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[GFXiNXS]

Dwarf fortress UltraFinder V2.8
Currently only works with 40d through to 40d13.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

What is it?
UltraFinder generates random seeds, over and over until the conditions set in the UltraFinder_Init.txt file are met. Setting up custom world templates in your favour is adviseable.

How do I use it?
Simply define your conditions in the the UltraFinder_Init.txt, then run UltraFinder.exe from your main Dwarf Fortress directory (With UltraFinder.exe and UltraFinder_Init.txt in the same folder as Dwarf Fortress.exe). If you wish to exit UltraFinder prematurely, just right click the tray icon and select exit.

What additional functionality does this have over the default finder?
-With UltraFinder, you can specify Either/Or scenarios for things like magma, unlimited water sources and underground water features.
-Stone layers (ie. sedimentary, igneous extrusive etc.) can be added to your search preferences, along with being able to select specific temperature, vegetation, tree distribution and surroundings that you would like in your site.
-For those of you wanting to turn up multiple sites (so you can pick the best of), there is a "Run Indefinately" option, which runs the finder whilst storing all matching sites into a new folder, along with a text file describing the site's contents.

Screenshot:

This link leads to the above world: http://www.bay12games.com/forum/index.php?topic=38274.msg649374#msg649374
Link to full featured sites generated in UltraFinder(alpha): http://www.bay12games.com/forum/index.php?topic=37294.0

Instructions from the Readme:[spoiler]1.Place UltraFinder.exe and UltraFinder_Init.txt in the
  same directory as Dwarf Fortress.exe

2.Clear out/backup your region folders.

3.DF must be WINDOWED with the intro movie OFF and no
  more than 80 tiles wide. If you use a graphical set,
  set Graphics to "Yes" in UltraFinder_Init.txt

4.Define what you want in the UltraFinder_Init.txt

5.Make sure Dwarf Fortress is closed prior to running.

6.Once started, leave everything alone. The script will
  terminate when the desired site is found. To exit
  prematurely, right click the icon in your taskbar and
  select exit.

Warnings:
-UltraFinder automatically clears the region folder periodically. Backup/move your current region data. Make sure the save folder is completely empty before running this application.

-Dwarf Fortress must remain the active window the WHOLE TIME the application is running, otherwise the script will mess with whatever else it is you have open.

Download:
-Version 2.8 is an experimental build. Due to the current implementation this may or may not work for some. As such, the previous build is also included in the archive.

-Some shaded character sets can interfere with the programs ability to read the screen. If you get stuck at the F9 screen, this is likely the cause. Happy genning

http://dffd.wimbli.com/file.php?id=1165

A request from the author: If you come accross a site worthy of Armok using UltraFinder, please post it in this thread. I crave amazing locations for my forts

New development:
Ok, so a revised version is finally under development.

Rather than scanning colour changes to determine what is happening, this version will reference your tileset. Where as before, I could not tell if that four character string of brown was sand or loam, this version will be able to convert it to a string of text, and then differentiate. This means I can know almost anything about what is happening within the Dwarf Fortress window, thus opening up a broad range of options.

Below is a screencap out the outputted library (ignore that dark grey is in there twice):

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Basically, if you have a suggestion, be it a feature, an option or, well anything really, let me know so I can compile a list of what people want and set appropriate goals. Keep in mind, most of these features will not be in the initial release.

Progress:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

30/8/09: No, development has not halted. My old keyboard died and I had to wait till pay day to get a new one (Logitech G19). That, coupled with a lack of motivation had the process stagnate for a while.

Anyway. Basically a few problems have arisen. The dll I'm using seems to have something against non-square character sets. It outputs the various tiles at the right resolution, but it flips them vertically for no apparent reason and then refuses on all accounts to colour them correctly even when approaching the situation from different angles. Square character sets have no problems at all. I have a more rigorous method in mind, but it'll just take longer, which, I suppose, doesn't really matter since once the library is created, it only needs to be updated if you change your character set.

Another royal pain lies in character detection. The program scans, whilst recognising the transparency in the tiles so that it only has to check against the foreground element. One problem that stems from this is, for example scanning a number sequence. Typically you'd assume you could just reference within a range of characters, though, because with the numbers 3 and 8 in most sets use the same pixels (3 can be overlayed on 8 ), I basically have to add everything to a hierarchy and instead scan for 8 first (as the pixels don't all overlay those of the number three). Things like periods and so forth can also bring about similar issues, so I have to prioritise all 256 characters (yay).

