Extracting and installing scripts on Mac (X3: TC)

Arcana · Post by **Arcana** » Mon, 11. Jul 11, 07:27

Hi all, I have the X3: Terran Conflict game that you buy from the Mac App Store.

I have tried to download the Bonus Pack scripts from the web site but they are in .EXE format for Windows. I have tried using WINE to extract the data but unfortunately it asks for an existing copy of X3:TC on my Windows installation, which I obviously don't have.

I hear that the bonus packs are mostly XML files and perhaps some other non-binary content.

I'm wondering if there's a way to get these raw files and to somehow install them into the Mac Application package. If someone can help me deconstruct this I would appreciate some assistance. For example if there's a way to "fake" the WINE installation to think there's X3: TC or if someone can "copy" their scripts in unpacked format somewhere where I can download them, I would appreciate it greatly.

Best,

Post by **X2-Illuminatus** » Mon, 11. Jul 11, 15:29

Best to ask scripts and modding questions about X3:TC in the scripts and modding forum of X3:TC and not in the one for X2.

**moved**

Have a look at the instructions given in the tutorial How to install mods and scripts on Mac (for technophobes). Another possibility would be to download the unsigned script version directly from the developement threads. They're all listed in the certain BP-topics linked in the Overview - X3TC Bonus Package 4.1.01-topic.

webba84 · Post by **webba84** » Tue, 9. Aug 11, 18:09

The information in that thread is massively out of date. At some point in their long slow crawl to the latest version of TC they changed the translation engine and the file structure is completely different now. The data folder is outside the .app for a start and there is nowhere inside the .app to point the bonuspack to get it to install. It seems like manually installing the mods is the only option for mac users. Is there any possibility that Egosoft, wonderful people that they are, could get VP to release the bonus pack as an update for the mac version?

Post by **X2-Illuminatus** » Tue, 9. Aug 11, 18:25

webba84 wrote:It seems like manually installing the mods is the only option for mac users.

As said above, the bonus pack scripts are available as single files in their developement threads. So downloading them and putting them manually in the right folders should be possible, if virtual programming retained the original folder and file structure (meaning you have a "scripts" and a "t" folder including .xml or .pck files in your MAC X3:TC installation directory).

webba84 wrote:Is there any possibility that Egosoft, wonderful people that they are, could get VP to release the bonus pack as an update for the mac version?

Probably not. Afaik Egosoft did not comission virtual programming ltd. to port the game to MAC, but vpltd. bought the rights to do so. So, it's up to virtual programming, if they make a bonuspack installer or not.

But as you have the current TC MAC version, maybe you could write a new tutorial for installing scripts and mods on MAC?

webba84 · Post by **webba84** » Tue, 9. Aug 11, 18:43

X2-Illuminatus wrote:
As said above, the bonus pack scripts are available as single files in their developement threads. So downloading them and putting them manually in the right folders should be possible, if virtual programming retained the original folder and file structure (meaning you have a "scripts" and a "t" folder including .xml or .pck files in your MAC X3:TC installation directory).

They have retained the file structure of the data folder faithfully, and I think the purpose in putting it outside the .app is to make it much easier to mod, which was well done. The problem I have is that the dl links to all of the individual scripts (that I checked just this minute) are all broken and nobody has noticed because everyone uses the bonus pack

X2-Illuminatus wrote: But as you have the current TC MAC version, maybe you could write a new tutorial for installing scripts and mods on MAC?

I would be more than happy to do just that except for the small problem that I have no idea how. The last game I played from egosoft was x2 and I don't know how mods work for X3TC without the added complication of a mac port in there. When I know I'll share it with everyone. In the meantime is it possible that someone could get the contents of the bonus pack all together as an archive and send it to me so I can do some testing?

edit: maybe Egosoft could provide the bonuspack in .zip format as an option for 'advanced' users and people with touchy antivirus programs? Nothing to do with mac at all, really

Carlos789 · Post by **Carlos789** » Tue, 9. Aug 11, 18:51

Webba84.

