Mass Density (of my skull)

[macdonncadh]

I love this game tremendously. So much fun.
I am more than a little embarrassed that I have yet to successfully create a working scenario.
I'm doing something small, tiny map and half a dozen units, no script file, just the AI editor within the editor - just to get the hang of the tools...and yet I cannot quite manage it. I am certain there is some little eureka moment waiting for me, wherein all shall be revealed. I've read the things generously offered up in the way of guides and instruction manuals, but I am still not there. Is there a checklist - something to show me "Ah, you forgot that, moron!"

If I could succeed in a small map, I know the rest would come. And for what it is worth, I have - in fact - read the instructions. What am I missing.

Anything anyone could do, would be appreciated. I've modded units, made new skins, played with music and sound effects, all with success. This editor is different than any I've ever used, but I mean that not as a criticism...

Thank you for your attention.


Yours, "He who met his Waterloo in an editor but could not sim his own defeat!"

[Warlord156]

I love this game tremendously. So much fun.
I am more than a little embarrassed that I have yet to successfully create a working scenario.
I'm doing something small, tiny map and half a dozen units, no script file, just the AI editor within the editor - just to get the hang of the tools...and yet I cannot quite manage it. I am certain there is some little eureka moment waiting for me, wherein all shall be revealed. I've read the things generously offered up in the way of guides and instruction manuals, but I am still not there. Is there a checklist - something to show me "Ah, you forgot that, moron!"

If I could succeed in a small map, I know the rest would come. And for what it is worth, I have - in fact - read the instructions. What am I missing.

Anything anyone could do, would be appreciated. I've modded units, made new skins, played with music and sound effects, all with success. This editor is different than any I've ever used, but I mean that not as a criticism...

Thank you for your attention.

Hi,
I have created one or two scenario's, and would be glad to assist you in any way that I can. I am in no way an expert, and I have learnt as I have gone along. And I still have much to learn. However, if you think I can help with any part that you need information on, feel free to ask. I believe you are going the best route by starting small. Good luck with your creations, and I look forward to your first scenario......

Warlord156

[rbodleyscott]

If I could succeed in a small map, I know the rest would come. And for what it is worth, I have - in fact - read the instructions. What am I missing.

Unless I failed to spot it, I don't think you said what the problem is. Obviously you do not know the cause of the problem, we can help with that, but we have to know what the apparent hold up is in order to do so.

[macdonncadh]

Rihcard and Warlord,

It is true that I do not know the problem, but I think it likely I am doing something wrong or omitting some small step with the AI editor. I have read that an AI script is not necessarily mandatory - although desirable - but does that mean to follow there is no .bsf file? Could the problem be the way I am saving or not saving the scenario correctly? When I am done I only have a .bam file. In a non-scripted scenario: would that one file have it all? For now, I think my mistake lies somewhere between the placement of my units and finally saving the file with - as I have said - a special emphasis on the AI editor. I plan to reexamine how I assign the units to the AI teams - maybe I'm screwing it up there.

Richard, thanks for your generousness and time. I will try to look carefully at what I am doing and identify where the difficulty is, but for now, I think it is as I have stated above. Certainly the map creation and choosing and placing of units are quite straight forward. I shall keep you advised. Again, a great game. I have tremendous fun playing it.

Warlord, I would appreciate any advice you have to give, especially as your Dunbar scenario is my absolute favourite! Did you not do Cropredy as well? That one was a gas to play.

Thanks to both of you.

[rbodleyscott]

You need to tell us what leads you to believe that you have a problem at all.

An error message? You can't find your scenario to try it out? It doesn't work as expected? What?

I don't need you to identify the cause or nature of the problem, just the symptom.

Then I can hopefully help.

(And you don't have to have anything except a .BAM file. What is it called? Is it single player or multiplayer?).

[Warlord156]

Hi Macdonncadh
Have you tried making a scenario without using the AI editor. It might help to eliminate a theory or two concerning your problem.
Regards......

[macdonncadh]

My belief in a problem stems from the fact that after doing everything as it says in the manual, then saving it, when I go to play it I get a level field with no terrain, no troops. I may be confusing things by saying AI editor. I meant the custom AI dialogue described on page 66 of the editor...so...

