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Mods & Development / Warcraft II Map Editor Mod
« on: December 31, 2024, 08:08:17 AM »
Latest version "pack" download link

Latest version "exe file only" download link (in case you have necessary files from common pack already)

* Note #0: The main goal of this mod is convenience for ordinary Viewers and Creators/Editors.
It's not pretend to be good for deep-modders digging unit specs or w/e (at least for now, maybe later)

* Note #1: No testers participated, so there may be some bugs, i hope not too much of them / not critical.

* Note #2: Mostly, but not always things/functions may behave more like Standard Editor while CAPS mode in ON.
(so,if are unlucky with some stuff - try switch CAPS and check again)


I will try briefly, but completely describe the essence of the changes.
How much will my memory/time/spelling allows. Sorry, tons of text, no spoilers)

significant(imo) changes are marked as "[]", average "[]", others "[~]" or not marked at all)


---------------------------

[] Window Title now contains *'s indicates NotSaved status.

[] Added option to change program behavior on some actions with NotSaved status:
You can select from: Standard (Ask everytime), Ask on program exit only,
or completely DISABLE annoying "not saved" msgboxes, so most people using editor to view/temp.change maps will be happy with it.


[] Window Title now contains full path to the file (switch CAPS ON to remove path from window title).
(also useful while you edit files with same filenames but different locations)


Added option for file selection for Open/Save dialogs type:
[] "Old type" dialog now RESIZEABLE

[] Now you can use 'New type' dialog, with Sidebar Places etc
 (File selection dialogs forced to be Old in CAPS mode: different dialog types may be useful because may target different locations)

[] Added option for mini Dialogs positions
 Default - always centered
 Near mouse position - 'click to close' (very useful on Gold Mine values change or w/e)
 Use CAPS to ignore option - force dialogs be centered (except File selection and About)


--------------------------- Сommon behavior changes

[] On startup Program will place MiniMap window 'external-attached' to right of the main window (if there are enough space).
CAPS mode = minimap placed internally, standard way, but a bit further from the scrollbar.

[] On startup Program will check data files in this order:
Path Near executable file,
Path Near executable file\support\tomes\tome.#,
And the latest - from registry key War2CD.
[] removed loading of unnecessary files, now it needs two files: tome.1 (standard) and tome.0 (new)
[] If some files not found program shows both path\needed_file and War2CD string content.

[] On startup Program will not show splash screen if started with file.

[~] On startup Program will not re-register for the PUD file in registry until you start program with "-r" parameter or with CAPS mode active.

[~] Disabled Autochange Unit names for menu from tome/tbl: fixed madmix like english editor + another lang. tome/tbl, fixed Menu hotkeys for units

[~] While pressed F1, program will try to find help file nearby: *.chm file, then *.hlp (for retro users)


--------------------------- Unsorted bugfixes and features

[] Bugfix: File now NOT disappears from Recent list if you just cancel it's loading.
[] Bugfix: Now "ask for save" appears BEFORE FileOpen dialog.
[] Bugfix: Now window title will NOT change until Newmap REALLY accepted.
Most of bugs because: flawed by 'oop'design. Even worse there are rare "file deletion on save" bug(still not fixed, mb later).

[] Fixed(~90%) of this bug: Brush white frame disappears in case you selected Brush by hotkey or just In-Out near map edge, so you need to mouse move to another cell to let it finally draw - also annoying.
 Now in situations like this it will be fine, or (worst cases) you need to move mouse 1 pixel - much easier than 32

[?] Program will not spoil Triggers... (Oh.. wait, Ed still not applied reliable indicator, but at least my part is ready months ago)
 (ALOW section etc still not saved, maybe later)
 Side effect: Walls in the Triggers area (Top part of the map) will not be placed/converted correct, so you need set up Walls BEFORE loading triggers into the map (or use standard editor for it then restore triggers). Also, maybe later there will be save/load for Triggers part, but for now it works this way.

Almost all dialogs changed/tweaked in a varying degree. Examples of minimal, but useful changes:
[] "not saved" MsgBox default button changed to Cancel (No accidental action).

[] in the Units/Upgrades Properties page step value changed to 4, so next page will keep "Pairs" of units seen @ 1/2 3/4 positions (Footman/Grunt) etc.

[] Changed error msgbox "...is now in an inappropriate location, do you want to delete" to ok/cancel, so you can just hold ESC for a while to skip all 'errors' fastest way. (mb later will be changed, but no priority)


[] Bugfix: Now changed single Gold/Oil stuff affects NotSaved status too.
[~] Bugfixes in Starting conditions and Map properties dialogs that pressing OK set NotSaved status even if NO any changes!
[~] Almost same for Player properties dialog, but with some specific conditions: if you CHANGE Controller for player with 0 units - it will affect NotSaved status, but really saved file data not be changed.

