The script editor in X3 is largely unchanged from X2, with the exception of
many new useful commands that have been added. Also the way to activate the script editor has changed slightly to be a bit more easy.
The script editor aka "Manual Ship Computer Interface" (M.S.C.I.) is an in-game tool to create/modify AI behaviour rules and also allows creating/modifying objects in the game universe.
These features mean it is very powerful and when not used carefully can seriously damage your game universe.
As many of you have already found out using the Script Editor can spoil all the fun of the game!
Please note that this powerful tool is provided for your use as is. Script writing and accompanied problems are NOT supported by Egosoft or any betatesters.
If you are certain that you want to use this unsupported feature, you may activate the script editor the following way in your game:
- enter the menu to change your pilot's name
type Thereshallbewings (note the capital T) and press enter
the menu will close, your player name will NOT have been changed, and a confirmation beep will sound on correct activation
you will now find the "Script Editor" menu item in the command console
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Troubleshooting if you can't open the SE
1. Have you changed your pilotname, not your ship name
2. Make sure you are not docked
3. have you used a capital T
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Note that the publication of the Script Editor access code by no means forces you to use it. The editor is an advanced and most importantly optional feature.
If you are not into script programming of any sort you are probably better off without it.
****Note****
Once opened the script editor can never be closed in your save game, A new start is required
99.9% of script & mod users care not about this but some of you may do.
The Galaxy Editor
The Galaxy Editor is an in game tool that allows you to create your own maps for the X-Universe. It has undergone significant development since X2, and should be much more powerful than before.
There is no documentation for this feature, and use remains unsupported by Egosoft.
If you are certain that you want to use this unsupported feature you may activate the galaxy editor the following way in your game:
- enter the menu to change your pilot's name
type Makeanapplepiefromscratch (note the capital M) and press enter
the menu will close, your player name will NOT have been changed, and a confirmation beep will sound on correct activation
you will now find the "Galaxy Editor" menu item in the 'NEW GAME' section of the opening menu of the game
Feel free to ask questions about the activation of the script editor / galaxy editor in this thread, but please save questions like 'How does it work?' and 'How do I script something?' for the appropriate tutorials threads. (Don't post them here)
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Tutorials And Help Files
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The first thing that needs to be said about scripting and modding for X3 is that it is, for the most part, generally composed of the same basic procedures as it was for X2.
Therefore, much of the information for scripting and modding X3 is already contained in the Scripting / Modding Tutorials Thread for X2. Many of the threads contained in this sticky will assume that you already have a basic fundamental understanding of how to script for the X games. This basic knowledge can be obtained by reading many of the tutorials that were written in the past for X2.
The rest of this sticky will be full of threads that will provide specific information on how to script / mod for X3.
A few general notes:
Every link in this tutorial list will be to a thread on the egosoft board. If there's a good external resource, I'll link to a thread here, on the egosoft site, which links to the external resource. This way, the issue of broken links can be dealt with by whoever is referring / maintaining the external resource. Post all dead link questions to the thread in question, I won't be able to deal with them here. Fair enough?
If you have a link/thread to some useful info that you'd like to see on this page, feel free to pm me or post it to this thread (along with what general category you think it falls under). I'll try to keep this first post organized and up to date so that people don't have to wade through 20 pages to find the link they want.
How to install mods and scripts on Mac (for technophobes)...
WTC Maintypes
Code: Select all
5:DOCK
6:FACTORY
7:SHIP
8:LASER
9:SHIELD
10:MISSILE
11:ENERGY
12:NATURAL
13:BIO
14:FOOD
15:MINERALS
16:TECH
17:ASTEROID- Covered In X2
Topics Already Covered in X2
MCSI Programmer's Handbook (pdf) very thorough, excellent work. This is a must have for anyone thinking of scripting!
(available to registered users only)
Beginners Guides
Creating your first script
Good Practice
How to Use Waits Correctly
Why You Should Never Start a Script Name With '!'
Collecting Input in a Script
Send an Incoming Question
BBS Articles
Accessing the BBS System
More on Adding an Article to the BBS System
Misc
Gate, Sector, and Jumpdrive Info by aalaardb
Notoriety explained (WIP) by aalaardb
Using Global Varibles by Cycrow
- Covered In X2
Topics Already Covered in X2
Tips
Tips on using DDS textures by DeadlyDa
How to add color and formatting to text by AalaarDB
Ships with Cockpit/Laser Bodies by Moxy and Doubleshadow
Northstars PDF Modding Tutorial For Begginers
Apricot Modding 101 Guide
Creating a ship using NURBS modeling by Observe
Tools
Doubleshadow's DBOX2 - import/export body and scene files to 3ds max/gmax
Doubleshadow's X2BC - decompilation of BOB files and compilation of BOD files
Doubleshadow's X3 Editor - edit game files and create mods
Doubleshadow's X3 ModManager - unpack game files and manage .cat/.dat files [Instructions for Use]
Exscriptor external script editor by Whimsy
Material Editor by Observe
Types Files Reference
Jobs, Jobwings, and Warelists decoded by aalaardb
TShips Breakdown by Nuclear Eclipse
TWare fields explained by Burianek
Information on TLasers by Steelrush
Graphics / Models
Applying X3 DDS Texztures to your Models by DeadlyDa
Creating a ship using NURBS modeling By Observe
External Docking Tutorial by DeadlyDa
How to Make Models Load Quickly by DeadlyDa
How to move the cockpit / laser positions by Doubleshadow
Information on Adding Lasers and Bullets by DoubleShadow
Step by step instructions to put a custom ship model in the game part 1 by Observe
Instructions on how to put a custom ship model in the game Part 2 by Observe
HOW TO: Changeing the font of X3:R and X3:TC
Cutscenes / Sound
List of sound effects by DIGSIN
mov/00044.xml Decoded (list of spoken text) by aalaardb
Soundtrack list for x3 by TK - 421
Using custom video portraits (and sounds) by Observe
Videos.txt, VideoLists.txt and Billboards explained by Observe
Universe / Galaxy Modding
Galaxy Editor Info and Tips by nuclear_eclipse
Galaxy Editing Tutorials
New X3 1.3 Galaxy Changes and fixed map by nuclear_eclipse
Universe.xml Decoded by aalaardb
Galaxy Editing Tutorials by Digsin
Misc
How to Combine Mods
Info Re: Dock / Trade Station Ware Consumption Rates
After Domination modding forums
Cycrows X3 Scripts
X Development Center
The X Universe
Xai Corporation
The Xtended Mod
X-Wiki Modding Information
Dead Links to external sites
Akeela's Beacon
Anarkis Federation
The Commander's Space Station
PiloteIA (fr)
X2 Source
X3 - Plugin Manager
If you want to have your 3rd party site included in this list, just create a thread that lists your site/sites so that I can link to that thread from here. See the XaiCorp link (it's an excellent example). That way, you're the author and you can deal with the link management in case you want to change / add urls etc. Then send me a pm with a link to the thread and I'll add it.
Cheers!
