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The Future of PotC Modding

So, Here is what we know about the map and what it could possibly mean for us if we want to mod it.

As CCC said, the map is big model, I just checked it with the GM viewer, but does it have boundaries?

If the map does not have boundaries or the boundaries can be set, then I could make a 3D model of the entire caribbean continental coast, but I have the feeling that the 3D part is going to be just the tip of the iceberg.

Then if we are lucky enough and manage to expand the map here comes the tricki part, the collision detection. To create the new map we need to generate an entire new collition model for the spanish main and rearrange the collision model of the existing islands. you can count on me to add the new land, but as I said before I need help with the collisions.

Are the new islands imported from AOP?
 
<img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/par-ty.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":cheers" border="0" alt="par-ty.gif" /> <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/hi.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":gday" border="0" alt="hi.gif" /> Nathan, you have been missed both for your spirt, which has survived in a new generation of modders. your geneosity and of course you contrbution.

A lot of exciting things are going on with the game and we really could use some help with bug killing, but even if you don't have time don't be a stranger.


Soooo glad to see you back in the waters.

<img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/keith.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":keith" border="0" alt="keith.gif" />
 
WELCOME BACK NATHAN! You are MOST welcome! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/william.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":will" border="0" alt="william.gif" />

About the map: I think that engine limitations prevent you to make the mainland in the game. Unless you cut the mainland up in seperate islands. But you'd need to add new locators to the map and basically change everything about it, which is not a small feat. Also: I think the map does have boundaries.
The current enlarged archipelage map was imported from the Russian SLiB mod, not from AoP.
 
regarding islands, i think we should attempt to remodel some of them, in particular cuba and the new islands, they are too much like cliffs rising out of the oceans, we need more....realistic islands, that have nice loon long sandy beaches.
 
To Pieter: I also had the idea of subdividing the mainland, otherwise the player could use the sail to function to travel miles and miles <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink.gif" />

To Merciless, I know how to create contour models in 3D max and transform them to terrain, creating the islands should not be a problem, all I need is a good texture and someone who can tell me how to generate collision models.
 
As a humble introduction of myself, let me get off my hat before the long waited Captain Kell.

To Capitan Caceres: REALLY good idea, to slowly (so lets fully focus on the main purposes Pieter framed, these are second) get import more, and more good features from AOP just in a bit modified way! You got my full support, matey.

for example:
the 5-6 different sword attack types in AOP great, but if we manage to do 3 different sword attack type, a bit working like: scissor-stone-paper,
it should be real good, and enough!
The different attack animations are given, just the fencing ai uses them random, as decoration.
Just need to reorganize them, and make a system around.

To Nathan,
Couch Captain Charles,
Inez,
Screwface,
and all the high sea coders:

Please, post all suggestions, were to start to learn POTC system.
Im a php, delphi programmer.
I know basic, little C. Im going to start learning visual C++ hard,
If you have any other suggestions, what to learn, please let me know.

And let me strenghten the 'ask for collision model creating' that could be a GREAT leverage to us.

Greetings to every lad, let all flags fly!
For the rebirth of POTC modding!

The Wolf : sea threat.
 
I think we could start picking tasks, I choose to model the land and the buildings, so PLEASE, help me with the collision thing, then I will be able to create totally new locations.
 
Ahoy, Toddydude, Meigger, kblack, Jason, Pieter, Dan TLW!
And thank you for all the kind words. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" /> <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/oops3.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":eek:ops2" border="0" alt="oops3.gif" /> <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/par-ty.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":cheers" border="0" alt="par-ty.gif" />

Regarding the map. Pieter's right--AFAIK, the map is limited to +/- 1000 units in each direction (turn on the section of console.c that logs your worldmap position, and sail until you can't anymore.) However, you could simulate a larger map by setting time to 0.25, say, and increasing hourspersec. (And decreasing the size of all the landmasses). Ship turn rates would be lessened (and the view distances wouldn't change) but you could make the map feel bigger that way (i.e. take longer to traverse). You'd also want to change the map:sea scale factor.

But for in-game-time reasons the islands should be kept small--you can't load only part of an island to sea mode (well technically you can, if you break up the island meshes, and make 'automatic reload zones' at the edges. But that's a real big can o'worms).

Dan TLW: Regarding melee. You might like to have a peek at this thread:
<a href="http://forum.piratesahoy.net/index.php?showtopic=5639" target="_blank">http://forum.piratesahoy.net/index.php?showtopic=5639</a>
And the threads it links to. It has some ideas and notes on POTC's fighting system and anims. There also are probably still some code scraps I made when doing that research still in the build's console.c file.

Capitan Caceres: POTC doesn't really do separate collision, SFAIK. Well, it may do something with ships; but for location mode you can walk where the walk path says you can and nowhere else; and at sea or on the map I believe it's done straight off the geometry. Or have you found otherwise?
 
Welcome back NATHAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......oppppppps...sorry I'm late...hehe
 
Dan TLW, as far as where to start learning. If you know C, you know (more or less) how POTC's script works.
For differences, pecularities, and general info, see the 'POTC C' sticky at the top of this forum; also where I'm posting a reply to your question.
 
< Fred Bob be a lookin', den a rubbin' his eyes, an' a lookin' agin! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":eek:" border="0" alt="ohmy.gif" /> >

Ahoy thar, Nathan, me ol' matey! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_mrgreen1.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":cheeky" border="0" alt="icon_mrgreen1.gif" />

Fred Bob be glad tew see yer name about dese 'ere parts onct agin! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/onya.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":onya" border="0" alt="onya.gif" />
 
Cheers pirate modders!!

