Let's come together and make a FULL Star Wars conversion!!!

[Ameer Nuub]

Can't we just ask Lucas for permission? Who knows, they might want a share in it or something. Egosoft can lend a helping hand and offer it as a paid expansion pack. I think many would pay for an open-world(space) Star Wars game.

We can absolutely ask for permission… but it would not be at all any kind of thing like you are describing.

A “share” or “paid expansion pack” are things that would guarantee it getting shut down. Like I say, I really don’t think it’s a big deal, as long as the usual disclaimers are made, and it’s 100% free, with rights and credit given to LA.

[Ameer Nuub]

So, one thing that would REALLY be the key and make it happen here very quickly is if one of the big names here on the forum (that are the really competent coders) would be kind enough and willing to take just a minute, download the video replacement file I made and take a look at it. See why it’s not working in game, convert it to a .dat file that the game will use, and all the video is done! The sector / races thing is a pretty simple thing from what I hear that some others who have signed on can add pretty quickly I would think.

Again, the rest of what is needed to make this happen is already done… unless people have other ideas on what they would like to see in it. Right now, I’m envisioning the same AP Argon story, just with Star Wars character videos replacing the vanilla characters… or we could also alter the audio files with some custom audio and change the story completely ( though it would still have to follow the scripts and events that happen in the game story ).

Is there anyone who can use their Jedi Mind Trick / Force Choke on any of the big name talent here to do us that favor?

[leafee]

I would love to see this project completed! Big names, pretty pahleeze?

[Jack08]

The video must be encoded with the following format otherwise the game will not read it:

Codec: MPEG 1/2 Video (mpgv)
Resolution: 256x256
Frame Rate: 30
Planar 4:2:0 YUV

You will also have to (in all likelihood) edit the existing 00001.dat file and insert it into it, i'm not sure you will be able to get the game to read a new file (you cant for Audio, so I'm assuming its the same for video).

I don't believe anyone has actually modified the video files beyond playing with the byte pointers in the XML files.

[Arachno.R]

Hi boys!

Frankly speaking, I have one BIG Star Wars mod, which I ´m doing personally just for my pleasure.
It contains more than 80 ships, weapons, sound, music, scripts, wallpapers etc...
But I´m using not only my own work, but others too and I´m tired of all those rights/credits things (if you understand what I mean...).

I have version for TC and AP as well.
Its about 316 MB in zip format.

Because I know how difficult is to start with good mod. I´m wiling to provide it to you just for fun. You can use it as a start point.

Rest is up to you...

[Ameer Nuub]

Hi boys!

Frankly speaking, I have one BIG Star Wars mod, which I ´m doing personally just for my pleasure.
It contains more than 80 ships, weapons, sound, music, scripts, wallpapers etc...
But I´m using not only my own work, but others too and I´m tired of all those rights/credits things (if you understand what I mean...).

I have version for TC and AP as well.
Its about 316 MB in zip format.

Because I know how difficult is to start with good mod. I´m wiling to provide it to you just for fun. You can use it as a start point.

Rest is up to you...

Ahhhh... now THAT's what I was hoping for!

Of course, we would ABSOLUTELY be interested... I remember all the ships you made personally, and I loved them. The skins / paint jobs had a great authentic Star Wars feel to me. The whole thing about X3 is the "ultra slick shiny metal" approach to ships and stations, but the whole thing about Star Wars (according to Lucas himself) was a kind of dirty, "used" space / future, and while some want higher poly's for the models, I liked it because it achieved the "dirty".

Are there going to be any new ships beyond what was available then and what can be found now? I still haven't seen anyone make X3 versions of some pretty standard and must have ships like:

The Tartan Cruiser
The Neutron Star-class Bulk Cruiser
The Invisible Hand
The DP-20 Frigate
The Alliance Assault Frigate MK II
The Acclamator Cruiser

I have recently started playing mods for Sins of a Solar Empire, Empire at War, etc. and it has gotten me REALLY itching for these!

Either way, what you are talking about sounds AWESOME and would be greatly appreciated!

[leafee]

Oh. Man. So pumped. What a great help! Thanks so much Arachno!

[Ameer Nuub]

The video must be encoded with the following format otherwise the game will not read it:

Codec: MPEG 1/2 Video (mpgv)
Resolution: 256x256
Frame Rate: 30
Planar 4:2:0 YUV

You will also have to (in all likelihood) edit the existing 00001.dat file and insert it into it, i'm not sure you will be able to get the game to read a new file (you cant for Audio, so I'm assuming its the same for video).

I don't believe anyone has actually modified the video files beyond playing with the byte pointers in the XML files.

Thanks Jack08!

I remember something similar being said when I asked before… the new video file that I made was indeed mpg2, 256x256, 30 fps, but I’m not sure about the Planar 4:2:0 YUV bit.

