10 replies to this topic

[Saru]

Seeing all these mod creators/writers/programmers out there got me thinking. Everyone has their different projects, but how do they go about it?

Do you use notepad to write your code? ConTEXT? Do you obsessively compile and test every time you finish one lovetalk/banter/interjection, or wait until it's all done? Do you script your own BCS files, or do you rely on other people's (or pre-made monster ones)? Do you regularly have seventeen windows when you're working on your mod? Do you use TP2 installation even during testing?

Even further, do you just program? Just write? Program it and write? Do you write it as you program? (Eek.) Must a certain atmosphere be set before you can write or code? The soothing sounds of Yanni at the Acropolis, with the soft scent of vanilla candles is the only thing that gets me on that keyboard....

Inquiring monkeys want to know.

[Blucher]

Do you use notepad to write your code? ConTEXT? Do you obsessively compile and test every time you finish one lovetalk/banter/interjection, or wait until it's all done?

I like ConTEXT, myself. I do tend to compile/test/recompile/retest a lot, esp. in the early going. If I'm on a roll though, or doing something I'm confident will work, I'm not too obsessive.

Do you script your own BCS files, or do you rely on other people's (or pre-made monster ones)?

I use the BIO-scripts for basic stuff that does exactly what I want. Mostly I end up writing my own though, 'cause it's fun.

Do you regularly have seventeen windows when you're working on your mod?

Just seventeen?

Do you use TP2 installation even during testing?

Yes, because it's easier to just click the setup-exe.

Do you write it as you program?

It would be overly generous to say what I do as either writing or programming.

Usually, I'm a part of a one-man team, so yeah, I tend to do both at a time.

Must a certain atmosphere be set before you can write or code?

I tend to just turn up the lights.

[Saru]

I hate not being able to arrow left at column 1 and go up to the end of the preceding line. (If this is a setting in ConTEXT, someone tell me)

Just a quick sidenote, this is an option in ConTEXT.

Options --> Environment Options --> Editor

Uncheck "Allow cursor after end of line", and you'll be able to arrow left to the previous line's end point.

[japheth]

Do you use notepad to write your code? ConTEXT? Do you obsessively compile and test every time you finish one lovetalk/banter/interjection, or wait until it's all done?

I'm a ConText man as well. I like the highlighting because it helps me avoid errors before compilation. I usually compile things in stages. Probably about 10-12 banters at a time. I write my script files in ConText as well (because of the highlighting again).

Do you script your own BCS files, or do you rely on other people's (or pre-made monster ones)?

I like doing my own. But I'm not afraid to borrow snippets here and there.

Do you regularly have seventeen windows when you're working on your mod?

Probably more like 6 to 7. Sometimes 8 if I'm area editing.

Do you use TP2 installation even during testing?

Most definitely. It's easier to debug your files and it's faster to install. Although I obviously have to wait till I have a substantial amount of content before coding my .tp2.

Even further, do you just program? Just write? Program it and write?

Yes. But I like programming much more than writing.

Do you write it as you program?

A lot of the time I do. But if it's dialogue that is non-trivial, then I'll buckle down and write it out beforehand.

Must a certain atmosphere be set before you can write or code?

Nope. I code at work, at home, in the dark, in light, wherever the mood strikes me. Sometimes even on long flights, to the dark, dank, southern US.

[Quitch]

Do you use notepad to write your code? ConTEXT?

I like ConTEXT myself. The fact that Weimers site came with a highlighter for it is what won me over. A very useful tool. I would never use Notepad.

Do you obsessively compile and test every time you finish one lovetalk/banter/interjection, or wait until it's all done?

I compile each D as I finish it, otherwise the amount of syntax correction I'd need to do would finish me.

Do you script your own BCS files, or do you rely on other people's (or pre-made monster ones)?

I would use a Bioware one if it did *exactly* what I want, so generally I only use them to kick off dialogue. For pretty much everything else I, and the team I work with, write our own.

No point duplicating what already exists though. That's sloppy.

Do you regularly have seventeen windows when you're working on your mod?

Rarely, since ConTEXT can hold almost everything I need as tabs within the one window, though sometimes I have around seven to ten windows opened by Near Infinity.

Do you use TP2 installation even during testing?

For everything but dialogue, yes. I used to for dialogue as well, but since the mod I am working on has grown, this isn't quite so practical anymore. When I first make a D I now compile it by itself, only using the TP2 installation for testing of minor changes across multiple files (which I tend to do before putting out a new version and after finishing a batch of work).

Do you write it as you program?

Dialogue? No. I'd write out the entire dialogue, get it checked over for a couple of weeks, then script it (or get Dyara to do it).

Must a certain atmosphere be set before you can write or code?

Music, there must be music.

[Saru]

These are some great and fascinating answers. What an insight into people!

Blucher --

I use the BIO-scripts for basic stuff that does exactly what I want.  Mostly I end up writing my own though, 'cause it's fun.

