Apolyton Pack, coming soon to a ctp installation near you... :)

[MarkG]

This will include: CD's mod and it's graphics, Harlan's graphic mod, Slax colors.txt and Zaz's and Upsala's maps. I'm also waiting to see what TP will do with PowerSlics, and if he wants it to be included.

I have already started with CD's mod, the problem is the gl files, which dont override the default ones. The only way I have found is puting them in the default directory(there goes the "packs dont get involved with the default files" concept)

If anyone wants to help playtesting this, mail me

[TP]

MarkG,


Within the mentioned configuration of different MODs I am absolutely fine and more than happy if you want to build PowerSLICs 1.71 in there. If you want to include other MODs, please be so kind and ask me before.

I don't know what you plan in terms of timing but I can not do anything with PowerSLICs as long as the German patch is not out (as I would not be able to playtest any new features having a localized version of CTP). As you are playing with my MOD anyways (which is a great compliment), please tell me whether we would need to get rid of my PowerSLIC solution on the Improvement messages and maybe on the autocentering after bombardments (if autocentering now really works) as I think those things have been fixed by the patch. It shouldn't be any issue to take those parts out of my MOD so I can provide you with a "PowerSLIC ApolytonPack edition".


TP
TP

[MarkG]

Thanks a lot TP
As soon as I'm at the point of adding PowerSlics I'll contact you...

Right now I'm still at CD's mod and it's graphics...

[MarkG]

And yes, for now, only the mentioned above will be included. I havent thought of adding something else, I suppose it will ago according to people's needs... http://apolyton.net/forums/smile.gif

[Grand Master Fe Long]

I would be willing to playtest this mod! Send it to Waters_1981@hotmail.com when your done. Anyway will you merging the changes in the patch 1.2 with CD's mod or overwriting the patch with CD's files?

[Paul]

If you want to be able to use the original GL entries and also the ones for CD's mod you should rename CD's GL files and change the *icon.txt files for the mod. I already started doing this for my own personal use, but if you are interested I could also mail the changed files to you for the Apolyton Pack when I'm finished.

I also found out that if you declare the same string more than once the game will only use the one that was declared first. So you could put a line at the beginning of strings.txt that would say import "ap_str.txt" and put all the new and changed strings in ap_str.txt. If you do that you don't have to change all the strings files when a new patch has new files. It also has the advantage of making a smaller download. I could also do that if you are interested. You could also add any strings that are necessary for the Powerslics to that new strings file.

Just let me know if you are interested and I'll mail it all to you when I'm finished.

[MarkG]

"If you want to be able to use the original GL entries and also the ones for CD's mod you should rename CD's GL files and change the *icon.txt files for the mod."
Aha, so CD's original GL files have "default" names?

"I already started doing this for my own personal use, but if you are interested I could also mail the changed files to you for the Apolyton Pack when I'm finished."
That would be great, thank you

"If you do that you don't have to change all the strings files when a new patch has new files. It also has the advantage of making a smaller download. I could also do that if you are interested."
sounds good, please do

Lee, the pack will use the new "scenario technology". The idea is to have it installed in it's one directory without having to overwrite any default files.

Ok, I'm going to add the tga and gl files on the default folders for now, and see if Harlan's mod works ok...

more later...

[MarkG]

ok, first of all, the catapult sounds work only if they are in the default folders? I dont get it as they have "non-default" name

also, Harlan's civ names work, but the diplomacy pictures not...

hmmm, and the search continues...

[Paul]

The files should be in your mailbox while I type this. The fact that Harlan's tga files don't work would be logical if you put them in the scenario directory, because the tga files for the GL also don't work if you put them in the scenario directory. I haven't tried the sound files yet, but I would not be suprprised if they don't work when placed in the scenario directory.

[ghen]

uh oh, the games getting close to being worth something.. http://apolyton.net/forums/smile.gif

[MarkG]

yes madcow23, I have already goten permission for all the files included...

[MarkG]

ok, folks, we are now at v0.2 with CD's and Harlan's mod fully working
if anyone feels like downloading 4mb, let me know http://apolyton.net/forums/smile.gif

I'm now working on the maps, other than that, only problem is that ctp ignores the colors00.txt for some strange reason...

[ghen]

yeah harlans graphics are pretty big, but I downloaded it and cd's mod seperately and they both work with the 1.2 patch if thats what your looking for http://apolyton.net/forums/smile.gif
<font size=1 face=Arial color=444444>[This message has been edited by ghen (edited August 29, 1999).]</font>

[MarkG]

actually, the idea is to use the scenario pack feature so that no default file is overwritten.

plus, it already has a beatifull logo http://apolyton.net/forums/smile.gif and you have thumbnail views of the maps! http://apolyton.net/forums/smile.gif

[madcow23]

MarkG, this is a great idea.

