New Bif Reader 23a

[flip]

Ok, there's a new Bif reader version in the beta downloads, it works shields and weapons positions. Testing it. It loads default actions, but extra actions as "charge" are ignored.
TEST_readbif23a.zip (http://www.totalwar.org/Downloads/Mtw_Uploads/MTWbeta/TEST_readbif23a.zip)

In win XP, there are some error messages, but it loads the files bypassing it.

[flip]

Ok, testing in other computer, and all seems fine. Great tool http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cheers.gif

[maximus decimus meridius]

I'm testing it with Win Xp without service pack 1, and it works very fine..

It 's a very great tool , really

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cheers.gif

[flip]

I have a problem. Win XP, without SP1, all running fine till I reload a edited shield or weapon file txt. This is bad because editing is time consuming and with this we have to finish a unit in one session. If we reload the work in progress file it give this error:
" is not a integer valor

So, can we have support on this? Thanks.

[RSW]

Quote[/b] (flip @ Jan. 23 2004,06:42)]If we reload the work in progress file it give this error:
" is not a integer valor
1)Sorry... No protections for input values. You can give a initial value like 0 to depress the errors.
ex: 0 0 0 0 0, for weapon data. 48 lines like this in walk.txt. then you can load the file to start the rest of work.

Besides, you must enter a number in the edit-box if that field is needed for that item before hitting the 'OK' button. Or you'll get the error message, too.

2)The program loads files by using the actions' names listed in the list box. If the filename is not the same as the action's name, the loading process of that file will be bypassed (load all weapon... etc.)

3)I wrote this program in win98. So I can't debug it until I get a pc with winXP. I think it's not possible to do that for a while. If it works fine that's ok. If it didn't work, you can write down the error message and what you have done before you got the message. Then I can guess what happened and try to fix it.

[flip]

>>1)Sorry... No protections for input values. You can give a initial value like 0 to depress the errors.

I don't understand. I cant find a reason for this error "is not a integer value.
Why loads existing shields or weapons parameters, from the existing ones in MTW, and fails to load edited ones. Whats the logic? The edited ones work in game, so no reason to give a error in bif reader. Because is painfully. If you have to tune some action, now you have to rewrite all the parameters. Or do it by hand with notepad.

[flip]

RSW, are you there?

[Duke John]

Flip

I noticed that our units did not use other weapons beside spears. Since weapons are the hardest to position I think it will be a timesaver if you render the spear together with the model. Since you only made 6 actions in a BIF, you will easily have the space. Just scale down the shields in the BIF to get the extra space, they're much too big now anyway. They are not that detailed so can get away with it.

One other tip I want to give you is to keep the animation the same for all models. Just replace the skin but keep the bones at the same place. The advantage is that you reuse the shield positions since the model is moving exactly the same, the only difference is the skin. If you have a slightly smaller shield with another model, then keep the coordinates for capturing the shield the same, but scale the smaller shield accordingly to the larger shield. It will save you again making a new set of coordinates.

... did that make sense, anyway http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cheers.gif

I will do the same for my Wars of the Roses units, it will save so much time it isn't even funny, and besides it will look much better

Cheers, Duke John

[flip]

DJ, once I got in this work of building units, with Poser and Lightwave I think I roll by the same streets you passed by. The idea is always to optimize work.

>>I noticed that our units did not use other weapons beside spears. Since weapons are the hardest to position I think it will be a time saver if you render the spear together with the model.

With the new version of Bif reader 2.3a, its easier. Napoleonic units work that way. For HTW I like more the idea of weapons apart. imagine if we want to use sarissas, long spears. The space for units will be a problem.

>>One other tip I want to give you is to keep the animation the same for all models. Just replace the skin but keep the bones at the same place. The advantage is that you reuse the shield positions since the model is moving exactly the same, the only difference is the skin.

With Poser this is simple. I save animations time lines, and camera positions. So I have templates for actions, just need to put inside a new guy. With this, coordinates for shields ans weapons will not change.

My problem in this post was, if we have to adjust some little things, there's a problem with bif reader 2.3a.
He gives errors when loading edited parameters.

Now, I'll try UM. I'll tell later about it.

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cheers.gif

[maximus decimus meridius]

...
ok. after some days without testing, i've tested again the readbif 2.3 yesterday.....

I've reloaded the work in progress and I've obtained the same error ..

"is not an integer value"

I've tried to run it in Xp compatibility mode (win 98 and Win 95).... same thing.


http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mecry.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-help.gif please...

[flip]

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-help.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-help.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-help.gif

[RSW]

Quote[/b] (flip @ Jan. 25 2004,06:01)]I don't understand. I cant find a reason for this error "is not a integer value.
Why loads existing shields or weapons parameters, from the existing ones in MTW, and fails to load edited ones.
Tell me the filename existed in game but can't be loaded by the program. I just test few files, so I don't know if there is something different between the files.

I used a very simple function to do the transformation from a string to an integer (coding). This function can't use any non-numerical characters as its input like ' ' or 'a' (even an empty string). If the input is " 34", you'll get this message. By the way, I use ' ' (space) to be the separate character. If there is something like "0 34"(two space characters), the function will get an empty string as input and you'll get the error again...

