Gisteron wrote:
correcture: you can attach to the engine hardpoint a constant effect that looks like your engine and even behaves the same way while your real engine is attached to the root and is a null effect or sound effect. also ofc you can have a ship with multiple exhausts on e.g. special engine pylons for instance on the front section. unless you lose all of these hardpoints (which depends which model part they attach to) you will have an engine till the end. except for this and the pilot hardpoint it is irrelevant what you call your damage hardpoints like, the key is to link to them properly in the shiparch. and at least it is possible to define parts to break out by fuse or by hitpoint loss, so it really depends on where you was shot most time, which part breaks off.

Exactly what I was thinking. (Well, not exactly, but you are talking the same idea language as I.)

Since this IS possible, if ships were made with more care, wouldn’t it be possible to have strategic attacks possible as well? e.g. concentrating your fire on a specific point on the ship, so that his weapons break of and he becomes helpless? Or breaking his engine off so that he can’t move, without a push or two. Or damaging his right side hull, so that you create a blindspot on his cover.

This would enable more variety in combat I think.

Of course, the half of your ship was just an example… but what if?

adoxa wrote:
If you use the latest UTF Editor (topic), it will highlight each part (you’ll need .NET 3.5 and a “recent” DX update). There are also tools on my site for translating nicknames & ids, as well as straight text files for vanilla system and base nicknames.

Hah! Waddyah know. Thanks man.

Edit: Whoa! this gives me a whole lot more info that I don’t know about! lol. Thanks

I don’t know what the term is.

We have single piece ships, and multipiece ships.

I had a thought the other day.

Lets say you have two capital ships duking it out. These ships get a hammering right? So, if they were breakable, is it possible to mid fight, lose your rear section? And hey look! About half your weapons were on that rear section. You are up **it creek without a paddle.

Much like sub-system targeting I guess, but more fun? Is this kind of thing possible?

Can you Hardpoint breakables? And when you lose those breakables, do you lose your weapons ingame?

Day 3
Well, after a week of puking and diarhea (sorry if TMI!) I’m back to continue my journey. I follow up on the above in finding out the system internal names. I have a hunch I’ll need these.

Found the list. In the Discovery Mod this is \IONCROSS\GAMEDATA_systems.txt. Note: It’s in an odd form. Why is it in the order added, instead of alphabetical?

• Question : Is this the same file for a SDK or unmodded Version?

So I can see from the list that Li01 is New York. Obviously; however having the list is useful for later. Now I will attempt to have a look at the New York Starsphere.

As we can see there are two files that may be involved. Lets open the first in the UTF Editor. Starsphere_li01.cmp

When opening starsphere_li01.cmp up in UTFeditor we can see the following list. The Texture part is what we are interested in for now.

In exporting each of the tga’s one by one we can see that these images are indexed tga files. Except for the Galactic Belt, all the images start at MIP0, at the size of 256 pixels by 256 pixels. Each subsequent image is then divided by two, so we get this:

• MIP0 = 256 x 256
• MIP1 = 128 x 128
• MIP2 = 64 x 64
• MIP3 = 32 x 32
• MIP4 = 16 x 16
• MIP5 = 8 x 8
• MIP6 = 4 x 4
• MIP7 = 2 x 2
• MIP8 = 1 x 1

I don’t yet know why they bothered putting a 1 x 1 pixel image in, (or an 8px for that matter). There’s bound to be some reason, yet to be discovered.

Out of curiousity I looked at li01 starsphere model (that’s the .cmp file) in Hard CMP to see what the model actually looks like.

Same model but textured.

Same model turned 180(ish)

And wired view of 180 with (guessed) explanations.

The log of HardCMP says thus :

Direct3D Interface created
Dx9 Format supported
Failed to create the DX9 device
Valid Dx9 Config: Devtype = 1 behaviour = 40 depth = 4D

