Posts by Rankor

3 Primary hardpoints you need to leave alone are:
HpMount, HpTractor_source, HpEngine--
I've found the C device hardpoints on many FL ships
by looking at the model in the cmp editor.
Although I'm not clearly certain, I think it's possible
to create and name a specific use hardpoint.

Hardpoints for equipment fall under categories.
HpRevolute|HpWeapon01 (etc)
HpFixed|HpWeapon01 (etc) (such as the LibCruiser main gun)
HpFixed|HpEngine01 (etc)
HpFixed|HpMount
HpFixed|HpTractor_source
HpFixed|HpShield01 (etc)
HpFixed|HpCloak
------
Then you start getting into detachable points.
Dp01 (etc)

Since it's single player your trying to run....

1. The mod itself could have been developed for Multiplayer
only.
In that instance. It has a "fatal flaw" in that it also modifies
critical places in the single player files. Thus the reason
for your ctd's. That flaw is what's causing it.
You can try to dig into the files to compare the Single player
mission files with the mod files (in a separate installation).
You'll be looking for the proverbial "needle in a haystack"
because you'll eventually find many of them.
IF you can find the flaw and repair it, chances may be
likely that the mod itself will quit working and you'll get that
infamous ctd again.

2. However, if you should try to start up your own server,
you might find that it will work ok. But just make sure
it's a clean install.

single player, eh?

You should not experience any lag issues at all
when you're running your own LAN server and playing MP
on the same PC. That's the plain and simple truth.
It was one of the problems addressed by the only official
server patch release. If it's still possible to to register
your copy of Freelancer, it may also still have a support
download section that contains that server patch.
Just simply download it and install it, then your lag spikes
should come to a comfortable "no headache" end.
If not, I have a copy of that patch available.

I am taking a wild guess here that you're a newbie modder.
(No offence meant). Trust me, I went through the same
situation as you.

When you have blank info cards and such, you have
found yourself a nightmare to fix. Without knowing
more specific information, I cannot accurately advise you
where to start looking for your missing dll files.

In part: Your problem happened because some of the dll
files were edited in the original installation of Freelancer
used to create the mod. This explains why you're finding
blank cards now.
If any of those items happened to be "new ships, factions,
or equipment" AND/OR edited information such as "rumors,
new planets, stations, systems"; all that new information
is kept stored on related dll (dynamic link library) files.
That information should always be kept in an EXE folder
of the mod and not the Freelancer folder.
The biggest problem facing modders using the FLExplorer
and IDS Editor, is that the IDS editor in particular adds
information to the dll files in the Freelancer main EXE by
default. IF the game is ever uninstalled and then reinstalled,
then those source dll's that were changed by the IDS
editor...are now GONE. IF the mod does not have those
specifically changed dll's, then you'll end up with missing
information as you have noticed.

The ruins of Freeport 7 are in Sigma 17. But you cannot
find any paths that connect it back to the edgeworlds
which happens to be home territory for the nomads
and Planet Toledo.

During the intro movie, the nomads destroy Freeport 7.
However, that actual system in which you see the
nomads destroying the base is located in its own folder
noted as Freeport 7 system. (That is a movie prop system).
I'm not aware of anyone who has noted why the particular
system for the introduction movie is isolated from
the actual Sigma 17 in-game system.

In actuality, the reason seems simple enough.
The developers could not use the actual Sigma 17 in-game
system without causing problems to the game, which
included crashes and server lockups.

If you're into modding the game:
take a look at the KU01 folder system ini file,
you'll also find a reference to one of the Selection Screen
objects. But you will not find that referenced object in the
game as you play. Remove that object reference from the
system.ini file and you get insta-crash. If not at startup or when you enter the system, definately when you
reach the object reference location.

First thing that comes to my mind is this:

I haven't tried that mod, so I cannot give you
a clearly accurate answer, but this is what I do know
from my own experience.

The mod may not be compatable with single player,
because IF that mod changes any part of the
mission story line, it often causes a CTD or
Game Freeze because of a data base conflict.

The story line is extremely finicky when it comes to
adding or taking away of any components contained
in that data base.

However, if perhaps it's only something related to
VISTA, that could be an entirely different matter.

Just out of curiosity, wouldn't a paid subscription to
a forum hosting site be more secure?

The reason I'm asking is that I'm guessing "free sites"
have their weaknesses.

I'm actually researching (seriously) ...
Such as:
looking at game engines.
(which the more I look at, the more I want to build my own).
But, seeing what I've been seeing, it makes me want to use some of the
older tools, but put them to use on a 64bit Athelon.
Well, I mean that a lot of games are still using the 32 bit architecture...right?
My God, imagine what we can do by putting the full potential of a 64 to use?

ah. I thought perhaps you might have some of that
contraband that you really wouldn't want.
Ok, I'm cool with that my towel hooded friend.

I think that is a very strong possibility.

fc_lr_ss_elite

1st problem is that you have a brand new faction.
That by itself presents a whole mess of additional problems.
-New faction
-empathy
-initial world
---equipment, goods ---
-npcshiparch
-loadouts
-factionprops
(yada yada yada)
It's complicated and if you miss any single point where the information
must be added for the new faction, you'll get nasty "untracable" crashes.

2nd problem I see is the fc_lr_**_elite already refers to the Liberty Rogues,
so you have a naming/faction conflict. (unless it's a Liberty Rogue that you want
to frame for this setup)

3rd problem (possible) is the _ss_elite to signify your special purpose npc. You
have to make sure the npc shiparch, loadouts and factionprops.ini's have that
specific ship also set up for the fc_lr (group). d1-19 is basically irrelevant because
it depends on the equipment loadout you have specified for the ship. BUT,
if you want to have encounters set up in the relative system areas (such as around
Buffalo Base) you have to make sure the ship is set up to match the encounter zone.
In other words, he could be set up as a d19 who could wipe the floor with you, but
for the area, you have to make sure he's set up to show as a similar level in that area.
d1-d4 (or d5?). (So, you see that he's only a d3, but he's equipped similar to a d19)

Sounds as though the files you're trying to "overwrite"
are "Read Only" . Once you change that attribute, I think
you'll probably have better luck.

Agreed. Such an animation gave me a brainstorm of an
idea for a dockable station.
That got me digging into the cmp files of dockable solars.
(stations and ships).
Once I decide to figure out more specifically how this all
works out, I'll be implementing it.

Taw, you have any left over kegs of Ginger Beer?
I think I'm in need of a serious hangover.

Check the utf files on the bay door connection.
Then check the CMP file for how they are listed in the
convention file (if it's "root" or something else)
I'm pretty sure they cargo doors are not attached to the
root.
When a cmp model is exported, a number of groups is set
up to identify what object belongs to what group.
(I'm not very familiar with it yet, since I'm still trying to
figure it out myself)
The animation controls the movement of the objects,
the hard points just denote the object to be animated.

what items are you looking at where you have no
information? Ships? Weapons? Stations? Planets? Factions?
Systems?
What are you expecting to see, but are finding blanks
instead?

No disrespect was intended toward you.

The "inflammatory remarks witheld" are intended for the crap we have to work with.

Other than that, I'm aware of my pond scum heritage.

You're not supposed to "unzip" a FLMM mod.
It's supposed to load itself into the FLMM without
any intervention from you.
PROVIDED you have a complimentary mod/mod manager.

(Infalmatory remarks witheld)

The reason you're seeing blank information cards is
because you're missing a .dll file.