[REL] S3D - Silent 3ditor

[clayp]

Originally Posted by skwasjer

I'm proud to announce S3D beta 0.8.2 is finally out.

Below the readme that you can also find in the download package (slightly altered for online reading purposes).

PLEASE READ IT!

The download link is all the way down at the bottom.


S3D - Silent 3ditor, skwas' Silent Hunter mod tool

Copyright © 2007 skwas. All rights reserved.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disclaimer: Use at your own risk. Distribution, commercial use and or (re)selling of this program are prohibited. Developed in 2007 by skwas, a game enthousiast and ubergeek )

Thank you for downloading S3D - Silent 3ditor (beta 0.8.2)
==========================================

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
-------------------------

• Windows XP (32/64 bit), Windows Vista (32/64 bit)
• Computer capable of running Silent Hunter

IMPORTANT! The installer included in this package does install NOT the required components listed below. Please use the links to download the components if you don't have them installed on your computer

• Microsoft .NET 2.0
  
  Vista users can skip this component (.NET 2 comes out of the box with Vista).

For 32-bit editions of Windows:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

For 64-bit editions of Windows:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

• Microsoft DirectX 9.0c (Managed)
  http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

Note to Vista users: this DirectX component can be (and must be) safely installed on Windows Vista!

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
-------------------------------

1. Make sure you've got the required components installed on your computer.
   See SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS for details.
2. Extract the .rar package to a location of your choice.
3. Double click the S3D_xxxx.msi file to run the installer (where xxxx
   indicates version number).
   
4. Follow the steps of the installer.
5. After the installer has completed, run S3D through it's start menu shortcut: Start menu > skwas > Silent 3ditor (beta 0.7)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
----------------------------------

• Q: S3D crashes when I start it.
  A: Verify you have DirectX 9.0c with Managed Extensions installed.
  See: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en
• Q: Can I get the source code from S3D?
  A: No, not per se. S3D is largely based on corporate code, and hence I can't distribute the code as is. I will be happy to help (and if possible share fragments of code) if anyone requests so. In the future, I do plan to release full code, after I have revised it and removed private code.
• Q: Can I use the binaries from S3D in my own applications?
  A: No. They are copyright protected for the time being.
• >>>>>>>>>>>Q: Don't you have documentation or a help file with S3D?<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< <<<<<<<<<<<<
  >>>>>>>>>>A: Unfortunately no, only a little bit online help. I hope to get this sorted at some point <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
• Q: S3D fails to load some SH3 files or some modded files.
  A: This may happen because:
• 1. I have not implemented every controller unique to SH3 (iow. removed in SH4).
  2. The file is corrupt.
  3. The file is heavily changed with other tools, and does not follow rules that S3D expects. If you assume this is the case, please send me the file(s) in question and I will change S3D if possible/needed.

FEATURES
-----------

For a list of detailed improvements since previous versions, please read the
'changelog.html' file that comes with the rar-package, or view it online here. Below a compilation
of features:

• DAT/SIM/ZON/VAL/CAM/DSD/ANM file support.
• SDL file support
• Rich GUI, which allows you to edit all the data that is known to me or anyone else (meaning, if you got info, share, so I can embed it). Not everything is built in yet, but I'm working on it.
• Multiple files can be opened (it will open in a new window). This is to support copy/paste and drag&drop in the future.
• Two types of views for chunks: List, Tree.
• Options for editing id's, offsets in decimal/hex, rotations in radians/degrees, etc.
• Import/export of tga's, dds's.
• Import/export of a raw chunk. Can be used to move chunks over to other files.
• Export of models to COLLADA format (v1.4.1).
• Export/import of models with the OBJ-format (WaveFront).
• Preview function for tga's and dds's.
• Explorer style navigable links for id's. Click an id, if the id exists in the file, it will navigate to it.
• Explorer style history of visited nodes. Back/forward buttons allow you to track back to previously selected nodes.
• Rebuild the index chunk with all id's in the file.
• List of all id's in the file (by selecting the index chunk). Id's and offsets can be copied to clipboard. Later, maybe even in all the game folders.
• Support for placement chunk (cities/harbors)
• Move chunk up/down in list. Only one chunk at a time.
• Revert changes option (entire reload, not undo/redo)
• Recent file list
• Property editor for all object controllers/properties, with a full edit mode.
• Remap function (cloning)
• Global file search function (search for an id in any file)
• Drag and drop support for opening files directly from Windows Explorer.
• Undo/redo support to undo changes made to a file.
• Partial cut/copy/paste support
• Automatic check for updates
• Find/Goto dialog to quickly find a node by text, id or index.
• Add array items to arrays in property controller data.
• Support for keyframe animations
• Integrated analysis tool for analyzing unknown data using a hex editor.
• Import of a DAT-file into another. Very useful to load a group of chunks, instead of exporting/importing each chunk seperately.
• Ability to add known chunks, including all the controller property chunks.
• Assign a new random id to a chunk.
• UV map preview function, and export option. The exported UV map can be used as an overlay in your favorite paint software, to aid in modifying textures.

