Out of Operation Flashpoint Mission Editing

[Bluelikeu]

Hello everyone,

If any of you go out of country or something of the sort, and you didn't bring a useful computer, or worse, forgot your copy of operation flashpoint, this might be a little program idea for you.

This program would basically create a mission file for you with the help of the easy to use layout that the OFP map editor offers. The program should have all the abilities that the OFP map editor offers, except the preview ability. You can place units on the map directly, and select their attributes and such.

The idea is that you will have a working OFP map editor that doesn't allow you to preview the map. If you have a seriously out-of-date computer wherever you are going, you can just insert a disk with this program on it, and begin. If your nearest internet cafe in that area allows it, you can insert the disk there and begin mission editing, if you like.

Do you think that this is a stupid idea, or would people accually use it?
If you think people might use it, give me some specifics of what you would like to see, and I'll get right on it.

No, no, no C++, JAVA! (allows for reliability and compatibility)

Thanks,
Bluelikeu

[greg147]

Now that does sound interresting. Although it wouldn't have the preview, so you wouldn't be able to test what you've made  

Personally I think go that long without OFP, but it would be good.

If made, I think it would be better to be a downloadable program, to make life easier  

[Bluelikeu]

Well, it is going to be a downloadable program, only it will be written in JAVA, so that linux and Mac users won't have to toy with incompatibility.

Any specific's you'd like to see, maybe some changes to the original format of the OFP mission editor.

BTW, can someone get me a useful copy of the picture of the map for Everon, Malden, Kulgujev, and Desert Island?

Thanks,
Bluelikeu

Edit: It might be possible to hook the program up with the OFP Viewer used to view models, but that means that all the game models have to be placed with the program too; not to mention others.

[Bluelikeu]

Here's a sample version of the GUI when creating a unit:

[Planck]

You can find maps of all the defailt islands in the Editors Depot.


Planck

[General Barron]

I get an error when trying to run that program: "Cannot find main class".

Anywho... this would be a pretty cool program, I think. I would definately like to see it, although I'm honestly not sure about whether it would be useful or not. I do have some suggestions though:

For the GUI, it might be most intuitive to stick with OFP's interface. I can't think of anything that I would like to see added/changed about OFP's interface, so why not stick with what everyone already is used to using?

Actually, you should change the load/save interface into a more 'standard' load/save dialog, that lets you navigate thru your computer, instead of being linked to a specific directory.

One thing you will need to include with the program is some way to add new units into the editor. This could be done manually, by having the user edit a text file or something, but it would be a real pain in the butt. What would be nice is a little 'addon scanner' program where you can just drop a .pbo file onto it, and it will parse the addon's config.cpp to find the appropriate classnames to add in. There was a .pbo decryptor released very recently that had the ability to view files inside of it without decompressing the whole .pbo. Perhaps the author could help you with that. I'm not sure how to look at config.bins, but perhaps the CoC people could help with that...

Keep in mind addons also can add sounds, music, markers, and other types of things into the editor as well. The markers would be the problem, of course...

Along those lines, the ability to add new maps in would be good as well. I'm not sure how island addons are made, but I would assume that there must be some picture file in the addon that stores the island's editor map. Oh yeah, the maps can be found on the OFP CD, in PDF form, I believe.

Actually, a very useful thing to include would be a breifing and overview editor. \

That's all I can think of. Looking forward to seeing some development .

[Fragorl]

Nice job.

Yes, Java over C++ for this kind of thing.

[Bluelikeu]

I'm not sure why you can't run the program, it seems to work correctly on my computer. Perhaps you need to install the lastest version of Sun JAVA onto your computer not Microsoft VM.

Well, the editor doesn't allow you to specify some things that you can change in the mission.sqm file. Easily changing the side of a unit even if he he desginated as a Civilian for one thing.

