Attention: Any Successful Mac Modders Out There?

[vkerinav]

By "can't find the cheat package", I mean the "CheatCollectionPackageAP-V1.62-18.12.2011.spk" file does not appear when I navigate to the desktop in the Open File Dialog. And yes, I did place the Cheat Package on desktop.

And where is the "Install Package" button located? I see only seven buttons. They are:

1. 'Up Arrow' for moving up the directory/folder
2. Desktop icon - when I click it, takes me to my desktop
3. It looks like blue folder icon with a yellow star/asterisk. Not sure what it does. I click it and nothing happens.
4. & 5. Alters the way the files are listed in the Plugin Manager's Open File Dialog Brief vs Verbose
6. "Open" button near the lower right corner of the Open File Dialog
7. "Cancel" button just below the "Open" button.


For some reason, "CheatCollectionPackageAP-V1.62-18.12.2011.spk" file is not displayed in the Open File Dialog.

Install package isn't on the file browser, it's on the Plugin Manager. Lower left. If you're not seeing .spk files, even on the desktop, its possible you've chosen 'install Archive' instead.

[vkerinav]

the App Store version is the only one that trick won't work for.

Oh, "Show in Finder" doesn't work for the App Store version? Obviously, I don't have it to test. Thanks for giving him the full path.

It does. What you're basically doing is using a running application, listed in the dock--the OS X version of the Windows Toolbar--to locate that application in the file system. This works fine as far as it goes. The trouble is that the versions this worked for had their Data folder alongside the .app(Mac .exe, bascially). With the App Store version, the data folder is inside X3AP.app.

[Andrew Wilde]

If I were doing it, I would try Wineskin before Crossover -- simply because it is free. If you were going to invest money into the project, then a copy of Windows would probably be a better investment. But suit yourself.

Just for info, X3 Editor 2 runs perfectly within Crossover (at least under 10.7.4), and @ £25/$40 for cheapest option is way less than a new copy of Windoze - which would also require the hassle and space for a separate disk partition for Bootcamp (or the extra cost of Parallels or Fusion). I still might have tried Bootcamp, but the latest version won't accept a Windows install from anything earlier than XP with SP3 pre embedded (firmware/driver mismatch I suppose), and the version I already own is much older. And Crossover's also set up to easily download and install the relevant .Net frameworks etc, which is a real boon.

I'm playing TC not AP, so don't know about AP's folder structures; but found using X3 Editor 2 to get at TC's DAT files a doddle (For some reason, the Hub plot wouldn't trigger in my current game, so I thought I'd have a look at the relevant Mission Director files to see if I could work out why - not sure I did, really, but simply changed a line or 2 to make the Hub plot run unconditionally, job done).

Haven't actually bought Crossover yet, I got all I needed well within the trial period; but if I need it again, I will purchase, I'm very impressed with it.

And yes, I'll admit I was too lazy to try 'Wineskin'ing X3 Editor myself for free, but I've a suspicion that'd end up being much more time-consuming (happy to have someone tell me I'm wrong )

(I do not work for Crossover or any of it's associates btw, )

[Lemant]

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Here are my two thousand words in pictorial form that basically explains the problem I am experiencing:

Fig 1

Fig 2

Please observe those two screenshots carefully before you advise.

If I were doing it, I would try Wineskin before Crossover -- simply because it is free. If you were going to invest money into the project, then a copy of Windows would probably be a better investment. But suit yourself.

Just for info, X3 Editor 2 runs perfectly within Crossover (at least under 10.7.4), and @ £25/$40 for cheapest option is way less than a new copy of Windoze - which would also require the hassle and space for a separate disk partition for Bootcamp (or the extra cost of Parallels or Fusion). I still might have tried Bootcamp, but the latest version won't accept a Windows install from anything earlier than XP with SP3 pre embedded (firmware/driver mismatch I suppose), and the version I already own is much older. And Crossover's also set up to easily download and install the relevant .Net frameworks etc, which is a real boon.

I'm playing TC not AP, so don't know about AP's folder structures; but found using X3 Editor 2 to get at TC's DAT files a doddle (For some reason, the Hub plot wouldn't trigger in my current game, so I thought I'd have a look at the relevant Mission Director files to see if I could work out why - not sure I did, really, but simply changed a line or 2 to make the Hub plot run unconditionally, job done).

