Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate This Thread
Hop To
#4603582 - 07/13/22 08:26 AM Aces over Europe Gold re-visited  
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 12,497
MrJelly Offline
Veteran
MrJelly  Offline
Veteran

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 12,497
Montagnac, L'Herault, France
I have been trying to help Modred to make a B24 multiskin for Aces over Europe.
So I downloaded and installed "Aces over Europe Gold"

This is the installed folder:
[Linked Image]

To be honest it is a mess with 11,010 items, and all that you can fly is AOE.

It installs a complete working system of 1.28C, but does not use a key feature of 1.28C- the "DirSet" system.

Compare with this set-up:

[Linked Image]

There are 56 items. You can select and fly AoE or one or the 14 other theatres. You can also fly default EAW.

A number of 1.28C exes are available for selection including the latest three.
The latest version has had the "New Map" system that was added to 1.29 brought in. There is the "Old Map" version too, and a "Multiplayer only" version. It also allows month and day setting.

[Linked Image]

The beauty of this set-up is that we can put B24 skins in the root folder and test them:

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

The 60 FPS running Windows 7 at 1600 x 900 is excellent.

If you want to install it here is a link:
Download UAW1.28C for 2022

Running the downloaded "1.28c_2022.exe" creates a "1.28c_2022" folder with everything in it.
It has my "eaw.ini" file which you may need to replace with one of yours.
The three latest versions of the 1.28C "eaw.exe" are included.

wink Jel

Last edited by MrJelly; 07/13/22 09:29 AM. Reason: Link added

Fly EAW online at GameRanger: GameRanger Site

FaceBook Pages
UAW 160 downloads
EAW Club

Mark Twain: I am quite sure now that often, very often, in matters concerning religion and politics a man's reasoning powers are not above the monkey's.

I am now of an age at which I no longer need to suffer fools gladly
Inline advert (2nd and 3rd post)

#4603617 - 07/13/22 07:30 PM Re: Aces over Europe Gold re-visited [Re: MrJelly]  
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,859
Rotton50 Offline
3DZ / campaign designer
Rotton50  Offline
3DZ / campaign designer
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,859
Cape Charles, Virginia, USA
Yeah, but what's the point of flying an entire squadron of striped B-24's?

Also, what's going on with the inner prop on the B-24 in the foreground? Looks like two props super imposed.

You guys need some help straightening this out?


Heck, even paranoids have enemies.
#4603627 - 07/13/22 09:12 PM Re: Aces over Europe Gold re-visited [Re: MrJelly]  
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 240
Modred Offline
Member
Modred  Offline
Member

Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 240
Italy "Pergine Valsugana"
Hello

Specific because two years ago I created AOE like this

1 - allow easy installation. I believe that many players have difficulty using the "Dirset"
2 - keep the 1940s feedback that the game created ("live" hangars, campaigns, historical photos, movies, and more)
3 - version 1.28c allows multiskin squadrons and the features described above.

Also, I agree with Ray. The idea of the B24 Lucky Gordon was born to have a squadron with only one colored aircraft as it was in reality.

I think Jelly has only just started rehearsing ... smash


Mariano "Modred"
Italy -------------------------
Eaw Gamer since 1998
https://www.moddb.com/games/aces-over-europe
https://www.moddb.com/games/european-air-war


#4603645 - 07/14/22 04:47 AM Re: Aces over Europe Gold re-visited [Re: MrJelly]  
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 12,497
MrJelly Offline
Veteran
MrJelly  Offline
Veteran

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 12,497
Montagnac, L'Herault, France
Quote
1 - allow easy installation. I believe that many players have difficulty using the "Dirset"
2 - keep the 1940s feedback that the game created ("live" hangars, campaigns, historical photos, movies, and more)
3 - version 1.28c allows multiskin squadrons and the features described above.


1. Are you telling the community that running the DirSet picker, then clicking on a theatre to select it, then clicking "Fly" is difficult?
2. This is still done with the DirSet Picker version.
3. The screenies were from a skin test mission in a Mustang III escorting B24s with 78 skin files copied to the root folder for testing. They are easily removed afterwards.
This is not possible with your installation as some files may be overwritten when they are copied into the root folder and it is difficult to keep track.


This shows the contents of the "AoEGame" folder. You can see how I organized it with your files in appropriate folders.
[Linked Image]


This is the text in the "Dir.set" file that is copied into the root folder when you click on "Aces over Europe" using the DirDet picker:

AoEGame
3dz-tpc
Data and strings
FM
Music
PicMenu
savedata
snd
Sprites
NULL

It tells the 1.28c exe where to look for files. The first name is the main folder, followed by a list of sub-folders and a NULL terminator.