Thanks,
Bluelikeu

[Bluelikeu]

BTW, those who want to test the program may have to install the latest version of JAVA from the Sun Microsystems homepage. I'll try to figure out why there seems to be a compatibility issue with lower versions. I've used classes and methods from the older versions of JAVA, but the problem probably lies in AbsoluteConstraints.class which you can magically see if you open up the .jar file from a zip folder.

I'll try and make it compatible with new addons, and maps. However, I think that the user may have to find a way to get an image o' the map.

I'll use the same layout as OFP has, but I'm going to add a few extra options to assist with editing.

Thanks,
Bluelikeu

[Homefry31464]

If you can get this to work... I think I have a JAVA emulator on my Palm.. would be cool to do OFP stuff at work.  

[DBR_ONIX]

..erm, I had this idea a while ago, and it was.. erm.. shotdown?
Had a look for the thread (External Editor or something) but can't find it any more..

Anyway, good luck
- Ben

[Bluelikeu]

Ok...yes...that was...reassuring.

Anyway, I do intend to complete this project because I need to sharpen my JAVA skills.

However, I would like to know if anyone, except Homefry, would use this program to their advantage before I become too involved.

As said by General Barron, the major problem I will encounter will be the easy insertion of add-ons into the game. From What I'm thinking now, it would be better if this person would generate a list of the add-ons themselves. Sorry 'bout that, but I'm not so sure how to access the PBO files correctly, let alone interpret what should be added to the Editor.

Another problem that is going to thwart progress would be the map. Well, not the map itself, but the placing of units onto the map. The positions that are created by the map editor may be offset by a few points from the positions in the OFP map editor. Might just be a little buggy problem that people will have to deal with. Remember: I did not encounter these problems yet, since i didn't start yet, but I'm just anticipating the worst and will program the best I can(unlike Microsoft programmers who anticipate the best and program the worst.)

Thanks,
Bluelikeu

[dmakatra]

I've only read the first post but... What's the point if you can't preview? I mean, placing units and stuff takes like one to two hours anyway. Unless y'wanna place them macca-style with previewing every dude a zillion times. But then you need the preview button... You might as well just bring good ol' notepad with you so you can write scripts but it turns out they're not working 'cause you haven't got the preview button...

:beat: *Gets Shot* :beat:

[penguinman]

I think its briliant! Ive always been trying to get ofp on my laptop(but its too old and wont work)     because my family an i are always traveling, and thats when I get all my good mission ideas, I would definately use this program.


great idea and i hope you make it

[Homefry31464]

I've only read the first post but... What's the point if you can't preview? I mean, placing units and stuff takes like one to two hours anyway. Unless y'wanna place them macca-style with previewing every dude a zillion times. But then you need the preview button... You might as well just bring good ol' notepad with you so you can write scripts but it turns out they're not working 'cause you haven't got the preview button...

:beat: *Gets Shot* :beat:

It's nice.... because #1 my laptop that I use for work can't use OFP...  #2 it would work on my Palm.  #3 because I can think of plenty of times when I wanted to make a mission for OFP but didn't have OFP on the computer I was.  I think it's a good idea.

[Bluelikeu]

Thank everyone for their support, i'll begin soon. Since dmakatra feels that the he is unable to test and see if the scripts work, I will think about creating program that validates the scripts and makes sure that all the syntax is correct, so that you can rest assured that your scripts are organized correctly.

BTW, this program is obviously not meant to be used to completely build a mission, but to rather get everything organized for you. And the point of the program is to make a program small enough to be booted from a disket. If a preview ability is included, it would basically have to include the OFP engine in it, all the graphics for addons would be needed to be included and so on...thus totally missing the point of the program. It will be for those cruddy computers that you find at some internet cafe in Bratislava or where-not.

