Unable to get Studio to connect to running game

[CapnHyaku]

Hi,

Long time lurker/fan here.

I have picked this up again after many many years. I am unable to get Exult Studio to connect to Exult. I am running 1.6

I think I have followed the guide exactly, but I am on Windows 10 and am worried some protection mechanism is getting in the way as the error in exult logs is:
Warning, trailing slash in path: "<BLACKGATE_STATIC>\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "<SERPENTISLE_STATIC>\"
Error opening temporary file in gamedat dir with port number.

I think I have tried everything:
1. Running Studio with administrator rights
2. Copying the static files to various locations (and changing the path in exult.cfg accordingly)
3. I can see the game listening on localhost (throught netstat) but can't see any connection attempt from studio
4. Opening one before the other and vice versa

Ctrl+Alt+M seems to have no effect either.

Any ideas?

[Dominus]

Error opening temporary file in gamedat dir with port number.

This seems to be an important hint!
Just to make sure, did you change the savegame defaults or running it as portable?

Make sure you save your game and then delete your gamedat folder. It's in the location of the exult.cfg in the subfolder named after the game you are playing.

[CapnHyaku]

Thanks for reply.

I haven't changed the savegame defaults to my knowledge. I also tried using BG (which didn't have any saves) and it behaves the same. Last night I made a literal "New Game" in Studio and copied a bunch of BG assets into the new folder that gets created in the exult directory. Same result.

I think there must be a protection mechanism under Windows 10 preventing studio writing to the exult folder or to files it doesn't "own". I am ironically more used to linux file permissions than win sadly.

[Dominus]

I have to test if that behavior changed in the latest Windows 10 incarnation but it worked for me on Windows 10.

[Dominus]

Can you give us the content of exult.cfg, stdout.txt, stderr.txt, studio_out.txt and studio_err.txt?
Please use the code [ ]tags to show them properly.

[CapnHyaku]

exult.cfg

Code: Select all

<config>
 <disk>
  <game>
   <blackgate>
    <path>
    C:\Users\username\Documents\ULTIMA\ULTIMA7
    </path>
    <keys>
    (default)
    </keys>
    <autonotes>
    (default)
    </autonotes>
    <waves>
    sqsfxbg.flx
    </waves>
   </blackgate>
   <serpentisle>
    <path>
    C:\Users\username\Documents\ULTIMA\SERPENT
    </path>
    <keys>
    (default)
    </keys>
    <autonotes>
    (default)
    </autonotes>
    <waves>
    jmsisfx.flx
    </waves>
   </serpentisle>
  </game>
  <save_compression_level>
  1
  </save_compression_level>
 </disk>
 <audio>
  <enabled>
  yes
  </enabled>
  <effects>
   <enabled>
   yes
   </enabled>
   <convert>
   gs
   </convert>
  </effects>
  <midi>
   <enabled>
   yes
   </enabled>
   <convert>
   gm
   </convert>
   <reverb>
    <enabled>
    yes
    </enabled>
    <level>
    0
    </level>
   </reverb>
   <chorus>
    <enabled>
    no
    </enabled>
    <level>
    0
    </level>
   </chorus>
   <volume_curve>
   1.0000
   </volume_curve>
   <use_oggs>
   no
   </use_oggs>
   <driver>
   default
   </driver>
   <looping>
   yes
   </looping>
  </midi>
  <speech>
   <enabled>
   yes
   </enabled>
  </speech>
  <disablepause>
  no
  </disablepause>
  <sample_rate>
  22050
  </sample_rate>
  <stereo>
  yes
  </stereo>
 </audio>
 <gameplay>
  <cheat>
  yes
  </cheat>
  <skip_intro>
  no
  </skip_intro>
  <skip_splash>
  no
  </skip_splash>
  <right_click_closes_gumps>
  yes
  </right_click_closes_gumps>
  <gumps_dont_pause_game>
  no
  </gumps_dont_pause_game>
  <mouse3rd>
  no
  </mouse3rd>
  <fastmouse>
  no
  </fastmouse>
  <double_click_closes_gumps>
  no
  </double_click_closes_gumps>
  <combat>
   <difficulty>
   0
   </difficulty>
   <charmDifficulty>
   normal
   </charmDifficulty>
   <mode>
   original
   </mode>
   <show_hits>
   no
   </show_hits>
  </combat>
  <step_tile_delta>
  8
  </step_tile_delta>
  <allow_right_pathfind>
  double
  </allow_right_pathfind>
  <formation>
  yes
  </formation>
  <smooth_scrolling>
  25
  </smooth_scrolling>
  <alternate_drop>
  no
  </alternate_drop>
  <allow_autonotes>
  yes
  </allow_autonotes>
  <scroll_with_mouse>
  yes
  </scroll_with_mouse>
  <bg_paperdolls>
  yes
  </bg_paperdolls>
  <textbackground>
  -1
  </textbackground>
  <facestats>
  1
  </facestats>
 </gameplay>
 <video>
  <scale>
  1
  </scale>
  <scale_method>
  Point
  </scale_method>
  <fullscreen>
  no
  </fullscreen>
  <disable_fades>
  no
  </disable_fades>
  <gamma>
   <red>
   1.00
   </red>
   <green>
   1.00
   </green>
   <blue>
   1.00
   </blue>
  </gamma>
  <game>
   <border>
    <red>
    0
    </red>
    <green>
    0
    </green>
    <blue>
    0
    </blue>
   </border>
   <width>
   320
   </width>
   <height>
   200
   </height>
  </game>
  <display>
   <width>
   1280
   </width>
   <height>
   800
   </height>
  </display>
  <fill_mode>
  Aspect Correct Fit
  </fill_mode>
  <fill_scaler>
  Point
  </fill_scaler>
  <share_video_settings>
  yes
  </share_video_settings>
  <fps>
  5
  </fps>
 </video>
 <shortcutbar>
  <use_shortcutbar>
  no
  </use_shortcutbar>
  <use_outline_color>
  black
  </use_outline_color>
  <hide_missing_items>
  yes
  </hide_missing_items>
 </shortcutbar>
 <estudio>
  <default_game>
  blackgate
  </default_game>
  <image_editor>
  gimp
  </image_editor>
  <main>
   <width>
   2560
   </width>
   <height>
   1377
   </height>
  </main>
 </estudio>
</config>

