The library and you--Read before uploading!

Some basic guidelines to getting your upload approved...

from Sins Forums
After the first few days of moderating the map and mod uploads, I'd like to give everyone some guidelines here to avoid rejections:

1) If you make a new version of your map/mod, please do not upload it as a new item. If you view the old one on the library, there should be an edit link on that page. Using that you can then update the existing entry. This also has the benefit of maintaining your download count and any comments other users have posted. As a side-note, please wait for the first one to be approved before uploading a new version!

Important exception: If your upload is rejected for some reason, please do upload the fixed version as a new item. The moderation system doesn't seem to have any easy way to see that an item that was *not* approved has been updated.

2) Please use an appropriate preview image. Ninety-nine percent of the time this will be an actual screenshot. For maps you can do this in the Galaxy Forge; for mods and replays it should be an in-game screenshot. Do not use random unrelated images you found on the internet. Preview images should ideally be at least 640x480 pixels in size so they can give a clear representation. If you've made a mod that is not easily represented by a screenshot, then at least make a simple logo or something.

3) Please make sure to give your files unique names if appropriate. For maps, you might try including your alias or initials in the .galaxy file's filename. Otherwise, players may end up with several different conflicting "Solar System" maps by different creators in their galaxy folders, for example.

4) This one should be obvious but please make sure it actually works before uploading it. We've had a couple of maps uploaded that crash the game on start, and some that instantly result in victory or defeat due to incorrectly configured teams or homeworlds.
modding faq support
43,095 views 9 replies | Pinned
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top

To add to this, as some have had issues with approval time: If you upload something, please post about it here or PM me to ensure prompt moderation. Due to the irregularity of upload frequency and the lack of an auto-notify function in the backend to ping a moderator when something is uploaded, it's easy to miss one if it's uploaded quietly.

Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top

This may sound dumb, but i've downloaded 4 maps and they all ended up in an instant Defeat/ Victory. I just thought that I unzipped the file into the wrong place. Mind you, I have just been guessing where to put them... Any help on where to unzip the folders would be greatly appreciated... Cheers

Elemental: Reforged
Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top

metchka791, the first question is which version of sins?

the second question is which windows?

assuming you have sins 1.16/entrenchment 1.02,  the galaxy forge maps NEED to be placed here for xp
C:\Documents and Settings\'user name'\Local Settings\Application Data\Ironclad Games\Sins of a Solar Empire\GalaxyForge

or here for vista/windows 7
C:\Users\'user name'\AppData\Local\Ironclad Games\Sins of a Solar Empire\GalaxyForge.

or sins versions BEFORE 1.16/entrenchment 1.02 the maps should be placed in the porgram files galaxy folder

NOTE the first two folders after the 'user name' are hidden , so to see them you must first click on 'tools' then 'folder options', then 'view', then click on 'show hidden files& folders' then click ok, then you will be able to browse your want to the folder. I suggest when you find the folder that you create a shortcut to it on the desktop

also the galaxy forge maps only show up in the galaxy forge tab of map types

and if a map you want to play was released before 25th feb 2009 then you will also neet the sins map updater from here

hope this helps

harpo

 

Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top

Yeah, all maps are tested to open without crashing and play without immediately dropped players/defeat/vicotry before approval (using the version of the game that is current at time of approval), so it's likely a version or folder issue.

Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top

prokonsul piotrus if you have  a map updater v2.00 or v2.01 just delete the targetsinsver.txt for earlier versions change the number 6 in the file to 7 and save it then it will run

harpo

 

Reply #8 from Sins Forums Top

I cant find where to put my mods, I have trinanty and windows 7, I have gone through and searched several times for the mod folder, with no luck. Any help would be greatly appriciated, also does it matter if it is thru impulse

Reply #9 from Sins Forums Top

joe_the_swed, here is the info you want

assuming you have sins 1.191/entrenchment 1.051/diplomacy 1.31(the current non-beta versions), AND your windows is installed on the 'C:' drive,  the Mods NEED to be placed here for  vista/windows 7
C:\Users\'user name'\AppData\Local\Ironclad Games\Sins of a Solar Empire\Mods-v1.191
C:\Users\'user name'\AppData\Local\Ironclad Games\Sins of a Solar Empire\Mods-Entrenchment v1.051
C:\Users\'user name'\AppData\Local\Ironclad Games\Sins of a Solar Empire\Mods-Diplomacy v1.31

NOTE the first two folders after the 'user name' are hidden , so to see them you must first click on 'tools' then 'folder options', then 'view', then click on 'show hidden files& folders' then click ok, then you will be able to browse your want to the folder. I suggest when you find the folder that you create a shortcut to it on the desktop

NOTE 2 the 'user name' in the above paths is your WINDOWS login user name, eg Administrator

and if the mod you want to use is from an EARLIER sins/entrenchment version place the mod in the mods folder FOR THAT version eg mods-entrenchment v1.03, then download and run my mods updater from the latest version archive which will have the same number as the vanilla sins version number, and AFTER updating the mod(s) to the current version for any mods of pre 1.04 entrenchment ALSO run the manifest maker on ENTITY manifests on EACH of the mods EXCEPT for total conversion mods

harpo