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op2_sdk:software_development_kit_sdk [2016/01/20 23:06] vagabondop2_sdk:software_development_kit_sdk [2020/06/13 17:39] (current) – [Outpost 2 SDK Index] vagabond
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-====== Outpost 2 Mapmaking ======+====== Outpost 2 Software Development Kit (SDK) ======
  
 {{op2_sdk:mapmakericon.png }} {{op2_sdk:mapmakericon.png }}
  
-Outpost has been extended by the Outpost Universe community to allow adding new content. Notably, new maps can be designed, new scenarios created for new or old maps, new map tiles can be added, and technology trees can be manipulated. A listing of current maps for the game can be found at [[outpost_2:Maps]].+The Outpost Universe community has diligently maintained and extended Outpost 2 through modifying the original game and creating an API that allows adding new content. Notably, new maps can be designed, new scenarios created for new or old maps, new map tiles can be added, and technology trees can be manipulated. A listing of current maps for the game can be found in the [[outpost_2:Maps|Maps Section]].
  
-Read through the section **Mapmaking Overview** below to learn the basic flow of creating a new map. Then, use this listing to explore mapmaking topics in more detail. If you have questions, the [[http://forum.outpost2.net|Outpost 2 forum]] is a great reference.+===== Outpost 2 SDK Index =====
  
-  * [[Helper Programs]] +Read through the section below this index to learn the basic flow of creating a new map. Then, use this listing to explore the SDK in depth. If you have questions, the [[http://forum.outpost2.net|Outpost 2 forum]] is a great reference. 
-  * [[Designing Maps]]+ 
 +  * [[Mapmaking]]
   * [[Editing Map Tilesets]]   * [[Editing Map Tilesets]]
-  * [[Visual Studio Setup]] +  * [[Creating Tech Trees]] 
-  * [[Programming scenario DLLs]] +  * [[Programming Scenario DLLs]] 
-  * [[Code Repository]] +  * [[outpost_2:Helper Programs]] 
-  * [[Project Management]] +  * [[Custom Scenario Checklist]] 
-  * [[Outpost 2 Technical Review]] +  * [[opu:repositories:repositories|Source Code Repositories]] 
- +  * [[opu:Project_Management|Project Management through Redmine]] 
-===== Mapmaking Overview ===== +  * [[Outpost 2:Technical Review|Technical Review]]
- +
-Stub +
- +
-[[Outpost 2 Software Development Kit (SDK)]] +
- +
-===== Helper Programs ===== +
-Below is a listing of standalone programs that aid in various aspects of modifying Outpost 2. +
- +
-==== Outpost 2 Mapper ==== +
-//Created by Outpost Universe//\\ +
- +
-{{op2_sdk:mapper_screenshot.png}} +
- +
-**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.\\ +
-\\ +
-**Directions:** Stub\\ +
-\\ +
-**Download:** [[http://outpost2.net/dltools.php]]\\ +
- +
----- +
- +
-==== Mission Scanner ==== +
-//Created by BlackBox//\\ +
- +
-{{op2_sdk:missionscanner_screenshot.png}} +
- +
-**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.\\ +
-\\ +
-**Directions:** 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://outpost2.net/dltools.php]] +
- +
----- +
- +
-==== Sheets Reader ==== +
- +
-{{op2_sdk:sheetsreader_screenshot.png}} +
- +
-**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.\\ +
-\\ +
-**Directions:** Open the Sheets Reader and select the file you want to review.\\ +
-\\ +
-**Download:** [[http://outpost2.net/dltools.php]]\\ +
-\\ +
-**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. +
- +
----- +
- +
-==== Outpost 2 Art Viewer ==== +
-//Created by Cynex// +
- +
-{{op2_sdk:op2_art_viewer_screenshot.png}} +
- +
-**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:** {{op2_sdk:270405_op2art_info.zip}} +
- +
----- +
- +
-==== Virus Mask ==== +
-//Created by Hooman//\\ +
- +
-{{op2_sdk:virus_mask_screenshot.png}} +
- +
-**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 4x4 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 2x2 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:** {{op2_sdk:OP2VirMask.zip}} +
- +
----- +
- +
-==== Vol Extractor ==== +
-//Created by op2hacker and Leviathan//\\ +
- +
-{{op2_sdk:volextractor_screenshot.png}} +
- +
-**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:** {{op2_sdk:VolExtractor.zip}}\\ +
-\\ +
-**Troubleshooting:** If you get the message //Component 'COMDLG32.OCX' or one of its dependencies not correctly registered: a file is missing or invalid//, follow the instructions below for registering a component. +
----- +
- +
-==== Vol Creator ==== +
-//Created by op2hacker and Leviathan// +
- +
-{{op2_sdk:volcreator_screenshot.png}} +
- +
-**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.\\ +
-\\ +
-**Directions:** 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:** {{op2_sdk:VolCreator.zip}} +
- +
----- +
- +
-===== 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** +===== Maps vs Scenarios =====
-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** +Sometimes the words maps and scenarios are used interchangeablybut they actually have different meaning when designing new scenarios for Outpost 2Maps (.map filesrepresent a set of tiles and their properties that make up the terrain scenarios occur on. Scenarios, sometimes also called missions, contain the code for a specific scenario objective, triggers, disasters, and so on. Each map can be used repeatably in multiple scenarios. Each scenario using the same map will occur in the same place on New Terra but could have very different objectives and units.
-Place the file in the appropriate windows registry folder. For Windows 7/64 BITnavigate 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.+===== Map/Scenario Design Overview =====
  
-**STEP 3** +Each Outpost 2 scenario requires files:
-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 belowuse the actual filename of the missing component you are registeringFor Windows 7 x64, use the following command+  * **DLL (Dynamic Link Library) File (.DLL):** Contains the logic behind the scenario such as victory conditionsfrequency of disasters, starting resources, etcEach DLL file represents a single scenario. See the [[op2_sdk:Programming Scenario DLLs| Programming Scenario DLLs page]] for more details.
  
-regsvr32 %Systemroot%\SysWOW64\**comdlg32.ocx**+  * **MAP File (.MAP):** Contains the terrain used on the map, associated move speed, accessibility of tiles, etc. Each map file can support multiple scenarios.
  
-You will have to adjust the command for your operating system if not using Windows 7 64 bit.+  * **Technology (tech) Tree File (.TXT):** A file containing the technology tree available for the scenario. Tech tree files are human readable, but must be written in a specific syntax so the game can parse the file. Each tech tree can support multiple scenarios.
  
 ----  ---- 
  - //Go Back to [[outpost_2:outpost_2|Outpost 2 Main page]]//\\  - //Go Back to [[outpost_2:outpost_2|Outpost 2 Main page]]//\\
- - //Go Back to [[http://wiki.outpostuniverse.org/doku.php?id=start|Wiki Home Page]]//+ - //Go Back to [[http://wiki.outpost2.net/doku.php?id=start|Wiki Home Page]]//
  • op2_sdk/software_development_kit_sdk.1453331167.txt.gz
  • Last modified: 2016/01/20 23:06
  • by vagabond