[~] Enhanced manual Heroes conversion: now it can change All heroes or BtDP only (legacy stuff)

[~] Changed most of "Error" messages, especially on Saving, etc

[] Added option to confirm multiple(>1) units removing.

[~] For Oil Platforms (in case no other unit types selected) "Delete" action will remove platforms (no confirmation) but Oil patches stays.

--------------------------- "Saving" features

[√√] Now saving is always done, regardless of errors/information,
 so you can save EMPTY map with terrain only as draft, no need to set up anything.
 You just will be informed about the potential map problems (like no Start Location, or w/e), but saving will be done.

[~] "Warning" about Exp.Heroes on saving changed to "Legacy information" and will be show once, until you clear options in the registry

[] Total limit for "real" Units on the map now set to 1600 - maximum for the game (not editor)
 (Start Locations not counts as real unit except it owned by Neutral)

[] Unit "per-player" limit removed at all, but you will be informed about it anyway while saving.
 Something like "Player # will not be able to make new units" or w/e.

[] Added special unit sort on saving feature that allows even 1599 to one owner - if you have some hero, and map with 1599 enemies)
 You can choose not to sort at your own risk, the word "sort" itself is a hint.
 But in most cases, when the program suggests sorting - it is really necessary, elseway not ALL placed units will appear in the game.


--------------------------- Terrain / New map features

[~] Filler Brush now contain regular tiles in the sequence

[] Added special feature for New map:
 you can start New map filled with Terain Brush you selected currently (except walls for now, maybe later will be added/enhanced)
 For example: The whole map initially contains Rocks/Wood/Water or w/e.
 Good result is: Forest + Dark Grass + Random... try any others.

[] Added two options to 'New file' Dialog: Map tileset - Random, Map size - Tiny (14x14)... Droid will be happy)

[~] Default Filename changed to "NewMap.pud"

[] New map resource values for Players set to Low (no more stupid 1000/1000/1000)


--------------------------- Resources dialog

[] Fixed bug with nonsense msgbox while Duplicate values, but some player(not even 1st) field is empty/incorrect.

[~] Tweaked pos, buttons, added limit hint, changed Edits alignment and styles(NUMBER_ONLY etc).

[√√] Added extra function to "Duplicate" button:
First press will Duplicate(if make sense)
Second and further will loop sequantially these res.values: 0, Low, Medium, High, max(65535), then again old values(Not duplicated) ...


--------------------------- Menus/ToolBar

[] Changed/tweaked menus for Tilesets. Added toolbar pictograms for Swamp.

[] Slightly changed order of some items for usability: spread [new/open] [save], etc

[~] Player 3 and 4 text changed to 'Teal' and 'Purple'

[] Unlocked ToolBar Size/Plain/Filler/Random items for all tiles: Size for Walls, Random for Water(useful with Winter), etc
 Brush autoswitch Behavior changed this way:
 Sizes / Light-Dark / Plain-Random Brushes will be reset to 1x1 + Light + Plain, once you change "Main" Brush like Water/Dirt/Grass/..
 this mostly prevent accidental Dark/5x5 stuff placement that may be a big problem because no Undo (
 In CAPS mode Size/Dark/Random will not be reset most cases except Changing Brush to Wall (Size for Walls will be reset to 1x1 anyway)

 If you press same Terrain Brush Twice - it will do forced reset dependent buttons to 1x1 + Light + Plain, ignoring CAPS status.

Added new main menu items for fast access: Peasant/Peon, X (Start Locations), Gold Mine, Select tool, MiniMap

[] Player numbers in the menu bar that same time indicates the Current player

[] Units - most units in ONE place, good to use with mouse, but hotkeys can be used too
[~] Buildings - same as units
[~] Properties - for faster hotkey dialogs calls / mouse select MiniMap On, Properties -> Dialogs: Races, Resources,... etc

[] Unlocked/Added Special units (Paladin/OM, Ranger/Berserker, Attack Peasant/Peon, Eye of Kilrogg)

[] All units now accessible By-Hotkey from Tool menu (guaranteed) or from Units/Builings menus (but hotkeys may differ)

Tool Menu
[] Basic/Advanced buildings madmix splitted and rearranged.
[] Splitted/Rearranged sections for Heroes / Extra units (Paladin, Eye...)