Since I foresee a lot of such issues stemming from this, I may soon release a program that simply copies the text data from your dwarf fortress window, and adds forum style colour coding before throwing it onto your clipboard. In this manner, I'll be able to gauge problems from a wider audience.

Pain aside, I have to program spitting out any number sequences appearing on the screen which has given me a little motivation to keep this thing moving.

Current ideas/goals:
- Incorporate functional, user friendly interface.
- Throw in basic error reporting.
- Turn up multiple sites within a region.
- Find sand (finally).
- Find brooks, streams, major rivers, etc.
- Find deserts, glaciers etc.
- Find oceanside locations.
- Find waterfalls.
- Find sites at crossroads.
- Find settlements (human, dwarven, elven and goblin)
- Find civs at war.
- Export screenshots of embark site screen.
- Better organization of stored regions and associated data.

Features from old version:
- Either/or scenarios.
- Find trees, vegetation etc. (Will allow multiple in future versions)
- Find igneous intrusive, sedimentary etc.

Elvang was kind enough to show proof of concept examples of a functional GUI, along with other excellent examples and ideas. This will go a long way to making UltraFinder more accessable, so I owe Elvang many thanks.

I'd also like to extend my sincerest thanks to Dwiib for helping me overcome some boundaries.

[ac31]

hello, now THIS might come in handy

[Phenixmirage]

I'll put in a request for the ability to locate lakeside or oceanside locations.  I've been trying to find the perfect oceanside site, but it's been a pain in the neck. It would be so much easier if I didn't have to pick through each world manually. 

Also, option 5 in the init sets the world gen to "custom" but is there a way to specify which custom to use, or is it just the first one after the premade large/medium/small/etc parameters?

[Aldaris]

Request: Either/or. I usually want underground water for tower caps and an infinite water source, this combines into an underground river, but an underground pool and a regular river/aquifier work as well.

[Ralith]

Request: Either/or. I usually want underground water for tower caps and an infinite water source, this combines into an underground river, but an underground pool and a regular river/aquifier work as well.

This.


Also, specific river types. Ie- Major, Normal, Stream, Brook(myfavoriteILOVEBROOKSFUCKYEAH)

[GFXiNXS]

Request: Either/or. I usually want underground water for tower caps and an infinite water source, this combines into an underground river, but an underground pool and a regular river/aquifier work as well.

This sounds doable, once I'm done with the current enhancements I'll try and set this up.

Trying to think of an easy enough way to implement this in the init file. Maybe you can assign a number to certain features, and the program will tag all of those features into a group and cycle through them in the search phase (ie, you tag underground pool, aquifer and river with the number 1, so the program runs the initial search, scans as per normal (searching for any errors whatsoever), then narrows in down to each of the items you have tagged, if none are available in that group, the scan repeats while cycling through your group list. It's not perfect, I know. But by no means do I claim to be a programmer of any merit. My talents are dabbling at best 

For the meantime, I may just put this in in its most primative form ie, "underground water supply" or "Magma available" or even just "water supply".

I'll put in a request for the ability to locate lakeside or oceanside locations.  I've been trying to find the perfect oceanside site, but it's been a pain in the neck. It would be so much easier if I didn't have to pick through each world manually. 

Also, option 5 in the init sets the world gen to "custom" but is there a way to specify which custom to use, or is it just the first one after the premade large/medium/small/etc parameters?

This will probably push my talents (or lack thereof). I will attempt this, but it will come after the current items in the list.

As for "custom" - this always chooses the *last* item in the list, no matter what.

For all you out there having trouble with getting that right location, try making a custom world with X and Y Variance maxed out. Makes for some very interesting locations.

[Organ]

I may just be impatient, but it doesn't appear to do anything for me, other than sit at the Press F9 page. And sometimes if I start it with no DF running it will just switch focus to firefox and sit there. Does me using d12 have anything to do with it? Off to try regular 40d...

edit: ok, that can't be it, seeing as UltraFinder looks for Dwarf Fortress.exe. Is it just supposed to take a really long time getting past the f9 page?
ah, and I see that the firefox thing is explained by the bug report 

[GFXiNXS]

I may just be impatient, but it doesn't appear to do anything for me, other than sit at the Press F9 page. And sometimes if I start it with no DF running it will just switch focus to firefox and sit there. Does me using d12 have anything to do with it? Off to try regular 40d...

edit: ok, that can't be it, seeing as UltraFinder looks for Dwarf Fortress.exe. Is it just supposed to take a really long time getting past the f9 page?
ah, and I see that the firefox thing is explained by the bug report 

The program has a 5 second warm up period at the start, and then everything else should be nigh on instantaneous.

