May I introduce myself...

[Panzermate]

Call off the guards - I just found it.
I just downloaded/enabled another custom made campaign ("the big red one" by Davidson) via Steam workshop and tried to track down where it went.
And HOOPLA! right where the GC went beforehand.
So no "mods" folder but a "workshop" folder instead.
Look no further than here:

C:/Program files/Steam/steamapps/workshop/content/1072040

The two folders with the random numbers contain the modders campaigns data - strange but true.



So I go back to work right away.

Have a good one, y'all!

Greetings from Panzermate

[Panzermate]

Work on my own DAK campaign has officially started NOW!
Now we're are talking.
Looking good...

[Panzermate]

Howdy, folks.
Next roadblock, next obstacle.


Maybe you guys can help out.

So I created the folder "mods" in doucuments/My Games/Panzer Corps2/mods.
Added the preview image file (960 x 960 px) as well as the scenrio folder (named the same way as the campaign "DAK - Deutsches Afrika Korps").
Then I modified the .uplugin file fitting to my names/settings and voila, I can see the campaign as well as the description and the image in the mod manager on the main PC2 dashboard.
So far - so good.
But now what?
I implemented the neccessary .json file (which desribes the campaign in the selection menue I assume and makes it clickable/selectables), tweaked it according to my
settings and.. you guessed it...nothing happens.

So my questions are:

How do I get the campaign into the main menue so I can select and play it?
Where and how do I set the campaign path (how many scenarios, which one goes first, second and so on, maybe even alternate paths).
How many scenarios need to be in there to be able to test gameplay from the dashboard (not the editor)?
If I start my new campaign can I select the players starting settings (how many traits, undo and random options, core army etc.) the same way I choose in the stock game?


Greetings from Panzermate

[dalfrede]

Your custom campaigns:
\Documents\My Games\Panzer Corps 2\Campaigns\[BigRedOne]; don't use brackets.

CampaignPath set by LUA code inside each each campaign folder, File name : script.lua
You can copy the form and function from any working one in your possession.

Local Disk > Program Files(x86) > Slitherine > PanzerCorps2 > PanzerCorps2 > Campaigns > [AO39]
For Steam replace '> Slitherine >' with '> SteamApps > Common >'

[Panzermate]

Your custom campaigns:
\Documents\My Games\Panzer Corps 2\Campaigns\[BigRedOne]; don't use brackets.

CampaignPath set by LUA code inside each each campaign folder, File name : script.lua
You can copy the form and function from any working one in your possession.

Local Disk > Program Files(x86) > Slitherine > PanzerCorps2 > PanzerCorps2 > Campaigns > [AO39]
For Steam replace '> Slitherine >' with '> SteamApps > Common >'

Howdy dalfrede!
I'm sorry, but I don't understand your message, or do I?

Okay, got that lua stuff down, so I have to tinker with this lua file stuff a little bit.
But what do you mean "no brackets"?
Brackets where and for what?

Also the folders/path you wrote down are not where my stuff is actually stored.
That's why I had such a big time trouble finding stuff in the first place.

As of now I have 3 locations as where to find stuff to look at it with the editor and copy/edit stuff from already working scenarios/campaigns.
I try to sort it out, maybe then you could specify your message so I would be able to understand your post.

First location is:
Computer/HDD/Program files(x86)/steam/steamapps/common/Panzer Corps 2/PanzerCorps2/content/Campaigns/Main
This is where the stock campaign/scenarios are stored - pretty daunting, also notice two "Panzer Corps 2" folders, one containing the other, only spelled differently (spaced letters).

Second location is:
Computer/HDD/Program files(x86)/steam/steamapps/workshop/content/1072040
Then I have 2 foldernames bearing numbers only, namely 2323744661(containing "Big red One" campaign)
and 2410075863 (containing "Grand Campaign Panzer Corps 1") - my guess is the numbers have something to do with the uploading procedure but I could be wrong.

Third and final location is:
Documents/My Games/Panzer Corps 2/Mods/coustomcampaigns/DAK
This location is bascially the only root tree I created myself from "Panzer Corps 2 " onwards with "Mods" being the first folder I created.