[flip]

My guess is that the error is generated in the internal code of the file, i. e. the part we don't see. The parameters are good as the ones that work, and the prove is that those files, that gives error in bifReader, work in game.

With other program for other game, I had to change the regional settings in XP, switch the "," and "." symbols for that to work. Is this a clue?

Walk shield that gives a error:

-10 -34 9 -34 -10 -12 9 -12 0
-11 -33 9 -33 -11 -11 9 -11 0
-11 -34 9 -34 -11 -12 9 -12 0
-12 -35 9 -35 -12 -13 9 -13 0
-12 -35 10 -35 -12 -13 10 -13 0
-12 -34 10 -34 -12 -12 10 -12 0
-12 -33 10 -33 -12 -11 10 -11 0
-12 -33 10 -33 -12 -11 10 -11 0
-12 -34 10 -34 -12 -12 10 -12 0
-11 -35 10 -35 -11 -13 10 -13 0
-11 -35 10 -35 -11 -13 10 -13 0
-10 -34 10 -34 -10 -12 10 -12 0
-3 -32 11 -29 -3 -8 11 -5 0
-3 -31 11 -28 -3 -7 11 -4 0
-3 -32 11 -29 -3 -8 11 -5 0
-3 -33 11 -30 -3 -9 11 -6 0
-3 -33 11 -30 -3 -9 11 -6 0
-3 -32 11 -29 -3 -8 11 -5 0
-3 -32 11 -29 -3 -8 11 -5 0
-3 -32 11 -29 -3 -8 11 -5 0
-3 -32 11 -29 -3 -8 11 -5 0
-3 -33 11 -30 -3 -9 11 -6 0
-3 -33 11 -30 -3 -9 11 -6 0
-3 -32 11 -29 -3 -8 11 -5 0
4 -31 11 -32 4 -5 11 -7 1
4 -31 11 -32 4 -5 11 -7 1
5 -31 10 -32 5 -5 10 -7 1
5 -32 10 -33 5 -6 10 -8 1
5 -32 10 -33 5 -6 10 -8 1
5 -31 10 -32 5 -5 10 -7 1
6 -31 10 -32 6 -5 10 -7 1
4 -31 9 -32 4 -5 9 -7 1
4 -31 9 -32 4 -5 9 -7 1
4 -32 10 -33 4 -6 10 -8 1
4 -32 11 -33 4 -6 11 -8 1
3 -31 12 -32 3 -5 12 -7 1
-5 -30 17 -30 -5 -7 17 -7 1
-5 -29 17 -29 -5 -7 17 -7 1
-5 -30 17 -30 -5 -7 17 -7 1
-5 -31 17 -31 -5 -8 17 -8 1
-5 -31 17 -31 -5 -8 17 -8 1
-5 -30 17 -30 -5 -8 17 -8 1
-5 -30 17 -30 -5 -7 17 -7 1
-5 -30 17 -30 -5 -7 17 -7 1
-5 -30 17 -30 -5 -8 17 -8 1
-5 -31 17 -31 -5 -8 17 -8 1
-5 -31 17 -31 -5 -8 17 -8 1
-5 -30 17 -30 -5 -8 17 -8 1

walk shield that loads with no prob:

-15 -28 7 -28 -15 -6 7 -6 0
-14 -27 8 -27 -14 -5 8 -5 0
-14 -27 8 -27 -14 -5 8 -5 0
-14 -27 8 -27 -14 -5 8 -5 0
-14 -27 8 -27 -14 -5 8 -5 0
-15 -28 7 -28 -15 -6 7 -6 0
-15 -28 7 -28 -15 -6 7 -6 0
-16 -29 6 -29 -16 -7 6 -7 0
-16 -29 6 -29 -16 -7 6 -7 0
-16 -29 6 -29 -16 -7 6 -7 0
-16 -29 6 -29 -16 -7 6 -7 0
-15 -28 7 -28 -15 -6 7 -6 0
-11 -28 11 -28 -11 -6 11 -6 0
-10 -27 12 -27 -10 -5 12 -5 0
-10 -27 12 -27 -10 -5 12 -5 0
-10 -27 12 -27 -10 -5 12 -5 0
-10 -27 12 -27 -10 -5 12 -5 0
-11 -28 11 -28 -11 -6 11 -6 0
-11 -28 11 -28 -11 -6 11 -6 0
-12 -29 10 -29 -12 -7 10 -7 0
-12 -29 10 -29 -12 -7 10 -7 0
-12 -29 10 -29 -12 -7 10 -7 0
-12 -29 10 -29 -12 -7 10 -7 0
-11 -28 11 -28 -11 -6 11 -6 0
-11 -28 11 -28 -11 -6 11 -6 1
-10 -27 12 -27 -10 -5 12 -5 1
-10 -27 12 -27 -10 -5 12 -5 1
-10 -27 12 -27 -10 -5 12 -5 1
-10 -27 12 -27 -10 -5 12 -5 1
-11 -28 11 -28 -11 -6 11 -6 1
-11 -28 11 -28 -11 -6 11 -6 1
-12 -29 10 -29 -12 -7 10 -7 1
-12 -29 10 -29 -12 -7 10 -7 1
-12 -29 10 -29 -12 -7 10 -7 1
-12 -29 10 -29 -12 -7 10 -7 1
-11 -28 11 -28 -11 -6 11 -6 1
-15 -28 7 -28 -15 -6 7 -6 1
-14 -27 8 -27 -14 -5 8 -5 1
-14 -27 8 -27 -14 -5 8 -5 1
-14 -27 8 -27 -14 -5 8 -5 1
-14 -27 8 -27 -14 -5 8 -5 1
-15 -28 7 -28 -15 -6 7 -6 1
-15 -28 7 -28 -15 -6 7 -6 1
-16 -29 6 -29 -16 -7 6 -7 1
-16 -29 6 -29 -16 -7 6 -7 1
-16 -29 6 -29 -16 -7 6 -7 1
-16 -29 6 -29 -16 -7 6 -7 1
-15 -28 7 -28 -15 -6 7 -6 1
-5 -29 17 -29 -5 -7 17 -7 1
-5 -30 17 -30 -5 -7 17 -7 1
-5 -31 17 -31 -5 -8 17 -8 1
-5 -31 17 -31 -5 -8 17 -8 1
-5 -30 17 -30 -5 -8 17 -8 1
-5 -30 17 -30 -5 -7 17 -7 1
-5 -30 17 -30 -5 -7 17 -7 1
-5 -30 17 -30 -5 -8 17 -8 1
-5 -31 17 -31 -5 -8 17 -8 1
-5 -31 17 -31 -5 -8 17 -8 1
-5 -30 17 -30 -5 -8 17 -8 1

This are 2 examples. The rule is: edited with BR 2.3a gives error on reloading. If not passed by BR2.3a no error. Strange. Try this ones. But as I said I bet is internal code. I'm gonna test 1 thing. Copy paste the parameters to a non touched file by BR and try to reload. Meanwhile, test those ones. If all works in your side, send me a PM with your email, and I'll send you the files itself.

[flip]

No way. I copied the values to a non-error document and also try to copy to a blank document. So the problem is in the numbers of the parameters. We have to find what is the rule to the error. Any programmers there?

[Duke John]

Flip
If you indeed copied the position files as included in your post, then I think I found the fault:

In the second list of coordinates that work you have 48 lines, which is correct since there are 12 frames x 4 angles = 48. But in your first set of coordinates you have only 38 lines and that will give an error in readbif if it checks the number of lines.

Perhaps readbif doesn't correctly write all the lines back into the txt file. I do find it strange that MTW has no problems with it, did you perhaps see the shields flashing? That might be a hint that there are lines missing.

If you accidently copied less lines then there are actually are then we need to look further...

Cheers, Duke John

[flip]

DJ, thanks, was copy paste fault. I updated.
So, back to step 0. Do you found the same troubles?

[RSW]

[QUOTE=Quote (flip @ Jan. 27 2004,14:20)]-5 -30 17 -30 -5 -8 17 -8 1' '

[flip]

Great RSW

Where can I download?

[RSW]

Quote[/b] (flip @ Jan. 29 2004,10:09)]Where can I download?
in the test section, now... :)

[flip]

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cheers.gif

RSW well done. It works Can't imagine how good is this.
Thanks a lot. I'll post a link in HTW forum.

[maximus decimus meridius]

YES it WORKS Really good job RSW



http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-jester.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-thumbsup.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cheers.gif

[maximus decimus meridius]

.... it saves in the right way the shields and weapons coordinates ...

.. but when you try to save the bif after a graphic modify , it gives this error:

"Range Check error"

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

[flip]

Same problem here. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif
I just use the old BifReader to save. Both 23a and 23b give the error.

[RSW]

Quote[/b] (maximus decimus meridius @ Jan. 30 2004,04:06)]but when you try to save the bif after a graphic modify , it gives this error:

"Range Check error"

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

Uh..oh... I think r23b is for the modification of the item's position only. After mixing so many lines of code, it's hard to make sure it works in every section.

I will try to fix this one later... Try the old one before I figure out what's wrong there (for graphics). Sorry for the inconvenience.

I think I have found the reason. It's a debug option for compiling the code. If I rebuild the program with the option 'range checking' off, the saving process works as before. Be ready to get a bad output when using the old functions in r23b. But if you are interested in testing, you are welcome to report bugs here. I will try to fix them ASAP. Thanks.

By the way, you can try to use the _H.bif files. All the data saved will be divided by 2. So you need to use the even numbers when you use _H.bif files. I think we should use _H.bif to build the data. Then we can build the low resolution files (graphics) from the high ones.

ps: try r23c in beta section.

[maximus decimus meridius]

RSW
I've made some tests with the "c" version, and it seems to me that it works .. it saves the bifs and the shields coordinates ( .. not tested with weapons .. sorry).

very good

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