To get the bonuspack scripts, go to http://www.xuniversum.info/index.php?op ... Itemid=160 thats lucike´s website and you can find them all there.

I have modded the mac version so if you have any questions send me a PM!

Peace.

Edit: Your game will be marked modified with those scripts as they are no signed, but they are newer and improved versions than what the bonuspack contains.

webba84 · Post by **webba84** » Tue, 9. Aug 11, 18:57

Carlos789 wrote:Webba84.

To get the bonuspack scripts, go to http://www.xuniversum.info/index.php?op ... Itemid=160 thats lucike´s website and you can find them all there.

I have modded the mac version so if you have any questions send me a PM!

Peace.

Thanks so much for the kind offer! Correct me if I'm wrong but I was just at that website and is it not lacking some of the things in the bonus pack, eg the ones not made by lucike? (also having quite a bit of stuff that isn't in the bonus pack and I'm not that interested in) It's also rather confusing to browse since all the names are quite different in German. Incidentally, for those that I have managed to identify and download I'm assuming scripts go in the relevant subfolders of the data folder and then you're good to go, correct?

edit: Just missing the Turboboost which I can dl separately but unfortunately seems quite complicated to install. Do you have that one installed on your game too?

edit edit: Also just noticed that the Turboboost, for example, is in .spk format. As I understand it there was a way to extract that for mac before but it has not been updated, is that right?

Carlos789 · Post by **Carlos789** » Tue, 9. Aug 11, 19:04

Webba.

Here are some of the translated names so you have an easier time finding which ones you like.

Automatic Target Acquisition (Version 3.1.01) [Automatische Zielerfassung]
Blue Print Manager (Version 3.1.00) [Blaupausenmanager]
Basic Salary (Version 3.1.02) [Grundgehalt]
CODEA Weapon System (Version 3.3.03) [Waffensystem CODEA]
Commercial Agent (Version 3.3.09) [Handelsvertretung]
Commodity Logistics Software MK1 and MK2 (Version 3.4.00) [Warenlogistiksoftware]
Complex Planner (Version 3.alpha.01) [Komplexplaner]
Dockware Manager (Version 3.1.07) [Dockwarenmanager]
Economy and Supply Trader (Version 3.3.05) [Wirtschaftshändler]
Global Administration (Version 3.1.00) [Globale Verwaltung]
Hangar Manager (Version 3.1.02) [Hangarmanager]
Jump Beacon (Version 3.1.04) [Sprungboje]
Lasertower: Extended Fight (Version 3.1.00) [Geschützturm: Erweiterter Kampf]
M7M Missile Launcher (Version 3.1.00) [M7M Abschussvorrichtung]
MEFOS Weapon System (Version 3.2.05) [Waffensystem MEFOS]
Military Transport (Version 3.2.05) [Militärtransport]
Missile Defense Mosquito (Version 3.2.01) [Raketenabwehr Moskito]
Personnel Transporter (Version 3.3.03) [Personaltransporter]
Prospector (Version 3.2.09) [Prospektor]
Ship Hotkeys (Version 3.3.00) [Schifffunktionstasten]
Ship Tools (Version 3.2.00) [Schiffswerkzeug]
Security and Rescue Service (Version 3.2.08) [Sicherheitsdienst]
Travel Drive (Version 3.2.00) [Reiseantrieb]

Befehlsbibliothek "Libraries" (Version 3.5.09) [Befehlsbibliothek]

The translated names are from here : http://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=271491

Can you remind me what other scripts are on the bonuspack? I have not used it in a long time, i add everything manually.

Edit: And yes, just copy the "scripts" and "t" folder files into your installed X3:tc "scripts" and "t" folder files.

webba84 · Post by **webba84** » Tue, 9. Aug 11, 19:09

Just the turbo booster mod by the looks of it: http://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?p=2586892
Looking at that thread right now and I haven't got a clue how to install it on windows, much less mac.

edit: Anyway, I'll see if I can get the other things all running. Thanks again for the help!

