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Posted

Where do you put the files for user created scenarios? I downloaded the "Anteres" (Lybian scen, my brother was actually on the Kearsarge as an on-board engineer on an Osprey so I am interested in this scenario). I get three files ending in .SLo, .RDo, or something. There is no obvious place to put them, and no existing files with the same extensions to let me know where they belong. I can't find anything in the manual or on the forums about it either. Where do the files go?

Posted
Where do you put the files for user created scenarios? I downloaded the "Anteres" (Lybian scen, my brother was actually on the Kearsarge as an on-board engineer on an Osprey so I am interested in this scenario). I get three files ending in .SLo, .RDo, or something. There is no obvious place to put them, and no existing files with the same extensions to let me know where they belong. I can't find anything in the manual or on the forums about it either. Where do the files go?

I've always put mine in the HCE folder and I've never had a problem.

 

Buddha

Posted
Where do you put the files for user created scenarios? I downloaded the "Anteres" (Lybian scen, my brother was actually on the Kearsarge as an on-board engineer on an Osprey so I am interested in this scenario). I get three files ending in .SLo, .RDo, or something. There is no obvious place to put them, and no existing files with the same extensions to let me know where they belong. I can't find anything in the manual or on the forums about it either. Where do the files go?

I've always put mine in the HCE folder and I've never had a problem.

 

Buddha

If you want a bit of an idea about the scenario file extensions, and what they mean, see

FAQ, file names

Don

Posted

That was a great guide, Victory.

 

I had actually done exactly what you describe, and got like 20 errors on the way in, so I thought I had done something wrong.

 

I had made a directory called Anteares, or whatever that scenario is called, and put all 3 files in that dir, in the HUCE dir. When I continue past the orders I get 15-20 error messages... but then it goes fine and everything seems to work. I tried again after reading your file and still get them. They are all a little different but generally say...

 

"GetDiskAnnex Error: (Index 3219 [0xx93] & INDEX_MASK [0x7ff])[1171] > AnnexDiskRec Count[0]=1080. This message has been logged. The program will now terminate."

 

That's the first one. I get a bunch more with different numbers, then the program doesn't terminate and the scenario starts.

 

Am I doing something wrong?

Posted
When I continue past the orders I get 15-20 error messages... but then it goes fine and everything seems to work. I tried again after reading your file and still get them. They are all a little different but generally say...

 

"GetDiskAnnex Error: (Index 3219 [0xx93] & INDEX_MASK [0x7ff])[1171] > AnnexDiskRec Count[0]=1080. This message has been logged. The program will now terminate."

 

That's the first one. I get a bunch more with different numbers, then the program doesn't terminate and the scenario starts. Am I doing something wrong?

 

Are you running the correct version of the database? You need HCDB-110304 or later to run Antaeus.

Posted
When I continue past the orders I get 15-20 error messages... but then it goes fine and everything seems to work. I tried again after reading your file and still get them. They are all a little different but generally say...

 

"GetDiskAnnex Error: (Index 3219 [0xx93] & INDEX_MASK [0x7ff])[1171] > AnnexDiskRec Count[0]=1080. This message has been logged. The program will now terminate."

 

That's the first one. I get a bunch more with different numbers, then the program doesn't terminate and the scenario starts. Am I doing something wrong?

 

Are you running the correct version of the database? You need HCDB-110304 or later to run Antaeus.

 

I just put the scenario files in the folder. Where would I get/switch databases?

Posted
I just put the scenario files in the folder. Where would I get/switch databases?

 

It is critical to match scenarios with the databases and battlesets that they use.

 

Each scenario uploaded to HarpGamer should have the appropriate database listed on the same page where the scenario is posted for download.

 

The available databases are likewise posted in the Downloads section of this website, appropriately enough called Databases. ;)

Posted
I just put the scenario files in the folder. Where would I get/switch databases?

 

It is critical to match scenarios with the databases and battlesets that they use.

 

Not intending this to be a provocative question, but just wondering: Would it be practical to automate the selection of the database when the scenario is loaded, or whenever - so as to avoid those sorts of confusion, and reduce or eliminate the possibility of error?