Pretty amazing and confusing, I'd say.
If you have any explanation why there are 3 different locations with 2 of them neither chosen nor created by myself, be muy guest!

Also yesterdays 3 hour briefing work was basically in vain since the editor crashes every time I try to open the edited files from the day prior.
Is there a difference (and maybe some reason for crashes) if you open the editor from the PC2 mainboard (mod manager > scenario editor with both the game and the editor running at the same time)
or if you open the scenario editor from the launcher and therefore have the editor running alone with the game not being started and not having both running at the same time?

I appreciate your support.


Greetings from Panzermate

[dalfrede]

But what do you mean "no brackets"?
Brackets where and for what?

I used brackets around the campaign names, ie [AO43], those brackets [] aren't to be used for actual campaigns, they are used to show that they are the objects stored at the end of the directory tree, and not part of the tree path.

Second location is:
Computer/HDD/Program files(x86)/steam/steamapps/workshop/content/1072040
Then I have 2 foldernames bearing numbers only, namely 2323744661(containing "Big red One" campaign)
and 2410075863 (containing "Grand Campaign Panzer Corps 1") - my guess is the numbers have something to do with the uploading procedure but I could be wrong.

This is where 'Steam Workshop' stores Campaigns. It is invisible to the user, and only makes sense to Steam.
If you put something there Steam doesn't know and won't use it.

Third and final location is:
Documents/My Games/Panzer Corps 2/Mods/coustomcampaigns/DAK
This location is basically the only root tree I created myself from "Panzer Corps 2 " onwards with "Mods" being the first folder I created.

The game it's self is looking for custom campaigns under 'Campaigns' not 'Mods'.
This is different than PzC1
So create a folder 'Campaigns', for campaigns, and a folder 'Scenarios' for scenarios.
The 'Mods' folder is for things like edits to 'Units.cvs'.
The scenario folder allows playing your scenarios prior to adding them to a campaign.

If you have any explanation why there are 3 different locations with 2 of them neither chosen nor created by myself, be my guest!

The first location is where the game stores its campaigns. So:
1) Slitherine
2) Steam
3) User

[Panzermate]

Howdy, Dalfrede

Thanx for getting back to me so soon and - more important - major kudos
for bringing almost total carification to some of the mysteries regarding all those different data store locations.

The "bracket thing" was just a total situational misunderstanding on my part.
Fog lifted.

So after elaborating on all these locations I get the grand scheme picture but am still pissed, because it is such a drag
if you wanna switch from a custom scenario to another custom made scenario from a different creator to a stock scenario in order to
compare things for example. It takes forever to find stuff via the "Open file..." route even with shortcuts.

The thing with the mod folder appears logic to me, but I read somewhere to create the "mods" folder to store your work in there.
Anyway, I have no "slitherine" folder but I know what you mean.
When I follow your lead and relocate my custom scenarios from the mods folder to the Scenario/campaign folders, does this in any way
cause problems with the editor?
Path-wise?
I mean the UPLUGIN file has to be stored outside of the campaign-containing folder for the workshop/dashboard to recognise and finally feature the campaign on the modmanager dashboard, right?

Right now I have stored my custom campaigns/scenarios that way:

documents/My Games/Panzer Corps 2/mods/customcampaign_01 to ..-06 /DAK - Afrika Korps/Scenario01
Can I keep this and just shift it over or do I have to hand create everything new and save all work manually via openeing and saving through the editor inside the new folders?
What do you suggest?

Funny that I read your personal motto:
"There comes a time on every project when it is time to shoot the engineer and ship the damn thing."
not too long ago in a submarine simulator forum, but can't remember exactly on whose members personal file.

Right now I am working on briefing details but the editor crashes everytime when using circle markers and area markers!

But it is generally getting along fine.

I taped together some examples of briefing/objectives from other scenarios via screenshot so I don't have to reopen and resize everything on the second monitor
over and over again which speeds up the process.

See here:



and here:





leading to this:


and this:


just fooling around with the color settings of the arrows.
Do you have any idea how to change the font color on written primary/secondary/bonus objectives in the briefings?
Bold is nice to highlight things but a different color combined with bold would be even better I assume.

