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Trying to Copy/Paste Gaston/Stogie/Tex From JA2UB Onto MERC in JA2 - help! :)[message #11754] Fri, 16 September 2005 09:47 Go to next message
Omega Supreme is currently offline Omega Supreme

 
Messages:7
Registered:September 2005
Location: Alaska
I'm trying to do something that should be pretty easy - I'm trying to take all of Tex, Gaston, and Stogie's info from the JA2:UB files and paste them over those of Biff, Flo, and Gumpy in JA2. There may be a few voice glitches - some 'types' of voices weren't done for the JA2:UB guys - but overall the faces and voices should be just fine.

I have STIedit, SLF-Explore, and ProEdit. Problem is, I can't figure out how to use them Smile SLF-Explore is in German, which doesn't help. I've figured out all the voice/speech types (000 - 116 or so), so I know which ones to overwrite with what.

How do I use SLF-Explore to 'extract' the STI files (and extract to where?), and then use the STI-Edit program to write them back into the original SLF file?

THEN, how do I use ProEdit to alter the game's stats? What file to I write into in the JA2 folder?

Any help would be appreciated Smile

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Private
Re: Trying to Copy/Paste Gaston/Stogie/Tex From JA2UB Onto MERC in JA2 - help! :)[message #11755] Fri, 16 September 2005 10:01 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Omega Supreme is currently offline Omega Supreme

 
Messages:7
Registered:September 2005
Location: Alaska
Turns out, I think I've found an easier way.

Create the folder that the file comes from in the SLF file - Faces, Speech, etc - in the main directory, and put the mods there. The game seems to search the directory for mods before resorting to the original archive folders.

Anything else I need to know?

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Private
Re: Trying to Copy/Paste Gaston/Stogie/Tex From JA2UB Onto MERC in JA2 - help! :)[message #11756] Fri, 16 September 2005 10:32 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Madd_Mugsy

 
Messages:634
Registered:July 2005
Location: Canada
I'm pretty sure that Tex has hardcoded animation features in UB that aren't going to work properly in regular JA2. So his eyes may appear in the wrong spot, etc.

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First Sergeant

Re: Trying to Copy/Paste Gaston/Stogie/Tex From JA2UB Onto MERC in JA2 - help! :)[message #11757] Fri, 23 September 2005 02:44 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Nighthawk is currently offline Nighthawk

 
Messages:46
Registered:February 2002
Location: Springfield, MO
@ Omega Supreme

I have put Gaston and Stogie into my version of the 1.13 mod. Haven't tried to do Tex yet, but he was in the Urban Chaos mod.

I can post all the voice/text folders and the edited pro.dat file on my website for you and others. Do you want just these 3 people changed, or I can send you one with lots of the AIM and MERC's improved with better equipment.

So Biff, Flo, and Gumpy are the ones to be replaced? I made Biff and Flo much more usable with better stats/equipment(expert teachers) and they are great comic relief. It's Gumpy and Gasket I could not stand.

Nighthawk

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Corporal
Re: Trying to Copy/Paste Gaston/Stogie/Tex From JA2UB Onto MERC in JA2 - help! :)[message #11758] Fri, 23 September 2005 04:14 Go to previous messageGo to next message
CatSpam is currently offline CatSpam

 
Messages:75
Registered:May 2004
Location: Canada
This is a really old question. And I know where you can find a really old answer.


Deutscher made an excellent guide on how to swap characters.

You can still find it on the LORDS OF THE BYTES website

http://www.lords-of-the-bytes.com/

Just click on FORUM, MODDING GUIDES, PAGE 2 - it is near the bottom because it is an old guide. You can find some information on PROEDIT on the same site.


I have swapped characters like this quite a bit.


You will need to work out the eye coordinates for these characters, but shouldn't have trouble with hardcoded coordinates. Mad Mugsy is right - the eye coordinates are hardcoded into the game for recruitable NPC's - but the AIM and MERC mercs only use the coordinates in the PROF.DAT file.


Since all you want to do is replace some MERC characters with these characters, you just need to figure out what the final eye coordinates for the characters are and use PROEDIT to put them in prof.dat.


I used trial and error to find out the eye coordinates for some characters a long time ago, using the custom merc faces to create new NPC's I could recruit.

I am sure there are easier ways, but what I did was replace Fatima and Pacos and used information on editing NPcDATA files to make them recruitable.

I also set them up that if I gave them money (even just $10) they would be recruited. That information is in a topic called "NPC scripting" in the Discoveries section of the LORDS OF THE BYTES forum.

