If I wanted to have multiple databases, how would I go about doing it.

 

For example; I want a separate database for each of the battlesets, including the new battlesets like the South Atlantic. How would I go about creating said databases and then integrating them into the game without screwing anything up?

 

This would allow me to add installations and additional ship/aircraft/weapon platforms for different time periods. I am concerned that there aren't enough slots left in the current database to do this.

 

Any help would be appreciated. If the topic has already been raised, please send me to the correct posting.

 

Steven M

First off....and it should go without saying...make a copy of your original CommonDB and CommonRES files and store them in a directory outside of your harpoon directory as a back up.

 

Next, I would make a separate folder in the Harpoon directory with the name of each DB you want to use on it.

 

For example if I want to use the Original, one I made, and one Tony made I would make 3 folders naming 1 OriginalDB, 1 AkulaDB and 1 TonyDB.

 

Now make another copy of the Original CommonDB and CommonRES files and put it in the OriginalDB folder. Do the same with the other 2 DBs by putting them in their respective files.

 

Now when you want to change from 1 DB to the other, you can just go into the correct folder, COPY both files, then Paste them in the main Harpoon directory, choosing to overwrite the existing file. To change back to the original, just repeat this step with the corresponding Folders commonDB and CommonRES files.

 

That is the way I do it. Other people might do it differently.

 

Also, when you update to a newer Official DB, be sure to update it in the OriginalDB folder as well. They should just unzip and overwrite existing files. Don't forget to do this or you will end up with an older version of the Official DB the next time you swap back to OriginalDB.

 

The creating part is a little more complicated. You can use the blankDB found here in the downloads section. I would be sure to name the DB in the PE something pertinent. Forexample a Falklands War time period DB I might name Falklands or SA1980s. Do you editing, then export it. Do the same for it as you have already done for your other DBs, that is make a folder with its name on it, copy it into that folder.

 

PE should always read the DB that is active in the main directory. If it isn't, and you are sure you moved the one you want to work on into the main directory, simply use import from the main PE screen and it should reload the PE with the correct DB.

 

I'm not quite as good with the PE as CV32, so he may be able to help explain this part a little better.

First off....and it should go without saying...make a copy of your original CommonDB and CommonRES files and store them in a directory outside of your harpoon directory as a back up.

 

Next, I would make a separate folder in the Harpoon directory with the name of each DB you want to use on it.

 

For example if I want to use the Original, one I made, and one Tony made I would make 3 folders naming 1 OriginalDB, 1 AkulaDB and 1 TonyDB.

 

Now make another copy of the Original CommonDB and CommonRES files and put it in the OriginalDB folder. Do the same with the other 2 DBs by putting them in their respective files.

 

Now when you want to change from 1 DB to the other, you can just go into the correct folder, COPY both files, then Paste them in the main Harpoon directory, choosing to overwrite the existing file. To change back to the original, just repeat this step with the corresponding Folders commonDB and CommonRES files.

 

That is the way I do it. Other people might do it differently.

 

Also, when you update to a newer Official DB, be sure to update it in the OriginalDB folder as well. They should just unzip and overwrite existing files. Don't forget to do this or you will end up with an older version of the Official DB the next time you swap back to OriginalDB.

 

The creating part is a little more complicated. You can use the blankDB found here in the downloads section. I would be sure to name the DB in the PE something pertinent. Forexample a Falklands War time period DB I might name Falklands or SA1980s. Do you editing, then export it. Do the same for it as you have already done for your other DBs, that is make a folder with its name on it, copy it into that folder.

 

PE should always read the DB that is active in the main directory. If it isn't, and you are sure you moved the one you want to work on into the main directory, simply use import from the main PE screen and it should reload the PE with the correct DB.

 

I'm not quite as good with the PE as CV32, so he may be able to help explain this part a little better.

 

Akula,

 

For what it's worth, I've played around with this multiple DP stuff quit a bit, and if there's an easier way to do it than what you describe, I haven't found it. I'd like to figure out a way to automate the process, but since I'm not a programmer, the odds of that are pretty slim.

 

Buddha

To Akula & TEPonta:

 

Thank you for your response. I'll probably have additional questions, considering my general lack of skill computer wise. But this gives me a starting point.

 

Steven

Akula:

 

I'm looking over your method for establishing multiple databases. When referring to CommonDB and CommonRES files, I find a folder for commondb and also a file for commondb. Should i move the whole folder or the seperate file. Also I'm looking for a file CommonRES, but I don't find one. I do find in the commondb folder another folder "res" is this the item you are referring to?

 

Thanks for your help.

 

Steven

Akula:

 

I'm looking over your method for establishing multiple databases. When referring to CommonDB and CommonRES files, I find a folder for commondb and also a file for commondb. Should i move the whole folder or the seperate file. Also I'm looking for a file CommonRES, but I don't find one. I do find in the commondb folder another folder "res" is this the item you are referring to?

 

Thanks for your help.

 

Steven

 

It's probably not necessary, as only the files in the main directory affect what the GE reads. However, I did make a back-up copy of mine just in case. Basically it can't hurt, but may not actually be necessary.