Thanx so far, Dalfrede and

Greetings from Panzermate

[dalfrede]

The game looks for files is certain places. If not in those places it will not find them.
One should be able to use alias to point to files/folders located elsewhere.
Have not tried for PzC2.

The editor 'remembers' where you last opened a file from, which is independent of where the game looks.
So moving them around will cause a one time problem of finding them.

The Scenarios/Campaigns folders do not use the 'Mod Manager', they show up under the 'New Game' link under Scenarios or Campaigns.
They don't need a UPLUGIN file, which is used by the Mod Manager.

People conflate 'Steam Workshop' with custom campaigns. The Scenarios/Campaigns folders works with Slitherline and GOG installs as well as with Steam.
Steam WorkShop works just for Steam.

[Panzermate]

Okay, I see.
My fault to purchase the game via Steam in the first place.

So to sum this up:
Every outside scenario/campaign (custom - other than the stock stuff) I want to see/play in the basic PC2 game has to have
it's data stored in the folder "campaign" for campaigns and "scenario" for scenarios.
If I want to have any custom files available in the modmanager in the Main Game Dashboard in order to get it uploaded on Steam
I have to have it inside the mod folder and have to have the UPLUGIN file in there as well, correct?

Means idealy I need to have them stored at both places, something people like you don't have
to consider because your game was not bought via Steam.
Where do you download custom mods/campaigns if not via steam?

Correct?

Edit: One last thing.
I have three types of data from every single scenario I created:
*.map which contains the map data obviously
*.pz2brf which might be the briefing data allthough I wonder why it has a seperate file
*.pz2scn which might be the scenario data

So I have to relocate every single one of them to ensure the scenario works, right?

[PoorOldSpike]

Guys I'm losing track here, are we talking about creating scens and campaigns purely for our own singleplayer fun?
At the moment there's no way we'll be able to put them up for download by the PC2 community here at Slith or at Steam is there, or am I missing something?

[Panzermate]

Guys I'm losing track here, are we talking about creating scens and campaigns purely for our own singleplayer fun?
At the moment there's no way we'll be able to put them up for download by the PC2 community here at Slith or at Steam is there, or am I missing something?

Hey, Spike.
First and formost we might differ in ambition.
While I am putting lots of time and effort into my project, I'm still lightyears away from
even thinking about uploding anything thats playabale and enjoyable at the same time for any possible audience out there.

So I will think about that, when I do have to actually show something thats worth being showed.
Well if you are further along and have a spick and span campaign ready for release, you can do it on Steam.
I mean you can get the GC and the Big red one there...
I have them both acquired via modmanager.

Well for everyone else not owning a steam account... I simply don't know.
What about people who purchased the game outside of steam - can they download the files via steam without
having the steam version of the game if they have a steam account though?
Ask Dalfrede, he should know...

[tpoo]

Guys I'm losing track here, are we talking about creating scens and campaigns purely for our own singleplayer fun?
At the moment there's no way we'll be able to put them up for download by the PC2 community here at Slith or at Steam is there, or am I missing something?

Hey, Spike.
First and formost we might differ in ambition.
While I am putting lots of time and effort into my project, I'm still lightyears away from
even thinking about uploding anything thats playabale and enjoyable at the same time for any possible audience out there.

So I will think about that, when I do have to actually show something thats worth being showed.
Well if you are further along and have a spick and span campaign ready for release, you can do it on Steam.
I mean you can get the GC and the Big red one there...
I have them both acquired via modmanager.

Well for everyone else not owning a steam account... I simply don't know.
What about people who purchased the game outside of steam - can they download the files via steam without
having the steam version of the game if they have a steam account though?
Ask Dalfrede, he should know...

For a small custom scenario or campaign you can upload directly here on the Panzer Corps 2 Scenario Design thread. A larger campaign that exceeds the size limitation of the forums can also be posted but it will have to be a link where the mod is saved on an external file server like Dropbox or MediaFire. I personally find MediaFire the easiest to use but others may differ or have there own favorite. Yes it would be better if there was a specific thread here for this content with no file size limitations.

[dalfrede]

The ScenarioDesign subForum here includes most of the player generated campaigns for download.
This includes BigRedOne and GCx.

I do my web browsing and downloading on a Mac. I can download the zip files and move them to my PC.

