Post by derelict68 on May 23, 2008 17:24:40 GMT -5
Hello All,
I like my mods and as some may know I play GZ2 from my Media center, so to pull out a keyboard/mouse to switch my mod got to be a pain. So I created a simple VB app I hope to expand on, maybe later tonight, maybe tomorrow, maybe never...especially if mod-switching is planned for a recent release, but for now this will work.
I just decided to do this today since I didn't feel like working after everybody left for the holiday.
Onto the app, just install it into the root directory of GZ2, a folder is created named "Mods", and put all of your mods in seperate folders within that folder. The default mod ifolder s already there., just place the default "resources" folder into it. Each mod folder must have a single folder in it named "Resources". So the app will display a list of the mods you have, when you select one and hit "Enter" it will copy the resources directory from your mods folder to the root folder and launch GuitarStar.exe. If you change your mind and want out before choosing a mode, then just hit "Esc".
To use the new update 3, you can use your standard config file however name support and resolution support require some new text added into your config.xml. I have included a sample config.xml with some sample names and resolutions. There is support for up to 10 of each, just create a new key with the next number behind it.
All of my links broke at some point, and at the same point my computer crashed. I have been unable to reassemble all of the setup packages. Let me know if you would like an older one and I'll piece it back together.
Just finished a new beta for 3.1,0.0. This incorporates being able to switch the stage graphics prior to loading a mod. I'm not sold on having the graphics be in every mod folder, but that is how it is for now. Please give your feedback. With the new beta, on the options screen when you have the "Stage" property highlighted, a new button becomes visible named "Change Stage". In there, based on if you have Image, Animated2D, or Video will determine what list you get. It will look for a folder within the selected Mod folder's resources\textures folder named "Graphics". Inside of "Graphics" You need a "Stages" folder. Inside of the "Stages" folder you need an "Image" folder, "Animated2D" folder, and a "Video" folder. You don't need the folder if you won't have anything in it. The images and video folders just need to files in them, where the animated2D folder needs a folder for each stage you have named appropriately, and inside of that folder needs to be the stage2D folder and the stage2D.xml.
This is just a beta, but still let me know all of the issues you find. Thanks!
64bit version is also now available, however it will always be available as a seperate version. By having to put all of the ocx code within the project it really slows down the system. If 64bit users start to get annoyed with the slowness, I might try to speed it up somehow, but for now its a working version.
Known Issues TBF (To Be Fixed):
None Currently
Known Issues NPF (No Planned Fix):
-Slow response during resize
-Different sizes/resolutions might make the scroll bar visible
Possible Updates (definately not in order of priority):
B. Instead of standard highlight, change color of mod title
D. Better Icon
E. Talk Callisto into creating the functionality in game so as to obsolete this app
F. Transparent listbox so I could make the menu preview full screen.
H. If multiple stages/backgrounds/videos are present in the mod, allow the user to choose which one they want for that session
I. Use config.xml to save the last mod chosen and automatically start with that mod highlighted
J. When at the top of the list, if "Up" is pushed wrap around to the bottom of the list.
K. If a new name or resolution is typed in, save it to the config.xml
L. Ability to type in a name and resolution using 9 digit number pad (like from a remote)
M. Preview 2D stage and video when changing stages
N. Add ability to use the "Graphics" folder built for changing stages to change other things like fretboards.
O. Perhaps move the "Graphics" folder outside of the "Mods" folder so if you want multiple mods to have the same stages, you don't need to have multiple copies of the stage.
Good luck!
Updates
For users that have previously installed any 2.X.0.X version or beyond, you should be able to just use the updated exe. The download includes the updated exe and a sample config.xml.
Version 3.1.0.0 [BETA]
64bit Version
Download 4.1.0.0
Install VLC Player from here
Full Downloads
Full-Featured
Full Screen - Download Version 3.1.0.0 [BETA]
Full Screen - Download Version 3.0.0.0
Windowed Version - 3.0.0.1 Coming Soon
VISTA USERS - You may need to download this file and do the following steps to get this to work:
unzip and copy it to your "system32" directory, normally found in "C:\Windows"
Go to the start menu and choose "Run"
Type "cmd" to open a command prompt
type "regsvr32 AlphaImageControl.ocx"
Version History
Version 4.X.X.X - 64bit functionality added, however requires VLC player to be installed seperate
Version 3.1.X.X - Added ability to change stages, whether its Image, Animated2D, or Video stages.