Fly EAW online at GameRanger: GameRanger Site

FaceBook Pages
UAW 160 downloads
EAW Club

Mark Twain: I am quite sure now that often, very often, in matters concerning religion and politics a man's reasoning powers are not above the monkey's.

I am now of an age at which I no longer need to suffer fools gladly
#4603676 - 07/14/22 12:49 PM Re: Aces over Europe Gold re-visited [Re: MrJelly]  
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 240
Modred Offline
Member
Modred  Offline
Member

Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 240
Italy "Pergine Valsugana"
Quote
Are you telling the community that running the DirSet picker, then clicking on a theatre to select it, then clicking "Fly" is difficult?



No, I'm not referring to the communty, butto those who approach the game for the first time. I have this thought because it seemed to me to understand that many play the 1.2 version of GOG or STEAM.

Yes, I understood perfectly well that you were doing some tests with the B24.

One day you had created a version of AOE 1.6.
If you don't have, tell me I'll send it to you.

Bye.


Mariano "Modred"
Italy -------------------------
Eaw Gamer since 1998
https://www.moddb.com/games/aces-over-europe
https://www.moddb.com/games/european-air-war


#4603704 - 07/14/22 07:56 PM Re: Aces over Europe Gold re-visited [Re: MrJelly]  
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 139
CaptJ Offline
Member
CaptJ  Offline
Member

Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 139
Not to interrupt but an idea occurred to me. I wonder if there is a way to make a versatile game with "one click" ease for those who are intimidated with lots of options/steps.

It might not be possible but could the dir.set picker and/or UAW interface become desktop short cuts to script launchers that select the correct things and launch the game?

So the average user would just have an EAW, AOE, DAW, SPAW, SAW, etc shortcuts they could select based on what they want to play? For them it would be like having multiple games even if it is all technically one?
At the same time I'd think you could also keep these utilities for those who want to mix/customize etc?

Just some thoughts from someone that doesn't have a ton of knowledge when it comes to programming so if impossible, pat me on the back, shake your head, and I'll go back to my beer. wink

#4603711 - 07/14/22 10:10 PM Re: Aces over Europe Gold re-visited [Re: MrJelly]  
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 240
Modred Offline
Member
Modred  Offline
Member

Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 240
Italy "Pergine Valsugana"
I believe MrJelly can answer you.
I'm not able. nope


Mariano "Modred"
Italy -------------------------
Eaw Gamer since 1998
https://www.moddb.com/games/aces-over-europe
https://www.moddb.com/games/european-air-war


#4603724 - 07/15/22 07:29 AM Re: Aces over Europe Gold re-visited [Re: MrJelly]  
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 12,497
MrJelly Offline
Veteran
MrJelly  Offline
Veteran

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 12,497
Montagnac, L'Herault, France
No shortcuts needed- what could be simpler then this?

[Linked Image]

Explanation:

To locate the files that it needs to load he 1.28c exe is programmed to read a "Dir.set" file if one exists in the root folder.
In the root folder there is a folder named "LongDirSets" with files in it whose names are listed in the theatre selection list.
When one is selected by the user it is copied from the "LongDirSets" folder and pasted in the root folder as "Dir.set" for the 1.28c exe to use when the game is launched.

The latest 1.28c exe comes with the new and old map versions, so there is also a selector for the exe that the user wants to use.

The currently loaded exe and theatre are displayed, and a selection only needs to be made in order to change the exe or the theatre.

Clicking "Launch EAW" will launch the game smile

[Linked Image]

Last edited by MrJelly; 07/15/22 07:32 AM.

Fly EAW online at GameRanger: GameRanger Site

FaceBook Pages
UAW 160 downloads
EAW Club

Mark Twain: I am quite sure now that often, very often, in matters concerning religion and politics a man's reasoning powers are not above the monkey's.

I am now of an age at which I no longer need to suffer fools gladly
#4603726 - 07/15/22 10:12 AM Re: Aces over Europe Gold re-visited [Re: MrJelly]  
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 240
Modred Offline
Member
Modred  Offline
Member

Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 240
Italy "Pergine Valsugana"

I beg your pardon Mr Jelly, I did not want to question your excellent work.
I must also say i haven't opened UAW in a while.

