help beginner

Published on August 12, 2010 By a110 In Sins Modding

i'm thinking about starting modding

i have harpo's utilities and the diplomacy reference files

looking through them i can semi-understand parts of them, but i have no idea how to make *new* content

to begin with, i wish to make an ability on the illuminator which reduces its shields and movement/turning speed and increases its damage and range and decreases its weapon cooldown

does anyone have some tips to get started

thanks

Comments (Page 2)

a110

on Aug 21, 2010

i also edited the PlayerPsi file

i minidumped

harpo99999

on Aug 21, 2010

did you use the dev.exe? it can help to locate the file(s) that are causing the dump.

harpo

a110

on Aug 21, 2010

when i try to open the dev.exe i get this

Assert @ c:\projects\Perforce\SinsDiplomacy\main\CodeSource\Engine/Core/Settings.cpp(659)

!attemptToReadLegacySettings || (attemptToReadLegacySettings && versionNumberFromFile >= ConvertToReleaseSpecificVersionNumber(184))

a110

on Aug 21, 2010

ok, i disabled all mods through the text file, opened the dev.exe, and enabled my ability mod

this came up:

Text FileArchive missing Label.

File: C:\Users\[user]\AppData\Local\Ironclad Games\Sins of a Solar Empire\Mods-Diplomacy v1.011\mod attempt\GameInfo\BuffChargeBeamSelf.entity
Label: buffOverTimeActionType
Line Number:34
Line Contents: buff OverTimeActionType "DoDamage"

this is the file in question:

TXT
entityType "Buff"
onReapplyDuplicateType "PrioritizeNewBuffs"
buffStackingLimitType "ForAllPlayers"
stackingLimit 1
allowFirstSpawnerToStack FALSE
buffExclusivityForAIType "ExclusiveForAllPlayers"
isInterruptable FALSE
isChannelling FALSE
numInstantActions 1
instantAction
   buffInstantActionType "ApplyBuffToTargetOnWeaponFired"
   instantActionTriggerType "OnWeaponFired"
   numWeaponClasses 1
   weaponClassForWeaponPassive "BEAM"
   passiveWeaponEffectChance
       Level:0 1.000000
       Level:1 0.000000
       Level:2 0.000000
   buffType "BuffChargeBeamDoDamage"
   targetFilter
       numOwnerships 1
       ownership "Enemy"
       numObjects 4
       object "CapitalShip"
       object "Frigate"
       object "PlanetModule"
       object "StarBase"
       numSpaces 1
       space "Normal"
       numConstraints 0
numPeriodicActions 0
numOverTimeActions 1
overTimeAction
   buff OverTimeActionType "DoDamage"
   damageRate
       Level:0 0.300000
       Level:1 0.000000
       Level:2 0.000000
   damageAffectType "AFFECTS_ONLY_SHIELDS"
   damageType "PHYSICAL"
   isDamageShared TRUE
numEntityModifiers 2
entityModifier
   buffEntityModifierType "WeaponRange"
   value
       Level:0 0.250000
       Level:1 0.000000
       Level:2 0.000000
entityModifier
   buffEntityModifierType "AngularThrust"
   value
       Level:0 -2.000000
       Level:1 0.000000
       Level:2 0.000000
numEntityBoolModifiers 1
entityBoolModifier "DisableLinearEngines"
numFinishConditions 0

when i skip that error, i get this

Assert @ c:\projects\Perforce\SinsDiplomacy\main\CodeSource\GS/Entity/Interfaces/IBuff.cpp(2840)

false

and this

Text FileArchive missing Label.

File: C:\Users\[user]\AppData\Local\Ironclad Games\Sins of a Solar Empire\Mods-Diplomacy v1.011\mod attempt\GameInfo\BuffChargeBeamSelf.entity
Label: numEntityModifiers
Line Number:35
Line Contents: buff OverTimeActionType "DoDamage"

and so on apparently up to line 38

harpo99999

on Aug 21, 2010

your problem appears to be in line 34 of BuffChargeBeamSelf.entity.

it looks like you have a space where you should not

you have

buff_OverTimeActionType "DoDamage"

you SHOULD have

buffOverTimeActionType "DoDamage"

at least that is what the sins engine is looking for and not finding.

note the lake of space between the buff & the OvertimeActionType

harpo

ZombiesRus5

on Aug 21, 2010

You have a space between buff and OverTimeActionType which is causing the error.

My tool would help prevent errors like this

Forum: [Mod Utility] Entity Validation Tool and NOW with Entity Editor support! (Release 7/23).

Download Site: Sins Entity Editor and Validation Tool.

a110

on Aug 22, 2010

ah thanks

k, fixed it and now im not getting that error anymore, but i have this:

Assert @ c:\projects\Perforce\SinsDiplomacy\main\CodeSource\GS/AI/BuildResearchAI.cpp(812)

ability->GetIAbilityPtr()->GetDef()->m_buffApplyAction.buffInstantActionType == BuffInstantActionType::CreateSpaceMine

a110

on Aug 24, 2010

help anyone?

harpo99999

on Aug 25, 2010

have you made any changes to either the mines OR mine squadrons?

or perhaps removed the mines without altering the entity.manifest?

harpo

a110

on Aug 25, 2010

i didn't touch the mine entity files

i deleted the IllusionSelfCopy buff and ability files and replaced them with the ChargeBeam files in the entity.manifest, thats the only thing i did in the manifest

a110

on Aug 29, 2010

ok it doesn't dump anymore but it doesnt work like its supposed to, it only lasts for two seconds (the length i set) instead of toggling like charged missiles, also it only displays the range and turn rate buffs, not the damage and shield ones

isn't there a way to put the damage increase in the BuffChargeBeamSelf instead of making a separate file for DoDamage?

a110

on Aug 29, 2010

ah i think i found it in BuffHeavyFighters

buffEntityModifierType "PhysicalDamageAsDamageDealer"

the shield reduction also doesn't show up on the infocard, i cant find any entitymodifiers that do it though

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