Changing custom map to vanilla map using MD - possible?

[Rednoahl]

I'm currently working on a game start for TC using the MD and I've just realised I might have to change the design. I got quite far before the new year then the PC died so I'm starting it again - before I do though I think I've found a problem in the design that I need to work out.

The current design is based around a custom map of five sectors. Once the mission is done though, I want to change to the proper TC map with only the player starting sector (Averice;) the other four sectors need removing altogether. What I would like to know is - is this possible using just using the MD?

To clarify - what I'm trying to do in more detail:

Codename - "The Crucible"

Player starts in a large sector (Averice - North and South gates added) with various stations and a reasonable fleet at the players disposal. Player's sector is surrounded by Xenon sectors - two of those have Xenon shipyards. In the centre of the sector is a friendly DECA CPU type ship that must be protected until it's fixed (it gets fixed by either the player capping Xenon fighters or just a time limit - I haven't decided yet.) A constant stream of Xenon attack the DECA and player's assets.

Once the DECA type ship is fixed it jumps to one of the Xenon sectors and hacks the Xenon in that sector (which takes a while.) The hostile Xenon will attempt to reinforce the sector where the DECA is - the player has to prevent that - if any Xenon get through the hacking process has to start again. Rinse and repeat until all the Xenon sectors next to the player's sector are hacked by the DECA.

Mission complete - Player gets sector as his own and keeps what is there. North and South gates are removed and the game starts proper - East gate gets connected to New Income, the West to Montalaar.

This is my first attempt at a mod so don't expect it any time soon. The research I've done suggests that everything should be possible using the MD - it's the change of maps I'm worried about.

[mark_a_condren]

Rednoahl

Sorry i can't help with your question, I know 2 fifths of bugger all about the MD.

What i would like to say is that i wish you all the best luck with this idea, it sounds like an interesting senerio and i'm not into different game start senerios, but this sounds like it would be fun to play.

Even if it does take you a while to get it done, i hope you do get it finished.

Best of luck,

MarCon

[Ketraar]

@OP yes its possible and quite easy too, here my suggestion how to proceed.

1. Go to ingame Galaxy Editor (from now on GE) and load vanilla x3universe map file
2. still in same GE session load patch objects file (x3universe_20)
3. remove sector avarice from this map (assuming its the player sector)
4. export map using custom map file name.
5. create map with the start sectors etc., name that map file x3universe.xml
6. setup gamestart files to fit needs (like start sector etc,)
7. when the time comes where you need to swap map, destroy all objects in the sectors besides Avarice. Use the find_object for this. Make sure player is in avarice. (you may have some issues with finding a sun via MD, if it don't work use scripts or just don't put a sun in the map that's about to be loaded)
8. once all objects are gone, use load_map action to load your custom named "vanilla" map.

Note: You should make sure that vanilla plots either are disabled or put "on hold" so they don't trigger before the "vanilla" map gets loaded.

MFG

Ketraar

[Rednoahl]

Thanks, that has given me a lot of food for thought.

(after a lot of thinking) I have changed the concept so the map won't need to be changed because I don't want to break any of the other starts (and I like the new concept more even though it's going to much more work!)

[Ketraar]

Well you could easily fix that, just create a small file which loads the "vanilla" objects immediately upon start should player start any other than yours

But hey if you like more work, its your choice

MFG

Ketraar

[Rednoahl]

Actually, I think I'll follow as you suggest. For some reason my XML editor wouldn't work with the director schema - I have a better idea as to what the relevant commands are now (I did have the schema files and file in the same folder.)

One more question though. Currently I'm using 3.051 for the gamestart mission - should I carry on using this number or tag my mission at the end of the existing 3.05 Gamestart missions.xml. I can't DL the 2.6 beta right now either, so if 3.051 is being used by something else I'd be really grateful if someone could tell me now!

[Ketraar]

I suggest you use your own MD file, its not relevant if you paste the code in the existing Gamestart file or you put it in any other xml file named at your liking.

I use VWD Express edition, which is free and work great with the MD schema file.

If you have any doubts about how to code feel free to post here or in the general questions sticky.

MFG

Ketraar

[Rednoahl]

Not having the schema working has taught me a lot - most of what I had written wouldn't work. Now I have the schema working I can see what I'd done wrong and why. I restarted the project again last night - now I feel really positive I'll get this done in weeks rather than months. The work I did last night worked straight away so I'm very happy. I really appreciate the help I've been given.

Progress report

Maps before and after - done
start files - done and working
trigger mission and load additional sector map - done and working
scene 1 - done and working
scene 2 - done
scene 3 - part done

14+ scenes to do
Text to do
Clean up to do
-

I do have a few more questions, but I'll work on finding out the answers myself first (so I'll learn.)

[Ketraar]

The work I did last night worked straight away so I'm very happy.

That's always nice

I do have a few more questions, but I'll work on finding out the answers myself first (so I'll learn.)

Yeah that's they way to go.

good luck and fun with your project

MFG

Ketraar