My fault.

pilot


Mariano "Modred"
Italy -------------------------
Eaw Gamer since 1998
https://www.moddb.com/games/aces-over-europe
https://www.moddb.com/games/european-air-war


#4603728 - 07/15/22 10:28 AM Re: Aces over Europe Gold re-visited [Re: MrJelly]  
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 12,497
MrJelly Offline
Veteran
MrJelly  Offline
Veteran

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 12,497
Montagnac, L'Herault, France
No problem. The beauty of this system is that a modder can put files in the theatre folder or in the root folder to test them.
When they work as required then they can be moved to the appropriate sub-folder wink


Fly EAW online at GameRanger: GameRanger Site

FaceBook Pages
UAW 160 downloads
EAW Club

Mark Twain: I am quite sure now that often, very often, in matters concerning religion and politics a man's reasoning powers are not above the monkey's.

I am now of an age at which I no longer need to suffer fools gladly
#4603732 - 07/15/22 11:41 AM Re: Aces over Europe Gold re-visited [Re: MrJelly]  
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 12,497
MrJelly Offline
Veteran
MrJelly  Offline
Veteran

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 12,497
Montagnac, L'Herault, France
Here is a download link to an improved version of the folder:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pIAvET0i2Vmk6RwNE1vrNBMHCOoLU2Zt/view?usp=sharing

Running the downloaded 7-zip installer creates a standalone 128C-2022 folder.It has my "eaw.ini" file in it which may need to be replaced with one of yours


Fly EAW online at GameRanger: GameRanger Site

FaceBook Pages
UAW 160 downloads
EAW Club

Mark Twain: I am quite sure now that often, very often, in matters concerning religion and politics a man's reasoning powers are not above the monkey's.

I am now of an age at which I no longer need to suffer fools gladly
#4603739 - 07/15/22 02:54 PM Re: Aces over Europe Gold re-visited [Re: MrJelly]  
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 139
CaptJ Offline
Member
CaptJ  Offline
Member

Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 139
It is true. Can't get much simpler. Thanks for all your work Jel!

#4603772 - 07/16/22 07:48 AM Re: Aces over Europe Gold re-visited [Re: MrJelly]  
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 12,497
MrJelly Offline
Veteran
MrJelly  Offline
Veteran

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 12,497
Montagnac, L'Herault, France
Just out of interest this is a standalone AoE Gold folder that could have been released with just the AoE theatre:

[Linked Image]

There is the "AOEGame" folder and the "Dir.set" file, and it works perfectly. This set-up is ideal for testing new mod files in the root folder.

One change that I forgot to mention before is that I did not use the AoE terrain.
Instead I put the default 1.28c "Seasons" folder in the "AOEGame" folder so that I get the appropriate seasonal terrain for Spring, Summer, Fall, Light_Winter or Winter depending on the date of the mission.

Edit:

Here is a link to a download of this installation for anyone who wants to try it wink

https://www.mediafire.com/file/94jwv1ie9wgotw1/AoE_Single.exe/file

wink Jel

Last edited by MrJelly; 07/16/22 08:02 AM.

Fly EAW online at GameRanger: GameRanger Site

FaceBook Pages
UAW 160 downloads
EAW Club

Mark Twain: I am quite sure now that often, very often, in matters concerning religion and politics a man's reasoning powers are not above the monkey's.

I am now of an age at which I no longer need to suffer fools gladly
#4604846 - 07/31/22 09:14 PM Re: Aces over Europe Gold re-visited [Re: MrJelly]  
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 240
Modred Offline
Member
Modred  Offline
Member

Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 240
Italy "Pergine Valsugana"
A really nice job Jel. clapping I think sooner or later I'll adopt it as the final version. thumbsup

(AoE single of course)


Last edited by Modred; 07/31/22 09:15 PM.

Mariano "Modred"
Italy -------------------------
Eaw Gamer since 1998
https://www.moddb.com/games/aces-over-europe
https://www.moddb.com/games/european-air-war


#4604945 - 08/02/22 09:21 AM Re: Aces over Europe Gold re-visited [Re: MrJelly]  
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 12,497
MrJelly Offline
Veteran
MrJelly  Offline
Veteran

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 12,497
Montagnac, L'Herault, France
One of the bonuses is that with this kind of installation nothing is changed in the windows registry. I forget when, but it became apparent that a new version of windows was messing about with "*.ini" files of programs which were registered. At one point I wrote a new version of the exe that used an "eaw.jel" file instead of the "eaw.ini".