stderr

Code: Select all

Warning, trailing slash in path: "<BLACKGATE_STATIC>\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "<SERPENTISLE_STATIC>\"
SDL Reports 640x400 16 bpp and 32 bpp windowed surfaces are not OK. Windowed scalers may not work properly.

stdout

Code: Select all

Exult version 1.6.0
Built at: Apr 17 2020 14:30:38
Compile-time options: USE_FMOPL_MIDI, USE_MT32EMU_MIDI, USE_EXULTSTUDIO, HAVE_ZIP_SUPPORT
Compiler: gcc, version: 4.6.2

Platform: Windows Unknown NT Version 6.2 Build 9200
Exult path settings:
Data          : data
Digital music : data\music

Looking for 'blackgate' at 'C:\Users\username\Documents\ULTIMA\ULTIMA7'... found game with identity 'FORGE'
Looking for 'forgeofvirtue' at './forgeofvirtue'... but it wasn't there.
Looking for 'serpentisle' at 'C:\Users\username\Documents\ULTIMA\SERPENT'... found game with identity 'SILVER SEED'
Looking for 'silverseed' at './silverseed'... but it wasn't there.
Looking for 'serpentbeta' at './serpentbeta'... but it wasn't there.
Black Gate   : not found (<BLACKGATE_STATIC>\.)
Forge of Virtue   : found
exult_bg.flx : found
Serpent Isle   : not found (<SERPENTISLE_STATIC>\.)
Silver Seed   : found
exult_si.flx : found
Checking rendering support
 Windowed	
 640x480	 8 bpp ok 16 bpp ok 32 bpp ok
 720x480	 8 bpp ok 16 bpp ok 32 bpp ok
 720x576	 8 bpp ok 16 bpp ok 32 bpp ok
 800x600	 8 bpp ok 16 bpp ok 32 bpp ok
 1024x768	 8 bpp ok 16 bpp ok 32 bpp ok
 1152x864	 8 bpp ok 16 bpp ok 32 bpp ok
 1176x664	 8 bpp ok 16 bpp ok 32 bpp ok
 1280x720	 8 bpp ok 16 bpp ok 32 bpp ok
 1280x768	 8 bpp ok 16 bpp ok 32 bpp ok
 1280x800	 8 bpp ok 16 bpp ok 32 bpp ok
 1280x960	 8 bpp ok 16 bpp ok 32 bpp ok
 1280x1024	 8 bpp ok 16 bpp ok 32 bpp ok
 1360x768	 8 bpp ok 16 bpp ok 32 bpp ok
 1366x768	 8 bpp ok 16 bpp ok 32 bpp ok
 1600x900	 8 bpp ok 16 bpp ok 32 bpp ok
 1600x1024	 8 bpp ok 16 bpp ok 32 bpp ok
 1600x1200	 8 bpp ok 16 bpp ok 32 bpp ok
 1680x1050	 8 bpp ok 16 bpp ok 32 bpp ok
 1768x992	 8 bpp ok 16 bpp ok 32 bpp ok
 1920x1080	 8 bpp ok 16 bpp ok 32 bpp ok
 1920x1200	 8 bpp ok 16 bpp ok 32 bpp ok
 1920x1440	 8 bpp ok 16 bpp ok 32 bpp ok
 2048x1536	 8 bpp ok 16 bpp ok 32 bpp ok
 2560x1440	 8 bpp ok 16 bpp ok 32 bpp ok
 2560x1600	 8 bpp ok 16 bpp ok 32 bpp ok
 3840x2160	 8 bpp ok 16 bpp ok 32 bpp ok
 4096x2160	 8 bpp ok 16 bpp ok 32 bpp ok
Creating AudioMixer...
Audio opened using format: 22050 Hz 2 Channels
Timbers Precached: On play only
OGG Vorbis Digital Music: Disabled
Trying: `FMOpl'
Success!
Midi Output: Enabled
Starting a BLACK GATE game
Game path settings:
Static  : C:\Users\username\Documents\ULTIMA\ULTIMA7\static
Gamedat : C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Exult\blackgate\gamedat
Savegame: C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Exult\blackgate