I’m not an expert and I know that sometimes even when you set things up for it to say those specifics it sometimes isn’t actually those specifics somehow… but really, I suspect that the major issue has got to be converting it back into a .dat file with all the formats that the game is expecting and can use.

I have PM’d someone from Egosoft about this but am still waiting on a response. They are too willing and encouraging for their title to be modded for video editing to be this un-charted. There has GOT to be someone who knows someone (official Egosoft or not) that has the know-how to make this happen… it doesn’t seem like it should be too big a deal.

[Jack08]

This may be of assistance:

[ external image ]

The dat file is just a video file, renamed to .dat, so there shouldn't be any problems providing you get the encoding perfect, and don't disturb the current pointers in the XML files.

[bluenog143]

This might actually turn up, good luck.

[DrBullwinkle]

the major issue has got to be converting it back into a .dat file with all the formats that the game is expecting and can use.

Ameer... you have asked about this in several threads over a period of weeks. The reason that you get no response is because you have not made an effort to learn how video files work.

The guides at AfterDawn may help you to get started.

[Jack08]

the major issue has got to be converting it back into a .dat file with all the formats that the game is expecting and can use.

Ameer... you have asked about this in several threads over a period of weeks. The reason that you get no response is because you have not made an effort to learn how video files work.

The guides at AfterDawn may help you to get started.

I recommend starting out by understanding what a Container Format is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Container_format_(digital)
(Copy and paste this link, don't click it)

This page isn't very detailed, but it will get you started.

[Ameer Nuub]

Ameer... you have asked about this in several threads over a period of weeks. The reason that you get no response is because you have not made an effort to learn how video files work.

Normally I would just ignore a post like this, but I think it’s important to address it to clarify for others how a project like this might work, and my involvement in it so that there is no misunderstanding or false hopes.

Thanks a bunch for the link, Dr. Bullwinkle.

But frankly I have no intention of making an effort to “learn all about how the files work”, and never said that I did. I have made no secret of, and have no shame about, the fact that I absolutely am asking for quick, specific answers to any such direct questions I have, or if someone has way to quickly explain the “it’s not that easy” in a way that is that easy, ala Carl Sagan, Stephen Hawking, etc.

There is no moral obligation to take classes ( in any form ) before asking questions. We can ask, you can ignore or respond. If I had been complaining of “no responses” then that would be one thing, but I haven’t. Contrary to what you said, there have been plenty of replies, links, and suggestions made that I have been very thankful for, and have looked into as far as I’ve had the ability, time, and inclination to go with it. I learned a bit more, but simply did not understand enough with the talent and time available to me. I’ve always been fine with other people ignoring a post if they are that type of person who insists on whatever level of effort they deem satisfactory before they will answer any questions. If one doesn't like a person’s posts, thinks they haven’t put in enough effort to make them happy, etc. then fell free to just move on. (And on what basis or surveillance tape are you using to make these judgments?) One can always do nothing more than just post a link to whatever tome they recommend, if that’s as far as one is willing to go. I know it’s a very popular thing to do on forums by certain people, but responding with the equivalent of “don’t ask questions until you know the answers” or similar chastisement isn’t really going to be productive for anyone.

I work 60-65 hours a week and take classes at night. I have a certain (very low) amount of knowledge about this stuff currently, and have no intention to do very much to expand upon it. I didn’t say I was making a conversion, I said “Let’s” make a conversion. I have said that I've already finished a good amount of the work that my current skills are going to accomplish. This is work that others won’t have to do. I said that I know enough about the video thing that it seems it wouldn’t really be difficult for those already competent and familiar with the conversion / coding part of things. I’ve offered to be a “workhorse” when it comes to large, tedious, bulky manual tasks involving things with which I am already competent (data entry, all the general audio and video editing, not the conversion) or many other things in which I might be given step-by-step directions, that the talented just don’t want to bother with… otherwise talented, already competent people will have to be involved, help out directly, etc. if they might be interested.

Not one of those? One of those, but not interested? That’s great! No problem. Have a great day!

[Ameer Nuub]

This may be of assistance:

[ external image ]

The dat file is just a video file, renamed to .dat, so there shouldn't be any problems providing you get the encoding perfect, and don't disturb the current pointers in the XML files.

Ahhh... wow... that's some good info. A little more than what I had to go on previously. I'm going to check this out and see if I can match all the extra specs I'm seeing perfectly, and see if it works then. Might have a chance tonight before I go to bed.

Thanks a lot!!!! Good stuff...

[Litcube]

Ameer, in the same sense that you've established your right to seek help without displaying any effort on your part, might not Dr. Bullwinkle also have the right to suggest that you might garner a wider gamut of attention on this project if you had? And then also help you with a link?