I would start a new game, clear out the sector, and then recruit Fatima and Pacos. Then check their eyes and see where the box with the eyes appears when they blink. If it is above their normal eyes, you need to increase "X". Decrease "X" if it is below. If the box eyes are to the left of the normal eyes, increase "Y". I kept doing that until I got the eyes working right.


That is a lot of work, which makes John Wright's offer to post his information a great offer. Maybe someone has the coordinates for Tex handy so you could get that info too without having to do all this work.


BTW, you can change NPC's to make them recruitable, even if they are out of the range of usually recruitable NPC's. They will not change sets of eye coordinates so they will only use the coordinates they start with. This will make their original NPC faces all screwed up if you want their recruited faces to work. But I have replaced FATIMA and PACOS with mercenaries and used those mercenaries throughout the game. It is stable.

You must remember to change their body shape as well to "reg male" or "reg female" because their current bodies (woman with a dress, child) won't be able to use guns.

Good luck.

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Corporal
Re: Trying to Copy/Paste Gaston/Stogie/Tex From JA2UB Onto MERC in JA2 - help! :)[message #11759] Fri, 23 September 2005 05:50 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Madd_Mugsy

 
Messages:634
Registered:July 2005
Location: Canada
4 UB mercs will be added to MERC in the 1.13 mod in the next or following release:

Gaston
Stogie
Biggins
Tex

And they WILL work with creatures and the other missing quotes, etc. Speck will even advertise Gaston & Stogie, like in UB.

Cheers,

MM

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First Sergeant

Re: Trying to Copy/Paste Gaston/Stogie/Tex From JA2UB Onto MERC in JA2 - help! :)[message #11760] Fri, 23 September 2005 07:40 Go to previous messageGo to next message
gmonk

 
Messages:670
Registered:April 2002
Location: Newfoundland, Canada
w00t! Great news! I actually like playing with the 'misfits' on my team. New blood is always welcome.

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First Sergeant
Re: Trying to Copy/Paste Gaston/Stogie/Tex From JA2UB Onto MERC in JA2 - help! :)[message #11761] Fri, 23 September 2005 07:42 Go to previous messageGo to next message
CatSpam is currently offline CatSpam

 
Messages:75
Registered:May 2004
Location: Canada
All right Madd Mugsy.

I am a few mods behind in playing but I am looking forward to playing 1.13

And I will enjoy having some source files and informtation to copy these characters into other mods (modding the mods).


I really like Tex. It cracks me up when he says "I hear russring, could be russrers".

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Corporal
Re: Trying to Copy/Paste Gaston/Stogie/Tex From JA2UB Onto MERC in JA2 - help! :)[message #11762] Fri, 23 September 2005 08:58 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Madd_Mugsy

 
Messages:634
Registered:July 2005
Location: Canada
They didn't have creature quotes, so I re-used some of the existing quotes (some of which may not have been used in UB), and actually, some of them are pretty good.

ex:

Tex gets worried about the creatures:

"Cock your six-shooters. This Wild East situation."

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First Sergeant

Re: Trying to Copy/Paste Gaston/Stogie/Tex From JA2UB Onto MERC in JA2 - help! :)[message #11763] Fri, 23 September 2005 09:44 Go to previous messageGo to next message
CatSpam is currently offline CatSpam

 
Messages:75
Registered:May 2004
Location: Canada
Coool way to fill those gaps.

Looking forward to hearing those lines in action.

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Corporal
Re: Trying to Copy/Paste Gaston/Stogie/Tex From JA2UB Onto MERC in JA2 - help! :)[message #11764] Fri, 23 September 2005 10:29 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Madd_Mugsy

 
Messages:634
Registered:July 2005
Location: Canada
Your signature reminds of a new line from that IMP voice (which, coincidentally is the same one that I always use Wink ) that's in 1.13 right now:

"Gettin' the cold sweats. Means something heavy's about to go down."

(When there's tanks or rocket launchers in the sector)

My favourite is when Shadow says:

"My Spidey sense is tingling" Very Happy

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First Sergeant

Re: Trying to Copy/Paste Gaston/Stogie/Tex From JA2UB Onto MERC in JA2 - help! :)[message #11765] Fri, 23 September 2005 11:46 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Madd_Mugsy

 
Messages:634
Registered:July 2005
Location: Canada
Howdy Pardenuhs!

Does anyone feel like writing some MERC Bios for Tex and Biggins for me?

