====== Outpost 2 Helper Programs ======

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Below is a listing of standalone programs developed by different members of the Outpost Universe community that aid in various aspects of modifying Outpost 2. These programs were written over several years and some of the GUI programs will not work properly in modern Windows without downloading and registering some older Windows components. If the application's source code was made public, it is typically available for download in the [[http://wiki.outpost2.net/doku.php?id=opu:repository|Outpost Universe Code Repository]].

If the program reports an error due to a missing component, check the section **Registering a Missing Component** below for troubleshooting.

==== Helper Program Listing ====

  * [[outpost_2:Helper_Programs:Mapper|Mapper]]
      * Create OP2 Maps using a Windows based GUI.
    
  * [[outpost_2:Helper_Programs:Mission Scanner|Mission Scanner]]
        * List an overview of all missions and their map and tech tree dependencies using a Windows based GUI. 
  
  * [[outpost_2:Helper_Programs:Art Viewer|Art Viewer]]
      * Review and extract in game graphics using a Windows based GUI.
  
  * [[outpost_2:Helper_Programs:OP2Archive|Archive Console Application]]
      * View contents, create, edit, and extract from VOL and CLM archive files for use with Outpost 2.
  
  * [[outpost_2:Helper_Programs:Map Imager|Map Imager]]
      * Render images of Outpost 2 maps using a Windows based console application.
  
  * [[outpost_2:Helper_Programs:Virus Mask|Virus Mask]]
      * See how Outpost 2 applies Microbe and night overlay on transition tiles in a Windows based GUI.
  
  * [[outpost_2:Helper_Programs:Vol Extractor|Vol Extractor]]
      * Extract Outpost 2 specific .vol archive files using a Windows based GUI.
  
  * [[outpost_2:Helper_Programs:Vol Creator|Vol Creator]]
      * Create new Outpost 2 specific .vol archive files using a Windows based GUI.
    
  * [[outpost_2:Helper_Programs:Sheets Reader|Sheets Reader]]
      * Review the contents of Outpost 2 specific sheets that control in game settings using a Windows based GUI.

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===== Registering a Missing Component =====

Some of the Outpost 2 Helper Programs were developed using windows components that are no longer shipped with newer versions of windows. If you get a message saying, **Component 'COMDLG32.OCX' or one of its dependencies not correctly registered: a file is missing or invalid**, follow instructions below for registering the component.

**Note:** I have not done any research into side effects of registering these file such as opening security holes on your computer, etc. So use this at your own risk.

Follow the instructions below to get it working. These instructions **assume Windows 7/64 BIT** operating system and will have to be modified for other operating systems.

**Step 1**
Download the non-registered component from a source you trust. This file is considered obsolete and no longer being distributed with the Windows operating system. First, check the following Outpost Universe Page for the missing component: [[http://outpost2.net/dltools.php]]. 

**Step 2**
Place the file in the appropriate windows registry folder. For Windows 7/64 BIT, navigate to: C:%%//%%Windows/SysWOW64. (Assumes C drive is your primary operating system drive.)

For 32 BIT copies of Windows 7 or other versions of Windows, you may have to place the file in a different folder.

**STEP 3**
Run the Windows Command Prompt using system admin privileges. To do this, right click on Command Prompt and click Run as administrator.

Inside the command prompt, type or paste the command required to register the file. Comdlg32.ocx is a placeholder below, use the actual filename of the missing component you are registering. For Windows 7 x64, use the following command: 

<code>regsvr32 %Systemroot%\SysWOW64\comdlg32.ocx</code>

You will have to adjust the command for your operating system if not using Windows 7 64 bit.

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Full list of useful programs and files for developing with Outpost 2: [[http://www.outpost2.net/files/]]

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