turnlength.txt generation

DDowell · April 8, 2002, 18:08

I've made a small program (250k) called dateConstructor that I hope will help in making turnlength files.

The Big Mc · April 9, 2002, 04:53

I just downloaded the file still needs a bit of work like a just had a five minuet look at it when you save the file could you set it up so it automatic sets it up to save as the turn lenth.txt file

What you do it in any way I have some vb knowledge if you want I can help you make it better

DDowell · April 9, 2002, 05:42

Quote:

Originally posted by The Big Mc
when you save the file could you set it up so it automatic sets it up to save as the turn lenth.txt file

Sure no problem, turnlengt.txt it will be!

Quote:

What you do it in any way I have some vb knowledge if you want I can help you make it better

The program is written in Borland Delphi 3.
If you know that too, I will gladly send you the source.
Did you experience any graphical problems?

The Big Mc · April 9, 2002, 06:15

No graphical problems but I was under the impression it would generate the dates automatic like a start date

Eg

29.03.84

you would put in an end date eg

29.03.1993

and it would generate the days /months .years between or what ever you wanted

Immortal Wombat · April 9, 2002, 06:43

It does. Kind of...

DDowell, I can't use the delete key to remove things in the 'Month' list, it only works for the 'Days' list.

Once I figured out how to use it, its quite easy, though the not emptying the cache is annoying if you want to make more than one separate list, with the same or similar dates, and month names.

Can I make a request for a line number column as well, because one of the most annoying things in making a turnlength.txt is the line numbers.

Otherwise, its great, and I'm sure will save a lot of time for many scenario designers (myself included

)

Thanks.

The Big Mc · April 9, 2002, 07:45

Any chance of a user guide then. The only way this is going to help me is if some one tells me how it works but it could save a lot of people a lot of time.

Locutus · April 9, 2002, 10:34

Great tool, DDowell, a lot of people are going to be very happy with this

However, don't bother contacting Omnigod, he quit the job about a year ago. I have unofficially been appointed as his successor but due to technical (and 'political') difficulties, it's not possible to add new files to the database at this point. Keep an eye on the news/forums, hopefully the database will become active again within the next 2 or 3 months. Until then, you'll have to rely on the forums or on 'external' webspace.

If you can't find webspace of your own, I created a website which all CtP modmakers can use. If you want to add files yourself, ftp to ftp.250free.com (username: ctpmodmakers, password: bl00drun) but you can also mail files to me and I'll gladly post them for you.

Big Mc,
It's really not very hard to use, once you get the hang of it. Read the readme carefully and you'll get it.

You can add days with the Edit->Days->Add option (you're prompted for a name/number), add months with the Edit->Months->Add option (you're prompted for a name) and set the starting and ending year with the years section. Then save those settings in a text file and open it in a text editor to view the results.

The Big Mc · April 10, 2002, 04:48

I Have a real problem getting to grips with new programs.

As well as Redding must get some new glasses

DDowell · April 10, 2002, 07:28

The attachment above is now v1.1 (uploaded 10-04-2002).

Thanks to you guys for giving me feedback on v1.0.

Hopefully most issues have been sorted out in this version.

Finally: Big Mc, good luck on this version. Get glasses quickly.

The Big Mc · April 10, 2002, 08:04

I must need some it was like your post just changed on my

DDowell · April 10, 2002, 08:55

Quote:

Originally posted by The Big Mc
I must need some it was like your post just changed on my

The Big Mc · April 11, 2002, 05:08

Loojk at the new version last and saw two problems already.

One you spelled turn length wrong (probably my fault)

And two you have a start year and an end year cant you just have a start year and a number of turns in stead of the end year

Last night I got 700 turns when I only want 537 easy to correct but a bit of a pain.

DDowell · April 11, 2002, 08:51

Quote:

Originally posted by The Big Mc
One you spelled turn length wrong

Yes, your fault! Must have been... I never mispel anuthing

Will fix that first thing.

