PRACX v1.10 Release

[PlotinusRedux]

new2AC,

Try the 1.06 install attached here (not at the start of the thread) and let me know if it works with XP.  Once you confirm I'll move it to the top of the thread (or try something else if it doesn't work).

(File removed as new2AC has tested it)

[PlotinusRedux]

v1.06 released, compiled for XP compatibility.  For anyone curious, in VS 2013 you have to go to Project Properties\Configuration Properties\Platform Toolset and change it from "v120" to "v120_xp" or the startup code for .exe's will give the "Not a valid program" thing.  Then to insure you don't use any additions to the Windows API itself since XP (such as GetTickCount64()), add:

WINVER=0x0501
_WIN32_WINNT=0x0501

to the preprocessor defines (or at least somewhere before you hit the #include for the windows API headers).  0x0501 is the constant for Windows XP.

v1.06 (01/18/2015
=================
*Compiled for XP compatibility
*Install script now actually creates the backup directory
*PRACX Preferences screen now shows the correct PRACX version

[fleenots]

Hi
I have a question: Is PRACX version 1.06 compatible with the SMAC 444 AI patch version p?
Thanks

[PlotinusRedux]

Probably, but you'd just have to test it to be sure.  I've only tested with Yitzi's patch myself, and it works with it.

[fleenots]

Ok, but according with what I understood the last Yitzi's patch 3.3b is build on top of the kyrub SMAC 444 p. Isn't that right? So it should work.

[PlotinusRedux]

Yeah, if it's something that's included in Yitzi's patch, it's definitely compatible.

[Geo]

Just installed PRACX on my desktop. Nice work!

[Tiddalick]

Fantastic work,  It was perfect timing for me, as I have been meaning to replay the game for a while.

I have done some basic testing after installing Yitzi's latest 3.4 patch which includes PRACX 1.06 and everything seems to work except for mouse scrolling.
I am using the "Razor Abyssus" mouse, that runs a software suite for extra control options , though the mouse itself is plug and play.

Just thought I would mention it, in case others are also having issues with the scrolling.
I can post more details if you wish.

EDIT: I have managed to get it working after changing the compatability flags on the terranx.exe.
Turning off "Run this program as an administrator" did the trick. All the Pracx functions now work fine!

[Nexii]

Nice, windowed mode.  However I've found that occasionally after certain game actions, the entire window will resize and the graphics glitch a bit and the game gets laggy graphically, and I can't scroll normally.  Remaximizing the game seems to fix but this happens a lot to me.  Sorry if this is vague

[PlotinusRedux]

Geo--glad you like it.

Tiddalick--I'm trying to think of any plausible explanation why running outside of admin mode would fix issues, and I'm having trouble coming up with one.  But what works is what works.  The only thing half-way plausible I can think of is maybe your anti-virus software is more aggressive with programs run in admin mode--the method PRACX uses to change SMACX, DLL injection, is the same kind of method some viruses use, so an anti-virus might see it as suspicious.  But, if it was that, I'd have expected the anti-virus to give you a message, and to prevent PRACX from working at all, not just prevent mouse scrolling....  Thanks for the report about what fixed it for you--hopefully that will help anyone that runs into the same issue.

Nexii--what game actions specifically?  Is it the cut-scene movies?  And could you give me more details about your system--OS (i.e., Windows 7, 8, etc.), desktop resolution, are you running multiple monitors, etc.  Yours is the first report I've heard of something like that.  Really, I wouldn't recommend playing it in windowed mode at this point--I'm using windows scaling, which really blurs some of the text badly, and the edge scrolling is less than ideal, I really just use it for a turn or two while I respond to a text.  But, it shouldn't be changing window size like you describe--and eventually I'd like to convert the entire program to DX 9 and use its scaling, which would give a much better result in both full screen and windowed mode.  The game used direct draw once, but currently it uses windows API's for all the drawing, and custom code for scaling and effects that today are built into the hardware even without a graphics card.

[Nexii]

I've been getting less graphical glitches since just playing in full screen.  Sorry for being slow to get back, I did have some detailed things to report but I'd rather be specific than vague.

[Geo]

Don't know if this has been reported yet, but when the interludes pop up the text is shown with wider lines, but the background picture is still the 800x600 resolution one centered on the display,
obscuring the text on the right part of the picture (where the planet shows).
An obvious solution is to put hard returns in the interlude text paragraphs, but that's extra work...

[Mart]

...
An obvious solution is to put hard returns in the interlude text paragraphs, but that's extra work...

You can try also to substitute the graphics file with its widescreen version.
It would have to be done with adding some starfield part on the left, so that the planet doeasn't take so much % of the stretched screen.
Though it needs to be done with keeping pcx palette. I have it for SMAC, I think, not sure what I have for SMAX.
paint.net if I recall was keeping the pallette

[Mart]

Ok, I think, it is this one, the file attached.
When placing, make backup copy of the original in-game file.
The one I made has flaws, but I haven't prepared a better one yet...
It is 1366x768, and depending on your screen setting, can be stretched, like in case of full HD (1920x1080), or you may have it centered in original resolution.
However in my case when centered, the text does not go into the planet area.

[Geo]

Thanks.