JSGME questions

[Howard313]

as probably 99.999991% of the SH3 community here knows, when you install GWX 3.0 gold you also get a nifty little modding tool called JSGME, and while I think I get the basic premise of the tool I have a few questions for people who are more intelligent than me. (I.E. You.)

1. Just so there is no confusion on my part, the JSGME tool is a modding tool that allows you to add/remove custom mods onto SH3 at any time. Correct?

2. Is there a way to add other mods onto the program besides the ones that come packaged with JSGME?

3. Does JSGME only work with SH3? Or can you use it with other games as well?

I know there is most likely a thread or something already answering all of these questions but I couldn't find it, so if there is one and if one of you could post a link to it I'd appreciate it.

Thanks in advanced!

[frau kaleun]

1. Just so there is no confusion on my part, the JSGME tool is a modding tool that allows you to add/remove custom mods onto SH3 at any time. Correct?

Correct, provided the mods are a) present in the MODS folder that was created in the game directory for that purpose, and b) the folder containing the mod is set up properly for use with it (most modders will indicate that a mod is "JSGME ready" if that is the case - and it usually is).

However enabling/disabling mods "at any time" can be a risky business. Many if not most mods should only be enabled or disabled when you are docked in base in between patrols or missions. Changing them up in mid-patrol can cause major problems.

2. Is there a way to add other mods onto the program besides the ones that come packaged with JSGME?

Yes, once you have downloaded a mod (and extracted its files, if necessary), you can move it or copy the mod's folder to the MODS folder in your game directory. When you open JSGME it will show the mod in the list of available mods for your game. As noted above, however, the mod's folders must be correctly structured in order for JSGME to write its data into the right spots in your game installation.

The correct folder structure for a mod to be used with JSGME is:

[Your SH3 Game Folder]\MODS\[Folder Named For Mod]\data\

and inside the mod's 'data' folder are all the files and folders that will be enabled in your game.

The mods you see in JSGME after you install GWX3 are the optional GWX mods - they came with GWX, as did JSGME in order to make it easier for you to use them (or not) whenever you like. But any mod that is set up correctly can be enabled/disabled using JSGME.

3. can you use it with other games as well?

Yes:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=173324

==1. CENTRAL INSTALLATION==

You can install the JoneSoft Generic Mod Enabler (JSGME) to a central location and point it to each of your games through creating shortcuts. To do this:

1. install JSGME to a central location (for example, “C:\Games\Generic Mod Enabler”). Keep the “Create a desktop icon” option selected in the installer
2. once installed, DO NOT RUN! Copy and paste the newly created JSGME desktop shortcut as many times as you have games and change the “Start in” folder of each shortcut to point to each game’s base folder. To change the “Start in” folder, right-click the shortcut, select “Properties” and then the “Shortcut” tab.
3. rename each shortcut to something meaningful, such as “JSGME - GameName1”, “JSGME - GameName2”, “JSGME - GameName3” and so on. To rename a shortcut, simply right-click the shortcut and select “Rename”

Using JSGME with subsequently installed games is simply a matter of copying, pasting and editing an existing shortcut (steps 2 and 3 above). And whenever JSGME is updated, you only need to install it once.

==2. SEPARATE INSTALLATION==

If you prefer, you can install separate copies of JSGME into each of your games. To do this, simply install JSGME to the base folder of the game that you would like to mod. The base folder usually contains the game’s main executable file and usually has a name unique to the game. If in doubt, consult the game’s online community. If you keep the “Create a desktop icon” option selected, the installer will add a uniquely named shortcut to your desktop.



It can also be used to "mod" SH3 Commander, which is how I'm doing a lot more stuff lately.

[Gargamel]

How do I update JSGME?

I d'lded the latest version, and installed it, blindly , and now I have two. The old oen that works (came with GWX) and the new one, which doesnt do anything.

[frau kaleun]

The one that came with GWX installs directly into the game folder along with GWX, so when you click on the shortcut that was created, it's opening that installation only.

If you downloaded and just did a "default" installation of a newer version and didn't tell it to install itself into your GWX game directory, it probably created a separate installation of JSGME that is not pointed at any game in particular.

I have one installation of JSGME in its own separate folder on my Games HDD, and use different shortcuts that tell it to open in this or that game installation. (See "==1. CENTRAL INSTALLATION==" above.) I completely remove the version of JSGME that "came with" GWX, I don't want separate intallations of JSGME in every game folder that all have to be updated.

[Howard313]

Thank you frau kaleun, that cleared things up for me pretty good

[frau kaleun]

You're welcome!

[Sailor Steve]

Don't forget that though JSGME comes with GWX it was not created for nor is it limited to GWX. It wasn't even created for SH3, and will work with any game.

The 'G' stands for 'Generic'.

[Pisces]

Originally Posted by frau kaleun

...
The correct folder structure for a mod to be used with JSGME is:

[Your SH3 Game Folder]\MODS\[Folder Named For Mod]\data\

and inside the mod's 'data' folder are all the files and folders that will be enabled in your game.

...

If I may add a clarification here. Since he also wants to know if it can be used with other games. The data folder in that path above is SH3/4(/5?) specific. Basically what JSGME does is place every file and folder that it can find in [Folder Named For Mod], and place that in the game's root folder. So this can be any application (.exe), data or graphics file, or even a readme.txt if you wish. And it maintains the folder-structure of the deeper (or is it higher) levels to put the modified files in their proper place of the original game installation.

It works by temporarily displacing (as long as it is enabled) the original file to to the hidden backup folder in MODS. And placing the modded file in it's place.