Let me clarify a few things:
- Duplicate Id's ARE accepted. S3D does NOT verify if Id's are already used.
Reason:- In some scenario's duplicates 'are' allowed
- S3D can't globally verify Id's unless I would track and scan all files and build a global database. Not happening soon (if ever)
- As of v0.6 S3D comes with an 'Id generator'. It's a small tool (See menu Tools > Id generator) that can be used to generate a random Id.
However, again, this Id is not guaranteed to be unique accross the game. That said, with 2^64=18446744073709551616 possibilities, there's little chance of a duplicate Id yet it's still possible.
As far as cloning nodes, there's a few approaches, one which Ducimus described, another I explained in the S3D thread:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/show...&postcount=435
Now, for all the export/import options, I agree the dialogs can be a bit confusing and I already considered a revision in the future, but here's how it works:
EXPORT
With the checkbox checked the entire chunk WITH header is exported. If unchecked, only the chunk data is exported. Without the header, S3D cannot 'figure out' what kind of chunk it is when you import it again. You have to explicitly tell it then. For regular use (cloning nodes), leave this option checked.
IMPORT
The two radio buttons are basically there to ask you what kind of raw chunk is going to be imported.
We have a raw chunk with header?
The first radiobutton should be on. You now have the option to ignore the header and basically replace data of the selected chunk. If this is selected you will not end up with a new inserted node, just the one selected will be updated. Usually you'd want a new node, so leave it off.
We have a chunk without header?
The 2nd radio button should be on. Since we don't have a header, S3D doesn't know what type of chunk it is going to read. It will therefor use the selected node as 'type' and reads the chunk with the rules set out for that type. And you will not end up with a new node, but the current node is updated.
Bottom line, leave all the default import/export settings on, and you're good to go. The options are there if you want more control or want to use/edit/modify chunk data in hex editors, without the requirement of a valid header (size specifier to be exact). Basically these options are there for advanced use...
If any questions, go ahead...