I adore writing scripts. Dialogue in WeiDU is rather straightforward unless you're dealing with interjects, appendages, copy_trans's, weights or checking a hundred globals; since BCS deals with a completely different and more flexible part of the game engine, it allows for a lot more customization and individual takes. How many different ways do people have of checking to see if an enemy is nearby? Tons.

Usually, I'm a part of a one-man team, so yeah, I tend to do both at a time.

There can be a benefit to working solo. Of course on the other end of the butter knife, it's all on your shoulders.

jcompton --

TP2 during testing is a MUST because you can roll back your changes via uninstall when you inevitably have to tweak your code.

I don't know, I always kind of like the compounding appending of all the DLG files to the point that new dialogues don't fire.

As for atmosphere, the quieter the better for my concentration, other than that, nothing special.

It's so interesting how some people have to have utter silence, and some can't abide it while they're working.

Oh. That'll just about wrap things up for PFE, then, I think. Thanks!

Kinda sad, isn't it? End of an era and all that. Hopefully ConTEXT will serve you more faithfully. (Don't you love options that aren't visible, but only accessible be en/disabling something relatively different?)

japheth --

I'm a ConText man as well. I like the highlighting because it helps me avoid errors before compilation. I usually compile things in stages. Probably about 10-12 banters at a time. I write my script files in ConText as well (because of the highlighting again).

I don't even want to think about how many errors I save myself with, using ConTEXT. Brilliant idea, it was, to program the highlighters.

As far as BCS scripting in ConTEXT, I have never actually tried it. I do almost all my BCS scripting in Near Infinity, Notepad or CGI (don't ask).

Probably more like 6 to 7. Sometimes 8 if I'm area editing.

Ack. More guts than me. What do use for area editting, TeamBG utilities? I want to wait until someone codes a program that does for map editting what WeiDU did for dialogue editting. I don't tend to trust TeamBG stuff that much.

Yes. But I like programming much more than writing.

I keep trying to decide what I like better -- but we'll stick with what I'm better at, and that would be programming. So I'm with you.

Nope. I code at work, at home, in the dark, in light, wherever the mood strikes me. Sometimes even on long flights, to the dark, dank, southern US.

Very versatile of you. I tried coding at working, but...well, there's way too many people around. Still, it's always fun to try to make RunAwayFrom(NearestEnemyOf(Myself)) look like work. Although I might have to ask you explain that comment about long flights to the dark, dank southern US.

Quitch --

I compile each D as I finish it, otherwise the amount of syntax correction I'd need to do would finish me.

Such a guilty indulgence for us all....

Rarely, since ConTEXT can hold almost everything I need as tabs within the one window, though sometimes I have around seven to ten windows opened by Near Infinity.

I'm so glad I'm not the only one that notices those things multiply like rabbits.

Music, there must be music.

I think I can completely see that of you, especially the way you phrased that. Must it be music that isn't distracting, or any music?

Ghreyfain --

Used to use PFE. Just recently downloaded ConTEXT, and now I use that. Kicks much ass.

I've never used PFE, but with WeiDU's extensions, ConTEXT is absolutely invaluable.

A couple days ago I counted 16. Currently 13. Heheh. Sloppy, I know, but oh well.

Sloppy...there's that word again. It's not sloppy, it's effective use of too much RAM.

One at a time. Doing both at the same time invites disaster, in my opinion, and since you're worrying about proper code your prose isn't as good as it could be. Er, mine, not yours. Why would I be writing your stuff?

You'd be writing my stuff because it would come out better that way.

I usually put on music, muted movies, and open up PSP with a variety of pictures related to whatever I'm doing. Whenever I run low on inspiration I alt+tab to one of those... Which explains why it takes me ages to get anything done, I suppose.

Oooh...actually, I really like that approach. It's very...well, inspiration-based. It betrays that creative self inside you.

[Dark Phantom]

Do you use notepad to write your code? ConTEXT? Do you obsessively compile and test every time you finish one lovetalk/banter/interjection, or wait until it's all done? Do you script your own BCS files, or do you rely on other people's (or pre-made monster ones)? Do you regularly have seventeen windows when you're working on your mod? Do you use TP2 installation even during testing?

I use ConTEXT, as grey or JC (Don't recall who) sugessted it, and it seems to work quite well. I have yet to compile (Love talks take a while) so can not answer that. I have not yet, but will probably script a few BCS files. however, I will most likely just use generic villans for most part (if any) so need not worry about it. I usually have about 2 or 3 windows oppen.

I must be alone, but spontanaity is significant. I program and write at the same time. Much proof testing will be necesary, but I am just doing simple love talks, easy enough.

Just my $.02 worth.

[Quitch]

I think I can completely see that of you, especially the way you phrased that. Must it be music that isn't distracting, or any music?

For writing it will be instrumental, possibly classical, and for everything else it's any kind of music, depending on mood.