12 replies to this topic

[kthxbye]

Hi @ all.
I've just decided to write my own NPC mod and, since I always play using BGT, I'd like to write it using Trilogy as base game. The two things I'd like to ask about BGT are quite simple:
1-how do you check if one's playing BG1 or SoA? I know that SoA and ToB use different files for the npcs so that's not a problem, but from what I've seens BG1 and SoA use the same scripts.
2-where (if I'm allowed to) can I check to see how to import my npc in BG2 (like BGT does with Imoen, Viconia, Minsc and the like)?

One quick question about npc modding in general.. If I install my npc mod last and after that I update it, can I uninstall it and reinstall the new version using the same saved game and see the new dialogs I've added?

Thanks in advance, and please excuse me for the last OT question but I don't know where to post it.

[Vit MG]

1-how do you check if one's playing BG1 or SoA?

Use WeiDU function GAME_IS. The TP2-code can be like this

REQUIRE_PREDICATE (GAME_IS ~bg2~ /* the game can be SoA and not a ToB (this is a comment) */
		OR GAME_IS ~tob~ /* the game can be ToB too */ )
		AND NOT (GAME_IS ~bg1~ /* the game must not be bg1 */
		OR GAME_IS ~totsc~ /* the game must not be totsc too */ )
		~This mod is for BG2:SoA, BG2:ToB and BGT games only.~ /* this is the error message */

You can add NOT GAME_IS ~bgt~ if you need. Look at the WeiDU documentation.

For the answer on the question 2 and others look at the Tutorials on the pocket plane.

Edited by Vit MG, 15 March 2009 - 09:34 AM.

[kthxbye]

From the little I've read so far (I'm really new to modding stuff, totally n00b) that's a weidu part to check if the install meets the mod requirements? If so I must apologize 'cause I wrote my question in a real bad manner: what I meant was how can I check if I'm in the BG1 part of the game, using BGT, or if I've already done it to SoA. I ask because I know I can put all ToB banters in the **25 scripts and dialog files, but I don't know how to check if the current game is BG1 or BG2.
If your answer already cover that too, it means I've understood even less than expected and will read the whole tutorial again. I'll obviously read the weidu docs anyway.

Thanks for the answer! (BTW, that piece of code will be useful anyway to check if my npc can be installed or not - so thanks for that, I will use it for sure. )

[Ascension64]

Global ENDOFBG1
0 - in BG1 or TotSC part of game
1 - killed Sarevok but not yet transitioned to SoA
2 - in SoA

I know it may be a bit long, but you can easily search DevDoc for information like this - if you have any other queries.

[kthxbye]

Thanks, I'll do that.

[erebusant]

One quick question about npc modding in general.. If I install my npc mod last and after that I update it, can I uninstall it and reinstall the new version using the same saved game and see the new dialogs I've added?

Thanks in advance, and please excuse me for the last OT question but I don't know where to post it.

You can do this. Just make certain that the .tp2 you use to install your NPC makes a copy of your dialog.tlk file. If you add to the NPC's dialogs, all you need do is un-install your NPC and copy your saved dialog.tlk file back to your main game directory prior to re-installing any changes and your updated dialog strings will be fine.

[kthxbye]

Thanks. I've just copied a BG2 clean install in a current and in a testing folders, so I'll be able to mess up with the testing one as much as I want, but hopefully with your suggestion I will also be able to play using the current folder using my npc too.

[kthxbye]

The mod's progressing fairly well, even if somewhat slowly, and I'd like to add now the transiction part between BG1 and BG2.
I've found the ARAM00.bcs script that handles this, but I can't say by myself if the script requires a fixed order or if I can just append my script lines.
Does an EXTEND_BOTTOM suffice? If not, will a REPLACE_TEXTUALLY work (replacing an existing fixed NPC transiction block with itself plus Rose's transiction block), even in its brutality?

I'm sorry for my noobish questions and thank you in advance both for your replies and your patience.

[Ascension64]

ARAM00.BCS is designed to run from top to bottom. The script block with StartCutScene("AMNSCENE") must be the last one present. Depending on what exactly you want to add, the easiest option is to add a script block in the middle, make sure the script block runs only once, and make sure it contains the Continue() action.

[kthxbye]

Want to add a block that resembles the ones already present to move party NPC in BG2 areas, to keep them with continuity. Will add it in the middle then, thanks for the answer!

[kthxbye]

Just want to let you know that I've added the transition block in my Rose mod using textually replace in the tp2 file (adding it after Imoen's blocks). I have used (and slightly modified) Imoen's blocks for the Rose's part, leaving Imoen's ones unmodified. Since I used your code, I thought to inform you and ask for your permission (I've already used it, but my mod's not officially released so it's not a problem to change it. )

Thanks in advance.

[Ascension64]

Yeah, that's fine. Code is free.

[kthxbye]

Ok, thank you!