op2_sdk:helper_programs

Outpost 2 Helper Programs

Below is a listing of standalone programs that aid in various aspects of modifying Outpost 2. These programs were written by members of the Outpost Universe Community. If their source code was made public, it is available for download in the Outpost Universe Code Repository.

If the program you are using is reporting an error due to a missing component, check the section Registering a Missing Component below for troubleshooting.

  • Outpost 2 Mapper
  • Mission Scanner
  • Sheets Reader
  • Outpost 2 Art Viewer
  • Virus Mask
  • Vol Extractor
  • Vol Creator
  • OP2 Map Imager

Created by Black Box and Hooman

Overview: The Outpost 2 Mapper allows creating new Outpost 2 maps, reading and writing .VOL files, reviewing and editing tile sets, and creating .BMP mini-maps.

The Outpost 2 Mapper uses C++ code designed by Hooman for the backend code and Visual Basic code designed by BlackBox for the front end. The backend code may be reviewed or downloaded from https://svn.outpostuniverse.org:8443/!/#outpost2/view/head/MapEditor/OP2Editor.
Directions: Download the mapper installer and follow directions.

Download: http://www.outpost2.net/files/mapper2_2_1.exe


Created by BlackBox

Overview: The Mission Scanner reads all the installed mission DLLs. It lists all missions' Map filename, dll file, technology tree filename, and level description. The Mission Scanner cannot edit mission DLLs.

Instructions: Open the mission scanner and select your Outpost 2 root install directory to generate a list of all missions. The Mission Scanner does not have to be in the Outpost 2 root directory.

Download: http://www.outpost2.net/files/MissionScanner.zip


Overview: The Sheets Reader can read mines.txt, space.txt, building.txt, vehicles.txt and weapons.txt from the sheets.vol. Sheets Reader cannot edit the files, it is just a reader. Use notepad or any text editor to edit the files.

Instructions: Open the Sheets Reader and select the file you want to review.

Download: http://www.outpost2.net/files/SheetsReader.exe

Troubleshooting: If you get the message Component 'MSFLXGRD.OCX' or one of its dependencies not correctly registered: a file is missing or invalid, follow the instructions below for registering a component.


Created by Cynex

Overview: The Outpost 2 Art Viewer allows easy viewing of all graphic files and supports exporting them as bitmaps (optionally using batch save).

The archive contains the viewer with the dll and three info files about the structures used by the prt and by op2 to manage the arts.

Instructions: Select the .BMP file containing Outpost 2 art and the .PRT file. After selecting these files, artwork can be displayed as single frames or animations.

Batch save accepts commands like 'img()', 'pic()', 'frm()', 'grp()' or just numbers like '0-100, 200 300' to save the desired object type. (Be careful using batch save with multiple groups or frames as images, since they'll be split into single images which can easily end up as A LOT of files. Instead it is often sufficient to save whole frames, unless you want to use the images to rebuild the arts yourself.) It also treats all unexpected chars as whitespace.

Download: 270405_op2art_info.zip


Created by Hooman

Overview: This file is (probably) used to display both the virus overlay on the map (the purple blight region) and the edge of darkness at nighttime. It shows the tiles along the top, and there is a clickable 4×4 region (well, two actually) where you can select which tiles are light and dark, and it'll display the results.

When determining which tile to display, it examines 4 tiles in a 2×2 setup, using 1 bit from each tile to get a 4 bit index. (There are 16 tiles in VirMask.raw). It's probably easiest to think of the actual virus display as being off by half a tile.

Instructions: N/A

Download: op2virmask.zip


Created by BlackBox and Leviathan

Overview: Allows extracting files contained within an Outpost 2 .VOL file. The Outpost 2 Mapper can also be used to review, extract, and add files to a .VOL file.

Instructions: Open the VolExtractor and select the .VOL file you want to inspect. The VolExtractor does not have to be in the Outpost 2 root directory.

Download: volextractor.zip

Created by BlackBox and Leviathan

Overview: Allows adding files to an Outpost 2 .VOL file. The Outpost 2 Mapper can also be use to review, extract, and add files to a .VOL file.

Instructions: Open the VolCreator and select the files you want to add to the .VOL. The VolCreator does not have to be in the Outpost 2 root directory.

Download: volcreator.zip


Created by Vagabond and Hooman Overview: Takes different sized renders of Outpost 2 maps and save files.
Instructions: Download, unzip, and follow included readme instructions.

Download: Stub
—- ===== 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: regsvr32 %Systemroot%\SysWOW64*comdlg32.ocx* You will have to adjust the command for your operating system if not using Windows 7 64 bit. —- Full list of useful programs and files for developing with Outpost 2: http://www.outpost2.net/files/ —- -
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  • op2_sdk/helper_programs.1500739779.txt.gz
  • Last modified: 2017/07/22 16:09
  • by vagabond