Posted
I just put the scenario files in the folder. Where would I get/switch databases?

 

It is critical to match scenarios with the databases and battlesets that they use.

 

Each scenario uploaded to HarpGamer should have the appropriate database listed on the same page where the scenario is posted for download.

 

The available databases are likewise posted in the Downloads section of this website, appropriately enough called Databases. ;)

 

There are two files, one named the same as a stock file. So I would have to manually rename the original to play this scenario? Then remember to switch it back to play stock scenarios? And do this with tons of different combinations of scenarios and databases? ...I'll just stick with the stock scenarios:-)

 

Harpoon is a great game, I'm not putting it down... But you need to clean that up. It's not that I don't understand what needs to be done, I've used computers since DOS 2.2 on a Franklin 1100... heck, I've even been the lead designer on a computer game for a major publisher. I'm just not willing to do all that for each user scenario I want to play. You REALLY need to clean that up so, at most, the player needs to put files into a single directory. You need to find some way of not having to manually back up and rename a file constantly to keep up with which scenario you are playing.

 

I like Harpoon a lot, I used to be an SFB junkie so I like naval combat and this is one of the best naval combat games I know (Uncommon Valor is the only other naval computer game that compares too it). I still like Harpoon a lot, I'm just not even willing to go through all that at my age:-)

Posted
There are two files, one named the same as a stock file. So I would have to manually rename the original to play this scenario? Then remember to switch it back to play stock scenarios? And do this with tons of different combinations of scenarios and databases? ...I'll just stick with the stock scenarios:-)

 

I guess one firstly needs to realize and understand that any database is always a 'work in progress'. They are constantly being updated, fixed, improved in a myriad of ways. So even though you might choose to play only the stock scenarios, many of those scenarios are still using a database that is continually being improved.

 

Above and beyond that, there are a select few who like to tinker with custom databases, whether to explore "what if" scenarios, other hypothetical battles, or simply because they have a different philosophy of how a database should look and work. So they build a completely different database and, hopefully, someone builds 'user scenarios' for it. And that's one of the joys of Harpoon.

 

Swapping the databases to suit a particular scenario is not by any means difficult. Just another way to squeeze extra enjoyment out of this game.

 

Harpoon is a great game, I'm not putting it down... But you need to clean that up. It's not that I don't understand what needs to be done, I've used computers since DOS 2.2 on a Franklin 1100... heck, I've even been the lead designer on a computer game for a major publisher. I'm just not willing to do all that for each user scenario I want to play. You REALLY need to clean that up so, at most, the player needs to put files into a single directory. You need to find some way of not having to manually back up and rename a file constantly to keep up with which scenario you are playing.

 

The launcher program and the efforts around it are trying to automate the process a bit better, but again that's a work in progress. But for now, we have the system that has worked for twenty odd years without too much trouble. B)

 

I like Harpoon a lot, I used to be an SFB junkie so I like naval combat and this is one of the best naval combat games I know (Uncommon Valor is the only other naval computer game that compares too it). I still like Harpoon a lot, I'm just not even willing to go through all that at my age:-)

 

Your choice. :)

Posted
I just put the scenario files in the folder. Where would I get/switch databases?

 

It is critical to match scenarios with the databases and battlesets that they use.

 

Each scenario uploaded to HarpGamer should have the appropriate database listed on the same page where the scenario is posted for download.

 

The available databases are likewise posted in the Downloads section of this website, appropriately enough called Databases. ;)

 

There are two files, one named the same as a stock file. So I would have to manually rename the original to play this scenario? Then remember to switch it back to play stock scenarios? And do this with tons of different combinations of scenarios and databases? ...I'll just stick with the stock scenarios:-)

 

Harpoon is a great game, I'm not putting it down... But you need to clean that up. It's not that I don't understand what needs to be done, I've used computers since DOS 2.2 on a Franklin 1100... heck, I've even been the lead designer on a computer game for a major publisher. I'm just not willing to do all that for each user scenario I want to play. You REALLY need to clean that up so, at most, the player needs to put files into a single directory. You need to find some way of not having to manually back up and rename a file constantly to keep up with which scenario you are playing.

