20 replies to this topic

[Azkyroth]

While browsing the IESDP I found the following information in their entry on the BG2 "specific.ids" file:

The file is extensible, and new entries can be added for example, adding 55 MYSPECIFIC will allow MYSPECIFIC to be used in scripts.

If I'm interpreting this correctly, it means that I could create a special entry (possibly two or three) for characters in Arkalian's mod that need to be handled in a slightly different way by certain spells and scripts. This would be enormously useful. However, I'm a bit concerned about possible compatibility issues, since while it would be simple to add an entry to specific.ids via the TP2, if another mod is already using that entry it might be overwritten, which could potentially cause problems. To aid me in selecting numbers for any specific.ids entries I add with Arkalian, if anyone knows of any mods that presently add new, custom specific.ids entries, I'd appreciate the names and, if possible, the numbers of the values they add.

(Note: question posted at SHS, G3, and PPG for maximum exposure.)

[SConrad]

I can't answer the question about the .ids itself and don't know if it'll work or not, but about your worry of incompatibility, it should be possible to read the latest value added and add your own values after that (so if the last value is 55, your value will be 56).

[Azkyroth]

I can't answer the question about the .ids itself and don't know if it'll work or not, but about your worry of incompatibility, it should be possible to read the latest value added and add your own values after that (so if the last value is 55, your value will be 56).

Won't that require using a variable to patch every item or spell that refers to it? (The scripts should be fine, I realize...)

[Gort]

it won't

[Azkyroth]

it won't

The "Use EFF file" opcode parameters refer to entry numbers, not entry text. How would I set it to make sure it uses the correct specific.ids reference unless I was either using a variable to patch it to use the right one, or a pre-established entry number?

[Gort]

I'm not sure I understand what are you saying. A creature has its own specific identifier. It it's the same as listed in .EFF file, the effect will be applied. If you don't change cre's identifier, nor effect, why would something else require fixing?

[Azkyroth]

If I can make this work, there will be at least one creature in the modded game with a specific.ids identifier that is not found in the original game (presently it has like 3-4 entries; I'm not sure how many are actually used), which certain spells will have to be patched to apply an additional EFF file (which is not found in the original game either) to. The Use EFF file opcode that will have to be patched in will have to be able to correctly identify that new identifier and apply that extra EFF file if the spells so patched are used on the creature in question. The only ways I can see to make this work are to either decide on what the number of that new identifier will be beforehand, or use a variable to insert the correct value into the patches for those spells.

Edited by Azkyroth, 06 October 2007 - 01:20 AM.

[SConrad]

I can't answer the question about the .ids itself and don't know if it'll work or not, but about your worry of incompatibility, it should be possible to read the latest value added and add your own values after that (so if the last value is 55, your value will be 56).

Won't that require using a variable to patch every item or spell that refers to it? (The scripts should be fine, I realize...)

If it requires an id, then yes, you might. But if you know what the value is (which you should if you're patching the .ids correctly), then it's no problem to use that value when patching the other files as well.

[Gort]

It won't require patching every spell that refers to specific .ids. But of course, spells that you want to alter have to be patched. What's the problem? use a variable

Edited by Gort, 06 October 2007 - 01:22 AM.

[Azkyroth]

If it requires an id, then yes, you might. But if you know what the value is (which you should if you're patching the .ids correctly), then it's no problem to use that value when patching the other files as well.

Which is why I'm asking, because I want to do it that way, but I also want to make sure I don't overwrite anyone else's mod-added identifier in the process. Using a variable would work, but then I have to figure out how before proceeding, and it's not entirely obvious from the WeiDU.org readme how to approach that. O.o

[Gort]

edit: stupid post

Edited by Gort, 08 October 2007 - 02:02 AM.

[SConrad]

Here's the procedure:

1. Find out the last entry in specifics.ids.

2. Set a variable to be <entry> +1.

3. Use variable to append specifics.ids with your new specifics.

4. Use the same variable when patching other files.

As for how to do it... well, I could help you with the details of that, if you wish.

[Azkyroth]

Here's the procedure:

1. Find out the last entry in specifics.ids.

2. Set a variable to be <entry> +1.

3. Use variable to append specifics.ids with your new specifics.

4. Use the same variable when patching other files.

As for how to do it... well, I could help you with the details of that, if you wish.

There seems to be an additional complication in that the unmodded BG2 + TOB contains four entries in specific.ids, but the total set of creatures use about 30+ different specific.ids values (the weird ones all seem to be for TOB creatures, though). O.o So, using that method may result in Unintended Consequences. Maybe better to just find a value and stick with it.

[Gort]

you can just which values are already in use, take the greatest, see if it's greater then 102 and start with it if it is (+mod added enties amount, if there any)

Edited by Gort, 06 October 2007 - 01:49 AM.

[Azkyroth]

you can just which values are already in use, take the greatest, see if it's greater then 102 and start with it if it is

I'm not sure that would work, though. The latest problems I've identified are that specific.ids consists of the following:

5
1 NORMAL
101 MAGIC
102 NO_MAGIC

Whereas there are creatures in the unmodded game with any of these values for specific.ids, 0 (unused, apparently; this is the vast majority), or any of the following: 111, 77, 8, 55, 66, 255, 99, 211, 77, 10...etc.

So, if the last actual ENTRY in a modded specific.ids is 54, or 65, or 110, etc. the next entry may be assigned to a specific.ids that other creatures in the game have. This may have very weird effects.

[Gort]

I mean, take the greatest number used in the game (255?), count rows, subtract 3 from it (original game count), add the result to the greatest number and that would be your variable. That's how I'd do that if I needed.

Edited by Gort, 06 October 2007 - 01:55 AM.

[SConrad]

I would advise testing. It's sometimes difficult to predict the exact effects - so just try and see how it goes.

[Rabain]

I'm pretty sure it's possible to get a list of existing values from creature eff's using weidu.

I don't know how to do it but I'm sure it's possible!

[Azkyroth]

I'm pretty sure it's possible to get a list of existing values from creature eff's using weidu.

I don't know how to do it but I'm sure it's possible!

It's possibly to get a list of existing values from Near Infinity, too. There's just a lot to write down and work around in the TP2.

Unless someone tells me differently I'm going to go ahead and use 17 for the one I know I'll need, and add others as needed.

[Rabain]

I meant weidu can output a list for you, so you don't have to do the hard work.

Instead of having to search and create your own list.