Thanks,
Bluelikeu

[Commando]

sounds like a cool idea   i took with me ofp to my grandparents place when i stayed there over the summer once and the computer had some serious lag trying to cope with even running with the normal islands and almost no addons at all  ;D
it was a 300 mghz or something slower than that  
i ended up with making missions ut not prewieving them so much.
your program sounds like a intresting idea  

[Flauta]

This is a Really good Idea!! I got thisb idea a few years ago.. but I dont know a Shit about programing.... so let others do it  
But this wont be Exesively Great.. Because the preview Improves the mission in the 90% so it is a bit dificuklt to made a mission whitout teste every change you made,

IT MUST HAVE a spalling cheker, like the fucking "error type number; expected nothing" etc... and also a Script and mission Interaction Cheker...

Sorry if mi englishj isnt clear... (sometimes sounds agresive but that is not the point...))

Cheers!!!

AN IO WANT A COPY OF THAT

[DBR_ONIX]

Hmm, sorry if my post sounded negative, I would use the program, mainly because making missions requires to alt-tab out a lot, and I normal do this while normal computery stuff (Talking on MSN, posting on forum etc), and when alt-tabed out, the gamma correction make windows hideiously bright, which gives me a headache in 10mins..
If your felling ambicious, how about a 3D view, like WRPTool, no textures. Could be very helpfull for making bases and stuff up (Lining fences up is horrible with the ingame editor, for example). Just a simple boxy model for each addon. Probobaly not very feasble, just a suggestion

Two ideas that would be very usefull, a grid-snap for placing objects (Changeable what size, so if your fence is 1.2 meters, you use 1.2 as grid snap).
And the rotation setting for... erm.. things (Everything, really), not make them 142.433232*, instead make it 142. Round them up/down

As for the external addons, maybe have a file listing of the display name, addon type (Person/Car/Tank/Plane/Object), the class name, and maybe a picture (Again, like WRPtool's object preview, or the editor picture you see in the in-game one).

You could also, maybe, in the edit unit screen, have a "Height" box, that automaticly does the
this setpos [getpos this select 0, getpos this select 1, height-number]
I've typed that so many times it's getting annoying..

Also, if you copy/paste a unit, keep the playable attributes

Little things like this would make it nicer to use that the in-game editor.. Really I'm just listing things I dont like about it, and hoping you can incoprate it into your program
But if you make this, I, and other people will use it

..:hmm: is that the time..
- Ben

[Lt.Ryan]

This would be great...
now when i have nothing to do at school i can go to the lab and make missions!!!!

If you make it people will use it.

[penguinman]

I cant get the prograam, to work,

where does it go and how do I activate it please

[Bluelikeu]

@DBR_ONIX
That is the exact type of feedback I wanted. ;D
I will take those updates into effect.

From what I believe you want, a generic model should be used in-place for a soldier, or tank in the preview. Trees might also have to be created, and buildings, and other models. Thats sort of tough.
However, I don't know much about JAVA 3D...but I'm willing to try, or fail.

@penguinman
It should work like any other program. Just double-click on it. Some compression tools interpret the .jar file as an archive, and will open it like a zip file. If that is your problem, I will just paste the classes themselves to this post with a little double-click start-up runnable.

The program itself is useless, so no big hurry.

Thanks,
Bluelikeu

[DBR_ONIX]

From what I believe you want, a generic model should be used in-place for a soldier, or tank in the preview. Trees might also have to be created, and buildings, and other models. Thats sort of tough.
However, I don't know much about JAVA 3D...but I'm willing to try, or fail.

Yup, that's the idea, dont know if it's possible, but.. In the list of addons, maybe have a lenght/height/width entery, and you create a box that's the correct size.
Saves having a model for each house, object etc..

@penguinman
It should work like any other program. Just double-click on it. Some compression tools interpret the .jar file as an archive, and will open it like a zip file. If that is your problem, I will just paste the classes themselves to this post with a little double-click start-up runnable.

I had the same problem with Winrar
- Ben

[Bluelikeu]

That makes things much easier. Boxes are much easier
Only problem is terrain elevation. I've never tested this, but using a textureless wire mesh could be used as the terrain, but that still leaves getting the elevation measurements.