 

I like Harpoon a lot, I used to be an SFB junkie so I like naval combat and this is one of the best naval combat games I know (Uncommon Valor is the only other naval computer game that compares too it). I still like Harpoon a lot, I'm just not even willing to go through all that at my age:-)

 

 

You've put my feelings into words quite well.

 

This monkeying with databases and so forth was something that I was never able to get working - granted, the fact that my first experience with it resulted in sort of "blowing up" my installation, and it had so severely scared me off of the whole matter that I did not even try to figure it out again. In any case, from my perspective, the whole mechanism relating to optional databases is a can of worms, and I'm with you: At my age, it just isn't worth the aggravation. Too bad, because I suspect there'd be a lot of enjoyment in using the other stuff - if I could get past that hurdle.

Posted

For the benefit of others who might read this thread and are wondering about (or fearful of) the same thing ...

 

The format for all HCE scenario file names is: *.sc*

 

The first asterisk (*) is for the scenario filename assigned by the author of the scenario.

 

The second asterisk (*) determines the BattleSet to which the scenario belongs.

 

When you create a 'user scenario', there are typically four files generated by the Scenario Editor:

 

*.SC* - the actual scenario itself

*.BL* - the BLUE orders file

*.RD* - the RED orders file

*.BK* - a backup of the scenario file

 

More on the filenames and the BattleSets here: Understanding HCE file names

 

The stock scenarios supplied with HCE use either a built in, non-editable database (which is not updated) or a supplied, editable version of the HCDB (which is updated regularly and the updates for which are available for download here).

 

The editable database is contained within the file 'commondb.res' in the HCE main directory.

 

When you download and apply an update of the HCDB, or you download and apply a custom database, it overwrites that 'commondb.res' file.

 

Using a custom database that is needed for a custom scenario, then, is as simple as swapping out that 'commondb.res' file.

 

Going back to the stock database (the HCDB) is as simple as applying the latest update that is always available for download here.

Posted
You've put my feelings into words quite well.

 

This monkeying with databases and so forth was something that I was never able to get working - granted, the fact that my first experience with it resulted in sort of "blowing up" my installation, and it had so severely scared me off of the whole matter that I did not even try to figure it out again. In any case, from my perspective, the whole mechanism relating to optional databases is a can of worms, and I'm with you: At my age, it just isn't worth the aggravation. Too bad, because I suspect there'd be a lot of enjoyment in using the other stuff - if I could get past that hurdle.

 

Anytime I need a different database, I just use Tony's launcher (available in Downloads section here), and put in the 'other' DB location, and the scenario to load, then start the game with the launcher. I don't have to move or rename anything. I keep my 'other' databases in a 'HarpDB' folder, in subdirectories under that named for the DB, and just use the Launcher to point to them when needed for a particular scenario. I keep my commondb updated, and if the scenario uses it, I just start the game normally, and load scenarios, without the Launcher. After all, anything that uses <date> commondb should work in <later date> commondb.

 

Harpoon's a simulation more than a game, so it will require more knowledge. It's always been that way. This is no arcade game. :D Fact is, the interface hasn't been updated in years, and is a bit clunky at times, but it doesn't *need* to be updated. The simulation behind it is the important part, and changing databases to use Cold War equipment, or Korea-era equipment also isn't something that is *needed* to be automated, compared to other things that can be done to the game. If you're wanting a slick game that does everything for you, and doesn't require 'external knowledge' to play, then you may be playing the wrong thing, really.

Posted
Harpoon's a simulation more than a game, so it will require more knowledge. It's always been that way. This is no arcade game. :D Fact is, the interface hasn't been updated in years, and is a bit clunky at times, but it doesn't *need* to be updated. The simulation behind it is the important part, and changing databases to use Cold War equipment, or Korea-era equipment also isn't something that is *needed* to be automated, compared to other things that can be done to the game. If you're wanting a slick game that does everything for you, and doesn't require 'external knowledge' to play, then you may be playing the wrong thing, really.

 

Well put. B)

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