Dx9 Device Created
InitD3D Done
InitGeometry started
InitGeometry started
Loading UTF
\Desktop\Modding Discovery\DATA\SOLAR\STARSPHERE\starsphere_li01.cmp
Loading Texture
Texture Loaded
Meshes loaded
Hardpoints loaded
Loading Fix
Creating Vertex buffers
Creating Index Buffers
Loading Textures from mats
Loading UTF(s)
\Desktop\Modding Discovery\DATA\SOLAR\asteroid_dock.mat
\Desktop\Modding Discovery\DATA\SOLAR\ast_badlands.mat
\Desktop\Modding Discovery\DATA\SOLAR\ast_berylium.mat
\Desktop\Modding Discovery\DATA\SOLAR\ast_debris.mat
\Desktop\Modding Discovery\DATA\SOLAR\ast_debris2.mat
\Desktop\Modding Discovery\DATA\SOLAR\ast_fragments.mat
\Desktop\Modding Discovery\DATA\SOLAR\ast_gas_mine.mat
\Desktop\Modding Discovery\DATA\SOLAR\ast_ice.mat
\Desktop\Modding Discovery\DATA\SOLAR\ast_lava.mat
\Desktop\Modding Discovery\DATA\SOLAR\ast_loot.mat
\Desktop\Modding Discovery\DATA\SOLAR\ast_mineable.mat
\Desktop\Modding Discovery\DATA\SOLAR\ast_minedout.mat
\Desktop\Modding Discovery\DATA\SOLAR\ast_mines.mat
\Desktop\Modding Discovery\DATA\SOLAR\ast_nomad.mat
\Desktop\Modding Discovery\DATA\SOLAR\ast_rock.mat
\Desktop\Modding Discovery\DATA\SOLAR\ast_toxic.mat
\Desktop\Modding Discovery\DATA\SOLAR\ast_uranium.mat
\Desktop\Modding Discovery\DATA\SOLAR\freeport7.mat
\Desktop\Modding Discovery\DATA\SOLAR\nomad.mat
\Desktop\Modding Discovery\DATA\SOLAR\nomad_lair.mat
\Desktop\Modding Discovery\DATA\SOLAR\solar_mat_co_base.mat
\Desktop\Modding Discovery\DATA\SOLAR\solar_mat_dockable01.mat
\Desktop\Modding Discovery\DATA\SOLAR\solar_mat_dockable02.mat
\Desktop\Modding Discovery\DATA\SOLAR\solar_mat_dockable03.mat
\Desktop\Modding Discovery\DATA\SOLAR\solar_mat_dockable04.mat
\Desktop\Modding Discovery\DATA\SOLAR\solar_mat_dyson.mat
\Desktop\Modding Discovery\DATA\SOLAR\solar_mat_dyson_city.mat
\Desktop\Modding Discovery\DATA\SOLAR\solar_mat_mbase.mat
\Desktop\Modding Discovery\DATA\SOLAR\solar_mat_misc01.mat
\Desktop\Modding Discovery\DATA\SOLAR\solar_mat_misc02.mat
\Desktop\Modding Discovery\DATA\SOLAR\solar_mat_ring.mat
\Desktop\Modding Discovery\DATA\SOLAR\solar_mat_space_dmg.mat
\Desktop\Modding Discovery\DATA\SOLAR\solar_mat_space_tank.mat
\Desktop\Modding Discovery\DATA\SOLAR\solar_mat_tink.mat
\Desktop\Modding Discovery\DATA\SOLAR\solar_mat_tlr.mat
Assigning Textures

I find it interesting that nomad textures are loaded in New York. Obviously some textures have been re-used from other things. Still, that is unexpected.

It should be noted here that the crow nebula image and the walker nebula images are on flat planes. That is obvious to see from the pictures, but I’m just pointing it out to those who missed it the first time. You can do some fantastic stuff with flat planes if you know what you are doing.

Also, from a designers point of view, the MIP1 textures look like they have been “Sharpened” from the MIP0 textures. That is a common technique in texturing, to make the lower resolution textures stand out more, when the detail is set lower.

All questions should be asked. Doesn’t matter if they are noob questions, ask away. Someone is bound to answer. Good luck to your modding journey!

Day #2
I started with the question, “How does FL orient the starsphere? What does it look like ingame?” First thing I will do is find out the starsphere for New York, then export it, make another texture, and re-apply the image.

So the first thing is to load up the FLServer to see what things look like in game.

And then my computer crashed. It didn’t like something and after I went into Freelancer to take some screenies, I got kicked from the server because of “Internet connection problems”. I’ll try to get my own server working before having some pictures. I already know what New York looks like, but I’m going to have another look at it, to see if there’s anything I’ve missed.

• -Question : Make Own Server to test in MP-
  Is this really necessary? I’m sure starspheres work just as well in SP as they do on MP.

In the meantime, I can reseach some other related things. Like, what are the system internal names?

I start by searching for the correct file. I poke around Data > Universe, but don’t find it. Is there a list just like the faction list? I opened one ini file up and took a look around. Br02.ini I “THINK” this is Liverpool due to this line “comment = Liverpool / Magellan Jumpgate”, however it’s a long winded way around of doing this.

Day #1 part 2
I managed to talk to Treewyrm about the whole starsphere thing. Had an very interesting talk with him about what makes up a starsphere and how he’s gone about it. Most of the info is relevant to creating a new SS.

Posted in my Private Journal for now. I’ll add it to here later.

Thoughts that have come out of my searching so far:

• There’s no Blender 3ds exporter as yet. Lots of people have been saying so, and some intensive searches support this.

• It seems you must have Milkshape. This is a pity because I refuse to install pirated software, and can’t yet afford Milkshape (for only this). I’ll have to think up a way around this obstacle. Obviously asking someone else to do certain things would be one option, however that’s not the best option for my own learning.

• FriendlyFire, and Forsaken did some work on Starspheres for SWWT. Might be a good idea to talk to them about what they have found too.

Ugh. Brain getting tired. Need to stop looking.

