Help with getting a new research Icon/subject in the panel

from Sins Forums

hi,

I know out there someone has made research abilities before. Right now I am just trying to get a button to show up on the research panel...it doesnt have to do anything right now I will worry about that later.  I was going to try later to make it reduce the time it takes to travel from planet to planet and perhaps faster star/star and wormhole/wormhole.

Please let me know what I am doing wrong, and if there are any other files I need to edit to make it appear.

THANKS

EXAMPLE

Noncombat >
   Engineering > Block 1
      Quick Jump Research > Column 6 Row 2
         NEW BUTTON > Column 7 Row 2


I copied the Hudicon data from the CHARGEUPTIMEDECREASE subject but I can not find what numbers I need to make the correct pixel box

I think they have to be unique, dont they?


Can anyone help out there?


--------------------------------------------------------------
ENTRY I MADE IN THE IN HUDIcon-research file
----------------------------------------------------------------
brush
 name "HUDICON_RESEARCHSUBJECT_HYPERSPACE_TRAVELTIMEDECREASE"
 content "States"
 Disabled
  fileName "Buttons_Research_Disabled"
  pixelBox [ 260 , 401 , 47 , 33 ]
 Pressed
  fileName "Buttons_Research_Pressed"
  pixelBox [ 260 , 401 , 47 , 33 ]
 CursorOver
  fileName "Buttons_Research_CursorOver"
  pixelBox [ 260 , 401 , 47 , 33 ]
 Focused
  fileName "Buttons_Research_Normal"
  pixelBox [ 260 , 401 , 47 , 33 ]
 Normal
  fileName "Buttons_Research_Normal"
  pixelBox [ 260 , 401 , 47 , 33 ]

------------------------------------------------------------

ENTITY FILE I MADE Referencing the above pixelbox
--------------------------------------------------------
TXT
entityType "ResearchSubject"
hudIcon "HUDICON_RESEARCHSUBJECT_HYPERSPACE_TRAVELTIMEDECREASE"
smallHudIcon "HUDICON_RESEARCHSUBJECT_HYPERSPACE_TRAVELTIMEDECREASE"
infoCardIcon ""
NameStringID "IDS_RESEARCHSUBJECT_HYPERSPACE_INSYSTEMSPEEDADJUSTMENT_NAME"
DescriptionStringID "IDS_RESEARCHSUBJECT_HYPERSPACE_INSYSTEMSPEEDADJUSTMENT_DESCRIPTION"
researchWindowLocation
 block 1
 pos [ 6 , 2 ]
ResearchField "NonCombat"
Prerequisites
 NumResearchPrerequisites 1
 ResearchPrerequisite
  Subject "RESEARCHSUBJECT_HYPERSPACE_CHARGEUPTIMEDECREASE"
  Level 4
MinimumArtifactLevel -1
BaseUpgradeTime 90.000000
PerLevelUpgradeTime 10.000000
BaseCost
 credits 1400.000000
 metal 250.000000
 crystal 400.000000
PerLevelCostIncrease
 credits 100.000000
 metal 75.000000
 crystal 75.000000
Tier 7
onlyWorksIfTierLabsExist FALSE
MaxNumResearchLevels 1
priority 1.000000
researchBoolModifiers 0
researchFloatModifiers 1
researchModifier
 modifierType "HyperspaceInSystemSpeedAdjustment"
 baseValue 0.000000
 perLevelValue 0.500000
artifactPicture ""

modding
7,075 views 8 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top
The pixelbox in the brush file is what image to use from the corresponding .tga files ( Buttons_Research_Disabled.tga, etc). Did you just add it, or what? Unless you actually added your own images to those tgas, defining a pixelbox isn't going to do anything and if you just point it to the middle of nowhere it'll just not show anything (because there's nothing to show :P)

I wouldn't worry about the brushes for now. Just undo the changes, copy whatever template researchsubject you're using, and just change the block and position to wherever you want it to be. Leave all the icons and the names and everything the same for now.

The important thing is that while you're learning you should take it one step at a time, so if it doesn't work, you know exactly what doesn't work. Trying to figure out why 1 change you made doesn't seem to work is a lot easier than figuring out which one of the 10 changes you made doesn't work ;)
Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top
I've replied to your PM, but I'll say it here. You must put the research in the Player~~~.ENTITY files and make sure the blocks position isn't where a Vanilla research is.
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Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top
Why is it that I always forget the simplest things? :P Thanks, Uzii. It's one of those obvious things I don't think to mention. ;)
Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top
The pixelbox in the brush file is what image to use from the corresponding .tga files ( Buttons_Research_Disabled.tga, etc). Did you just add it, or what? Unless you actually added your own images to those tgas, defining a pixelbox isn't going to do anything and if you just point it to the middle of nowhere it'll just not show anything (because there's nothing to show )I wouldn't worry about the brushes for now. Just undo the changes, copy whatever template researchsubject you're using, and just change the block and position to wherever you want it to be. Leave all the icons and the names and everything the same for now.The important thing is that while you're learning you should take it one step at a time, so if it doesn't work, you know exactly what doesn't work. Trying to figure out why 1 change you made doesn't seem to work is a lot easier than figuring out which one of the 10 changes you made doesn't work
End of quote



Yes I copied it, I the new Icon comes up with the picture of the Quick Jump Icon (thats fine by me) and in the correct position I think I ended up puting the the Icon in 1, 6, 2 which is right beside it.

I also Updated the PlayerTec.entity file
AND the String file (being sure to increase the NumStr by the 2 new entries).
AND the HudIcon-Research file.

With the info contained in the New research subject file above.

OK...so...now the icon comes up fine and in the right place...I load the game fine go to the panel and as soon as I put the mouse pointer over that new Icon the game mini dumps

any clues?

Thanks
Ken

Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top
I've replied to your PM, but I'll say it here. You must put the research in the Player~~~.ENTITY files and make sure the blocks position isn't where a Vanilla research is.
End of quote



Thanks Uzii, :P I replied and appreciate your help as well.
Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top
Probably a typo related to the strings. Double check to make sure everything is using the proper case, and all the syntax is correct - that's the only reason it should minidump if you didn't change anything else.
Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top
Probably a typo related to the strings. Double check to make sure everything is using the proper case, and all the syntax is correct - that's the only reason it should minidump if you didn't change anything else.
End of quote



Thanks a bunch! Thats what Uzii told me to in my PM,

I am just trying to get a couple of opinions and if they concur the chances of that info being correct goes up dramaticly not that I dont have any confidence in either of you.


so Thanks a TON to both you and Uzii!!! :)

Reply #8 from Sins Forums Top
My pleasure, and Duty. ;)