TIA!

MM

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First Sergeant

Re: Trying to Copy/Paste Gaston/Stogie/Tex From JA2UB Onto MERC in JA2 - help! :)[message #11766] Fri, 23 September 2005 12:53 Go to previous messageGo to next message
DurtyDan is currently offline DurtyDan

 
Messages:103
Registered:November 2001
Location: Oregon, USA
Here's a draft, mugsy.

Tex: (partially stolen from the AIM history)

One of our more colorful warriors, Tex Colburn has returned to the mercenary life. As a star of Japanese westerns, he played the lead role in "Much Dust, Many Bullets," and has received glowing reviews for his roles in the classic films "Attack of the Clydesdales" and "Have Honda, Will Travel." Tex is quick with a .45 in each hand, and travels with his own stage make-up.

Biggins:

When you need the very best, turn to Col. Biggins. His experiences in guerilla warfare in South Asia have given him a sharp aim with a rifle and unique skills with traps and explosives. Col. Biggins will gladly share his experiences, even without being asked. He just demands that servants carry the heavy gear.

How about Manuel? will he be added too?

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Sergeant
Re: Trying to Copy/Paste Gaston/Stogie/Tex From JA2UB Onto MERC in JA2 - help! :)[message #11767] Fri, 23 September 2005 15:10 Go to previous messageGo to next message
DurtyDan is currently offline DurtyDan

 
Messages:103
Registered:November 2001
Location: Oregon, USA
Quote:
"Gettin' the cold sweats. Means something heavy's about to go down."
And Gasket's response:

I

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Sergeant
Re: Trying to Copy/Paste Gaston/Stogie/Tex From JA2UB Onto MERC in JA2 - help! :)[message #11768] Fri, 23 September 2005 16:15 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Madd_Mugsy

 
Messages:634
Registered:July 2005
Location: Canada
Thanks for the bio's. They're in.

Do you really want Manuel? I never really got into UB, so I don't actually remember him. Is he worthwhile? He looked kind of lame in his photo.

Also note that there's now only one slot left that I can use to add Mercs (after adding the 4 from UB), without replacing anyone, until the prof.dat files are externalized (which may not be for a while).

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First Sergeant

Re: Trying to Copy/Paste Gaston/Stogie/Tex From JA2UB Onto MERC in JA2 - help! :)[message #11769] Sat, 24 September 2005 00:06 Go to previous messageGo to next message
DurtyDan is currently offline DurtyDan

 
Messages:103
Registered:November 2001
Location: Oregon, USA
Quote:
Do you really want Manuel?
I really doesn't make a difference to me. I usually hired him because he was free, and UB had a very limited amount of $$$ available.

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Sergeant
Re: Trying to Copy/Paste Gaston/Stogie/Tex From JA2UB Onto MERC in JA2 - help! :)[message #11770] Sat, 24 September 2005 01:42 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Wil473

 
Messages:2815
Registered:September 2004
Location: Canada
I remember that Manuel is supposed to be hiding out in Tracona after being exposed as Miguel's spy in the Queen's forces. The story line makes it somewhat difficult to allow for his early return during the JA2 Alruco campaign.

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Lieutenant

Re: Trying to Copy/Paste Gaston/Stogie/Tex From JA2UB Onto MERC in JA2 - help! :)[message #11771] Sat, 24 September 2005 02:07 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Nighthawk is currently offline Nighthawk

 
Messages:46
Registered:February 2002
Location: Springfield, MO
Thanks, Mugsy. Those are the 4 people I wanted from UB to be in the 1.13(JA2 Reloaded) mod. I thought Manuel was kind of useless, but cheap. He could be made better thru Proedit.

When the prof.dats are externalized I personally would like to add the new guys from the Vietnam mod(from Tour of Duty tv show) and RudeDog and maybe others from UC.

I also use Male voice #3 all the time as Nighthawk in the game. "Time to take out the trash". My playtesting friend, Coyote always uses #1. "Nighty, night"; "The puff of smoke, the thud of the body, man, there's nothing like it".

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Corporal
Re: Trying to Copy/Paste Gaston/Stogie/Tex From JA2UB Onto MERC in JA2 - help! :)[message #11772] Sat, 24 September 2005 02:07 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Majek is currently offline Majek

 
Messages:437
Registered:January 2003
Location: Slovenia
Quote:
Originally posted by Madd Mugsy:
Your signature reminds of a new line from that IMP voice (which, coincidentally is the same one that I always use Wink ) that's in 1.13 right now:

"Gettin' the cold sweats. Means something heavy's about to go down."