Day 1 : Learn what the hell I’m doing.

• Read up on Forums about what a starsphere is, whos done it, what’s involved.

• Talk to Seth Karlo : Modder from Discovery, whos done it before.

• Setup Documentation files. I’m using Google Docs.

• Find out that I’m not prepared.

• Drink some coffee

• Try to figure out how I’m going to fix mistakes that I make. Do I use SVN or something else? Making backups of everything is likely to chew up my HD space. Or webspace. Not that that actually matters anymore since upgrading my bandwith from 5gigs to 20gigs. How am I going to do this light-weight?

• Tuck someone into bed.

• Edit lots of chat log, and check back on the Starport to see if there are replies. Hoorah! they like it.

• Put some inspirational music on. Homeworld music or Red are doing ti for me at the moment.

• Carry on with the documentation. And setup process.

Xarian_Prime wrote:
<grumbles>I woulda thought disco had enough of its own… lolz…

Starsphere’s are hard to come by… u might want to think about making your works available outside Disco as well

Either way… good idea, i’ll follow this journey.</grumbles>

Lol at <grumbles>. Funny enough, as far as I’m aware they have no new starscapes, except for the Nomad ones done by Treewyrm.

Starspheres are hard to come by : and yes, That is why I’m making this journey available in this way. I don’t know what Igiss will say about the “end result”. As in, If I give something to Discovery, will it come under a NDA? Or will it be free for all? Those are questions that I’ll have to cross when it actually comes to that point.

From my point of view, I’m happy for anyone to use the things I come up with. I think, I would make them for the FL community at large, and “allow/push Igiss into using one”, if he’s agreeable to that idea.</grumbles>

First thing I have done, is throw myself into it. There’s no point in wasting time!

Second thing I’ve done is actually ASK Discovery if they want some more starspheres. Lol. Imagine doing work that isn’t wanted!

In any case, this project goes on! Even if Discovery didn’t want a new starsphere, (which they do), this may help other new modders along the way. I know I’m going to enjoy this.

Personal Journal of the Journey.

Well, I’m not yet setup correctly for modding (partly I don’t yet know how, even despite all the helpful answers by helpful people here, partly it’s not sorted out in my own mind) , so while I’m finding out exactly what I want to do with my other modding, I’m practising on something easier.

I’m going to be doing some starspheres and documenting the Journey. This topic will show a journey from a complete noob in Freelancer modding to whatever I become later on. I reserve the right to double post (or more) without shame!

Hopefully this will help someone else too.

If admins aren’t happy with this please let me know, and I’ll swap to a private Journal.

Edit: Comments are welcome in this topic. Suggestions for doing things better are welcome too. Basically, we are in this together. Say what you will! It might be useful to all.

––
Links:
Personal Journal of the Journey.
Day #1
Day #2
Day #3

The thing is, I no longer accept that it can’t be done, or wouldn’t happen.

The above posts mention some ways and there are cargo pods in Discovery that are different shapes and colours. So I know that things can be changed ingame. Recently Cannon came up with a light swapping idea (using the light hardpoints and attached light objects - or something), so I know FLHook can also do some amazing things too.

I know this modular idea is possible, I just need to discover how. I might have a look at some of what the others have done.

The animations idea is a good one, I may explore that later. I don’t think many people have used the animations for things, however, these also seems limited to one animation (as far as I know). So it wouldn’t do to only have one ship modification available.

It’s branching some other thoughts though so, thanks for the idea.

I’ve had this idea for a long time now, but have only just got the guts to actually try it out.

Modular ships.

I want to see how far I can push FL with this.
Basic idea is to make ships that you can “pimp”.

Want a larger engine? buy one and put it in.
Want an Eagle with a spoiler? Get rid of your old tail and buy a new one.
Want a Rhino with a front gun at the cost of cargo (due to larger energy core requirements)? Mount one on your rhino “Roof Rack”

The concept is simple, but I’m assuming I’ll come across some difficulties.

I’m designing this for primarily Multiplayer, with the long term goal of having something like this idea implemented in Discovery. Or at the very least sharing my findings with the FL community at large.

Has any mod done this sort of thing yet? Is it a good idea, or am I wasting my time because it’s already been done quite well?

I notice a lot of tut’s and things out there that jump in on a certain area of modding. While this is good and practical for specifics, it doesn’t help people like me, who want to mod, but don’t know where to start. Much modding is done alone, or in a team of individuals.

So my question is this.

How does one go about:

• Setting up for modding

The actual modding itself is covered by lots of tutorials. What I’m asking for is pre-modding advice.

What are some good practices that dev’s have found over the years?
What’s the right way of modding Freelancer, from the beginning?
How do you set up your computer so that you can revert accidental changes?
How do you document what you are doing?
What are pot holes and landmines that experience has shown you?
What would you do differently, if you had to start over modding, knowing what you know now?
Is SVN a good thing to use, and how do you use it effectively?