One thing though - I remember reading in CD's readme file that he did not want anyone combining his work with other people's without his express permission.

I know he's no longer active on this forum, but has anyone contacted him? Given all the hard work and feedback he supplied for us, it would seem only polite if nothing else.

[Paul]

Mark, I think there may be an error in the uniticon.txt I mailed you. I'm at work right now, so I can't check it, but maybe you could? In uniticon.txt find ICON_SPY_PLANE and see if the tga entries are both UPU098.tga (or UPU099.tga, I don't remember which one was the satellite). I know I fixed this for the new units at the end of uniticon.txt but I think I may have forgotten this one because it's in the middle of the file.

[MarkG]

this is the line
ICON_UNIT_SPY_PLANE "CU099F.tga" "CU099A.avi" "GACDU057.txt" "HICDU057.txt" "PRCDU057.txt" "VACDU057.txt" "UPUA99.tga" "STCDU057.txt"

what should it be?

[Paul]

Changes are bold:

ICON_UNIT_SPY_PLANE "UPU099.tga" "CU099A.avi" "GACDU057.txt" "HICDU057.txt" "PRCDU057.txt" "VACDU057.txt" "UPU099.tga" "STCDU057.txt"

[MarkG]

just a news update...
we are now at v0.35, Zaz's and Upsala's maps have been added, and Paul has made several corrections here and there

TP has promised us PowerSlics 1.8 for Wednesday, which means that we could be finished by the weekend

I'm also waiting for a response from Activision, to see if we can do something about the colors00.txt

[Big Dave]

Mark,
I was reading a post in the General forum that CD's slic.slc file negated some of the benefits of the new slic.slc in the 1.2 patch. Have you (or anyone) confirmed this? Or will PowerSLIC overwrite CD's slic.slc so it becomes a non-issue?
Thanks,

Big Dave

[TP]

All,

I think the only changes are some references to helpboxes for new units and the fundamentalism. Nothing which should make the MOD unusable at all as CD's MOD also includes Great Library updates where you get the same information.

My SCRIPT.SLC file is based on patch 1.2 and PowerSLICs 1.80 but does not include those above described tiny little helpboxes. Markos may implement them manually in, but honestly I would not care the effort. As I said, all necessary information is also included in the GL files.


TP
<font size=1 face=Arial color=444444>[This message has been edited by TP (edited August 30, 1999).]</font>

[WesW]

I don't understand why you need to change the gl text files, and the corresponding *icon.txt files. The update only had about 6 gl entries, none of which conflicted with CD's mod.

[MarkG]

the gl files of CD's mod initially had default names. since the scenario pack is not fully working, the gl files need to be in the default folder which means that if they have the default names they will be used in normal games(e.g. even if you dont choose to play with the pack)
renaming them solves this issue

[WesW]

I realiized that after I thought about it a while. This new scenario pack system isn't going to be any cure-all, is it? Well, I just don't have the inclination right now to rename all the icon.txt files and then all the gl files that I use. If someone wants to use another mod which would overwrite some of my files, the person can do that, and then unzip mine back in later.

I'm tired of making mods for now. Unless I get reports of things going wrong with it, and just going to sit back and enjoy the game for a while.

[MarkG]

thanks a lot Alanus!

Thomas has just sent me the german files, it seems that along with the release of the Apolyton Pack, there will be ready the German Add-on with everything(scenario descriptions, GL texts, help tests, TP's messages) in German http://apolyton.net/forums/smile.gif

As said in a mail, the French texts will be a separate "add-on"

As for your other file, np, I'm expecting it.. http://apolyton.net/forums/smile.gif

[Alanus]

MarkG,

How come I couldn't file a help_str.txt in the ApolytonPack, since it has to be modified to be in line with CD's mod. Is there any particular reason not to include it ? I already read something about that somewhere, but couldn't find it.

Anyway, I have everything here to localize it easily, so I'll joined it to the other French localized files.

It's getting late and I'm too tired to finish tonight - sorry you'll have to wait.

Alanus

[MarkG]

Alanus, all new strings(which where in various *_str.txt files) are now in ap_str.txt

dont worry about not geting it immediately, the pack is on hold for a couple more days....

