Changes concerning modding in Entrenchment

from Sins Forums

So modding and hardcodes has been a rather hot issue recently, and I figured why not start a thread to detail all the modding-related changes Entrenchment can bring. Anyone's welcome to add to the list as you notice things.

What I noticed:

- The new cap for number of squadrons on carriers is now 4.

- Ships can now have 5 abilities. Capitals still have the upgrade button on the UI that covers up the slot, but all the other ships are fair game.

- Research can change ship/building mesh appearance. Each entity file now has a listing of its mesh stages and what triggers them. Ships/turrets can use RESEARCHSUBJECTs, and Starbase entities can use their own upgrade triggers.

- Weapons can now be tied to research for unlocking purposes. For example you can have a ship with 2 weapons, but until you research a specific tech only one weapon can fire.

modding
200,615 views 88 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top



- It looks like carriers are no longer capped to 2 types of strike craft. The Advent carrier gets an upgrade to allow it to build a *third* squadron that acts as mobile mines.

If that's true, then this is definitely good news. :D

Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top

Starbase upgrades and abilities should have a few interesting uses.

 

:fox:

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Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top

Yeah, I'm not sure I get the starbase entity yet, but it looks like a ship to me, but has how many abilities + it can build ships and have squadrons. Not to mention it can work as a trade port.

 

I haven't been able to use all the abilities yet, but does the one upgrade allow it to have population?

 

If so, this looks like it can combine ships with buildings and possibly planets!  Really coold cool (edit, i guess the cold here is affecting my brain! -25!).  We could now make traveling trade ports for instance.

Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top

Where did you get the game info data in the text file for entrenchemnt mine in a bin file.

I tried to convertdata with the command "for /r c:\GameInfo %a in (*.entity) do convertdata entity %a %a txt" after copying the gameinfo folder to C; and copying convertdata.exe and it's Dll file. but I get a runtime error.

 

Help

Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top

@Anna - I think a thread for hardcoded changes only is exactly what is needed. Ahhh.... Sadly I guess I have to give you yet more karma. This is especially so if you are going to actively maintain it.

Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting Jackian, reply 4
Where did you get the game info data in the text file for entrenchemnt mine in a bin file.

I tried to convertdata with the command "for /r c:\GameInfo %a in (*.entity) do convertdata entity %a %a txt" after copying the gameinfo folder to C; and copying convertdata.exe and it's Dll file. but I get a runtime error.

 

Help

We can't convert Entrenchment files yet, the convertdata we have is for 1.1 :P

I'm just going by in-game observations, since I can't peek into the files :(

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Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top

- Research (at least) can change mesh appearance it looks like? (upgrading turrets/starbases)

 

:)  This looks very very interesting!!  I havent had a chance to get the upgrade to Entrenchment yet, but from what it sounds like you are saying is that the visual appearance of the ships change with research upgrades? If that is correct, then that is wonderful news!!  We are getting different appearing ships with each upgrade, so a glance at the battlefield should be able to tell us approximately what level the ship is.  :)  This is Great!! 

Thank you as always Annatar11,

:)

-Teal

 

Reply #8 from Sins Forums Top

TEAL IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK

 

YOUPI!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 5* 5* 5* 5* 5* 5* 5* 5* 5* 5* 5* 5* 5* 5* 5* 5* 5* 5* 5* :grin:  

Reply #9 from Sins Forums Top

BTW Teal if you could send me your e-mail (msn) adress through PM, I would grately appreciate it! We have muchto discuss!!!

 

Justin S.

Reply #10 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting ShadowMastiff2468, reply 9
BTW Teal if you could send me your e-mail (msn) adress through PM, I would grately appreciate it! We have muchto discuss!!!

 

Justin S.

 

Wow, i am like flattered with all the stars and stuff!!  Thank you!!

:)

 

Haha, missed everyone, been busy with family and christmas coming, think i got on the computer twice in two weeks, haha. Boy was that a new one!  Anyway, sure, np, Hello ShadowMastif!!   Hello Annatar!!

Good to see/hear/read everyone haha, something like that,

Keep modding!!

-Teal

 

Reply #11 from Sins Forums Top

- Research (at least) can change mesh appearance it looks like? (upgrading turrets/starbases)

I'm curious as to how this was implemented. Given that one might need to support different combinations of upgrades, is it using submodels that get switched on/off, or separate models for each part altogether?

Reply #12 from Sins Forums Top

T..T...TEALQ!!!!! wooohooooo

 

Glad to see you back.

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Reply #13 from Sins Forums Top

I'm curious as to how this was implemented. Given that one might need to support different combinations of upgrades, is it using submodels that get switched on/off, or separate models for each part altogether?

No clue. Can't read the files yet :P

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Reply #14 from Sins Forums Top

I know I know, just idle curiosity, as it were ^^

Reply #15 from Sins Forums Top

V1.12 provides a different ConvertData.exe file in the sins install directory than the one provided by forge tools v1.1

Have you attempted to use this ConvertData.exe? It is a newer build than the one in forge tools.

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Reply #16 from Sins Forums Top

That actually works -- just tried it. Good spot! :D  

 

You can now build up to 4 types of fighters / entity.

Reply #17 from Sins Forums Top

Interesting, I didn't know the 1.12 convertdata was different, and never would've guessed it can work on Entrenchment files. I'll have to peek at some starbase entities tonight. Thanks!

Reply #18 from Sins Forums Top

Oh cool! Will have to try this out tonight.

Reply #19 from Sins Forums Top

I used the convertdata.exe that is located in the stardock games folder from the new entrenchment download.

Reply #20 from Sins Forums Top

the biggest question in my mind about entrenchment editing is how will a mod work between entrenchment and non-entrenchment clients. for example, is vanilla going to get patched to support 4 fighters per entity, but not have the content? is there going to have to be two seperate mod sets one with 2 and one with 4? or is it going to just pick the first two entries and ignroe the rest.

Reply #21 from Sins Forums Top

Im not sure how to use the convertdata can someone elaborate please?

Reply #22 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting Tkins, reply 12
T..T...TEALQ!!!!! wooohooooo

 

Glad to see you back.

 

Hiiiiiii Tkins!!!!   Good to see you too, thanks for the wonderful welcome back!!  <blush>

Its wonderful to see everyone!! 

<sorry to disrupt the thread>

-Teal

 

Reply #23 from Sins Forums Top

How do you use it...convertdata...on my pc (vista)! Ive set it in my main soase directory with develloper and all other thingies but wont load!

Had this problem with all previous versions, it just blinks on and off :(!

Someone please explain a detailed layout of how to make this work :(!

 

THANK YOU IMMENSELY!

Justin S.

Reply #24 from Sins Forums Top

V1.12 provides a different ConvertData.exe file in the sins install directory than the one provided by forge tools v1.1

Have you attempted to use this ConvertData.exe? It is a newer build than the one in forge tools.
Yer a genius!

 

To all wanting to know how to use it: https://forums.sinsofasolarempire.com/320363: Reply 2.

 

:fox:

Reply #25 from Sins Forums Top

You, Kitkun, Please explain how to use ConvertData to make binary into txt.

 

PLEASE!

 

EDIT

 

Thank you Very Much, Kitkun