Maps and Such

from GalCiv2 Forums

Ok, so lets say, hypothetically, that I still only have the original Dread Lords.  I'm not quite sure what the latest version is before DA, but at the moment I'm using 1.4.  Now, I've made a custom map file, I just have a question: how the hell do I use it?  I've tried Documents\...\Mods\Data\CustomMaps, Program Files (x86)\...\Mods, Program...\Mods\Example\Data, and a couple other awkward places where it probably shouldn't go, but it still doesn't even show up in the Custom Maps drop-down menu.  What am I missing?

I did manage to get it to work once by putting it in Program...\Data\CustomMaps (with the built-in ones), but it didn't work at all like it was supposed to, so while I still want to know how to do it correctly with the mods folder(s), is there also a problem with having multiple major race homeworlds in the same system?

I'm running Vista if that means anything. . . .

modding
2,589 views 4 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

First, How was this specific map created?

AFAIC, the default install folder (GC2\Data\CustomMaps... even within corresponding directories of DA or TotA) is the only place where CustomMaps can be loaded from.

Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Basically, I edited the "Custom Maps" portion of this: https://www.galciv2.com/mods/gc2modsdoc.htm  Iwrote it first in notepad, then saved it as a GC2MAP file, along with another copy as an XML for editing.

Anyway, I did try it there, and that's the instance described above where I did manage to get it working, but it only loaded my race and none of the opponents, despite four opponents being selected.  Not to mention it renamed my star Sol (I was playing as Terrans), the planet Earth, and the other planets (which were supposed to be inhabited by the other races that were never loaded), Sol II, III, etc., despite all of them having CustomName activated.  There were also some anomalies in places where I didn't specify, and that modding guide says they should appear unless you specifically place them, unless that's one of the differences between 1.2 and 1.4.

A similar thing happened when I tried playing as the Arceans.

ObjectDock - Access shortcuts and frequently used applications from an animated dock.
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Check that file header and verify for some typos since Race 0 to 12 *Must* have a homeworld to be correctly handled in sandbox mode.

Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Through 12?  This is Dread Lords, it only goes 0-11 if you count Custom and Dreadlords.  Do those also need homeworlds, or is it just the ten (in this version) Major races?  I added five more homeworlds (the original map was only intended for five players, but now I have ten homewrolds in total), and it still only loads my race and does all the other things described above.