvilOption:] No, Exploit the goodwill of modding forum users and convince them to buy an expensive PCX viewer License for YOU that you can control and use for other purposes, then finally resell for pure profit. (Muahahahaha) [Modifiers:] -20 Morale, +200 Grocery Budget.

You Da Man, HawaiiFive-0! :) (You play Pure Good man?)

~SDC~
Multiplicity - Control multiple PCs using one keyboard and mouse
Reply #78 from Stardock Forums Top
*blush*, it's not that big a deal. My company picked up the tab (I'm a partner, so I guess it's sort of my money in a way, but not really). And I've already used it for one of our programs we use in-house, so it's dual-use.

But thanks for the kind words. :)

And 4D, I always play Good. It's a rut I'm in, but it's such a comfortable rut...

I sent out the latest beta version a little bit ago, this one has the new viewer in it. I'm actually quite nervous about this build, it's a new piece of software for me (the viewer, that is), and I hope it proves compatible with your machines. None of my testing machines had problems but you never know.

If you are a beta tester, and if you've installed this new version, please take a moment to post here and let me know how its working out for you.

Thanks!

~SDC~
Reply #79 from Stardock Forums Top
I unpacked the GVBox.ocx into my GalCiv Writer folder and started the Writer, and it showed the images. Then I relized I did it wrong and I was suppose to also use the Run command to register it. So I don't know why it showed when I skip some steps.
Also, when using the Run command I had to use this:
regsvr32 "Path that the file is"
You have to use the quotes or it will say it failed, or at least it did on mine. Any comments.
Reply #80 from Stardock Forums Top
First thing: Yes, depending on service packs/OS patches you have on your machine, Microsoft attempted to combat "DLL Hell" by making executables smart enough to use a dll/ocx unregistered provided it is in the same path as the executable. But I couldn't be sure just dropping it in would work for everyone, so I included the instructions.

Second thing: Was there a space in the path? My bad, I should have mentioned that if there's a space in the path you should surround the path in quotes. 'Course even if there is no space, the quotes don't hurt, so I should have just included quotes in my example. Sorry about that.

Anyhoo, how's it working?

~SDC~
Reply #81 from Stardock Forums Top
Hawaii5O:

You used GVBox? I liked csXImage. It was a bit more user-friendly. :) Just personal prefs... GVBox worked really well, too.

Bill

~SDC~
Reply #82 from Stardock Forums Top
It was the license pricing that was the difference. GVBox = unlimited runtime distribution. csXImage = charge for runtime licensing.

Both do the job, but GVBox was more affordable.

~SDC~
Reply #83 from Stardock Forums Top
Well, I hadn't registered either one, yet. I had forgotten about licensing. That would definitely be a factor in my final decision.

Bill

~SDC~
Reply #85 from Stardock Forums Top
I have played around with your excellent writer. It seems to work like a champ. My event ideas are not quite to good though. How about an event idea prompt with suggestions? No I guess not! Seriously, your program allows me to just concentrate on making the mod. Not worrying about the format etc. Just fill in the fields save it off and your done. :p :d

~SDC~
Reply #86 from Stardock Forums Top
Yes, the best applications fade into the background and let you work on your project. :)

Bill

~SDC~
Reply #87 from Stardock Forums Top
I have been testing this program throroughly, and have yet to get an error... but then again, I have yet to have one of my events come up in any of my games! hehe

~SDC~
Reply #88 from Stardock Forums Top
I have created a simple GalCiv Writer home page, where the proggy is now available for public download.

You can find it at:
http://www.ctuit.com/bill/galciv.htm

Though it is now released to the public, development will continue. I intend to release beta versions to the beta testers as new editing screens come on-line. For instance, I'm currently working on SB Modules. Once I've got that to a point where it's ready for testing, it will go out to the beta testers. After fixing any problems they find, I'll post an update for public download.

If anyone has any feedback about the Writer, feel free to post it here.

Thanks!

~SDC~
Reply #89 from Stardock Forums Top
Hawaii5O:

Congrats on getting the writer to the point where you feel comfortable releasing it. It's a lot of hard work!

Bill

~SDC~
Reply #91 from Stardock Forums Top
The SB Module Edit screen is shaping up nicely.

Here's a sneak peek:
http://www.ctuit.com/bill/SBModules.jpg

Unfortunately, in order to continue work, I've got to parse out the Tech files (so you can assign Tech dependencies), BUT the Tech files don't obey the one line of text per Key/Value pair rule the other files do (the Tech Description supports line break characters within the text). So my current parsing routine won't work. Oh well, certainly not insurmountable, just going to slow me down a bit.

~SDC~
Reply #92 from Stardock Forums Top
I just installed the GalCiv Writer. Excellent app. I hope they add a link to the Encyclopedia > Fansites page. It's certainly worthy of it.

~SDC~
Reply #93 from Stardock Forums Top
Or a link to that failed precursor experiment that you had. ;)

Bill

~SDC~
Reply #94 from Stardock Forums Top
Just released the next version to the beta testers.

v.1.0.1 adds the Edit SB Module screen. Here's what it looks like:
http://www.ctuit.com/bill/sbmodules.jpg

I also added the option to Sort By Type for Events and UP Issues as well.

I'll work on Techs next, but I won't work on the Writer any more this weekend (barring any disruptive bugs found by the beta testers).

~SDC~
Reply #95 from Stardock Forums Top
HF-0... Have you read the comments by Brad on the coming expansion pack??

Linked Events sound very cool. You might be re-writing the 'writer' after that release. I wonder if 'linked events' will make use of the 'probability' option that is currently set only to 100%?



~SDC~
Reply #96 from Stardock Forums Top
It's my hope that they are going to expose the 3rd type of event, the "Story-line" event to the modders.

It'd be great if I'm rewriting the GCW after the expansion pack comes out, that means they've expanded the options and gave us more to play with.

I'm pushing to get all the basic files done before the expansion pack comes out.

~SDC~
Reply #97 from Stardock Forums Top
Congratulations, HawaiiFive-O. Frogboy posted a link to the GalCiv Writer on the front page of galciv.com.

~SDC~
Reply #98 from Stardock Forums Top
Thanks! I made the front page. :)

It's nice to be recognized. This project has taken on a life of its own. To think, I thought I'd get away with just the Events portion of it.

Tech editing closing in on completion:
http://www.ctuit.com/bill/Techs.jpg

Still have Ships, Anomalies, Improvements, Invasion Tactics, and Political Parties to go. After that, I actually get to play the game ;p .

~SDC~
Reply #99 from Stardock Forums Top
I just made my first SB Module, no problems with the program. It will be under ships in the library if an one wants to try it out.

@ H-50: Do you think you can work on the ship editor after you finish up the tech editor? Speaking of which, I'm thinking of recreating a lot of the techs in Alien Crossfire for GalCiv do you think Firaxis would have a problem with that?

~SDC~
Reply #100 from Stardock Forums Top
Only if you were making money off it would it be a problem. Otherwise there is not a problem. I used to be a beta tester for Firaxis, I helped a team of mod designers make mods for the expansion pack as well as test patches. They told us that because they are selling the XP no copyrighted material could be included. I would love to see that if you do, and I was thinking of adding the Aliens or one of them as well. I used to love SMAC/SMACX was hoping for a sequel but GC is better in many ways. :d

~SDC~