I can find the scenario...I can open it sort of (a flat field with no men on it) then nothing at all. And my game is a single player (unless I am doing something wrong.) Warlord, you mention not using the editor. Does that mean I could make my map, deploy my units, save and then play it? Because to get things started that would be great.

Thanks for you patience. I don't mean to be frustrating.

BTW-The file was called COLDSTREAM.BAM...

I can't think of anything else to tell you right now.

I will try just doing simple map with a half dozen units, save it and try to play it.

[Warlord156]

My 1st scenario of cropredy bridge used no AI editor.... then the AI just attacks where it can. I think your problem is when you save the scenario you have created. When I save mine I name scenario the same as the campaign file...... not sure if that will help you or not.........

[IainMcNeil]

Maybe posting a screenshot of what you see in the editor and what you see in game would help people understand what you think the issue is?

[rbodleyscott]

My belief in a problem stems from the fact that after doing everything as it says in the manual, then saving it, when I go to play it I get a level field with no terrain, no troops. I may be confusing things by saying AI editor. I meant the custom AI dialogue described on page 66 of the editor...so...

I can find the scenario...I can open it sort of (a flat field with no men on it) then nothing at all. And my game is a single player (unless I am doing something wrong.) Warlord, you mention not using the editor. Does that mean I could make my map, deploy my units, save and then play it? Because to get things started that would be great.

Thanks for you patience. I don't mean to be frustrating.

BTW-The file was called COLDSTREAM.BAM...

I can't think of anything else to tell you right now.

I will try just doing simple map with a half dozen units, save it and try to play it.

The AI editor isn't likely to be anything to do with the problem.

In your campaign folder (which should be in \My Documents\My Games\PikeandShot\Campaigns\) there should be a Campaign.TXT file.

If so, did you put the name of your scenario in it?

If your scenario is COLDSTREAM.BAM, the Campaign.TXT file should contain

[COLDSTREAM]

If the name in square brackets is not exactly the same as the filename of your scenario (minus the ".BAM" part) the program will not be able to find your .BAM file and you will see a blank map instead when you try to play the scenario. (as you are experiencing).

Also note that (although it doesn't seem to be the issue here) scenario filenames should not include spaces.

You should also include the line

NOSKIRMISH

at the top of the Campaign.txt file if you don't want your "campaign" to be used for Skirmishes.

Note that the program will automatically find user created SP scenarios if there are no scenarios at all named in the campaign.txt file in the "campaign". However, it won't allow new challenges to be set up using user-created MP scenarios unless they are named (correctly) in the campaign.txt file.

[macdonncadh]

I did have a correct Campaign.text. There was a conflict in my TEXT files, an extremely stupid mistake wherein I changed the scenario name in all the files but missed it in the TEXT9 file. I corrected that, made a very short, simple scenario, without utilizing the AI dialogue and it worked. Even better, the Scottish Highlander (late) unit I created, with a new skin, was there and worked perfectly, mauling their opponent in a Highland charge. Thank you for your patience, both of you. I imagine this can get frustrating after a time.

[rbodleyscott]

I did have a correct Campaign.text. There was a conflict in my TEXT files, an extremely stupid mistake wherein I changed the scenario name in all the files but missed it in the TEXT9 file. I corrected that, made a very short, simple scenario, without utilizing the AI dialogue and it worked. Even better, the Scottish Highlander (late) unit I created, with a new skin, was there and worked perfectly, mauling their opponent in a Highland charge. Thank you for your patience, both of you. I imagine this can get frustrating after a time.

Were you the gentleman with whom I was discussing modding Scottish Highlanders at Salute?

[macdonncadh]

No, I was not. I just happen to be interested in the subject. When I saw this game I thought it one of the very few that won could adapt and make a decent Scottish clan warfare mod. I still think that, but I have become much enamored of the content that comes with the game. Whatever little shortcomings some may see in it, it is one of the most entertaining war games I've played. If you ever want to add those units and you are interested in the skin I made, you are of course welcome to it. Just tell me how to get it to you.

Thanks again for your courtesy. Now that I am 'on the road' I look forward to doing much more with the game.