Exult Forum

I haven't been able to properly use Exult Studio in a couple of years now, and I am hoping to find out why, and to correct the problem if I'm able.

Currently, I'm using Win98SE with the latest snapshots of Exult (06-11-2008) and Exult Studio (06-03-2008). I have the latest version of the Keyring Mod installed, but I'm only trying to Mod the original game (I get the same results, though, when I try to Mod the Keyring Mod.)

The problems I'm having are:

1. No NPCs are listed in Studio, just an empty black box.
2. Deleting buildings, roofs, and most static objects doesn't work. They're back when I restart the game.
3. Changing chunks likewise doesn't work--they're always back in their original forms and places when I restart. Even if I make a new map with just water, the landform chunks I add aren't there when I restart.

I can move, add, or edit most objects and monsters, so that part seems to be working, anyway.

I'm saving faithfully (possibly to the point of overkill--I click every save option, then click "save all", THEN press CTRL-S) in Studio.


These are my out-files:

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STDOUT.TXT:

Exult version 1.4.05cvs
Built at: Jun 12 2008 12:37:11
Compile-time options: USE_FMOPL_MIDI, USE_EXULTSTUDIO, HAVE_ZIP_SUPPORT
Compiler: gcc, version: 4.2.1-dw2 (mingw32-2)

Platform: Windows 98 SE Version 4.10 Build 2222
Exult path settings:
Data : data
Digital music : data\music

Black Gate : not found (C:\UC\ULTIMA7\static\.)
exult_bg.flx : found
Forge of Virtue : found
exult_bg.flx : found
Serpent Isle : not found (C:\UC\SERPENT\static\.)
exult_si.flx : found
Silver Seed : found
exult_si.flx : found
Starting a BLACK GATE game
Game path settings:
Static : C:\UC\ULTIMA7\static
Gamedat : C:\UC\ULTIMA7\gamedat
Savegame: C:\UC\ULTIMA7
Patch : C:\UC\ULTIMA7\patch

Creating 'gamedat' files.
Reading usecode file.
Support for SI Paperdolls is enabled.
Support for SI Multiracial Avatars is enabled.
Loading /exult_bg.flx...
Loading default keybindings
NPC write
Cheats enabled.
Aproach nsteps is 23.
Und sched. opcode 0x00
Und sched. opcode 0x00
Und sched. opcode 0x00
Und sched. opcode 0x00
Und sched. opcode 0x00
Und sched. opcode 0x00
NPC write
Saved game #0 successfully.
NPC write
Executing: exult_studio -x data -g blackgate &
Game paused
Game resumed

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++




+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
STDERR.TXT:

Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\UC\ULTIMA7\static\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\UC\SERPENT\static\"
Digital SFX's file specified: jmsfx.flx... but file not found
Line 43 doesn't start with a number
Error creating temporary file in gamedat dir for port number.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++




+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
STUDIO_OUT.TXT:

Black Gate : not found (C:\UC\ULTIMA7\static\.)
exult_bg.flx : found
Forge of Virtue : found
exult_bg.flx : found
Serpent Isle : not found (C:\UC\SERPENT\static\.)
exult_si.flx : found
Silver Seed : found
exult_si.flx : found
npcs 3

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++





+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
STUDIO_ERR.TXT:

Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\UC\ULTIMA7\static\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\UC\SERPENT\static\"
Error opening temporary file in gamedat dir with port number.
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\UC\ULTIMA7\static\map01\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\UC\ULTIMA7\patch\map01\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\UC\ULTIMA7\static\map02\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\UC\ULTIMA7\patch\map02\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\UC\ULTIMA7\static\map03\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\UC\ULTIMA7\patch\map03\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\UC\ULTIMA7\static\map04\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\UC\ULTIMA7\patch\map04\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\UC\ULTIMA7\static\map05\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\UC\ULTIMA7\patch\map05\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\UC\ULTIMA7\static\map06\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\UC\ULTIMA7\patch\map06\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\UC\ULTIMA7\static\map07\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\UC\ULTIMA7\patch\map07\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\UC\ULTIMA7\static\map08\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\UC\ULTIMA7\patch\map08\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\UC\ULTIMA7\static\map09\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\UC\ULTIMA7\patch\map09\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\UC\ULTIMA7\static\map0a\"
Warning, trailing slash in path: "C:\UC\ULTIMA7\patch\map0a\"
Error sending data to server.
Error sending data to server.
Error sending data to server.
Error opening temporary file in gamedat dir with port number.
Error sending to server

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


If anyone sees any glaring errors, and can suggest something I can do to fix the problem, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks,
David

As far as I know Exult uses sockets to connect to Exult Studio. This doesn't work on Win98. It only seems to work on NT and higher

2. Deleting buildings, roofs, and most static objects doesn't work. They're back when I restart the game.

Any objects belonging to chunks will return when you reload the map (or if you move far enough away to trigger a cache-out and return); this is by design. Maybe we should prevent them from being deleted in the first place...

All your other problems stem from this:

I'm using Win98SE

While Gunnar is correct that Win98 is the problem, I don't think it is because of sockets (as all of the socket API used seem to be available in 9x/Me; nevertheless, I will have to test it); but in any case, Exult/ES uses a few NT-specific APIs (CreateFile, WriteFile, ReadFile) to pass the socket port number between ES and Exult, hence they can't communicate in Win9x/Me. Thus, when you tell ES to save the map, it doesn't.

Adding things by dragging them from ES use a different method (OLE drag & drop) than direct communication (such as when getting the NPCs from the game), hence certain things work.

Hmmm... well, drat!

Ok, thanks fellahs.

While Gunnar is correct that Win98 is the problem, I don't think it is because of sockets

Just an update: a quick hack (delayed by having to find my old Win98SE disk, set up a virtual machine and install to it and properly configure it), I got ES to work correctly (i.e., it can communicate with Exult, get the NPC lists, etc.). I will now clean up the code, and you'll be toying with ES in Win98 soon.

Wow, thanks Marzo! That's seriously going above and beyond the call of duty! Much appreciated. I owe you lots and lots of beer.

Works like a charm.

Thanks a million!