[] Unlocked all AIs in the Player properties dialog.
No option to hide it as in puddraft, but shows more accessible items(14) on the combobox list opening.

[√√] Added button for quick Switching Current player's Race (Note that the Current doesn't always mean Selected)
* By default Walls conversion is disabled, but you can hold Shift or switch CAPS to allow it.

[] Added compatible selected units conversion.

--------------------------- StatusBar

StatusBar text mostly(still not always, need more work) contain last useful information, like:
[] Total units counter, Selected units counter and some more info.
[] Changed/Total info for Gold Mines etc.

[~] Added more spaces to some StatusBar texts for better readability. Added better descriptions to StatusBar Hints.


--------------------------- Hotkeys additions

Layout-dependent:
[~] Obvious standard menu hotkeys + Alt+U for Units menu, Alt+B for Buildings, etc...
[] Alt+X   Start Location
[] Alt+`   Peasant/Peon

Layout-independent:
[~] Alt+Ctrl+S   Save As..

[√√√] ESC   Switch to Select Tool and Deselect currently selected units
[~] Alt+S   same as ESC, also in most cases the same action can be done by RMB

[] Alt+G   Gold Mine
[~] Alt+H   Oil Patch
[~] Alt+C   Critter

[] Alt+Q   Grass
[] Alt+W   Wood

[√√] F4, Alt+M   Toggle MiniMap

[] Alt+D   Map properties Dialog (Tileset+Description) - fast change tileset for view purposes.

[] Alt+Ctrl+Shift+O   Change options (one by one)
* Options that you change will not be saved in case you exit Editor with CAPS mode ON.

[] Ctrl+R   Switch Current player's Race.

--------------------------- Map Scroll changes

[~] NumPad works for scroll independent of NumLock status (Num5 = scroll Down)

[] Home/End/PgUp/PgDn   Scroll the map diagonally. (same for NumPad 7/1/9/3 or Alt+Arrows)

[] W/S/A/D - Vert/Horz, Q/E/ Z/X - Diagonal scrolling.

[] Default scroll value changed to 1 cell (CAPS will return it to 2 at once as original)

[] Same way Ctrl+Arrows move screen HALF size to corresponding direction (CAPS = fullpage)


--------------------------- MiniMap

[√√√] Fixed nasty Bug 'minimap EAT-focus': menu hotkeys (Alt+F, Alt+T, etc) won't work after you clicked on MiniMap at least once.
 Now menu hotkeys will work properly (except you clicked not to the map itself but to the title of the Minimap window to move it or take screenshot by Alt+PrintScreen)

[] Fixed minimap WhiteFrame that was drawn over units at map edges, critical for right/bottom edges.

[~] micro feature: hold MMB(Mouse Wheel) then press Esc (or do something to redraw MiniMap) -> Movable Units will be drawn as 1 pixel on MiniMap until next redraw.

[] Changed minimap colors:

Yellow   now more usable because means GOLD, except similar Player 8 color

Gray   Critters and most Neutrals, except special

Cyan   Neutral specials like Portal, Rune, Circle and "Rescuable NPCs"

Magenta   "Enemy NPCs" (NPCs will be described later)

* CAPS will return yellow for all neutrals, but not affect NPCs

[] Changed resource containers Size on Minimap: standard 3x3 - less than 40k, 4x4 = 40k..65k, 5x5 = 67500+ (CAPS will disable it)


--------------------------- Gold/Oil change features

[√√√] Resource value scrollbar now using nonlinear positioning to make it easier to set/change reasonable(relatively low) values. (CAPS will disable it)
+ Resource value scrollbar double sized vertically, so extra aiming not needed anymore)
+ Page Step value for Gold changed to 10000, for Oil to 7500
Big OK button, no useless stuff, Added hint that inform about CAPS change page Step value to original 25000

[] Gold/Oil default value on placement changed to 40000/12500, but if you like old 15000/5000 just hold Alt while placing (see next info for Alternative res value)

[] Alternative res value using while Alt pressed on Gold/Oil placement
 By default it is 15000/5000 for Gold/Oil as original editor values.
 It can be changed by:

--------------------------- LMB "pick" feature

[] Hold Ctrl +Click on unit = to "pick" it into Brush
 it will also change Current player to picked # ( for Players 1-8 )
 it will also change Current Alternative Res value (for using with Alt+Placement) if picked unit is corresponding Resource container


--------------------------- another Placement stuff

[] Hold Alt while placing unit
To place movable unit as "active"
To use alternative resource value for resource containers. (see above)

[] Hold Shift to place units initially in selected state (may be useful for temporary units to remove all of them at once later)

[] Gold and Oil stuffs can be RE-placed over themselves. (similar way as original Platforms can be placed over Oil patches)
[~] StatusBar contains resources amount of hovered Gold/Oils in case Brush = corresponding Gold/Oil stuff.
Hold Alt before [re]placement to use Alternate res amount, Hold Shift to let the [re]placed thing be Selected,
Hold Ctrl to just change platform owner or set platform over patch, but not change res Amount of patch itself.

