Doug, I have another question. When the user builds their own level, how does it get incorporated into my finished game? I want to distribute the game with all the details (C Script, panel bmps, etc.) hidden from the user. The majority of my CScript code will be the user interface, so I'm wondering how they get their own level into the game so they can still use my interface.

Regards, Ron

Personally, I could use a few links to the distributed editor and how it's used. Can't seem to find anything on the manuel or forums...

I haven't used this feature for a long time, but I believe that you just allow the user to overwrite your original levels with their own (since you can't allow them to edit the scripts). One way to do this is to create a series of dummy levels ("userone.wmb", "usertwo.wmb", etc) and encourage the user to replace them with their own. These levels can be called from a menu screen in your script.

Thanks, Doug.

So is WED actually distrubuted, but not SED?
If I own pro, then what, I can give my endusers WED to use on my .wmp's or .wmb's? Or is there some stripped down WED that gets distributed? Or am I missing the point....

Sorry, still confused

Quote:

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WEDS.EXE - distributable level editor (professional edition)

A distributable level editor, WEDS.EXE, is now copied into the CD
folder upon RESOURCE creation. If distribution of a level editor
is not desired, the files WEDS.EXE, WWMP2WMB.EXE, and ACKWED.DAT in
the CD folder can be erased. Otherwise, the WMP and WAD files
belonging to the game must be provided on the end user CD-ROM.

WEDS is a restricted version of WED. It can only edit levels
belonging to the distributed game - it can't be used as a stand alone
game development system. It uses all entities and WDL actions found
in the game resource file. The level WDL file can't be changed - it's
always the main WDL file of the game. WAD files can be loaded
externally, but not edited. RESOURCE, PUBLISH, and starter are greyed
out. All other WED features are available. The WED Tutorial folder
may also be copied onto the end user CD-ROM. The content of the
prefabs folder, however, may not.

---

quoted from: Update1.txt. Chapter: New features implemented in A4 V4.18:

Thanks a ton! A4 huh? No wonder no one, not even conitec, knows where to find the info! LOL

Doug,

Perhaps you might answer this. I have been thinking very hard about this and working on prototypes for my project. My stuff is based around buildings and here is a plan I hope you might confirm as doable.

I want to build 12 levels (buildings) for the end-user but also allow them 10 empty "slots" (.wmb's as you suggested) to build their own. I have thought of a much simpler way to allow the user to tailor the project to their own needs. I would provide all maps, models, textures, etc... and they would use this game content I provide to build their own. I would also have the .wdl attached to the levels and I would make alot of use of skills and flags that the user would set while they design their buildings and scenarios.

I understand they can't edit the wdl (which is good) and I'm confident I could allow customization on their part usely solely skills and flags. The Newton engine gave me the idea by looking at how they are using these same things themselves. I would edit the skill names so the end-user had something more descriptive to set their own values. For some general skills, I figured I could place "dummy" objects in the level and use those skills, too.

Does this seem like a good plan? Would I be able to keep my wdl protected, along with other resources? I want to provide them with the components to customize the project but yet I don't want them digging into content I want kept secure.

Thanks, Ron

Yes, that sounds right.

Good. Thanks, Doug.