Okie, here are the classes. And the source code for the frame. This is a little more different from the previous file posted.

[Flauta]

but... still cant test it!!! do I have to download a program first??? .. sorry I dont get it!!! emh.. ad the first post I have the ame problrem as ONIX.....

Cheers and good programing

[Bluelikeu]

oh ya, forgot to mention that you need to run the program from the command prompt. Just go into the command prompt and find the location of the file called UnitCreationFrame.class

then write java UnitCreationFrame into the command prompt. This should run the program. However, you must have the PATH variable in the environment variables set to the location of your java runtime environment folder named "bin"
eg. C:\jdk5.0\bin\

if you don't want to change the variable then write something like this in the command prompt

C:\jdk5.0\bin\java C:\downloads\Frame\UnitCreationFrame


this should work if your java runtime environment is installed in the folder "jdk5.0"

Sounds a bit complicated because I'm making it seem that way.

Else, you'll just have to figure out a way to get around the archive problem.

Thanks,
Bluelikeu

[Dinger]

heh. I'm just waiting for the port to my cellphone. Scripting in T9 -- now that would be nerdy.

[Flauta]

emh.. blulikeyou, I still cant test it  ;D
jejeje in te Zip file there is alot ofd .class and .java files... so... what do I have to do whit them?!?!??!? do I need a extra program??? Mi english sucks.. je that complicate a bit the thread.... But I hope this program will be great!!!

Keep it working! ;D

[Bluelikeu]

Steps:

If you are using Windows operating system,

Click the start button

Click "All Programs"

Click "Accessories"

Click "Command Prompt"

If you know how to run Java programs through the command prompt then do so.

The name of the file to run is "UnitCreationFrame". So, goto the folder where "UnitCreationFrame" is located through the Command Prompt. Then type "java UnitCreationFrame" and the program should come up.

Thanks,
Bluelikeu

[Homefry31464]

I'm getting an error when running it...

[DBR_ONIX]

Got the same problem, not overly bothered though, i'll wait for final one
On that subject, how is it?
- Ben

[Bluelikeu]

oh, this is just a minor error.

try  "java UnitCreationFrame"  instead "java unitcreationframe" It just has to do with capitalization. If there still is a problem, then it is something wrong with my stuff.

Well, my computer with OFP on it isn't starting up correctly and needs to be fixed, so i don't have any real access to check things out, but I'm still working on it with my old computer(this one).

I should be done, or near completion by the end of the summer vacation..bad timing eh..

I've been working with JAVA3D and it is sort of difficult for me, so i'm not sure if i'm going to have a small preview option.

[DBR_ONIX]

Typed (in command promt) : "java unitcreator", also tried "java unitcreator.jar", "unit -classpath unitcreator.jar", and a few other things
Keep getting error thing 'Exception in thread "main" java.lang.NoClassDefFoundError"

How's it progressing anyway?
- Ben

[Bluelikeu]

Yes, it is my stuff, I didn't really understand what a jar file really was until recently. I've come up with a new method of executable batch files for the happiness and joy of all! I hope they work.

Well, progress is slow due to the lack of OFP. Also, the current file I made makes the computer slow, and I couldn't figure out why. However, I solved the problem by placing it in the trash and restarting. I'm also thinking ahead about the map being visible on the screen. Unfortunately the image of the map is placed directly into memory. Yes, the file is huge. Therefore the infamous "lag" should appear. However, I'm thinking of somehow getting only the pixel's of the image that should be visible at any given time and placing them 1 by 1 onto the screen. In that case, there should be no lag.

Summer is so short, therefore I'm thinking of upping the release date depending on how I feel. Sorry bout that.

Anyway,
Thanks,
Bluelikeu

[DBR_ONIX]

I got the test working, I updated the Java RTE to latest version and it started up.
(Same with the drop wizard thingy etc)

Anyway, good luck with the program, can't wait
- Ben