16 replies to this topic

[Eric P.]

Good Masters,

Please see the SoS thread that became a discussion of TDD as well here: How to start SoS? Hoppy has been helping me attempt to get first SoS, then backpedaling to TDD, to install and play in BGII - SoA/ToB under Mac OS X 10.4.11. Starting from a clean install with the latest ToB patch, here's what I installed:

// Log of Currently Installed WeiDU Mods
// The top of the file is the 'oldest' mod
// ~TP2_File~ #language_number #component_number // [Subcomponent Name -> ] Component Name [ : Version]
~SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #0 // BG2 Fixpack - Core Fixes: v9
~SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #1000 // BG2 Fixpack - Game Text Update -> GTU Light (by Wisp): v9
~SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #2 // Super Happy Fun Lucky Modder Pack: v9
~SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #3 // BETA Core Fixes (please check the readme!): v9
~SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #100 // Party Gets XP for Sending Keldorn to Reconcile With Maria: v9
~SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #101 // Improved Spell Animations: v9
~SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #102 // Cromwell's Forging Actually Takes a Day: v9
~SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #103 // Mixed-Use Dagger Fixes: v9
~SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #104 // Ghreyfain's Holy Symbol Fixes: v9
~SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #106 // Giants Receive Penalties When Attacking Halflings, Dwarves, and Gnomes: v9
~SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #107 // Remove Dual-Classing Restriction from Archers and Stalkers: v9
~SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #108 // Remove Second Attribute Bonus for Evil Path in Wrath Hell Trial: v9
~SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #109 // Corrected Summoned Demon Behavior: v9
~SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #110 // Additional Script Fixes: v9
~SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #111 // Bard Song Fixes: v9
~SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #112 // Wizard Slayers Cause Miscast Magic on Ranged Attacks: v9
~SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #113 // Additional Alignment Fixes: v9
~SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #114 // Change Free Action to Protect Against Stun: v9
~1PP.TP2~ #0 #0 // 1PP: Everything but Potions: v2.7
~ITEM_REV.TP2~ #0 #0 // Item Revisions by Demivrgvs: v2 (Hotfix 20091009)
~ITEM_REV.TP2~ #0 #1 // Masterwork Weapons: v2 (Hotfix 20091009)
~SETUP-TDD.TP2~ #0 #0 // The Darkest Day, v1.12
~SETUP-TDD.TP2~ #0 #1 // TDD Character Kits
~SETUP-BP-BGT-WORLDMAP.TP2~ #0 #0 // Worldmap for Baldur's Gate v7.1 - including colored Baldur's Gate map icons -> New Worldmap for use with Mega Modification...: v7.1
~SETUP-BP-BGT-WORLDMAP.TP2~ #0 #2 // Worldmap for Throne of Bhall -> Use new Worldmap for Throne of Bhaal as well: v7.1

When I installed TDD, as the other discussion thread shows, I had quite an adventure just getting files to go where they're supposed to go, and I don't think that was 100% successful. Regardless, the game plays somewhat as it should. I've hit snags that have me wondering if I should continue working on this, or if what all is necessary to properly Macify this mod (and then SoS as well) is too far beyond my ability...and I wonder if anyone else would be willing to tackle the project.

Is there any hope for this, or should I abandon all hope and proceed with installing the rest of the mods I want to use? I've never encountered the kinds of difficulties I've been experiencing with this, but the mods interest me enough to want to get them to install and work as they should.

I've learned that .bat files can be made into .sh files for use with weidu-mac, and this will likely be useful for other mods, including the one I'm creating. I've also learned that having a lot of biffing happening during mod install is a pain, and I'd prefer to spend any amount of time on an alternate method of processing files. I was disappointed to find that there's no such thing as a mosunpack that I can use (to my knowledge, anyway), and I don't feel ready to attempt to create one.

Please share your thoughts with me about all this, as TDD is currently unplayable due to the latest area-specific CTD issue reported in the SoS thread. At least some of the content of both mods functions as it should

Thanks,
Eric

[the bigg]

Why am I being associated with TDD and/or Apple products?

[Eric P.]

Why am I being associated with TDD and/or Apple products?

I'm not trying to associate you to these specifically, but rather to pick your experience brain as to the process. If you don't wish to participate in this discussion, that's fine, and I apologize for inadvertently wasting your time.

Thanks,
Eric

Edited by Eric P., 05 May 2010 - 09:48 AM.

[Miloch]

Likewise, I have no knowledge of TDD or OS X. The only person out of the 3 you mentioned who does might be devSin, though whether he's willing to come here and fix TDD for Mac is another question entirely .

You're probably going to have a lot of issues with old monsters like TDD that have nothing to do with your OS, so I would suggest skipping such mods for now and try to make smaller, less buggy mods compatible instead. I've attempted to make most of my mods OS X compatible, but I've no idea if it's worked since AFAIK no one's tested them. Mainly that consists of using .sh files instead of .bat as you've noted, sox instead of oggdec (though I phased out both of those by using WAVCs instead of OGGs). Tisunpack should be compatible with both AFAIK. I don't know what mosunpack is or why it'd be necessary (.mos files are specific to IE and fairly simple). The mods that patch the .exe probably aren't Mac-compatible but again, I've got no clue.

[Eric P.]

Likewise, I have no knowledge of TDD or OS X. The only person out of the 3 you mentioned who does might be devSin, though whether he's willing to come here and fix TDD for Mac is another question entirely .

You're probably going to have a lot of issues with old monsters like TDD that have nothing to do with your OS, so I would suggest skipping such mods for now and try to make smaller, less buggy mods compatible instead. I've attempted to make most of my mods OS X compatible, but I've no idea if it's worked since AFAIK no one's tested them. Mainly that consists of using .sh files instead of .bat as you've noted, sox instead of oggdec (though I phased out both of those by using WAVCs instead of OGGs). Tisunpack should be compatible with both AFAIK. I don't know what mosunpack is or why it'd be necessary (.mos files are specific to IE and fairly simple). The mods that patch the .exe probably aren't Mac-compatible but again, I've got no clue.