[~] Unit counter in StatusBar will contain "!" near 1600 units.
[~] You can place multiple Start Locations while hold Alt. It may be useful for special "one(not really) peon" mode.
(latest placed SL will be used as real "camera start position" in the game)


--------------------------- RMB behavior and features

Current Brush = Select.
You click RMB on the Unit -> standard RMB Dialog (Gold/Oil/Active)

Current Brush = Unit.
[] You click RMB on the another Unit -> this unit will be deleted

Current Brush = any.
[] You click RMB on the Terrain
If something selected -> all units will be deselected (Brush stay same)
If nothing selected -> Brush will be changed to Select (Same effect as ESC)


--------------------------- LMB Selection features

.Enhanced Standard De/Selection: allowed to do more precise selection in some cases, 'pixel' for Click detection increased

[] Fixes for 'multiple units at one cell':
Now single click will select Top unit only, Not both.
In case you need to select Both units: do not exactly pixel Click, but slight Drag-selection in this cell.

Add/Remove Top/Bottom unit with Shift to/from selection:
[~]for top unit (placed ABOVE another unit) just normal Shift +Click,
[]for bottom unit (placed UNDER another unit) hold Shift+Ctrl before Click.


[] Alt +Click on Unit = Select all units this Type and same Value(Amount) as clicked of this Owner.
(* this will Deselect all other units except new group, * First click on already selected unit will just deselect all)
Example: Select this way all Gold mines @ players Main spots (if known all same value) and change to another value, then change Exp.Gold mines same way.

[] Alt+Ctrl +Click on Unit = Select all units this Type of this Owner
(this will add/toggle selection to current)

[] Alt+Ctrl+Shift +Click on Unit = Select ALL units of this Owner (see next for Swap players)
(this will add/toggle selection to current)


--------------------------- Owner Change for Selected units

[] Runestones initially placed as Neutral now.

* Main thing about Owner change: you need to select units of SINGLE owner (Not multiple) to be able to convert them special ways.
 Just test how it works by selecting different owners, etc. The more owners you selected - the less you can change.
 Info about selected owners displays in the StatusBar. If no owner info described in the StatusBar - it means the seleted units owned by Neutral.


[] Set owner to Neutral or back: Select units then press same # of owner again. (for more complex actions see NPCs part)
 Critters/Runestones changed easier, but not in group with different owners.
 You can even change Gold Mine owner to player but it needs to be single selected item for action like that.
 (Anyway Oil patch and Circle of Power can not be changed from Neutral)

[√√] Special owner change features:
 Select ALL units of some player(no other owners in selection) then press Alt+# of Player you want to Swap with selected.
 This way you can even change all players by selection only ONE player)

* Note that Start Locations won't change in CAPS mode, so will cause block some conversions.


--------------------------- NPCs

* Main thing about 'NPC' - they don't take the place of normal (1-8) players, so you can make map for 8 players and Rescue/Enemy NPCs.

[√√] Added NPCs two types:
 Enemy-NPC, like Guards or w/e, not needs to be killed for victory.
  Not need triggers. Just N.P.C. Note that they CAN capture and own Rescuable units ;)
 Player 11 = Enemy-NPC-Human
 Player 12 = Enemy-NPC-Orc

 Rescuable-NPC = same as Rescue(Passive)
 Player 13 = Rescuable-NPC-Human
 Player 14 = Rescuable-NPC-Orc

How to change owner to these NPCs:

. Select unit/group (!important: all selected must be owned by single player)
---
. Hold Shift for Enemy
OR
. Hold Ctrl for Rescuable
---
. Hold Alt if you need Orc race
---
. CLICK Menu Item of selected Player Number
If you do all right Status bar text will change to 'Player 11/12 NPC' or 'Player 13/14 Rescuable', depends of keys you pressed.


---------------------------
...to be continued in next msg, because of size limit

3
Attention!
Those who fear some kind of false positive antivirus reactions feel free NOT to use it and leave this page
  :sob:



Here is the chop 1s randomizer for watchers/commentators.

Makes chopdice.pud with random player positions and 2 watchers (host and optionally one more commentator).