Haven't actually bought Crossover yet, I got all I needed well within the trial period; but if I need it again, I will purchase, I'm very impressed with it.

And yes, I'll admit I was too lazy to try 'Wineskin'ing X3 Editor myself for free, but I've a suspicion that'd end up being much more time-consuming (happy to have someone tell me I'm wrong )

(I do not work for Crossover or any of it's associates btw, )

I suspect there would have to be a very good reason for the $60 charge. If those $60 will end up saving me a lot of headache in the long run, then it's probably worth the cost. I will look into purchasing one for myself AFTER I get through this hurdle of loading the TShips.txt file which is about as difficult as an open heart surgery.

[DrBullwinkle]

Good idea to post the screenshots, Lemant.

You have not completed installing the Plugin Manager yet. The reason you cannot see the Cheat Package is because the Open File Dialog is looking for the "X-Universe executable", which is X3AP.exe.

You will have to copy the dummy X3AP.exe from the Plugin Manager folder into your app's data folder... Follow the instructions in the first post of the Plugin Manager for Mac thread in order to complete the installation.

[Andrew Wilde]

DrBullWinkle's correct Lemant (where DO people get these login names from ! ), X Plugin Manager needs a dummy x3tc/ap.exe in the relevant Mac X3 Data folder in order to have a folder path to all your game's installed data files and folders (espec the Script and T folders, for installing script packages). The reason you can't see the Cheat Package file is because the quasi Windoze 'Open' dialog is restricting it's display to 'X-Universe Executable' file types only - i.e. it's looking for the 'exe' file; as with Mac, all folders are displayed in open dialogs regardless of file type restrictions however.

The Wineskin wrap of Plugin Manager is working well for me for script installs, once it knows where your game data is - haven't tried any mods as yet though.

[apricotslice]

Oo oo oo.

(dont worry, just reflux).

Love the screen shots.

Ok, I missed the answer given although it was correct, but in theory, double clicking the spk on the left hand side should have run the the plugin manager program anyway, and you should be able to set that up if it doesnt.

What I would like you to do having seen you can, is the same thing so we can see what is below the X3AP.app on your desktop, expanding all the levels. Thats the first thing a Mac user guide needs, is a set of photos showing where all the files are, below the app sitting on the desktop that is all most mac users are aware of. It will also allow us to double check that MAC and PC folder structures are the same, albiet that they are accessed differently. It will at least confirm that PC advice holds true for the MAC, just the method of doing it differs.

[Lemant]

As expected, I've encountered yet another obstacle. And somehow, it doesn't surprise me one bit. I will just let another screenshot do the talking:

Fig 3

Btw, I moved "X3AP.exe" and "X3TC.exe" to the appropriate Resources/Data folder. That's why those two files are no longer listed within the X Plugin Manager folder (Fig. 3).

[apricotslice]

Everyone trips over that.

Should be under settings, to change it to modified mode.

[Lemant]

Ah, thank you for the info. Now I have successfully installed the Cheat Package. (It took me only like almost a week to install it.)

The next task is figuring out how to use the Cheat Package to spawn the scimitar that DrBullwinkle designed for me to spawn at the shipyard of my choice. (I wonder how long it will take me to do that. *rolls eyes*)

Once the above step is completed, I think the next task would be to install "X3 Editor 2" (which I am sure will be equally as unintuitive as the Cheat Package) so I can create a variant of Terran Rapier to my liking (undoubtedly many more frustrating days, if not weeks, of learning experience.)

[vkerinav]

It will at least confirm that PC advice holds true for the MAC, just the method of doing it differs.

Well... just trust us on this point. I've seen it. Other people have modded it(like I said, I switched to the PC version.)

Okay, so if it'll help, I'll get some screenshots and upload them. I can fake the ones for the versions I didn't buy easily enough. I may have to redownload X3AP, so it could take twelve hours or so.

[apricotslice]

The next task is figuring out how to use the Cheat Package to spawn the scimitar that DrBullwinkle designed for me to spawn at the shipyard of my choice. (I wonder how long it will take me to do that. *rolls eyes*)

That bits easy. Cheat menu is off a hotkey, so run game, click the tick down bottom left, got to controls, interface, scroll down to the hotkeys list, find cheat menu, give it a key. save. return to game. press key. find create ship, scroll down list to your scimitar, select, follow prompts. Done. Just make sure you specifiy it for your player name, not another race, or you wont be able to use it.