[Alanus]

To MarkG,

I downloaded the files you prepared for me, and I'll work on the French translation ASAP. Unfortunately, I cannot commit on a date, due my professional and personal schedule being quite full, but if there is not too much tricks with localization, it shouldn't take that long (in amount of work). Anyway, TP did a great job by opening this path with its German version, so if I have problems, I know who to ask. http://apolyton.net/forums/wink.gif

So, I think it's wise that you decided to supply German and French as add-ons not to delay the whole thing.

First, I'll finish a French add-on for US patch 1.2 for the regular game, i.e. with everything on the GUI in French, that I'll e-mail to you, hopefully tonight. It you be kind of you if you could add it to the list of downloadable files from this site. Obviously, this is a workaround for not having yet the French patch 1.2, and it should be discarded as soon as Activision releases the official one. Anyway, I have to do this job first in order to fully localize the ApolytonPack in French, since it is based on 1.2.

So, let's work now http://apolyton.net/forums/smile.gif

[Alanus]

MarkG,

actually, now that I'm rested, I noticed that too, and why it was done that way, as explained earlier in this thread. So, everything is allright.

Another suggestion for the Apolyton Pack : it would be nice to have all readme files renamed "README Who.txt". Like that they would be easier to locate when one open the .zip file (though, as they are all in the same directory, sorting by directory will do the same). Anyway, first thing people are looking for is a README file that start by ... README http://apolyton.net/forums/wink.gif

[Alanus]

MarkG,

I posted to your attention the French add-on for Patch 1.2.

[MarkG]

thanks, I have recieved it

[Celestial_Dawn]

Mark

Intention is not to rush you, but when is v1.0 of this Apolyton Pack going to be available for download? http://apolyton.net/forums/smile.gif

Just thinking of giving 1.2 patch a go and reinstalling CTP http://apolyton.net/forums/smile.gif

Rgz

CD

P.S. Thessaloniki is nowhere near Athens, I hope? In any case, hope you have no relatives or friends affected by the recent 5.9.
<font size=1 face=Arial color=444444>[This message has been edited by Celestial_Dawn (edited September 08, 1999).]</font>

[MarkG]

CD, we had problems with the scenario pack feature which I've described...

HOWEVER, last night I recieved a "patch 1.21" from someone which seems to solve almost all problems. I think we're only a couple days away... http://apolyton.net/forums/smile.gif

[Big Dave]

Markos, would that "someone" be associated with Activision? Or is this 1.21 a hack from one of our talented friends on Apolyton?
Thanks,

Big Dave

PS Please don't read anything into the above question, it is truly just a request for information. If you don't want to post the answer publicly please feel free to email me.

[MarkG]

No problem at all, his hack(yes it's a hack from a fan not Activision) will actually be posted in our ctp files database asap. Not sure if he wants his name to be publicized, but you can contact him at ctpfan@hotmail.com

It is quite a "clean" job, as it has a windows install program which does everything for you. Basically it patches civctp.exe

It doesnt solve all problems though, so we'll have to wait a little longer....

[John LeMaitre]

Hey, I'd really dig an "Apolyton Pac". Just some questions about it... 1) Will the CD mod include sprites for the new units? If so, will they be an improvement over the ones on the website? (They're all good, except for the Noble. That one REALLY needs to be changed.) 2) As a Mayanist, I have to insist that the name of the Maya leader be Hanab Pakal. Hunahpu is a Maya deity. 3) Will there be any other changes to the existing mods on the site? I am hopeful for an improvement (if possible; it's a great mod!) on the graphics file that adds an Industrial Age, pyramids, and castles. Huts, maybe? Feel free to send it to me!
Thanks!

[MarkG]

and yes, Thessaloniki is some 500km away from Athens, no relative or friend has been affected. Thanks!

[MarkG]

Sprites and graphics for CD's mod are included and it's the pack that it's already posted

No changes to the mods have been made

[Big Dave]

Markos,
Any news on the Apolyton Pack? Is it out of beta? Or is there a new beta posted?
Thanks,

Big Dave

[MarkG]

no news, no out of beta, no new beta...

i'm holding up, waiting for an improvement of the 1.21 hack...

[Diemar]

http://apolyton.net/forums/smile.gif
http://apolyton.net/forums/frown.gif
http://apolyton.net/forums/redface.gif
http://apolyton.net/forums/biggrin.gif
http://apolyton.net/forums/wink.gif

<font size=1 face=Arial color=444444>[This message has been edited by Diemar (edited September 17, 1999).]</font>
<font size=1 face=Arial color=444444>[This message has been edited by Diemar (edited September 17, 1999).]</font>

[Pintello]

Hi Mark,

I have experienced the same problem Hexagonian has with the Icons staying around after you have ended your turn and started a new one. I think this problem is related to Power Slic because when I had PowerSlic 1.71 in with CD's Mod and the Units Graphics Mod I saw the same problem only worse. With Apolyon Pack this problem is not as bad as it was with out the Pak. I think this may be because Apolyon Pak uses Power Slic 1.8, but the problem is still there.