Version 3.X.X.X - Added random menu song from background folder, and uses standard song if background folder does not exist or there is nothing in it, also this is the revision that has the config.xml editting directly in the modswitcher so you can do some basic configuration editting prior to launching the game.
Version 2.X.X.X - Added Preview picture of menu, along with plays menu background music
Version 1.X.X.X - Initial Release, Simple List of available Mods
Version 2.5.X.X - Fixed the issue where if the size of the mod name exceeded the size of the list box, it threw a runtime error and crashed. Now it will start at a large font size, and if it comes to a mod name that is too long, it lowers the font size and tries again. Added functionality to allow a double click to select a mod instead of just enter, and added a hidden exit button in the top left corner in case you don't have access to a keyboard, you still have an exit strategy. Added sorting to sort the mods alphabetically. For the full download I added the new GZ Beta 6 default mod to the mods folder.
Version X.4.X.X - Found that some mods (e.g. Rock Band) rely on the "default" sounds for things like starpower, however if you play a mod like "Halo" which changes the starpower sound to a gunshot, if you go back to play the "Rock Band" mod, the starpower will be a gunshot still, because it itself doesn't have a "Starpower" sound to go with it. Remedied by installing the Default Mod, and before copying the chose mods files, it erases what is there, copies the default mod files, then copies the chose mod files over the top. Also, if you play 2.4.X.X, instead of the loading text, you will now see the loading screen of the chosen mod.
Version X.2.X.X - Centered available mod list to make it more visually pleasing
Version X.X.X.0 - Full Screen
Version X.X.X.1 - Windowed
Old Versions
Full Screen - Download V2.5.0.0
Windowed - Download V2.5.0.1
Full Screen - Download V2.1.0.0
Lite Version - No Images or Sounds - Frozen at current revision unless somebody PM's or posts in this thread that they'd like it uploaded.
Full Screen - Download V1.4.0.0
Windowed - Download V1.4.0.1
I like my mods and as some may know I play GZ2 from my Media center, so to pull out a keyboard/mouse to switch my mod got to be a pain. So I created a simple VB app I hope to expand on, maybe later tonight, maybe tomorrow, maybe never...especially if mod-switching is planned for a recent release, but for now this will work.
I just decided to do this today since I didn't feel like working after everybody left for the holiday.
Onto the app, just install it into the root directory of GZ2, a folder is created named "Mods", and put all of your mods in seperate folders within that folder. The default mod ifolder s already there., just place the default "resources" folder into it. Each mod folder must have a single folder in it named "Resources". So the app will display a list of the mods you have, when you select one and hit "Enter" it will copy the resources directory from your mods folder to the root folder and launch GuitarStar.exe. If you change your mind and want out before choosing a mode, then just hit "Esc".
To use the new update 3, you can use your standard config file however name support and resolution support require some new text added into your config.xml. I have included a sample config.xml with some sample names and resolutions. There is support for up to 10 of each, just create a new key with the next number behind it.
All of my links broke at some point, and at the same point my computer crashed. I have been unable to reassemble all of the setup packages. Let me know if you would like an older one and I'll piece it back together.
Just finished a new beta for 3.1,0.0. This incorporates being able to switch the stage graphics prior to loading a mod. I'm not sold on having the graphics be in every mod folder, but that is how it is for now. Please give your feedback. With the new beta, on the options screen when you have the "Stage" property highlighted, a new button becomes visible named "Change Stage". In there, based on if you have Image, Animated2D, or Video will determine what list you get. It will look for a folder within the selected Mod folder's resources\textures folder named "Graphics". Inside of "Graphics" You need a "Stages" folder. Inside of the "Stages" folder you need an "Image" folder, "Animated2D" folder, and a "Video" folder. You don't need the folder if you won't have anything in it. The images and video folders just need to files in them, where the animated2D folder needs a folder for each stage you have named appropriately, and inside of that folder needs to be the stage2D folder and the stage2D.xml.
This is just a beta, but still let me know all of the issues you find. Thanks!