Once the above step is completed, I think the next task would be to install "X3 Editor 2" (which I am sure will be equally as unintuitive as the Cheat Package) so I can create a variant of Terran Rapier to my liking (undoubtedly many more frustrating days, if not weeks, of learning experience.)

*hand waggle*

Modding is one of those things you learn by experience. You can expect some things to cause hair loss and headaches, but the rewards for progress are pretty good. (I think).

X3Editor2 is not too bad actually. Once you get the hang of it, there is not much to do in it and things mainly get changed the same basic ways.

The main issues are the way the files hang together and thus how the editor uses them. So read the basic modding guides before you start. Start with my Modding 101 Guide and then the other non graphics ones.

The hardest part of the editor is dealing with turrets. And adding new ships is a multiple step operation involving several files.

[apricotslice]

Well... just trust us on this point. I've seen it. Other people have modded it(like I said, I switched to the PC version.)

Its not that. (Although confirmation is good).

I want the screen shots so that they can be easily used for a Mac guide to show newbie Mac users how to find the files when all they see is an app.

A few weeks back I had a thread with a Mac user who refused to beleive there was anything under the app icon, so a set of photos showing it, would be a huge releif to have, so we can just link to them.

[vkerinav]

I do understand. Anyway, turns out I still had it installed, I'd just forgotten about it. Thought I deleted it when XRM kept getting 'memory full' errors. Can't play an X game without it. So, screenshots:

Deliver2Mac Install

Apple 'App Store' Install

MacGameStore Install

Mention that the handy directory at the top of the window is provided by OnyX by Titanium's Software. I own the Deliver2Mac version, so the other two directories are faked based on icEPiraka's directory data. The one for the MacGameStore isn't quite right(uses D2Mac's AP folder name), but that shouldn't confuse too many people.

Or maybe all of them.

Anyway, if you need anything else, let me know.

EDIT:

Oops. Context Menu for App Store install. For your doubters.

[DrBullwinkle]

I have successfully installed the Cheat Package.

Yay!

Nice work, Lemant!

Using the Cheat Package is easy. Since it is your first-ever script, you will have to learn how to set up a hotkey, and you will learn that hotkeys do not work while docked. Other than that, it's pretty straightforward.

Don't be grumpy... it only took you a long time because you had so many things to learn. If you think about it, most of what you have had to learn was basic how-to-use-a-Mac stuff... not really related to modding. You have not yet gotten to that part.

In a way, learning to mod is a bit like the game itself... as you improve your skills you face increasingly greater (and more fun!) challenges. Most of the frustration is at the very beginning. A few months from now, the stuff that you have learned so far will be second nature to you.

One more session and you will be flying your new Scimitar Raider!

[Lemant]

Here are the screenshots you requested, apricotslice:

Fig 1a

Fig 1b

Fig 1c

Fig 1d

[apricotslice]

So, screenshots:

Deliver2Mac Install
Anyway, if you need anything else, let me know.

Nice

I would add a second pic to that with the contents of the addon folder.

The shown pic shows TC's folders. The addon folder contains AP.

So both pics would then demonstrate both games structure, and AP is integrated into TC so to some degree you need both.

Thanks for that. Nice to see that although there are suble differences, the actual structure is the same. The folders are just located under a different hiarcky. But this is also true on PC, between disc and steam install, and default and user defined instal, but wherever you put it, the basic file structure remains the same.

Wish I had that pic a few weeks back trying to convince that person there was something under the app.

[apricotslice]

Here are the screenshots you requested, apricotslice:

Fig 1a

Fig 1b

Fig 1c

Excellent !

One more request, take the last 1 a step further and expand the addon folder. And make a note on the photo that this is where the AP files are located.

[Lemant]

One more request, take the last 1 a step further and expand the addon folder. And make a note on the photo that this is where the AP files are located.

Done. Please scroll up to my previous post. You will now see an additional screenshot "Fig 1d".

[DrBullwinkle]

Have you tried using the Cheat Package to "Create ship" of type "Scimitar Raider" yet?