What build of dwarf fortress are you using? Mayday? Vanilla? - are other people having these problems?

And just to be sure, are you running this either straight from the directory (before df is open) or from the main menu? If so, all should be fine. If this problem occurs again, try hitting the F9 key and see if the script keeps running without a hitch. Also, Dwarf fortress must run in windowed mode, be no more than 80 tiles wide, and must have the intro movie turned off.

I do have a method that may prevent such issues, and this should be out in the next release which should be out either later today or tomorrow.

I urge people experiencing difficulties to report it here, if I don't know about it, I can't fix it. Cheers guys

[Organ]

The program has a 5 second warm up period at the start, and then everything else should be nigh on instantaneous.

What build of dwarf fortress are you using? Mayday? Vanilla? - are other people having these problems?

And just to be sure, are you running this either straight from the directory (before df is open) or from the main menu? If so, all should be fine. If this problem occurs again, try hitting the F9 key and see if the script keeps running without a hitch. Also, Dwarf fortress must run in windowed mode, be no more than 80 tiles wide, and must have the intro movie turned off.

I do have a method that may prevent such issues, and this should be out in the next release which should be out either later today or tomorrow.

I urge people experiencing difficulties to report it here, if I don't know about it, I can't fix it. Cheers guys

It gets to the f9 screen and then stops all activity. I'm using bone stock d12. Would the Microsoft IME for east asian languages interfere with the program at all? It doesn't mess with quickfort, and I think this is the same principle, but in quickfort there's no need to be pressing the fn keys so...
edit: also, physically my keyboard is the small type, with no numpad. I still left all the keybindings stock on a fresh df folder just so there isn't more to worry about clashing--might that have something to do with it?

[GFXiNXS]

That sounds like it could be the problem. This is a primitive program at best. If the microsoft IME intercepts/alters keypress signals in any way, this program will likely fall on its rear end.

Is it possible to temporarily disable the IME whilst running the script? If so, I'd be curious to know if it's the IME at fault, or if its just me being lame at what I do (whick is a more likely cause ).

[sonerohi]

I have the Ultrafinder.exe in the same folder as the Dwarffort.exe. I've gone through both .inits and matched up everything. I'll start DF and then what? I've tried going through all the options and menus and running the Ultrafinder from all of them. Nothing ever happens. What do I be needin to do?

[GFXiNXS]

Try having Dwarf Fortress closed before you run the application. There will be a 5 second warm up period, and then the program should just take off. Also, your exe *must* be titled "Dwarf Fortress.exe" - just to be sure.

Also, are you running dwarf fortress windowed, no greater than 80 tiles wide with the intro movie off?

Failing that, could I know your build and version of DF? Also, check your system tray for running icons and make sure you don't have a bunch of "UltraFinder.exe"'s running.

[sonerohi]

Figured it out, had multiple Ultrafinders up. I have noticed that the generator will refuse to give me magma features, nay, it ignores my pleas and spits on my face as I cry out for the liquid fire.

[GFXiNXS]

Try upping the X and Y variations in a custom world, also set the 80-100 weighted range for volcanism to 5000+ and see if that increases your chances.

Also try maxing out the maximum number of sub regions. Increasing the variations for all items will give you a complete mix of all kinds of biomes overlapping and intersecting one-another and up your chances of finding full featured embark locations. Then just set the "world" perameter to 5 for custom.

The whole idea of this application is to overcome the hard to group features by sheer force of spam

Also, a new version is almost out. I have hit some compatibility issues between operating systems with the new features, though. Once I get over this headache (and when I am not at work ) and when the last couple of features are in, I'll post it up. Teaser screens coming shortly

[sonerohi]

Well, I'm trying for a magma pipe, underground river, chasm, flux, river, medium evilness, and a bottomless pit. Everything is so very specific that there's no way the last 30 maps have coincidentally had these things. That, and I thought this was supposed to spam til it got it right randomly. Not require me to go ahead and make the world, then claim credit for it.