making your own sector?

[Sim108]

how can you make your own sector i alrealdy have doubleshadow's software (v2.0 and v0.02). i added a sector and saved it in all of the .cat files under the map folder. but it still didnt work.
what am i missing?
i have TC 2.5.

oh and does anyone know how to add maries to an custom M2?

[Lord Dakier]

There's much more work than that. You need to go into the T folder and name it aswell as saving all your data as a mod and then selecting custom start if I am correct.

[Sim108]

thanks lord dakier. when you say into a mod, do you mean in a .cat file? and there is no way i can add a sector in the current save game?

[Sam L.R. Griffiths]

thanks lord dakier. when you say into a mod, do you mean in a .cat file? and there is no way i can add a sector in the current save game?

As Egosoft have already done so with the Aldrin missions I would think there is a way to do so. Perhaps looking at how they do it in the mission scripts would give you some ideas?

[vukica]

thanks lord dakier. when you say into a mod, do you mean in a .cat file? and there is no way i can add a sector in the current save game?

Yes, probably in a .cat file...

Try and see what happens

[Argonaught.]

Take a look at the DDTC mod. It has one sector I know of that they created called:

Spoiler

Show

Terran Sector X

Maybe by looking at how they put it together in the mod you'll be able to figure it out.

HTH.

Argo.

[imperium3]

I believe DDTC added their new sector using the galaxy editor, which only warks if you start a new game (you have to for that mod anyway).

OTOH it is possible to create sectors in an existing game with the mission director. Be warned, MD logic is strange and convoluted, and I never got my head round it.

[Sim108]

god! programing does my head in! (it a way of say headach)

i have done it.. what i did wrong was the ids. the my sector and object was the same as the other sectors and/or objects in the file. and you must start a new game.

but now i have a problem with starting a new game. i think it is the new Plugin Manager 1.20 beta 2 witch i installed today.

thank for your help guys

oh btw does anyone know how to add marines into a custom M2?

[Ketraar]

I believe DDTC added their new sector using the galaxy editor, which only warks if you start a new game (you have to for that mod anyway).

You coulnd't be more wrong, sorry.

You can do:
a) create your sector in a custom map file and load that map file using MD's command load_map at ANY given time in your current save. How to create a sector using X3 Editors is explained in various tutorials, have a look in stickies.
Note though that once loaded objects can't just be "unloaded", they need to be destroyed if you want them removed.

b) Add a sector to existing map by just using MD comands, add_map, alter_sector and the various create_planet/sun/ect..

I prefer version a) as its simpler and cleaner.

Note also that for the sector to show in the ingame map it will have to be added to 00749.bod, alternativly use SunBlades bod (listed in the sticky)

MFG

Ketraar

[Sim108]

create your sector in a custom map file and load that map file using MD's command load_map at ANY given time in your current save.

what do you mean by "MD's command load_map"?

and there no stickies telling you how you can load a map into a save game file.

[Ketraar]

I just posted this code here

MFG

Ketraar

[Sim108]

ok.. i think i understand. i saw on an other post explaining how to spawn a ship. at the end it said that you should add a cancel cue so it will happen only once. and what should i do about the gate on the other side? i mean how do i create it with over writing that sector.

this is the sector i want to create

Code: Select all

<o t="1" s="" id="9000" r="10" x="14" y="4" m="8503" size="20000000" p="1247631758" qtrade="100" qfight="100" qbuild="100" qthink="100">
		<o t="2" s="0"/>
		<o t="3" s="0" x="267736000" y="31627000" z="181050000" a="0" b="0" g="0" color="16769719"/>
		<o t="4" s="SS_PL3" x="-76201500" y="-32710000" z="-176205000" a="0" b="0" g="0"/>
		<o id="9002" t="17" s="1" x="-16000000" y="-6250000" z="-7500000" a="0" b="0" g="0" atype="0" aamount="57"/>
		<o id="9003" t="17" s="2" x="-20000000" y="-7125000" z="-10000000" a="0" b="0" g="0" atype="1" aamount="57"/>
		<o id="9004" t="17" s="1" x="-18000000" y="-8000000" z="-8500000" a="0" b="0" g="0" atype="0" aamount="57"/>
		<o id="9005" t="17" s="2" x="-19260000" y="-6500000" z="-7273500" a="0" b="0" g="0" atype="1" aamount="57"/>
		<o id="9001" t="18" s="SS_WG_WEST" x="-17500000" y="0" z="0" a="0" b="0" g="0" gid="2" gx="13" gy="4" gtid="3"/>
	</o>

as you can see it is east of "heretic's end" witch i calling it "heretic's reach". i now i need to add a gate east of heretic's end.
how? should i just copy and past heretic's end sector into mymap.xml aswell?

[Ketraar]

should i just copy and past heretic's end sector into mymap.xml aswell?

Nooo... do all but that!

You add a EMPTY sector at the same spot as Heretics End and JUST put there the gate which you want added to Heretics End (or any other objects you want ADDED)

Once the map is loaded it will ADD all objects to the existing ones in Heretics End and you will have the new gate there leading to your new sector.