OK, I'll bow out for now, at least, on the TDD/SoS issue. I can confirm that sox is what we Mac users need instead of oggdec. I'm very pleased to see that someone out there avoids the .ogg mess. Some mods convert those files successfully during installation on my system, while others don't, and sometimes the .ogg files are left behind in the override even after being converted to .wavs and placed in the sounds folder, where I like them to be. So, I always have to check the override folder after installing to see if any .oggs are left over, and whether or not I need to use an app to convert 'em. As for mosunpack, there's a component on the Windows side called mosunpack.exe. I first saw it with TDD, if memory serves. I didn't know if there was a way to take the file and convert it for use on the Mac; if there is a way, I don't know it, and such a tool currently doesn't exist for Mac. Tisunpack is fully compatible, yes. As for patching the .exe (by that, I take it you're referring to the BGII game app itself), I've noticed that some mod installs simply check for the presence of a file with the name "baldur.exe", so I have a dummy file in the BGII folder with that name. Any mod that attempts to patch that, though, will of course get errors. AFAIK, the game app itself is never altered under Mac OS X by any mods.

So, it's been a learning experience, and interesting to see at least partial success with the playability of TDD and SoS. Now I'll focus my attention on my own mod, which I'm again working on (as you know), and with the assistance I'm providing to Lava for the upcoming Yvette mod

Thanks,
Eric

*Sound of towel being thrown in*

[berelinde]

Part of the problem is the packaging. Most modders package on Windows. I'm told that even having OSX executables on a Windows system removes their executable flags, so all the setup-mymod.command and sox and tisunpack in the world world won't work without delicate handling. Most modders do try to get Mac test installers, but sometimes, they're hard to find.

[Eric P.]

Part of the problem is the packaging. Most modders package on Windows. I'm told that even having OSX executables on a Windows system removes their executable flags, so all the setup-mymod.command and sox and tisunpack in the world world won't work without delicate handling. Most modders do try to get Mac test installers, but sometimes, they're hard to find.

I'm not hard to find Maybe I should make some sort of general announcement that I'm willing to test just about any mod for BGII - SoA/ToB, because I am. Sometimes I wish I had either a PC tower or Boot Camp + Windows on my Mac, but either option is currently out of my financial reach. If I can become cross-platform in that way, I'll be able to navigate all this stuff much more easily. For now, though, I'll keep researching, stumbling along, and asking loads of questions till I get the hang of things.

We really do need more Mac folks involved...

Thanks,
Eric

[Leonardo Watson]

Although I have developed BWP on a PC, I am a Mac fan from conviction. I want to create an BWP installer for Mac OSX but I have to learn AppleScript before. So at the moment I am not any help to you. But you are not alone.

[Eric P.]

Although I have developed BWP on a PC, I am a Mac fan from conviction. I want to create an BWP installer for Mac OSX but I have to learn AppleScript before. So at the moment I am not any help to you. But you are not alone.

I hadn't thought about using AppleScript, but that might possibly have advantages. I have a bad (?) habit of doing things the hard way, and then finding more efficient methods later, like writing HTML code by hand to create a Web page instead of using software designed for doing that *LOL* Well, whatever works

Thanks,
Eric

[the bigg]

Talking about the hard way... why not use Java (/ruby/python/...) and do it cross-platform rather than coding it in clumsy and non-portable languages like autoit, batch or appletalk?

[Leonardo Watson]

Java might be the best way of all, but unfortunately I am no coder and don't have any idea of it.

[the bigg]

Java might be the best way of all, but unfortunately I am no coder and don't have any idea of it.

Java is not a good introductory language, but if you're thinking of learning Applescript IMHO you should learn Python or Ruby or look for somebody to port BWS to Java instead.

[dabus]

@the bigg:
Yes, if someone is willing to do the coding, other languages that are not "niche"-products would be nice.
Python and ruby may cause some trouble since they need some stuff to have a GUI on linux/windows/mac.

Pro-Windows:

• Some mods are packaged for windows only like NSIS/Inno-setups.
  
• Mods might use batches to do some converting, so a lot of mods would be usable on windows only.
  
• I guess that supporting mac and linux, keep track of different packages and so on would be quite some work
  
• And ... most gamers *have* some flavor of windows anyway

[the bigg]

Huh, turns out I still have the source for some elements of my grandiose graduation project (basically, merging the functions of WeiGUI.exe and BWS in Java). It's too early to say if I'll actually be un-lazy enough to do it (or polish it enough to pull in meaningful additional help), but it's a portion of a potential quasi-start.

[Eric P.]

Talking about the hard way... why not use Java (/ruby/python/...) and do it cross-platform rather than coding it in clumsy and non-portable languages like autoit, batch or appletalk?

For me, the answer is that I have 0 experience writing in Java or Javascript, and have no desire to learn it.

- E

[Hoppy]

Epic Endeavors has an OSX version and a Windows version. Looks like Isaya is the maintainer and he might have some insight as to what to do for the two different OS...or point you to someone who does.

[Eric P.]

Epic Endeavors has an OSX version and a Windows version. Looks like Isaya is the maintainer and he might have some insight as to what to do for the two different OS...or point you to someone who does.

Oh, yes, I've chatted with him a bit before, when I made a separate installation to test Epic Endeavors. It mostly worked, too, and then I kinda dropped the ball on further work. The mod's been updated since. Well, Maybe I'll send a message, but it's very disappointing to ask for help and get shut down so often...

Thanks,
Eric