Fly EAW online at GameRanger: GameRanger Site

FaceBook Pages
UAW 160 downloads
EAW Club

Mark Twain: I am quite sure now that often, very often, in matters concerning religion and politics a man's reasoning powers are not above the monkey's.

I am now of an age at which I no longer need to suffer fools gladly
#4605128 - 08/04/22 07:39 PM Re: Aces over Europe Gold re-visited [Re: MrJelly]  
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 240
Modred Offline
Member
Modred  Offline
Member

Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 240
Italy "Pergine Valsugana"
pilot
Sorry Jel, but I'd like to ask you a few questions about the new map.

I saw that you have created an eaw.exe file that allows you to play with the new map.

I ask:

1) the new file, in addition to the new map, what improvements does it have compared to the old file eaw.exe 128.C?
2) In the old map you can see the rivers, the borders between the nations, the names of the cities, etc .... is there a possibility to improve it by inserting some more details?
3) in the campaign briefing it would be appropriate to see the old map. This, in my opinion, because in a briefing it seems more appropriate. It can be done?
4) how can I try to improve the new map? What is the file, I can't find it.
5) if I replace the old 128C file I see the default map. Can you insert the possibility to select the month and the day in the single missions?


Sorry, maybe I asked you too many questions and you're busy.
However, I really appreciate the work you have done on AOE Single. I like it a lot.
Now everything is clear.

Ps
I also discovered this:
Example:

I have a multiskin squadron of P51 color olive drab placed in the 3dz-tpc directory of AoE.
I copy a silver colored P51 to the root directory to test it.
I launch the game.
I launch a mission with the P51 (of course)
I see my silver P51 flying with the green P51s. It wasn't like that before. Previously the game duplicated the silver P51 now not.


Mariano "Modred"
Italy -------------------------
Eaw Gamer since 1998
https://www.moddb.com/games/aces-over-europe
https://www.moddb.com/games/european-air-war


#4606099 - 08/16/22 03:01 PM Re: Aces over Europe Gold re-visited [Re: MrJelly]  
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 12,497
MrJelly Offline
Veteran
MrJelly  Offline
Veteran

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 12,497
Montagnac, L'Herault, France
That P51 result is normal smile
The first place in which the exe looks for files is the root folder, and it found your silver ones.
There are no other P51 files in the root folder so it will now look in the folders specified in the loaded "Dir.set" file.
It finds more in the "3dz-tpc" sub folder off AoE, so it loads them from there and you see the olive drab ones.


Fly EAW online at GameRanger: GameRanger Site

FaceBook Pages
UAW 160 downloads
EAW Club

Mark Twain: I am quite sure now that often, very often, in matters concerning religion and politics a man's reasoning powers are not above the monkey's.

I am now of an age at which I no longer need to suffer fools gladly
#4606244 - 08/18/22 09:09 AM Re: Aces over Europe Gold re-visited [Re: MrJelly]  
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 17
Cap. Ahmed Offline
Junior Member
Cap. Ahmed  Offline
Junior Member

Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 17
where is the link please to download Aces over Europe Gold?
the link here is broken

#4606314 - 08/19/22 08:47 AM Re: Aces over Europe Gold re-visited [Re: MrJelly]  
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 240
Modred Offline
Member
Modred  Offline
Member

Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 240
Italy "Pergine Valsugana"
Hi
AOE is not ready now. You can download the old version at ModDb site.
At ModDb site search Aces over Europe.

Best Regards.


Mariano "Modred"
Italy -------------------------
Eaw Gamer since 1998
https://www.moddb.com/games/aces-over-europe
https://www.moddb.com/games/european-air-war



Moderated by  RacerGT 

Quick Search
Recent Articles
Support SimHQ

If you shop on Amazon use this Amazon link to support SimHQ
.
Social


Recent Topics
Carnival Cruise Ship Fire....... Again
by F4UDash4. 03/26/24 05:58 PM
Baltimore Bridge Collapse
by F4UDash4. 03/26/24 05:51 PM
The Oldest WWII Veterans
by F4UDash4. 03/24/24 09:21 PM
They got fired after this.
by Wigean. 03/20/24 08:19 PM
Grown ups joke time
by NoFlyBoy. 03/18/24 10:34 PM
Anyone Heard from Nimits?
by F4UDash4. 03/18/24 10:01 PM
RIP Gemini/Apollo astronaut Tom Stafford
by semmern. 03/18/24 02:14 PM
10 years after 3/8/2014
by NoFlyBoy. 03/17/24 10:25 AM
Copyright 1997-2016, SimHQ Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.6.0