MFG

Ketraar

[Sim108]

so all i need do to is

Code: Select all

<universe>
<o id="290" t="1" x="13" y="4" r="18" size="15000000" m="8206" p="-1" qtrade="100" qfight="100" qbuild="100" qthink="100">

for heretic's end

Code: Select all

<o t="18" s="3" x="25000000" y="0" z="0" a="0" b="0" g="0" gid="3" gx="14" gy="4" gtid="2" id="8999"/>
</o>
</universe>

and this for the east gate

[imperium3]

I believe DDTC added their new sector using the galaxy editor, which only warks if you start a new game (you have to for that mod anyway).

You coulnd't be more wrong, sorry.

You can do:
a) create your sector in a custom map file and load that map file using MD's command load_map at ANY given time in your current save. How to create a sector using X3 Editors is explained in various tutorials, have a look in stickies.
Note though that once loaded objects can't just be "unloaded", they need to be destroyed if you want them removed.

b) Add a sector to existing map by just using MD comands, add_map, alter_sector and the various create_planet/sun/ect..

I prefer version a) as its simpler and cleaner.

Note also that for the sector to show in the ingame map it will have to be added to 00749.bod, alternativly use SunBlades bod (listed in the sticky)

MFG

Ketraar

Oh, wow, thanks Ketraar. It seems that the MD is much more powerful than I thought (more useful than the script editor too, though perhaps less flexible). Is it possible to use this to change the properties of a sector itself, ie to change background music? From what you say below I guess not, but it seems worth asking.

PS Out of curiosity what do you mean by MFG (which I note you normally end your posts with)? Message From God? Seems like something LV would do...

[Ketraar]

@Sim108
Exactly, just for the gate in Heretics End, you also can (read should) put your new sector in that map file too, unless you want to load it in a separate map file.

Is it possible to use this to change the properties of a sector itself, ie to change background music?

Sure, use command alter_sector

Code: Select all

<alter_sector population="" x="" y="" music="" security="" background="" size=""/>

population="" this should be obvious
x="" y="" sector coordinates for the sector that is to be altered
music="" sector music ID (iirc 0 = random)
security="" sector security (border/core)

If you want to complicate the hell out of things you can take an existing sector, destroy its planets, sun, etc.. and add different ones by using the create_planet, create_sun, etc... commands and have a sector change just for fun

Anyway, if you take a sec to have a look at MD files and/or the director.xsd (open it IE) you will find several nice features where you can misuse the MD for some really hardcore changes to the game "on the fly".

I'm currently coding the appearance of random (yeah you read right, random!) sectors for New Dimensions, in theory a completely random universe is possible, just Jobs are PITA, but that's a different discussion for a later time in a different topic.

PS Out of curiosity what do you mean by MFG (which I note you normally end your posts with)? Message From God? Seems like something LV would do...

hehe, no nothing like that, it means "Mit Freundlichen Grüssen".

MFG

Ketraar

EDIT:

@Sim108
I made an example code for the map file. Note that the values for Heretics End are exactly the same and there is only a line for the gate.

For your new sector you can edit it as usual and add the stuff you feel is to be there, here I just put the gate which conects to Heretics End.

Code: Select all

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<universe xmlns="XUNIVERS.xsd" id="2">
  <!-- Heretics End -->
  <o t="1" x="13" y="4" r="18" size="15000000" m="8206" p="-1" qtrade="100" qfight="100" qbuild="100" qthink="100">
    <o t="18" s="SS_WG_WEST" r="1" x="-24561402" y="0" z="350877" a="0" b="0" g="0" gid="0" gx="12" gy="4" gtid="0"/>
  </o>
  <!-- New sector-->
  <o t="1" s="" r="1" x="12" y="4" color="0" ff="0" fc="0" fn="0">
    <o t="2" s="0"/><o t="18" s="SS_WG_EAST" r="1" x="24912280" y="0" z="350877" a="0" b="0" g="0" gid="0" gx="13" gy="4" gtid="0"/>
  </o>
</universe>

Also note that the sector only will be displayed ingame if it was added to the 00749.bod. I suggest to use Square Galaxy Map by SunBlade Which has already all secors in bod.

[Sim108]

interesting...
i see. ill give it a try now.
oh i have also notice that you wrote "XUNIVERSE.xsd" in big. if im not mistaken that is the name given to the film name, witch must be the same. right?

Also note that the sector only will be displayed ingame if it was added to the 00749.bod. I suggest to use Square Galaxy Map by SunBlade Which has already all secors in bod.

this site seem to be down atm. ill try tomorrow..

thank Ketraar

[Sim108]

i have another problem. im testing out my new sector but every time i come out of the gate and into my new sector, i blow up.. and i dont know why...

edit - never mind.. i found out what was the problem.

[Ketraar]

this site seem to be down atm. ill try tomorrow..

I've PMed SunBlade offering a DL mirror, lets see what happens.

Regarding the exploding, you had a Planet too close to the sector centre

Let us know if its working for you.

MFG

Ketraar

[Sim108]

let me know what sunblade said. and where is it uploaded..

yea.. i did have the planet to close. i didnt know it was a BIG planet.
and i couldnt get that file work (MD file). it is SOO confusing
so i started again..........
oh and in the new game, i cant see my sector in the universe map (ingame map). my sector is there.. i can get in it, and put things there.. but i just cant see it...

thank for you help Ketraar