Carlos789 · Post by **Carlos789** » Tue, 9. Aug 11, 19:22

Webba.

Its not hard, but its a lenghty process, and you will need a windows pc, any will do, to make it very easy.

First, to install turbo booster, as the thread says, you need: Ware Manager, Hotkey Manager and Community Plugin Config.

The problem lies in that these scripts are on .spk format, and we need the contents of these. To extract the content of these .spk files install the plugin manager (the new beta version), which is why you need a windows pc! Just ask a friend for one or go to a public place, it just takes like 10 minutes.

Once you have the plugin manager installed and the required spk files downloaed, open the SPK Explorer tool, under the "tools" folder of the plugin manager install.

A new app will open, click the big "open" button (has a yellow box as image) and click extract all and done! You now have unpacked the spk files, just copy all to a usb, transfer them to the mac and move them to the right folders!. Do this for all the required spk files.

webba84 · Post by **webba84** » Tue, 9. Aug 11, 19:33

Oh, I see how it works. Those 3 required mods and then the program to extract spks, which needs a PC. After all 4 mods are extracted the files can be manually copied into the right folders.

It just so happens that I have a virtual windows installed on this computer, should be quite easy, give me 20 minutes and I'll let you know how it goes!

edit: Quick question about the Pluginmanger mod - the sdk extracts a folder of the same name, does it go in the data folder or the mods folder?

Carlos789 · Post by **Carlos789** » Tue, 9. Aug 11, 20:13

Webba.

The SPK explorer should extract the content of the .spk file, which should be a "scripts" and "t" folders, sometimes readmes if they contain one. Copy the files inside of the extracted script folder, and go to your x3:tc installation files, locate the folder also named scripts and copy them inside, do this also for the "t" folder extracted and copy it to the "t" folder of your installed game.

The mods folder is for cat and dat files, which you are not using at the moment.

webba84 · Post by **webba84** » Tue, 9. Aug 11, 22:38

Yeah, I know where the scripts and t files go, thats why I mentioned that the Pluginmanager mod had an additional folder in it that I didn't know what to do with. Not important thought, since everything seems to be working perfectly anyway. I'll try to find time this week to write a quick guide up with pictures so that this is easier for the next newb to wander in

edit: Since after looking closer that folder just has the readme files for all the turbo booster stuff and an image in it pretty sure its not important at all.

Carlos789 · Post by **Carlos789** » Tue, 9. Aug 11, 23:25

Yeah, only important to read and know how it works, but not for the game itself. Take into acount when making the guide, that some of the .spk have other folders besides the "scripts" and "t", some have "director", "types", etc.

Gald you have it working now! The game itself is great, but the mods done by the community make it awesome.

I also totally recomend the XRM mod by paulwheeler and Mizuchi, try it out once you finish the game as it requires a complete restart.

webba84 · Post by **webba84** » Wed, 10. Aug 11, 07:03

Yup, working beautifully! The X series is that sort of game which really comes alive when the community get their teeth into it which is why up to date ports are so important for these sort of games. I understand VP took a stupid long time to update patches for TC but at least the final result they've given us works well

Anyway, thanks again for the help, I'll be sure to pass it on to anyone else who needs it.

Derryth · Post by **Derryth** » Wed, 1. Feb 12, 18:06

Hi,
Im glad that i found this thread after I searched hours in the German forums. For the same problem. Cuz I'm German it's difficult to understand totally what I should do exactly after the konversation between you both. Did you make a guide like you say Webba84?
And could you please upload the files you where asking for so I don't have to extract them on a windows computer? And if that is working. Can I also do this way to install scripts with other scripts where I have a scripts an t folder?
Looking forward to hear from guys.
Thank you.

Edit: I forgot to ask when the files are in the orders where they should be. Do I have to activate them or is it just put in and it work?