Alpha Centauri 2

Community => Chiron News Network => Topic started by: Yitzi on May 20, 2013, 05:12:41 PM

Title: Yitzi's unofficial SMAX patch 2.0
Post by: Yitzi on May 20, 2013, 05:12:41 PM
Yitzi's unofficial SMAX patch 2.0

http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;down=132 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;down=132)

Detailed information can now be found in the wiki as well as the attached readme.
Title: Re: Yitzi's unofficial SMAX patch 2.0
Post by: magpie on May 21, 2013, 08:21:20 PM
Hi,

I've just installed on a fresh version of XP/SMAC/SMAX (in a VirtualBox instance). I can run the standard terranx.exe fine but when I've selected my custom rules it hangs on the next screen (the faction selection screen).

Here is a screen shot, I have to kill it with the task manager:

(http://i.imgur.com/khqZpER.png)
Title: Re: Yitzi's unofficial SMAX patch 2.0
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 21, 2013, 08:39:48 PM
That's, as you say, DEFINITELY a custom faction problem - at least, that's the only time I've seen that particular start hang-up.  There's something in a faction .txt the game finds illegal - you mean to say it worked before the Yitzi patch?  He's gonna want to see the .txt file in question, I expect.  You can attach it to a post.
Title: Re: Yitzi's unofficial SMAX patch 2.0
Post by: magpie on May 21, 2013, 09:07:33 PM
Ok, I uninstalled SMAX then SMAC. I then deleted the "C:\Program Files\Firaxis Games" folder.

I installed SMAC then SMAX. I then installed Alien Crossfire v2.0 update then the SMAC Win 2000/XP Update.

I made copy of all the original files in Yitzis zip and replaced the originals with the modified ones (I renamed Script.txt to script.txt just in case but I didn't think Windows cared about case).

I get the same crash, this time with the profile of Aki Zeta-5.

As a test, I returned alphax.txt to the original and replaced terranx.exe with scients v1.0 terranx.exe and the game starts fine.

For completeness attached is my factions.txt but I haven't (knowingly) modified it.

Does the game make a log anywhere that I can review?

Edit 1: I've also attached the `dir' output of the folder as I actually made copies of all the original .txt files.
Edit 2: It is nothing todo with the extra copies of the originals I made. I moved them into another folde and I still experience the same issue (dir2.txt attached)
Edit 3: I tried version 1.3 located here: http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;down=129 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;down=129) - it worked. I do note that version 1.3 of the patch includes the maps folder where as the 2.0 version doesn't (although this is addressed in the release notes so most likely a red herring).
Edit 4: Even with using v1.3 map folder, 2.0 still exhibits the same issue. I have ran out of time for this evening, the next time I will get a chance to test again will be Thursday night / Saturday afternoon; please let me know any information you would like in the interim and I shall update the thread.
Title: Re: Yitzi's unofficial SMAX patch 2.0
Post by: Yitzi on May 21, 2013, 10:23:26 PM
This is funny, as it works for me.  Can you make a zip file of your entire Alpha Centauri folder and give it to me?  That should help narrow down whether it's something in the files or something to do with your computer.
Title: Re: Yitzi's unofficial SMAX patch 2.0
Post by: nadia911 on May 22, 2013, 12:43:34 AM
I have exactly the same problem... In new install of GOG version

Win7 Pro 64 bits
Title: Re: Yitzi's unofficial SMAX patch 2.0
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 22, 2013, 01:07:21 AM
No Yitzi patch?  You have a Petek problem, then - check back later, do what he says, and you'll almost certainly be okay.
Title: Re: Yitzi's unofficial SMAX patch 2.0
Post by: magpie on May 22, 2013, 09:57:10 PM
Hi Yitzi,

As requested, please find the files here: http://www.filedropper.com/smac (http://www.filedropper.com/smac)

I excluded some of the larger folders such as  movies and voices to reduce the file size.

It should also be noted that I remember if when I created the above zip I had the 1.3 version applied. I did include the 'orig' folder which contains the original terran
Title: Re: Yitzi's unofficial SMAX patch 2.0
Post by: Yitzi on May 22, 2013, 10:37:52 PM
If the problem is with 2.0, then I'd better look at your version of 2.0 to test it.  Please switch back to the 2.0 version, test again to make sure the bug is still there, and provide a zip file of that, plus an exact button-by-button description of what you did to cause the bug.  Thanks.
Title: Re: Yitzi's unofficial SMAX patch 2.0
Post by: magpie on May 22, 2013, 11:58:11 PM
Attached is the files I copied over. Here are the steps to recreate the issue:
1) Copy the files over attached to this post.
2) Start the game
3) Press ESC when the intro starts
4) Hold down enter until the game starts.