I'd like to volunteer 1 hr a week to be either Project Manager or Secretary for this collection of mods (Build 13 - with a purpose :p). Keeping a track of who is doing what & how far they've gotten as it goes along.

From what I've read it sounds like you guys are great at the technical side (what the heck is 'bumpmapping'?), and I think you should not have to worry about the administrative side of things (timelines, resource allocations, who has what info, etc.).

So this is where I think I can come in <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" />

Now my limitations:

1. Haven't played POTC yet - don't SHOOT!!

I bought it about a month ago, but have travelled halfway around the world & have just been settling back in here, so I'll start in the next couple days, probably.

2. Have no experience with modding; no technical background (well, except Chemistry <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" />)

3. That's all I can think of for now.

What I do have is management, and basic project management experience.

PM me if you think I can help.
 
<!--quoteo(post=143780:date=Mar 28 2006, 07:12 PM:name=Pieter Boelen)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pieter Boelen @ Mar 28 2006, 07:12 PM) [snapback]143780[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
<!--quoteo(post=143777:date=Mar 28 2006, 07:08 PM:name=Cpt.YuKe)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Cpt.YuKe @ Mar 28 2006, 07:08 PM) [snapback]143777[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
pieter a half year?? i'll say buy a laptop and wireless internet for about 40.000km:p?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
If I manage to get aboard a Holland America Line ship, I reckon they'll be having internet there. If so, I'll try to figure something out. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/yes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":yes" border="0" alt="yes.gif" />
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/type_1.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":nk" border="0" alt="type_1.gif" /> <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/type_1.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":nk" border="0" alt="type_1.gif" /> <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/type_1.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":nk" border="0" alt="type_1.gif" /> <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/type_1.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":nk" border="0" alt="type_1.gif" /> yippie :p
 
<!--quoteo(post=144523:date=Apr 3 2006, 11:01 PM:name=Fred Bob)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Fred Bob @ Apr 3 2006, 11:01 PM) [snapback]144523[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
< Fred Bob be a lookin', den a rubbin' his eyes, an' a lookin' agin! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":eek:" border="0" alt="ohmy.gif" /> >

Ahoy thar, Nathan, me ol' matey! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_mrgreen1.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":cheeky" border="0" alt="icon_mrgreen1.gif" />

Fred Bob be glad tew see yer name about dese 'ere parts onct agin! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/onya.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":onya" border="0" alt="onya.gif" />
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

<img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/hi.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":gday" border="0" alt="hi.gif" /> Nathan <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/par-ty.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":cheers" border="0" alt="par-ty.gif" />

Freb Bob be say'n it best.
 
<!--quoteo(post=144510:date=Apr 4 2006, 01:14 AM:name=NathanKell)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NathanKell @ Apr 4 2006, 01:14 AM) [snapback]144510[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
Capitan Caceres: POTC doesn't really do separate collision, SFAIK. Well, it may do something with ships; but for location mode you can walk where the walk path says you can and nowhere else; and at sea or on the map I believe it's done straight off the geometry. Or have you found otherwise?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Nathan is (of course) right: It's all in the model. If you move the New Islands model into an old installation (only the islands.gm file and nothing else) it will work - sort of: the positions of ports and beaches are of course all wrong. But you can sail among the new islands and if you collide with one of them your ship stops. So no need to worry about the collision detection.
 
Hey, Fred Bob! Great to see there's still good shrimpin' in these parts. :]
Cap'n Petros, you too!
Thanks to the both of ye. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />

CCC: I wonder how tight we can make passages on the worldmap--for concave islands, that'll set a lower limit on the size we can reduce things to on the worldmap.
(And there ain't no 'of course' to it. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" /> )
 
<!--quoteo(post=143577:date=Mar 27 2006, 05:30 AM:name=Pieter Boelen)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pieter Boelen @ Mar 27 2006, 05:30 AM) [snapback]143577[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->

- If you are a gamer who would like to mod, would you like to learn modding by participating in this community project?

<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

<img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/hi.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":gday" border="0" alt="hi.gif" /> Hallo. Yup, I'm new to the whole modding experience and would like to learn. What exactly does a newbie like me need to get started?
<img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/dunno.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":shrug" border="0" alt="dunno.gif" />
 
<!--quoteo(post=146165:date=Apr 21 2006, 06:30 PM:name=Vanderdecken)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Vanderdecken @ Apr 21 2006, 06:30 PM) [snapback]146165[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
<!--quoteo(post=143577:date=Mar 27 2006, 05:30 AM:name=Pieter Boelen)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pieter Boelen @ Mar 27 2006, 05:30 AM) [snapback]143577[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->

- If you are a gamer who would like to mod, would you like to learn modding by participating in this community project?

<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

<img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/hi.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":gday" border="0" alt="hi.gif" /> Hallo. Yup, I'm new to the whole modding experience and would like to learn. What exactly does a newbie like me need to get started?
<img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/dunno.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":shrug" border="0" alt="dunno.gif" />
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->


- Some knowledge of programming
- some basic knowledge of "C" sintaxis
- read the posts in <a href="http://forum.piratesahoy.net/index.php?showtopic=318" target="_blank">http://forum.piratesahoy.net/index.php?showtopic=318</a>
- read the file "C:\Program Files\Bethesda Softworks\Pirates of the Caribbean\buildinfo\Keywords.c"
- spend time looking into the .c files in the PROGRAM subdirectories


Well, thats to modify code. To Mod new ships, characters, or landscapes... I've no idea ;-)

Welcome aboard.


Kblack
 
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