Patch   : C:\Users\username\Documents\ULTIMA\ULTIMA7\patch

Opening digital SFX's file: "<DATA>/sqsfxbg.flx"
Resetting AudioMixer...
played intro
Gamedat identity FORGE
Reading usecode file.
Support for SI Paperdolls is enabled.
Support for SI Multiracial Avatars is enabled.
Loading <DATA>/exult_bg.flx...
Loading default keybindings
Loading default autonotes
Opened socket for Exult Server on port 56746
Cheats enabled.
Game paused
Game resumed
Game paused

studio_err

Code: Select all

Warning, trailing slash in path: "<BLACKGATE_STATIC>\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "<SERPENTISLE_STATIC>\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\Users\username\Documents\ULTIMA\ULTIMA7\static\map01\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\Users\username\Documents\ULTIMA\ULTIMA7\patch\map01\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\Users\username\Documents\ULTIMA\ULTIMA7\static\map02\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\Users\username\Documents\ULTIMA\ULTIMA7\patch\map02\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\Users\username\Documents\ULTIMA\ULTIMA7\static\map03\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\Users\username\Documents\ULTIMA\ULTIMA7\patch\map03\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\Users\username\Documents\ULTIMA\ULTIMA7\static\map04\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\Users\username\Documents\ULTIMA\ULTIMA7\patch\map04\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\Users\username\Documents\ULTIMA\ULTIMA7\static\map05\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\Users\username\Documents\ULTIMA\ULTIMA7\patch\map05\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\Users\username\Documents\ULTIMA\ULTIMA7\static\map06\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\Users\username\Documents\ULTIMA\ULTIMA7\patch\map06\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\Users\username\Documents\ULTIMA\ULTIMA7\static\map07\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\Users\username\Documents\ULTIMA\ULTIMA7\patch\map07\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\Users\username\Documents\ULTIMA\ULTIMA7\static\map08\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\Users\username\Documents\ULTIMA\ULTIMA7\patch\map08\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\Users\username\Documents\ULTIMA\ULTIMA7\static\map09\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\Users\username\Documents\ULTIMA\ULTIMA7\patch\map09\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\Users\username\Documents\ULTIMA\ULTIMA7\static\map0a\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\Users\username\Documents\ULTIMA\ULTIMA7\patch\map0a\"
Failed to connect.
Failed to connect.
Failed to connect.