BUGS/SUPPORT/QUESTION/SUGGESTION
-------------------------------------------

Please report any problem or question in this thread. I wil do my best to help out.

To contact me directly, install S3D and get my email address from the aboutbox.


CREDITS
---------

Special thanks (in random order):

CaptainCox (logo/artwork), DivingDuck (file structure, 3D), leovampire (08-01-2008, R.I.P.)

More thanks to (feedback, suggestions, or for just being kind ):

Ubi, SH dev team, SubSim.com. Also, individuals: tater, Anvart, Bando, WEBSTER, maikarant, Jace11, WilhelmTell, lurbz, Sansal, longam, PepsiCan, UBOAT234, Digital_Trucker, DirtyHarry3033, Kaleun_Endrass, sergbuto, SquareSteelBar, sober, jaketoox, reallydedpoet, swdw, nautilus42, nvdrifter, kapitan_zur_see, DeepIron, panthercules, l3th4l, Laffertytig, alamwuhk2a, privateer, g_BonE, Ducimus, lurker_hlb3, haegemon, wildchild, urfisch, LukeFF, ref, kikn79, WernerSobe, Redwine, GuillermoZS, keltos01, Mikhayl, Kriller2, DrBeast, jimbob, Rubini, M. Sarsfield, miner1436, AVGWarhawk, reallydedpoet, Subject, and those who have been debugging the file formats long before me. If I have forgotten you, I apologize, please PM or mail me in that case. This list may (and will) grow, if you feel you need to be noted, be nice to me

3rd party components used:
C# HexBox free control - http://sourceforge.net/projects/hexbox/

FINAL NOTES
--------------

While S3D has now turned Beta, this doesn't mean it contains less bugs and/or is more stable that previous releases. I feel comfortable with the Beta signature because the tool is slowly but steadily maturing and the end of what I can and will do with it is in sight.

Having said that, I want to still point out that because of significant changes in the code, this Beta can still cause game files to be corrupted. If you run into issues please report them. My final word of advice is backup often, and test your mods well before releasing them to the public.

Have fun using S3D!!

skwas


Latest build 0.8.2 (uninstall ANY previous release before installing this one):


DOWNLOAD


Older releases (if any) can be downloaded at the same link...

If there isnt any help file or instructions what good is it??? I was tring to read all 40 pages of the post and was getting a headache and falling asleep.It took me 3 or 4 months to learn the mini-tweaker so I dont see much hope for this...I wanted to add more torpedos,dont think I will ever be able to do it.....

[THE_MASK]

I could never make models or anything either but i have tweaked files . I cannot wait for the plethora of new models from talented modders using this tool .

[DeepIron]

If there isnt any help file or instructions what good is it???

If S3D is too much for you, consider the way it was done before... with a HEX EDITOR! S3D is an incredibly useful tool and saves hours of work! Skwasjer has given the modding community an incredible tool IMO...

I was tring to read all 40 pages of the post and was getting a headache and falling asleep.

Then don't read all 40 pages at one time. Try taking it in little by little... It's an evolving process, being contributed to by a number of people...

It took me 3 or 4 months to learn the mini-tweaker so I dont see much hope for this...I wanted to add more torpedos,dont think I will ever be able to do it.....

Well, if you start with an attitude that "I can't" then you're right, you won't... You're not going to "get it" right away... Modding takes time and patience and testing, repeat as necessary. The upside is that you learned the mini-tweaker right? So what if it takes 3 or 4 months? What's the rush?

I've been working on building "from scratch" SH4 vessels for several months and I'm still not there... yet. But I'm not going to "throw in the towel". S3D has saved me hours of work, and I'm learning the processes just like you are, and like so many other SH modders.

So, quit yer squawkin' and git to moddin'...

[skwasjer]

Hi clayp, no, unfortunately there's not alot of documentation regarding S3D. Then again, if I have to choose to write documentation or add a new feature, the choice is simple. I am a developer and not a writer. I try to do my best to explain new features here and in the changelogs, and most people seem to pick it up fairly soon.