Another problem, though this may be Activision's and not yours, is that when you play Hot Seat the Human Players after the first one cannot use the new Civ Names that Harlan has come up with. The names come up fine in the Hot Seat configuration box, but when you get into the game they are using the civilization names and related citie names from the same location in Activision's original setup.

An exaple to clarify this is as follows. I played a hot seat game with a friend. He chose the Celts, a Harlan addition I think. I go in and set up my civ as I am the second player. I choose the Byzantine, another Harlan addition. When we start the game, my friend gets his Celts just fine. When my turn comes up and I build my first city, I find out that I am the Cubans and my first city is called Havanna. Not what I was trying for.

I am using Activision Patch 1.2 fresh install, Apolyon Pak 0.9 and Unofficial Activision hack 1.21. Hope this helps Mark.

Other than these 2 issues, I have not seen any real problems with the Apolyon Pak. For those who were concerned about Hot Seat, I have played 50 some turn with the Apolyon Pak and I have not had any problems.

Timothy Pintello
<font size=1 face=Arial color=444444>[This message has been edited by Pintello (edited September 17, 1999).]</font>

[MarkG]

thanks for the feedback Timothy
I suppose that the "known issues" part of the readme is going to be long after all...

I dont have any feedback from the creator the 1.21 hack on any progress in makimg everything work as it should.
I might jusr realease it with the GL txts renamed the v0.9 way....

finally, it's Apolyton, not Apolyon http://apolyton.net/forums/smile.gif
<font size=1 face=Arial color=444444>[This message has been edited by MarkG (edited September 17, 1999).]</font>

[hexagonian]

Mark,

Some imput on the Apolyton Pack:

A couple of small bugs to be aware of. Don't know if these are related to the Modpack.

I've had message icons that I cannot get rid of after reading them. They have remained on the screen for about 20 turns after the event had taken place. They are both the crossed swords icon. (Veteran promotion and a city lost to barbarians).

I also lost a city to slave revolt - I recaptured it and when I accessed the city workers screen, there were no workers in the fields to move around. Waited a couple of turns to try again, but that didn't work.

Other than that, everything has been working good.

I have CTP, without any other Mods, Patch 1.2, the Modpack and Hack 1.21.
<font size=1 face=Arial color=444444>[This message has been edited by hexagonian (edited September 17, 1999).]</font>

[TP]

Hexagonian,
Pintello,

I am just about to check this. There is the possibility to force CTP showing a meesage only for a given amount of rounds (e.g. just for 1 round), however Activision sometimes used that, sometimes not (don't ask me why that was not used consistently).

I will ensure that all messageboxes I changed in PowerSLICs 2.00 will have this feature of eliminating messages after 1 turn. If you then experience this bug again, it's due to Activision's inconsistency.


TP


P.S. I am playtesting PowerSLICs 2.00 Final Release. Mark, you should get it most probably during the weekend...

[MarkG]

a great. in that case, the pack will have v2 instead of 1.8....

[Pintello]

Hi MarkG and TP,

Sorry about the misspelling Mark, obviously I can't read the name of the site up above very well. Out of curiosity, what does Apolyton mean. It looks like a Greek work and how does my misspelling change the meaning?

Thanks TP. You are obviously a very good program. So far I haven't been able to figure Slic out. When I took programing in College I also had problems. Guess I just don't have the talent for it. Once the program gets to long and involved I loose track of where I am in the code and where I was intending to go. I am good with networks and hardware though. By occupation, I am an IT Analyist. Its kind of like getting paid to do my hobby. :-)

Timothy Pintello

[MarkG]

Apolyton means "ultimate" in Greek
Apolyon doesnt mean anything, but Apollyon is a devil from the Bible, or something like that http://apolyton.net/forums/smile.gif

[TP]

MarkG,


Saturday night (oops correction Sunday morning)......

PowerSLICs 2.00 Release Version just got sent to you - please put it in the download area. I am going to write a few words in an own thread on that version which will be the final one.


Thanks,
TP

[Atahualpa]

Great! A combination of some important mods! Cant wait for the release!