The attachment Screen Shot 2022-02-23 at 3.43.02 PM.jpg is no longer available

While this is a Mac screenshot, I can move one of the folders to my PC and play it as shown right away.

Screen Shot 2022-02-23 at 3.43.02 PM.jpg (93.86 KiB) Viewed 1381 times

With extra effort custom campaigns can be made to work on SteamWorkshop.
If you have the Slitherine install you can get a free Steam code and play on Steam.
If you have the GOG install you don''t get the free Steam code.

People who mainly play on Steam, tend to look at things through a SteamWorldView.

[dalfrede]

Screenshoot with campaigns if Campaign Folder

Untitled.jpg (326.7 KiB) Viewed 1380 times

I tried to put it in the previous post, but it didn't make it.

[Panzermate]

Morning, Dalfrede.

I guess folder/data location issues are going to follow my modding efforts for the foreseeable future, aren't they?

You did a marvelous job, explaining basic things for people with less knowledge.
One thing first:

People who mainly play on Steam, tend to look at things through a SteamWorldView.

Well, that's by default - sort of.
I was never particularly fond of steam in the first place.
For numerous reasons.
You have to be online all the time, the steam program/app itself devours a considerable amount of memory/CPU power,
plus the chance of getting hacked increases due to being online for long time stretches(which happend to me once but gladly the attackers didn't do much damage because of lightning quick password swapping).
If possible I try to get the original game instead of the steam license but that isn't always possible.
After buying the HOI4 pack in a regular media store I had to find out that it was the steam version and I had to create an account to even play it after paying some 50 Euros for it.
Two weeks ago I purchased a used Blood Bowl add-on DVD via ebay just to avoid being forced to play the game via steam.

So if I could, I would buy the basic slitherine version and avoid steam entirely.

But back to your post.

After checking your game menue pictures,it sounds reasonable.
I see in your selction menue at the games dashboard you can select any custom created campaign as well as stock campaigns and DLC's.
Well that's not the case with me.
I have the stock campaigns and then a seperate section for every single "designer" i.e. Davidson and his Big red one, PC1 and the GC.



I assume this has do to with the mods/workshop enviroment of the steamapp.
Makes sense since - like I posted 2 days ago - the custom campaigns are in the workshop root tree while stock stuff is stored at another location
as well as my own work.
Well at least I can see my own first scenario now after switching it to the scenario folder which you had suggested.
See here:



But the scenario description is foul as you can see.
While it looks correct in the editor the game shows some code beforehand which clearly isn't supposed to be that way.


So basically I should manually put every custom campaign I have (after fetching it via steam's mods/workshop setting)
into the campaign/scenario folders, because that is where the game "looks" for it like you said earlier.
Have to think about that.

Is it possible to just copy them and keep em in both locations so the campaigns still show up in the steam workshop/mod section and in
the regular game enviroment as well without causing crashes/flaws?

Another thing about briefings.
I can only use "set camera" and "arrow markers", that's it.
Any other feature chosen like "circle marker", "area marker", "outline marker","hex marker" doesn't do anything (not working/showing up)
or prompts the editor to crash immediately.
I tried to pick up the correct useage from stock scenarios as well as from GC scenarios where it's successfully working but to no effect.
Any ideas?

Greeting from Panzermate

[Panzermate]

My guess was correct, Dalfrede!

Once put in the Campaign folder, Big Red One shows up twice in the campaign start menue!
See:



I guess I will relocated everything NOW!
And I will put my own developed stuff in both locations, so I can still
use the Ad/workshop enviroment from Steam for my own campaign as well as feature it where it should be in the first place!



NICE!

But some questions arise (of course! )
Given the fact that the custom tailored campaigns in part use identical folder names like "data" (containing units, map enhancments or campaign relevant infos etc) or .JSON files and .VDF files, interferences/problems
seem inevitable, right?



For example:



Both campaigns (Big red one and Grand campaign) use an excel sheet named "Campaigns".
While they have different size/origin data, how does the game know which
on is the right one for said campaign, since they are both in the exact same folder ("Data"),
having the exact same name!

Any suggestions?

Thanx!

Greetings from Panzermate