That said, if you feel 40 pages is a long read, I can assure you a manual for S3D will be longer if I would cover every single thing that it can do in easy language. Everybody that uses it now has been in the same boat (pun intended) as you are now. We all had to learn about the game, and about tools, including myself (and I still don't know everything nor will I ever probably). You have to start somewhere. The later you start, the more difficult it will become. As S3D develops, it can do more, and thus becomes more complex. This is an unfortunate side effect of all software, but there's nothing I can do about it.

My advice is simple: read threads, ask questions, and try.. try.. try.. We all do it. So can you.

[clayp]

I'll give it a try.... The problem is I'm in bad health..One problem is very bad diabetes and my eyes are bad...

[Ktl_KUrtz]

Hi,
I would like to say the it was a good jesture to remember LeoVampire in your new update.
Was he the guy killed in a car accident?
KUrtz

[Carotio]

Originally Posted by Ktl_KUrtz

Hi,
I would like to say the it was a good jesture to remember LeoVampire in your new update.
Was he the guy killed in a car accident?
KUrtz

No, you're thinking at DeepBlueWolf:
http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/t...5/m/9661064165

Leo Vampire was the "force majeure" of the ROW mods, and in his case, it was heart problems, IIRC.

Anyway, RIP to both...

[keltos01]

I gave new id numbers to the torpedo doors nodes and voilà,

an axis side submarine with 8 torpedo tubes, this means probably that the game's
maximum number of tubes per boat is 10, either US or german/japanese side.

Keltos

8 tubes sub, soon to become a Kaidai 3 :

http://files.filefront.com/IJN+Jyuns.../fileinfo.html

[skwasjer]

@Ktl_KUrtz, as Carotio mentioned Leo (Dave) had problems with his heart and went beyond his own illness to finish up some of his work. He was an early S3D adopter and made good use of it with his mods. Thanks Dave...

@keltos, good job, I saw it already in your own thread.

[keltos01]

Originally Posted by skwasjer

@Ktl_KUrtz, as Carotio mentioned Leo (Dave) had problems with his heart and went beyond his own illness to finish up some of his work. He was an early S3D adopter and made good use of it with his mods. Thanks Dave...

@keltos, good job, I saw it already in your own thread.

thanks !

would you know why only 6 lights appear on the console when the 8 tubes works ?

also : the attack map shows only 6 tubes, but eight are there if you switch using "W" ?

on the loadout : it's correct.

keltos

[skwasjer]

I've just released v0.9.9. Have fun...


FINAL NOTES

S3D is nearing version 1.0, and as such I am wrapping this project up. For over 2 years I have put my heart and soul into this application for everyone to use free or charge. In that time, I uncovered many more secrets of Silent Hunter, allowing for awesome new mods and idea's to come to reality, and even with this release new mods will be possible (animations, damage model, etc.). I released over 20 versions of S3D, and have well over 18.000 downloads in total since I started measuring (since version 0.5.4, in january 2008!). The last beta was downloaded close to 5000 times by itself! Quite a feat for a game in a niche market, and I'm interested to see how this release will do. I enjoyed all the feedback and excitement by the users (you!). All of you made this a great asset for the game, I just built it...

But it has to end somewhere, and that moment is now. There are still a couple of things left on my wish list but I don’t any more time to spend on this project, it’s time to move on for me. Thanks to everybody that supported me, and thanks for the open community spirit that I have strived for. I like to believe I have made my mark on the community, and hope everyone appreciates my efforts to bring all modders together. I wish everyone the best.

Have fun using S3D!!

skwas

[Rubini]

Again, many many thanks mate!
And, yes, sh3/4 community have reached this grade of development because we have S3D, this is for sure!

Thanks and i hope that you can make the same for others good games in the near future!

Triple cheers for skwasjer!!

[DarkFish]

thank you

there's not much else to say, no existing words in this world can express how grateful we all are, for all of the work you have put into S3D all these years. I just hope this didn't contribute to your 'personal problems'.
I think I can speak for all of this modding community if I say you've been one of the most important 'modders' around here. Without you SH4 wouldn't have been what it is today. If you look back on all those years you should be very proud of all you've done. Not many people would put so much effort into a program and then distribute it for free.

But as we Dutch say, "Er is een tijd van komen en een tijd van gaan". En nu is de tijd van gaan aangebroken.

Dank je

[Anvart]

Опа ... как я вовремя подоспел к раздаче ...
Надеюсь многие ошибки 0.94 версии исправлены ...
Thanks.
Good luck.

[keltos01]

We'll miss you Skwas. If you ever drive by Belgium you are always welcome for a beer and a lunch ! (just pm beforehand)

I was so into using .094 that I didn't notice your release of 0.99 !

thanks again for this beautiful tool and all the help you provided.

keltos