64bit version is also now available, however it will always be available as a seperate version. By having to put all of the ocx code within the project it really slows down the system. If 64bit users start to get annoyed with the slowness, I might try to speed it up somehow, but for now its a working version.
Known Issues TBF (To Be Fixed):
None Currently
Known Issues NPF (No Planned Fix):
-Slow response during resize
-Different sizes/resolutions might make the scroll bar visible
Possible Updates (definately not in order of priority):
B. Instead of standard highlight, change color of mod title
D. Better Icon
E. Talk Callisto into creating the functionality in game so as to obsolete this app
F. Transparent listbox so I could make the menu preview full screen.
H. If multiple stages/backgrounds/videos are present in the mod, allow the user to choose which one they want for that session
I. Use config.xml to save the last mod chosen and automatically start with that mod highlighted
J. When at the top of the list, if "Up" is pushed wrap around to the bottom of the list.
K. If a new name or resolution is typed in, save it to the config.xml
L. Ability to type in a name and resolution using 9 digit number pad (like from a remote)
M. Preview 2D stage and video when changing stages
N. Add ability to use the "Graphics" folder built for changing stages to change other things like fretboards.
O. Perhaps move the "Graphics" folder outside of the "Mods" folder so if you want multiple mods to have the same stages, you don't need to have multiple copies of the stage.
Good luck!
Updates
For users that have previously installed any 2.X.0.X version or beyond, you should be able to just use the updated exe. The download includes the updated exe and a sample config.xml.
Version 3.1.0.0 [BETA]
64bit Version
Download 4.1.0.0
Install VLC Player from here
Full Downloads
Full-Featured
Full Screen - Download Version 3.1.0.0 [BETA]
Full Screen - Download Version 3.0.0.0
Windowed Version - 3.0.0.1 Coming Soon
VISTA USERS - You may need to download this file and do the following steps to get this to work:
unzip and copy it to your "system32" directory, normally found in "C:\Windows"
Go to the start menu and choose "Run"
Type "cmd" to open a command prompt
type "regsvr32 AlphaImageControl.ocx"
Version History
Version 4.X.X.X - 64bit functionality added, however requires VLC player to be installed seperate
Version 3.1.X.X - Added ability to change stages, whether its Image, Animated2D, or Video stages.
Version 3.X.X.X - Added random menu song from background folder, and uses standard song if background folder does not exist or there is nothing in it, also this is the revision that has the config.xml editting directly in the modswitcher so you can do some basic configuration editting prior to launching the game.
Version 2.X.X.X - Added Preview picture of menu, along with plays menu background music
Version 1.X.X.X - Initial Release, Simple List of available Mods
Version 2.5.X.X - Fixed the issue where if the size of the mod name exceeded the size of the list box, it threw a runtime error and crashed. Now it will start at a large font size, and if it comes to a mod name that is too long, it lowers the font size and tries again. Added functionality to allow a double click to select a mod instead of just enter, and added a hidden exit button in the top left corner in case you don't have access to a keyboard, you still have an exit strategy. Added sorting to sort the mods alphabetically. For the full download I added the new GZ Beta 6 default mod to the mods folder.
Version X.4.X.X - Found that some mods (e.g. Rock Band) rely on the "default" sounds for things like starpower, however if you play a mod like "Halo" which changes the starpower sound to a gunshot, if you go back to play the "Rock Band" mod, the starpower will be a gunshot still, because it itself doesn't have a "Starpower" sound to go with it. Remedied by installing the Default Mod, and before copying the chose mods files, it erases what is there, copies the default mod files, then copies the chose mod files over the top. Also, if you play 2.4.X.X, instead of the loading text, you will now see the loading screen of the chosen mod.
Version X.2.X.X - Centered available mod list to make it more visually pleasing
Version X.X.X.0 - Full Screen
Version X.X.X.1 - Windowed
Old Versions
Full Screen - Download V2.5.0.0
Windowed - Download V2.5.0.1
Full Screen - Download V2.1.0.0
Lite Version - No Images or Sounds - Frozen at current revision unless somebody PM's or posts in this thread that they'd like it uploaded.
Full Screen - Download V1.4.0.0
Windowed - Download V1.4.0.1