Quote:

And two...cant you just have a start year and a number of turns in stead of the end year

Who wan'ts 537(!) turns anyway.

I'm sorry but I don't think I'll add a turn limit to the program other than
the end year.

Thank you Big Mc for your interest. Glad to see this version didn't need glasses.

The Big Mc · April 11, 2002, 09:05

I don’t think you get me

Not a set turn limit of 535

But one that the user puts in so it matches his scenario perfectly

EmperorMatthewI · April 17, 2002, 18:02

All I have to say about this mod is,"Thank God for DDowell!" With this, I might consider resuming my WWII project.

Locutus · April 17, 2002, 20:32

Quote:

Originally posted by EmperorMatthewI
All I have to say about this mod is,"Thank God for DDowell!" With this, I might consider resuming my WWII project.

That would be great

Maquiladora · May 14, 2002, 14:32

Great little program, just what i was looking for

I had a short panic with the turnlengHt.txt but fixed it manually so, thats not so bad.

This thread should be topped.

Martin Gühmann · May 14, 2002, 16:04

Quote:

Originally posted by Maquiladora
This thread should be topped.

Actual we only need a thread that links to these helpfull programs, too and not only to the mods and scenario threads.

-Martin

Locutus · May 14, 2002, 17:04

Quote:

Originally posted by Martin Gühmann
Actual we only need a thread that links to these helpfull programs, too and not only to the mods and scenario threads.
-Martin

Heh, my day only has 24hrs...

Volunteering?

Martin Gühmann · August 17, 2002, 13:21

Any new version out, DDowell? And of course this little program needs a place in the Modification -> Utilies section definatly.

-Martin

DDowell · September 4, 2002, 13:50

do another version of the turnlength program but if there is a common interest in a new one I will. I will however require some feedback about what changes should be made.
Please feel free to post your thoughts.
I am also open to ideas on other useful utilities.

Pedrunn · September 4, 2002, 17:38

One big useful utility would be a sprite creator. Now a days we can only make sprites (CTP2 graphics with movement) filling a not very friendly txt file. I think it would be nice if we had a program to fill this much easily dealing with/showing graphics anf not graphic file names. Specially for unit sprites txt.
Of course you would have to learn how this work and as i said it isnt very friendly.

Locutus · September 4, 2002, 18:08

Good idea, Pedrunn

Even more useful would be a sprite-unpacker - but that's infinitely more difficult to make...

Martin Gühmann · September 4, 2002, 18:31

Quote:

Originally posted by Locutus
Good idea, Pedrunn

Even more useful would be a sprite-unpacker - but that's infinitely more difficult to make...

Actual it is easier to make the sprite unpacker. For instance you have only to understand how the graphics are stored in that file, you don't have to understand how the non graphics data describes what is an animation picture, a death picture and so on. For that task you actual need just to make a file viewer that interpretes every byte as in that picture as 16bit *.tga pixel. Then make a test sprite and you see what is graphics and what is data.

-Martin

Locutus · September 4, 2002, 18:51

No, a sprite unpacker is harder, as you don't need to actually create sprites for a sprite maker, just a graphical interface for the Sprite Tool...

Martin Gühmann · September 5, 2002, 15:15

Quote:

Originally posted by Locutus
No, a sprite unpacker is harder, as you don't need to actually create sprites for a sprite maker, just a graphical interface for the Sprite Tool...

Actual it depends on that you want, if you just want to get the graphics then it is easy, you just need to create a commando based program that gets as an argument the sprite file and will extract the graphics. Actual there is no need for an graphical user interface. Of course if you whish to be able to recompile the graphics afterwards again without to put a lot of time into renaming it and and adapting the script file if necessary then it is more difficuilt. But as I said it is possible to create with the sprite maker a lot of sprites to create examples. Martin the Dane started first only with a TileViewer before the program turned into TileEdit, the program was able to show as much as we understood of the graphics format. So actual the first step to create a sprite maker/editor with a graphical user interface is the creaton of a sprite viewer you have to understand the format.

-Martin