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sputnik_83
sputnik_83
Join Date 02/2008
0

Combining Mods - please advise

July 13, 2013 2:20:48 PM from GalCiv II ForumsGalCiv II Forums

 

Hello everybody!

After years I reinstalled GalCiv 2 (Ultimate Edition/Steam) and really enjoyed it so far again. (still a blast of a strategy game!) But here´s my problem:

I just can´t figure out how to combine mods in a way that it makes sense and I absolutely don´t know which mods would give me the best experience.

What I would like to do is:

Take a good overhaul mod (not total conversion like Babylon, but rather more like Vanilla with extensions and bugfixes)and combine it with a weapon mod, of course the hull mod (khyro?), if possible a graphics mod (just eye candy), and finally stick everything together...

What in your experience is the best combination of mods? (Which combination do you guys enjoy the most?) And how do you do that actually? Can anyone explain or tell me how to do this step by step? I just can´t find any instruction on this on the forums, its either to shallow or only explains the mods but no instruction to do that. For example I don´t understand which mod to install first and which one over it? I think you get my point....

 

Any help and advise is really appreciated! Thanks in advance!

 

cheers

 

sputnik

modding
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sputnik_83
Galacticruler5000
Join Date 06/2010
+7
Reply #1 July 14, 2013 5:41:37 AM
from GalCiv II ForumsGalCiv II Forums

My advice is to simply experiment, you might find a combo that works for you.(could take a decade unfortunately)

Alternatively:

http://library.galciv2.com/index.aspx?m=636

http://library.galciv2.com/index.aspx?m=746

http://library.galciv2.com/index.aspx?m=22

http://library.galciv2.com/index.aspx?m=788

http://library.galciv2.com/index.aspx?a=2580433 <-everything by him.

http://library.galciv2.com/index.aspx?m=686 <- pick some refreshing textures.

http://library.galciv2.com/index.aspx?a=683676 <- all of these are a must have.

http://library.galciv2.com/index.aspx?a=2617593 <- plenty of logos.

http://library.galciv2.com/index.aspx?m=482

http://library.galciv2.com/index.aspx?m=609 <- revamp planet queries.

http://library.galciv2.com/index.aspx?m=508 <- TotA install instructions at end.

http://library.galciv2.com/index.aspx?m=425 <- fixes an error Stardock made when making GCII.

http://library.galciv2.com/index.aspx?m=396

http://library.galciv2.com/index.aspx?m=394

http://www.i-mod-productions.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=72 <- absolute must have, unless your machine is older.

EDIT:

My own collection of race logos.

warning though, it is HUGE

http://www.mediafire.com/download/7au8dfry26l5g1o/Logos.zip

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sputnik_83
Gaunathor
Join Date 04/2006
+170
Reply #2 July 14, 2013 6:37:21 AM
from GalCiv II ForumsGalCiv II Forums

Combining mods is a lot of work, depending on the mods you use, not to mention error-prone. The more files they have in common, the more difficult it gets.

Here is an example using my mod (Autumn Twilight, a bugfix and balance mod) and the High Resolution Graphics Mod:

HRGM consists mostly of graphic-files, while my mod doesn't include any (in general, graphic-files are no problem, because they are rarely the same between mods). This means, that you can safely copy them over into the folder of my mod.
HRGM also includes three xml-files, two of which (CustomPlanets.xml and RaceConfig.xml) are also in my mod. The changes in CustomPlanets.xml are mostly the same as in my version of the file, but some are specific to HRGM and also required for some of the new planet-graphics to appear. This means, that it would be best, if you overwrite my version with the one from HRGM. The RaceConfig.xml in HRGM only has some changes to the race-colours, while my version has those (although different ones), plus several fixes and balance-changes. Therefore, it would be best to keep using my version of the file.

Here are the exact instructions of what you have to do to combine the two mods:

1. Copy the Gfx-folder under High Resolution Graphis Mod v2.0 and paste it into the Autumn Twilight-folder (when asked to overwrite say "yes")

2. Copy the HeightMaps-folder under High Resolution Graphis Mod v2.0\Data and paste it into Autumn Twilight\Data (when asked to overwrite say "yes")

3. Copy CustomPlanets.xml and StarTypes.xml under High Resolution Graphis Mod v2.0\Data and paste it into Autumn Twilight\Data (when asked to overwrite the CustomPlanets.xml-file say "yes")

This was a relatively simple example. Combining other mods may be much more difficult. Especially, as I mentioned at the beginning, if they have many files in common. In those cases, you have to either choose between the files or combine the changes made to them.

I've never used Kryo's Hull System Mod, nor any of the weapons mods, so I can't help you there. As for bugfix mods besides my own, there is Marvin Kosh's Space Weapons Fix Mod (the very first one, but it is not yet finished), Tolemkian's TechTree Fix (the second one, and one of the community favourites), and Altarn's Polished Twilight (the youngest one. It is divided into two parts: APT1 is a pure bugfix, while APT2 also incorporates balance-changes).

If you have any more questions, just ask, and I try my best to answer them.

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sputnik_83
sputnik_83
Join Date 02/2008
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Reply #3 July 14, 2013 7:23:15 AM
from GalCiv II ForumsGalCiv II Forums

Oh, wow! thank you guys!! I will try this and report back

if it worked out for me....

kind regards and all the best!

 

cheers

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sputnik_83
kryo
Join Date 05/2003
+458 moderator
Reply #4 July 14, 2013 8:52:31 AM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

Quoting Gaunathor,
reply 2
I've never used Kryo's Hull System Mod, nor any of the weapons mods, so I can't help you there.

KHSM uses unique filenames specifically so that it will not conflict with any other mod files you may want to use. Just follow the directions, then copy and paste it wherever.

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sputnik_83
Galacticruler5000
Join Date 06/2010
+7
Reply #5 July 14, 2013 6:01:28 PM
from GalCiv II ForumsGalCiv II Forums

http://winmerge.org/

Use that to compare two nearly identical files, and copy over what you want.

 

Also it dawned on me that I forgot the P&R tech tree install instructions.

Ok, so first, navigate to the pictured folder.

Don't forget to give it a unique name, something that you will remember easily and can find in an instant.(also needs to be done at the top of the actual tech file, you will know where.)(NO SPACES, use _s instead.)

The use of the minor race tech tree is only because they lack any race specific techs, and this is a good place to start.

 

Next select everything starting at the pictured(some modifications for TotA functionality corrections and visual improvement)(Find tool is highly recommended):

Once you've done that, copy the selected and open your new custom tech tree, then jump to the end of the file and paste the copied data one line below </defenses> for TerrorStar4.

Once that is complete, launch the game, load a custom civ and select your tech tree.

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sputnik_83
Gaunathor
Join Date 04/2006
+170
Reply #6 July 15, 2013 4:13:39 AM
from GalCiv II ForumsGalCiv II Forums

Quoting Galacticruler5000,
reply 5
The use of the minor race tech tree is only because they lack any race specific techs, and this is a good place to start.

The minors do have Fleet Warp Bubbles I-III and Sensor Array, which are Terran-only techs.

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sputnik_83
Galacticruler5000
Join Date 06/2010
+7
Reply #7 July 15, 2013 4:29:10 PM
from GalCiv II ForumsGalCiv II Forums

Ah, forgot about that.

I tend to do things like that.

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sputnik_83
Gaunathor
Join Date 04/2006
+170
Reply #8 July 15, 2013 5:10:29 PM
from GalCiv II ForumsGalCiv II Forums

No problem. That happens to me too.

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