UBI tool for modding SH5/SH5 Editor

[maerean_m]

I think this is the first time that this is being mentioned (anywhere): big parts of the interface are being scripted, so there will be some quality modding on the interface (the kind of quality that can be seen in World of Warcraft mods).

The syntax being used is the one from Python.
The script will access the game through a SDK. Also, the scripted code can access the whole of .Net Framework classes (though it's not that necessary).
The editing of the scripts is done inside a special window, that allows the editing of the scripts while the game is running (edit & continue) with text auto-complete and jumping to function definitions, the inspection of the game variables in real time (through a property grid) and the complete description of all the exported classes (inheritance, properties, methods, events, inner types (enums, other classes)). Please note that not ALL game classes have been exported to the scripts.
Also, please note that not ALL the interface has been scripted, due to game (and time) limitations.

But the road has been opened for you to unleash your imagination and talent.

And, as always, there is the Mission Editor for single missions and dynamic campaigns.

At last, but not least, the way the AI thinks has been scripted and is being stored in text files (in a custom format). So that has also been opened for modding.

[skwasjer]

I LOVE YOU

Good job maerean_m and co.

[ReallyDedPoet]

Wow, very nice news

[Sailor Steve]

Well dog my cats!

This is good news indeed.


No, this is wonderful news.



Something tells me this is going to be the best subsim evah!




But that's what you guys are aiming for, isn't it?

[TheDarkWraith]

Originally Posted by maerean_m

I think this is the first time that this is being mentioned (anywhere): big parts of the interface are being scripted, so there will be some quality modding on the interface (the kind of quality that can be seen in World of Warcraft mods).

The syntax being used is the one from Python.
The script will access the game through a SDK. Also, the scripted code can access the whole of .Net Framework classes (though it's not that necessary).

does this mean that custom controls, dialog boxes, etc. can be added to the game (through Python scripts accessing the .NET framework classes)? What version of the .NET framework are you targeting?

[maerean_m]

Originally Posted by Racerboy

does this mean that custom controls, dialog boxes, etc. can be added to the game (through Python scripts accessing the .NET framework classes)? What version of the .NET framework are you targeting?

Ok, forget about the .net classes (really). Players don't want Windows dialog boxes over the game while playing (in fullscreen).

But otherwise, you can create any interface you may think of using elements like buttons, texts, bitmaps, groups etc (that use the game's engine and are being rendered with DirectX). The buttons have events like Clicked to which you attach a delegate (using the familiar += and -= syntax). And all these buttons, texts, bitmaps, groups etc will be created in the MenuEditor.

[AVGWarhawk]

Yes sir! The creative juices can now flow into the pixel world of SH5!

[longam]

Originally Posted by maerean_m

Ok, forget about the .net classes (really). Players don't want Windows dialog boxes over the game while playing (in fullscreen).

Even now that I have a 22" monitor, I need to move my system and get back to the dual screen world.....hmm radar on the side....

[TheDarkWraith]

Originally Posted by maerean_m

The editing of the scripts is done inside a special window, that allows the editing of the scripts while the game is running (edit & continue) with text auto-complete and jumping to function definitions, the inspection of the game variables in real time (through a property grid) and the complete description of all the exported classes (inheritance, properties, methods, events, inner types (enums, other classes)). Please note that not ALL game classes have been exported to the scripts.
Also, please note that not ALL the interface has been scripted, due to game (and time) limitations.

Time to learn Python Heading over to Borders now to see what books they have on it.
Any chance we can get some screenshots of this special window and menu editor you speak of? Just curious to see what some of these variable names and classes are.
You mention time constraints as the limiting factor for everything not being scripted. Is it possibe that we (modders) can do the scripting of the remaining items that didn't make it during development?

[maerean_m]

1. Wikipedia is, as always, a good place to start.
2. I'll post some screenshots (but not right now, since I'm at home).
3. Sadly, no.

[skwasjer]

I will not forget about .NET classes. I won't need/use forms functionality, but I surely can think of many other things I rather do in .NET than in python. Not only that, I can use a ton of existing own libraries, yeeehaaa! I got some cool idea's already just by the info you provided... all I need to know now is what the exported classes are

Thanks again for this awesome news

[edit] I'd love a beta! :wink:

[TheDarkWraith]

Originally Posted by skwasjer

I will not forget about .NET classes. I won't need/use forms functionality, but I surely can think of many other things I rather do in .NET than in python.

If they are exporting functions, variables, etc. then they are reachable by other means other than python. Python is lightweight and easy (from what I'm seeing so far) but doesn't have the power that a full-fledged app (C++, C#) can do. This is going to get really interesting real quick. But it all depends on what variables, functions, etc. are exported. If the python script can call a library function of a program or DLL (other than the game's) then it should be possible to do all kinds of neat and interesting things. I got a ton of ideas in my head and need a BETA of the game to try them out
I wonder what version of the .NET classes we'll be able to access? Would it merely depend on the version installed on the client machine?

[longam]

This is some really great news, especially with the talent in this forum.

[skwasjer]

You can load any assembly or dll from python, be it custom or clr. It's built-in functionality. Python is very powerful, more than you can imagine. I just don't prefer it for many reasons, but no biggie... I'll still use it.

Best is if we can use 3.x, since we can't reliably mix FM versions.

Originally Posted by Racerboy

If they are exporting functions, variables, etc. then they are reachable by other means other than python. Python is lightweight and easy (from what I'm seeing so far) but doesn't have the power that a full-fledged app (C++, C#) can do. This is going to get really interesting real quick. But it all depends on what variables, functions, etc. are exported. If the python script can call a library function of a program or DLL (other than the game's) then it should be possible to do all kinds of neat and interesting things. I got a ton of ideas in my head and need a BETA of the game to try them out
I wonder what version of the .NET classes we'll be able to access? Would it merely depend on the version installed on the client machine?

[TheDarkWraith]

Originally Posted by skwasjer

You can load any assembly or dll from python, be it custom or clr. It's built-in functionality. Python is very powerful, more than you can imagine. I just don't prefer it for many reasons, but no biggie... I'll still use it.

Best is if we can use 3.x, since we can't reliably mix FM versions.

That's good to know about Python. I just started reading the massive book and it will be some time before I can speak intelligently about Python.
Some things I do find interesting is that python doesn't have variable types per se. You just declare a variable and assign a value to it. Different for sure. One thing that I don't like about Python is that it's an interpreted language - like Java in some ways.
What's so much better about 3.x? The book I'm reading references 2.5 with some mentionings of 3.0 (3000 as they call it)