Ata

[Alanus]

MarkG,

Thanks for crediting me in advance for the French translation of Apolyton Pack (in the V0.99 read-me). Actually, I just resumed this work, having been occupied in the last two weeks with TP's PowerSLICs 2.0 (French localization, feature, beta testing) - nice new features by the way.

I'm now done with the Ap_str.txt, Civ_str.txt and Str_loc.txt (required for localized versions). The biggest work still remains : the GL files - more than 300 http://apolyton.net/forums/frown.gif
The easiest for me would be to restart from the French original files, but they are all merged into the gl.zfs file. It is editable so I can pick up text, but the longest is to spot the right text in this huge file. I suppose that the question has been raised already (maybe in this forum), but I ask again : How can the gl.zfs file be un-zipped ? If there is a special utility, where can I get it. Thank you to anyone who can give me a clue. I can automate some translation work with Word macros or VB scripts, but I do not intend to spend too much time doing that.
Other than that, as far as read-me are concerned, I intent to translate in French only the Apolyton Pack read-me, but I would prefer to do it on a stabilized version. MarkG, any news about the 1.21 fix, since I guess this is what you are waiting for before releasing A.P ?

Alanus.

[Pintello]

Hi MarkG,

Definitely didn't mean to call you a devil. I have to agree with the Apolyton title though. As far as I can tell, yours is the Utlimate CTP Site on the web. Some sites do small things better, but your is definitely the overall number one site that I have seen.

Timothy Pintello

[MarkG]

I dont know a way to get the default texts from gl.zfs...

as for the 1.21 hack, I have no news at all from the creator. I'm into exams right now, I hope to have the time to add powerslics 2.00 and repackage the whole thing ala v0.9 during this week...

[DanQ]

Thanks for the words of support, Pintello!Glad you like what you're seeing.

As for the "small things" you mentioned, could you please be more specific? We're always looking for ways to improve ACS on any and every level possible.

----------------
Dan; Apolyton CS

[Alanus]

MarkG,

Too bad about the gl.zfs file. I'll use VBA to automate translation (I already put together an English-French CTP glossary).

Since there are still a number of flaws to the scenario support that the 1.21 hack doesn't solve, in particular in the area of GL files, I suggest to come back to your A.P. version 0.9 where GL files were renamed differently so as not to override the standard ones and permit the use of standard game in parallel to the A.P. Also, I found some strings in version 0.99 that still refers to these remaned files. So, I'll check everything while preparing the French version.

[Pintello]

Hi DanQ,

I was only refering to things that have already been brought up, like CivNation posting files before you do. To me that is no big deal. I usually wait till Apolyton, I got it right :-) , post it before I download it anyway. Another would be the rating system which ya'll have already fix. Just little things like that.

Timothy Pintello

[Pintello]

Hi DanQ,

I was only refering to things that have already been brought up, like CivNation posting files before you do. To me that is no big deal. I usually wait till Apolyton, I got it right :-) , post it before I download it anyway. Another would be the rating system which ya'll have already fix. Just little things like that.

Timothy Pintello

[MarkG]

I'm glad to say that I got a response from the maker of the 1.21 Hack, and he is working on the GL and sound problems
I hope he has some results soon

[WesW]

Mark, have you heard anything regarding the hack and the aidata files not being read?

[DanQ]

Ah -- fair enough, Tim, fair enough. We'll try to improve on that file posting thing. http://apolyton.net/forums/smile.gif

Thanks for the clarification.

----------------
Dan; Apolyton CS

[MarkG]

I've made a note to the maker of the hack
as soon as I have news, I'll post them....

[hexagonian]

Mark,
Any news about 1.0 Modpack to report?

[Slax]

I think this pack includes some of Harlan's work which eliminates the Canadian civ from the civ list. Before the pack is finalized, I'd like to suggest that they be re-instated, as I and many other CTP players will want to play as them.

[MarkG]

Mail Harlan(harlant@hawaii.edu) about it. I can't change any of the original work


------------------
Markos, Apolyton Civilization Site

[MarkG]

funny that you ask http://apolyton.net/forums/smile.gif
I'm actually going to be sending v1.0 to our playtesters, and the pack will hopefully be released over the weekend
That doesnt mean that there was an improvement of 1.21 Hack, the pack will be released with the GL files renamed in the default folder and some problems in loading premade map games(but with instructions on how to overcome them)

anyway, hold on a couple more days...

btw, powerslics 2.00 is included
<font size=1 face=Arial color=444444>[This message has been edited by MarkG (edited October 01, 1999).]</font>