studio_out

Code: Select all

Looking for 'blackgate' at 'C:\Users\username\Documents\ULTIMA\ULTIMA7'... found game with identity 'FORGE'
Looking for 'forgeofvirtue' at './forgeofvirtue'... but it wasn't there.
Looking for 'serpentisle' at 'C:\Users\username\Documents\ULTIMA\SERPENT'... found game with identity 'SILVER SEED'
Looking for 'silverseed' at './silverseed'... but it wasn't there.
Looking for 'serpentbeta' at './serpentbeta'... but it wasn't there.
Black Gate   : not found (<BLACKGATE_STATIC>\.)
Forge of Virtue   : found
exult_bg.flx : found
Serpent Isle   : not found (<SERPENTISLE_STATIC>\.)
Silver Seed   : found
exult_si.flx : found
Connected to server

[Dominus]

- delete the folder C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Exult\blackgate\gamedat and try again (you will need to start a new game but your saved games are still existing - for testing purposes, please try with this new game)

If this still fails, please download the latest snapshot of Exult and Exult Studio and try with these.

I really can't reproduce it on my up to date Windows 10

[CapnHyaku]

Deleting the folder didn't work.

I'll try the new snapshot now.

[CapnHyaku]

Sorry to say but, snapshot not working either.

I have these thoughts too:
1. Would Norton get in the way? I have already tried giving both app's no restriction on firewall in case norton was blocking the localhost connection being used.
2. Does studio have a different UUID to exult?

[Dominus]

Did you update both Exult and Exult Studio to the snapshot?

1. I have no idea. We didn't run into that before.
2. AFAIK we are not using UUIDs anywhere.

Just to recap, regardless of the stdout/err output, when you start Exult Studio from Exult with ctrl+alt+m and doubleclick any shape in exult (for example the Avatar) nothing happens? (it should open the shapes dialog of Exult Studio)

The error "Error opening temporary file in gamedat dir with port number." is normal when you start Exult Studio before starting Exult.

[CapnHyaku]

Correct, I updated both to latest snapshot.

When I hit ctrl+alt+m nothing happens in Exult. I also watch taskman and don't see studio pop up there either (in case it was not starting correctly).

[Dominus]

Ah, nothing happens in Exult is a different story then. Make sure you have cheating enabled in the gameplay settings.
If that doesn't help, it may be that some program hijacks that key combination.

As per the instructions at http://exult.info/studio.php#run_steps Exult will look like this if everything is working

[CapnHyaku]

I have cheating enabled and I think I have followed all the steps. Is there a means to change the keymap and see if that fixes it?

Let me know if you add extra log prints to a future snapshot so I can try again and maybe give some better information.

[Dominus]

http://exult.info/docs.php#exult_keys

Sounds as if something hijacks the ctrl-alt-m combination. If that is the case, nothing we can log

[CapnHyaku]

Yep, something hijacking it. Swapped with "Heal Party" and it had the expected result, map editor works, heal party doesn't.

Now the mystery for me to solve is what the hell is hijacking that key combination!?

[Dominus]

phew! so far so good
https://superuser.com/questions/999106/ ... g-a-hotkey <- there are some suggestions to find the culprits!

[CapnHyaku]

P.S. Thanks heaps for sticking through this!

[Dominus]

Ctrl+Alt+M seems to have no effect either.

If I had correctly understood that part sooner...

[Gotcha!]

Is "NVidia GeForce Experience" stealing Ctrl+Alt+M key combos again? x)

[CapnHyaku]

Is "NVidia GeForce Experience" stealing Ctrl+Alt+M key combos again? x)

That's the one. Which is weird considering Shadowplay doesn't seem to start when Exult runs, so why does it think it needs to listen for hot-keys?

[Gotcha!]

Don't ask me. I'm probably as annoyed as you are. (I ran into the same issue a while back.)