DC Release 0.800

[CocoaSpud]

This release was rushed so that a design-killing bug could be patched up. I also added title screen sequence editing with support for AVI playback, and another event trigger for NPC's and items called 'Examine'. You can change the menu label if you don't like 'Examine'.

Release notes follow.

>>>> UAF Version 0.8.0.0 <<<<

**** New Features ****

- title screen sequence can be edited, allowing
multiple images are AVI movies
- added Examine event to items and NPC's. The
event and it's menu option can be edited.

**** Bug Fixes ****

Editor:
- fixed error message about graphics errors while
playtesting the design
- reset player x,y when loading design if
global start position is out of range for
starting level
- fixed problem of wiping out design files
if attempt to save design is made while
design files are opened by the engine
Engine:
- fixed combat bug where monsters stop moving

[dominions]

Too late! Version 0.790 has erased by bl**dy game design. And, yes you've probably guessed it, I didn't backup. The one and only time I didn't. You'd think I'd learn! Aaaaarrrrggggghhhh! (sound of cricket bat hitting pc repeatedly).
I'll have to see what damage it's done, but I'm none too hopeful.

[CocoaSpud]

There is hope still.

The editor automatically creates backup copies of your design files before saving. Check the 'Backup' folder in your design folder. It should have the important files and you can copy them back to the main design folder.

Just to make sure we are both thinking of the same bug...

Did you try to save your design while the engine was still running?

[dominions]

No, I just couldn't open my game design when I went into the editor, after updating to 0.790.
I haven't really looked at the problem yet. It was late at night and updating was the last thing I did before going to bed, so I didn't get the chance to explore the problem. I did however spot this thread the next day and put 2 and 2 together.

[Lord Killjoy]

I downloaded .800 and I was messing with it and noticed something I clicked on show distant backdrops and it looked funny it worked fine before but now it looks layered. I captures an example.




It may be nothing or I'm seeing something wrong but that function worked in prior versions

Lord Killjoy

[ 01-22-2002: Message edited by: Lord Killjoy ]

[ 01-22-2002: Message edited by: Lord Killjoy ]

[CocoaSpud]

quote:

---

I downloaded .800 and I was messing with it and noticed something I clicked on show distant backdrops and it looked funny it worked fine before but now it looks layered. I captures an example.

---

Did you get a chance to install version 0.790 and see if distant backdrops worked ok? Versions 0.790 and 0.800 came out within four days of each other, and 0.790 made several changes to level loading - including the distant bg flags.

I usually expect a few problems after this kind of change, and have already got a small list of issues. I'll try to get them all corrected and upload another release quickly.

[CocoaSpud]

quote:

---

No, I just couldn't open my game design when I went into the editor, after updating to 0.790.

---

This is odd. I keep several versions of older designs and do a test load on all of them with each new release. Sometimes it gets tricky to handle backwards compatibility correctly.

For the bug I mentioned, the editor would start to save the design, then fail when the copy of BASS.DLL could not be done because the engine still had it loaded. By that time the game.dat file had been emptied in preparation for saving.

Now I try the BASS.DLL copy first, before opening game.dat. So if the engine is running the design save should fail without creating an empty game.dat.

Loading the design is different though. The editor may fail to load for some reason, but the design files should remain intact. No modifications are made to them during load time. This is sort of good news in that your design should still be there and intact, I just need to figure out why you can't load it.

Since I really want to maintain compatibility with older designs, this bug is a high priority for me. If possible, could you please zip up some of the design files and send them to me? I would like to try loading in the debugger to find where the load fails. I would only need the GAME.DAT and all LVL files. No art, sound, or config files.

[Lord Killjoy]

.800 came out so soon after .790 I didn't really mess with it at all.
I've been playing with 0.800 since it came out and that's the only problem I've found


Lord Killjoy

Lord Killjoy's Graphics

[dominions]

quote:

---

Originally posted by CocoaSpud:

...Since I really want to maintain compatibility with older designs, this bug is a high priority for me. If possible, could you please zip up some of the design files and send them to me? I would like to try loading in the debugger to find where the load fails. I would only need the GAME.DAT and all LVL files. No art, sound, or config files.

---

No problem. I still haven't had a chance to sit down at my PC and look at the problem my self, but I'll make a point of doing so tonight. I'll zip the files you;ve asked for and email them in the next few days.

Cheers

[CocoaSpud]

quote:

---

downloaded .800 and I was messing with it and noticed something I clicked on show distant backdrops and it looked funny it worked fine before but now it looks layered. I captures an example.

---

I just read this again and realized I had the wrong impression of the problem. For some reason, I can't see the image you posted, so I made an assumption.

I was thinking the distant bg settings were not saving/loading properly, when the problem is really a display issue.

It's tough to say without seeing the screen-capture, but banding of the backgrounds is an option. After turning on the distant backgrounds, you can display them in bands or in squares depending on that second checkbox.

You probably already knew this, and something else is wrong. Can you please send me the picture you posted here? Maybe I can make a better diagnosis after seeing it.