(When there's tanks or rocket launchers in the sector)

My favourite is when Shadow says:

"My Spidey sense is tingling" Very Happy
too bad there are no mountains in Arulco cause it'd be cool to hear his UB line about cold and family jewels . :biglaugh:

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Master Sergeant
Re: Trying to Copy/Paste Gaston/Stogie/Tex From JA2UB Onto MERC in JA2 - help! :)[message #11773] Sat, 24 September 2005 02:12 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Nighthawk is currently offline Nighthawk

 
Messages:46
Registered:February 2002
Location: Springfield, MO
I loved that line also.

He said that in the snow map sectors. Maybe if custom mods use snow tiles, their .edt files can use that quote when entering such map sectors. I have not looked how it was done in UB.

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Corporal
Re: Trying to Copy/Paste Gaston/Stogie/Tex From JA2UB Onto MERC in JA2 - help! :)[message #11774] Sat, 24 September 2005 03:46 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Madd_Mugsy

 
Messages:634
Registered:July 2005
Location: Canada
I've completed the coding and testing of the new guys, but I don't have Kaiden's latest code, so I won't be able to merge them in for the next release.

We'll do another release with the new guys as soon as I get our code merged.

-MM

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First Sergeant

Re: Trying to Copy/Paste Gaston/Stogie/Tex From JA2UB Onto MERC in JA2 - help! :)[message #11775] Tue, 27 September 2005 05:24 Go to previous messageGo to next message
malthaussen is currently offline malthaussen

 
Messages:91
Registered:January 2005
Location: Philadelphia
I've mentioned this elsewhere, but it would be a great resource for the community if those who have created new pics and/or voices for playable characters to post such files somewhere where they can be used by people in their games. Then those who are not adept at the tecnique could swap characters as they desire.

As a side question, in Wizardry 8 it is possible to get around the eye blink problem by making all the different frames the same. The way blinking works in that game is that a new pic is displayed for each blink/no blink phase. If the same pic is used for each animation frame, you don't need to fool with cooridinates (but you also lose the blinking, which IMO is a fair tradeoff). Would that work in JA2?

-- Mal

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Corporal 1st Class
Re: Trying to Copy/Paste Gaston/Stogie/Tex From JA2UB Onto MERC in JA2 - help! :)[message #11776] Tue, 27 September 2005 06:17 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Khor1255 is currently offline Khor1255

 
Messages:1817
Registered:August 2003
Location: Pleasantville, NJ
It is concievable that you could either take the whole animation feature out by making a face .sti just one frame. Or you could replace each frame with full pictures instead of the cutouts but getting the faces to animate isn't really all that hard. You just have to alter seven small frames to make each face size.

I like the idea of having a huge tome for modded files of all types. I think one central repository with divisions for each file type would expedite many new mods and I'd be willing to contribute almost all of my crap but I think the problem might be the web hosting. If someone puts up a site (or adds to this one) I'll definately get on board.

I'd only hold back some files that I really want to be a surprise once I finish my mod.

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Sergeant Major
Re: Trying to Copy/Paste Gaston/Stogie/Tex From JA2UB Onto MERC in JA2 - help! :)[message #11777] Fri, 30 September 2005 05:21 Go to previous messageGo to next message
malthaussen is currently offline malthaussen

 
Messages:91
Registered:January 2005
Location: Philadelphia
That would be excellent. I really want a few new pics and voices for the female mercs in particular. It's so irritating that Sir-Tech made the non-playable NPCs with different-sized animations, as some of the NPCs are stone foxes. Smile

And trying to do the anims myself has me tearing my hair out.

-- Mal

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Corporal 1st Class
Re: Trying to Copy/Paste Gaston/Stogie/Tex From JA2UB Onto MERC in JA2 - help! :)[message #11778] Fri, 30 September 2005 09:14 Go to previous message
Khor1255 is currently offline Khor1255

 
Messages:1817
Registered:August 2003
Location: Pleasantville, NJ
The first one is always the hard one. Once you finish that, a whole new world of potential opens up. I strongly reccomend starting with the large animation because from that you can recycle to the smaller sizes and it saves a lot of work. You still have to do all the cutouts but the full sized image only has to be shrunken down and cropped to fit.
I always just take the smaller image and place the larger one on top then stretch it to fit keeping the proportions as simillar to the Sir Tech images as possible.

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Sergeant Major
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