I might submit that he's not saying you're lazy; he might be saying show effort, and maybe the "big names" you're asking for will come.

You're asking for "big names", here, right? Unless I'm reading you wrong.

Dudes earn "big names" because they put in solid effort, and their projects show it. "Big projects" are put on by "big names". "Big names" come together because they're attracted to other folks who also put in solid effort. It's a big circle, and sometimes to get into that circle, you need to do that effort thing.

I suppose the takeaway is, if you want "big names" to invest in any project, put in solid effort. Maybe this is what Dr. Bullwinkle was saying. Also, maybe it was not what he was saying! Also, maybe it is not what I am saying either! You don't have to take my advice. I'm just bored at work and wanted to type something. Good luck with your project, dude!

[Ameer Nuub]

Ameer, in the same sense that you've established your right to seek help without displaying any effort on your part, might not Dr. Bullwinkle also have the right to suggest that you might garner a wider gamut of attention on this project if you had? And then also help you with a link?

I might submit that he's not saying you're lazy; he might be saying show effort, and maybe the "big names" you're asking for will come.

You're asking for "big names", here, right? Unless I'm reading you wrong.

Dudes earn "big names" because they put in solid effort, and their projects show it. "Big projects" are put on by "big names". "Big names" come together because they're attracted to other folks who also put in solid effort. It's a big circle, and sometimes to get into that circle, you need to do that effort thing.

I suppose the takeaway is, if you want "big names" to invest in any project, put in solid effort. Maybe this is what Dr. Bullwinkle was saying. Also, maybe it was not what he was saying! Also, maybe it is not what I am saying either! You don't have to take my advice. I'm just bored at work and wanted to type something. Good luck with your project, dude!

Hehehehehe…. That’s awesome!

Yes I totally get what you are saying and there is good logic to it… but only on the predicate that I’m expecting something.

However I’m not expecting anything, and have absolutely no interest in being acknowledged by, included with, or becoming a “big name”. I’m just “putting it out there”. Yes “big names” was my term, but the motive was completely functionary.

I’m not asking any “big names” to pretty please be a part of “MY” project, or do my work for me, or to do a bunch of stuff on some charity basis, etc. Quite the contrary. All I was doing is 1) putting out the call in case there were any “big names” that have THEIR OWN interest in doing something like this (which was proven by the Arachno post) that otherwise would not have had enough interest to do it all themselves… ( 2) making the point that often “big names” have enough expertise to answer the smallest question, or do the slightest task, that would make a very large difference, with nearly no effort on their part, that would require a very large effort on the part of the noob to “take video 101 - phd and then talk to us”.

Also seems your point would be much more valid if I hadn’t already stated how most of the work is actually already done. Sounds like effort to me, no? A little help with the couple remaining issues is all that’s left, and would produce a large free mod for vary many people who are really wanting it badly, who just want the product, and aren’t concerned with who or who hasn’t put in enough dues, effort, etc. to get whatever kind of recognition or respect others might require before they are acknowledged and answered.

But I’m totally with you, in that who the hell knows… I could be totally wrong about all of it. All I’m doing is saying that there’s a project here, could be really cool, it’s mostly done, if some ELITE or “big name” runs across it and says “yeah here’s how you do that”, or “send me the file of the work you’ve done, I’ll take 5 minutes to convert it into what I know will work”, etc., then cool. If not, that’s cool too, but what I have to offer is what I have to offer, and that’s pretty much that. Any others who have time to learn, or already know, or whatever can do what??!! Say it with me… “Come TOGETHER and LET’s make a Star Wars conversion!!!!” ……. or not….

[Arachno.R]

Another topic....

I have no information about storage place good enough for 320 Mb to share my SW mod.
So if somebody can send me info about where I can upload it, I will do.

Sorry , but I have no time for looking for suitable place...

[qwizzie]

Another topic....

I have no information about storage place good enough for 320 Mb to share my SW mod.
So if somebody can send me info about where I can upload it, I will do.

Sorry , but I have no time for looking for suitable place...

I use microsofts skydrive, 7 GB free cloud storage : http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/skydrive/home

[Ameer Nuub]

Another topic....

I have no information about storage place good enough for 320 Mb to share my SW mod.
So if somebody can send me info about where I can upload it, I will do.

Sorry , but I have no time for looking for suitable place...

qwizzie's option is really good, and is one of the most used. Also there are some options like Glide, that go up to 30 gigs free cloud space, but each service has a certain catch or requirement ( friends, etc), though most will give you the kind of space that you are needing without any of those hassles.

[Ameer Nuub]

I’ve also been in some talks with some other folks that have made Star Wars mods for other games… I have acquired some bodies / meshes for some of the ships that have not been made for X3 yet. If there is anyone who knows how to and wants to take the bodies and apply the files to make ships from them, let me know!