Doing 4 slowy selects these options:

4a) Start Game
4b) Make Random Map
4c) Large Planet
4d) Librarian
4e) Customize Rules. The rules I have selected are: Higher Goal, Total War, Peace in Our Time, Mine, All Mine, One for All, Do or Die, Look First, Tech Stagnation. The rest are unchecked.
4f) Press Enter
4g) The problem happens.
Title: Re: Yitzi's unofficial SMAX patch 2.0
Post by: magpie on May 23, 2013, 12:00:06 AM
Actually attached this time.
Title: Re: Yitzi's unofficial SMAX patch 2.0
Post by: Yitzi on May 23, 2013, 02:27:22 AM
Sorry if I wasn't clear: I would like a single zip file made from your entire folder, exactly as it is when the problem occurs.  Basically, I want a zip file that, if you unzipped the folder and ran it as-is, it would produce that bug but if not for the bug would work fine.
Title: Re: Yitzi's unofficial SMAX patch 2.0
Post by: AndroAsc on May 25, 2013, 06:51:54 PM
I got the same problem too, running Windows 7 64-bit. Is everyone who is not running into this problem using a 32-bit OS?

As per earlier suggestions, I can confirm it is NOT a custom faction issue. Here's what I did.
1) Reinstalled SMAC+SMAX. Patched to SMAXv2.0+XP/2k compatibility patch. Ran game, no issues.
2) Installed Yitzi's 2.0 patch, issue appeared.

I did not alter any files (except overwriting using Yitzi's files) from step 1 to 2. Game from step 1 was an unmodded SMAX.
Title: Re: Yitzi's unofficial SMAX patch 2.0
Post by: Petek on May 25, 2013, 07:52:12 PM
I have exactly the same problem... In new install of GOG version

Win7 Pro 64 bits

Nadia911,

I suggest uninstalling the game and then downloading it again from GOG. If that doesn't help, please answer the following questions:

1. Is this SMAC or SMAX?
2. Did you install Yitzi's patch, or any other unofficial patch?
3. Did you install any custom factions or any other non-standard files?

Thanks.
Title: Re: Yitzi's unofficial SMAX patch 2.0
Post by: nadia911 on May 25, 2013, 09:35:40 PM
Hello Petek: I followed your suggestion

1- Unistall the game
2- Download from GOG
3- Fresh unmodded vanilla SMAC & SAMX
4- Apply 2.0 Yitzi Patch
5- Run SMAX
6- Select random huge map
7- Customize rules
8- Accept - enter - freeze game
9- Wait - no response
10- Open task manager - desktop in 16 bits - close aplication no response - reset PC
....  :(

Game totally unmodded






Title: Re: Yitzi's unofficial SMAX patch 2.0
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 25, 2013, 10:04:30 PM
Hello Petek: I followed your suggestion

1- Unistall the game
2- Download from GOG
3- Fresh unmodded vanilla SMAC & SAMX
4- Apply 2.0 Yitzi Patch
5- Run SMAX
6- Select random huge map
7- Customize rules
8- Accept - enter - freeze game
9- Wait - no response
10- Open task manager - desktop in 16 bits - close aplication no response - reset PC
....  :(

Game totally unmodded
This is a job for Yitzi, then. 
Sorry if I wasn't clear: I would like a single zip file made from your entire folder, exactly as it is when the problem occurs.  Basically, I want a zip file that, if you unzipped the folder and ran it as-is, it would produce that bug but if not for the bug would work fine.
He'll want the same in all three cases reported here, I expect...
Title: Re: Yitzi's unofficial SMAX patch 2.0
Post by: Yitzi on May 26, 2013, 03:27:48 AM
I got the same problem too, running Windows 7 64-bit. Is everyone who is not running into this problem using a 32-bit OS?

My own OS is 64-bit, and doesn't seem to have the problem.  (In any case, 64-bit should have no trouble running 32-bit programs; the original SMAC/X was 32-bit).  I can do a bit more testing, but there's a good chance that I'll need the complete buggy version to get a better sense of what's going on.
Title: Re: Yitzi's unofficial SMAX patch 2.0
Post by: Yitzi on May 26, 2013, 03:46:31 AM
Ok, I think I found the problem:

I had previously been testing a custom faction for someone, and the game was set to have that be one of the faction options.  However, you didn't have the faction, so it got confused and froze.

To fix the bug, you can either simply add the faction file (attached) and play with it or not as you choose, or you can download the attached replacement terranx, which has been fixed in this regard.
Title: Re: Yitzi's unofficial SMAX patch 2.0
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 26, 2013, 03:58:49 AM
Let me know if/when you update the patch in Downloads...
Title: Re: Yitzi's unofficial SMAX patch 2.0
Post by: Yitzi on May 26, 2013, 05:05:11 AM
I don't think it's impossible to modify a download after it's been posted; I'd need to provide a replacement.  Do you think it's worth doing that now (considering that 2.0 really didn't change that much from 1.3), or should I just wait until I have 2.1 ready (which will provide some substantial changes, especially one that will make Earthmichael very happy, namely the ability to have "what you see is what you get" rules in place for bases in most* cases.)

*The only exceptions would be a change that happens on someone else's turn (which of course should apply; if someone destroys a terraforming improvement, you shouldn't be able to gain its benefit the next turn), and something that happens due to a different (earlier) base's activity (the only things I can think of here are building projects, and only a handful of projects at that, which is a lot less hassle than checking every turn.)
Title: Re: Yitzi's unofficial SMAX patch 2.0
Post by: nadia911 on May 26, 2013, 03:12:21 PM
I downloaded the fix, I applied and works perfect, I start a new game and if I find an error will let you know.

