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Author Topic: Modding the Manual  (Read 1084 times)

Lazy_Perfectionist

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Modding the Manual
« on: January 05, 2008, 02:09:00 am »
Currently we can replace the graphics set, tileset, and open up the .ini file.

Is there a way we can change the in-game help files?
I've found \data\help, but since it's not in \raw I can't figure out how I'd open it up and add things in.

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 Bloat325, ADDITIONAL LIQUID TYPES, (Future): Candidates for new flowing "liquids" include sand, oil, mud, blood of various sorts, slime, farm products like grain and beer for the beer fountain. Only a limited number of materials from plant raws like beer

Fenrir

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Re: Modding the Manual
« Reply #1 on: January 05, 2008, 11:02:00 am »
You'd need a hex editor for that, but I've no idea what you'd see once you got inside.
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Nite/m4re

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Re: Modding the Manual
« Reply #2 on: January 05, 2008, 11:02:00 am »
Yeah, it's encoded in some weird way. Wonder why.
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Jifodus

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Re: Modding the Manual
« Reply #3 on: January 05, 2008, 01:11:00 pm »
Help files are encoded with the same format as described here: http://www.dwarffortresswiki.net/index.php/User:Rick/Save_research#v0.27.169.33a.2C_v0.27.169.33b

Then if memory serves me correctly, it's just a String List type. There are some magic tags, but I'll leave you to discover them.

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Lazy_Perfectionist

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Re: Modding the Manual
« Reply #4 on: January 05, 2008, 10:43:00 pm »
Am I going to have to compile zlib for windows to get into these files, then?
Or, hex-edit?

This is a bit worse than I feared. I don't think it would be so easy to update the help files included with the game, either for newbies or veterans.

Pity. I was willing to write some stuff in, but it looks like I'll just stick to the wikipedia. Thanks for the feedback.

Would people actually want a more comprehensive manual in-game?

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 Bloat325, ADDITIONAL LIQUID TYPES, (Future): Candidates for new flowing "liquids" include sand, oil, mud, blood of various sorts, slime, farm products like grain and beer for the beer fountain. Only a limited number of materials from plant raws like beer

themidgethotel

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Re: Modding the Manual
« Reply #5 on: January 06, 2008, 02:35:00 am »
i'd certainly enjoy a revised manual. how outdated is the current manual? it can't possibly be too recent at all.

and are the .dat files stored in binary format or text format?

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Kaelem Gaen

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Re: Modding the Manual
« Reply #6 on: January 08, 2008, 10:51:00 pm »
I would too.   I think the manual currently states no spots have Brooks/Rivers/Whatever  in em.
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