I. How to use.

Place it kinda "War2Combat\Maps\Chopdice\chopdice.exe", and make shortcut to it.
On every new run, a new map chopdice.pud will be extracted there.
Note that existing one will be overwritten, so if you plan to watch war2insight replay, you need to save current chopdice.pud somewhere separately after game.

Host game, using compatible modes:
Use Map Settings OR Melee with Units + fixed order.
MwU note
When the host is using "Melee with Units" make sure all players is using Combat 4.6+ to be able to join.

That will keep initial farms presence and no excess vision for players.

Let players join to position 2 and 3.

And last, if needed, let +1 watcher/commentator join to position 4.

For next game - run shortcut you created to extract new random chopdice.pud, then use same host settings.


II. Some notes.
Bad:
Players can know the spots before starting, because:
  Minimap plugin shows the map,
  Even if the mini-map plugin is not used, players can check the map in downloads before game starts

Good:
  Watchers can see players resources using war2observe
  Players don't know the spots until they join,
therefore an honest host is needed (no map reroll, no any info for players before they joins)

And the obviously:
  Rejoins for spot change must NOT be allowed



Note that host is always watcher here, so for game with no watchers -> just use regular chop version:
(Mini Chop Farms [PROPER].pud is used as base for this randomizer)


4
War2HotKeys - new program for changing hotkeys in the game.

.suitable for any keyboard layout and for any War2Combat language;
.has many useful functions;
.and just convenient: when changing hotkeys, working with files (drag & drop, etc)


Video review from fl:


Alternative "drunk" version of review missed because fl deleted his old yt account :(

Download link (archive password: war2ru)
https://downloads.warcraft2.online/war2/Game configuration/War2HotKeys/War2HotKeys.zip v1.0.2.3

Version history:
20201016: v1001 (around 256k sources) has even fewer false positives than "Hello World" (one line and 30 bytes).
20201018: v1002 Correct stats for built-in game.
20201027: v1003 Some tweaks + fixed bugs that added in 1001, hopefully not added more than fixed.
20201112: v1015 Ignores incorrect keyboard layouts and bogus keystroke codes.
20201214: v1020 Hints text edit feature (Alt+Ctrl+Shift  +  E / LMB click)
20210104: v1021 Minor adjustments and fixes.
20211226: v1022 Loud sound fixed (the program sets its sound volume to 20% if w2hk.log file not exist). Some text and interface bugs fixed.
20220611: v1023 Portuguese built-in template added. Some program texts edited/fixed.


Answers to most questions are in the built-in help system of the program (context help or text pages)

Here some more Questions and Answers:

Q: I have several installed War2, need to copy program to each folder? Is it obligatory to store it in the War2 folder?
A: You can put it anywhere, then just drop on it a shortcut to war2 which hotkeys you plan to change.


Q: How do I change the sound volume?
A: In win7 ++, through the standard volume icon on the taskbar, you can set the volume for a separate program.


Q: When launched, the program may interfere with households or neighbors, announcing that it is "Ready to work" :). What can I do about it?
A: You can prescribe in the program shortcut (= in the command line parameters): "War2HotKeys * *s" to start without sounds.
as well as much more, see the built-in instructions.


Q: My antivirus (or something from the virustotal website) warn me that the program is unsafe
A: This is the so-called false positives: mostly typical for those "antiviruses" that try to impress the user, strenuously creating the appearance of their active and useful work.
(more for advanced: Download the latest version of AutoIt from the official site, compile the script: MsgBox (0, "", "Hello world!"), then upload the resulting file to virustotal for check and [don't] be surprised)
Accordingly, based on the detections on the virustotal for safe programs, you can draw conclusions about the "quality" of some antiviruses or its absence..
If in doubt, do not use the program. Nobody forces.

There is nothing destructive in the program.
Program does not touch anything except its working files and mpq archives,
and even vice versa: protects the user from accidental damage to anything in War2 itself, and help in some restoring.

Here is what to do with the built-in win10 antivirus.

PS: Sorry for bad english.

PPS: Even EQ can use this, although every second message from him made me think about forbidding him(personally) to edit hotkeys.

Screenshot of the program during its development:

5
Mods & Development / Lobby Map Plugin mod
« on: December 11, 2019, 04:12:14 AM »
About new minimap plugin in 4.6 version.

the plugin should be updated so the minimap doesn't disappear anymore when you type


But the cursor(Orc Hand) must keep drawn OVER the map image, elseway it will be bad and uncomfortable appearance.

here some comparisions standard vs improved lobbymap palettes:





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