Thanks Yitzi  :danc:
Title: Re: Yitzi's unofficial SMAX patch 2.0
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 26, 2013, 05:58:36 PM
I don't think it's impossible to modify a download after it's been posted; I'd need to provide a replacement.  Do you think it's worth doing that now (considering that 2.0 really didn't change that much from 1.3), or should I just wait until I have 2.1 ready (which will provide some substantial changes, especially one that will make Earthmichael very happy, namely the ability to have "what you see is what you get" rules in place for bases in most* cases.)

*The only exceptions would be a change that happens on someone else's turn (which of course should apply; if someone destroys a terraforming improvement, you shouldn't be able to gain its benefit the next turn), and something that happens due to a different (earlier) base's activity (the only things I can think of here are building projects, and only a handful of projects at that, which is a lot less hassle than checking every turn.)
You should definitely edit the instructions so people avoid this problem, then; editing the embedded alphax.txt isn't one of life's great struggles when you know how.  I haven't the foggiest if I have to prove instructions edits by you or not.
Title: Re: Yitzi's unofficial SMAX patch 2.0
Post by: Yitzi on May 26, 2013, 10:18:54 PM
There seems to be no way to change the instructions either, but I did add it as a comment.
Title: Re: Yitzi's unofficial SMAX patch 2.0
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 26, 2013, 10:25:00 PM
I was able to add it to the description.
Title: Re: Yitzi's unofficial SMAX patch 2.0
Post by: miturian on May 30, 2013, 07:59:54 PM
I'm also getting this error? I'm using the GOG version of SMACX, and have installed yitzi's patch v. 2.0 and the datalinks patch. if I try to start a game it hangs when choosing the faction, and only shows the quote for the pirates. I tried using the terranx.exe file supplied in this thread, but that has no effect.

I'm on win 7 64 bit.
Title: Re: Yitzi's unofficial SMAX patch 2.0
Post by: Yitzi on May 30, 2013, 10:09:53 PM
1. Have you tried including the text file as well?  I don't think it should be needed, but it might help pinpoint what the problem is.
2. Do you also get a problem with quick start, or does that work properly?
Title: Re: Yitzi's unofficial SMAX patch 2.0
Post by: TarMinyatur on July 22, 2013, 05:23:27 PM
Thanks for your efforts, Yitzi. I enjoy the extra options available through the new alphax.txt variables.

However, I determined that the "16 times upgrade cost per square of new unit rows" variable really has this equation:

Let "C" = cost of new unit in credits
Let "U" = alphax.txt upgrade cost variable
Let "R" = rows of new unit

C = (U/100) * [(2.5 * R)^2]

Is this how you intended the variable to work?

If I set U = 100, and set all other upgrade-related variables to zero, upgrading a 1-row unit to a...

2-row unit costs 25 or 5^2
3-row costs 56 or 7.5^2
4-row costs 100 or 10^2
5-row costs 156 or 12.5^2
6-row costs 225 or 15^2

If I set U to 10, the costs are 10% of the previous results. While, setting U to 1000, multiplies the results by 10.

(I'm using the 2.1 patch.)
Title: Re: Yitzi's unofficial SMAX patch 2.0
Post by: Yitzi on July 22, 2013, 05:35:09 PM
Thanks for your efforts, Yitzi. I enjoy the extra options available through the new alphax.txt variables.

However, I determined that the "16 times upgrade cost per square of new unit rows" variable really has this equation:

Let "C" = cost of new unit in credits
Let "U" = alphax.txt upgrade cost variable
Let "R" = rows of new unit

C = (U/100) * [(2.5 * R)^2]

Is this how you intended the variable to work?

Yes.  Simplify the equation you described, and it becomes (R^2)*U/16, i.e. U is 16 times the number you multiply by R^2.
Title: Re: Yitzi's unofficial SMAX patch 2.0
Post by: TarMinyatur on July 22, 2013, 06:17:32 PM
Ah. Thanks for the clarification.

I interpreted the meaning of "16 times upgrade cost per square of new unit rows" as:

16 times "U" per R^2

Which could be expressed as:

(16 * U) per R^2

or

(16 * U) / (R^2)

So, if the variable is set to 10, an upgrade from a 1-row to a 2-row unit would cost...

160 / 4 = 40!

...rather than 2.
Title: Re: Yitzi's unofficial SMAX patch 2.0
Post by: Yitzi on July 22, 2013, 11:39:11 PM
Ah. Thanks for the clarification.

I interpreted the meaning of "16 times upgrade cost per square of new unit rows" as:

16 times "U" per R^2

Which could be expressed as:

(16 * U) per R^2

or

(16 * U) / (R^2)

So, if the variable is set to 10, an upgrade from a 1-row to a 2-row unit would cost...

160 / 4 = 40!

...rather than 2.

No; the value you put in is 16 times the multiplier.
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