RCT3 Importer v18 PREVIEW

[Belgabor]

Hi everybody,

I've decided to release a preview for v18, but before I go on:
It does not import yet!
You cannot create anything in it or save theme files!
Do not bother to make feature requests or improvement suggestions! It's a very early design and I've plenty of yet unrealised ideas for improvement.

At this point you might wonder what the point of releasing this preview is.

The basic UI paradigm will not change. There will be visual enhancements, but the basic layout is set. If there is anything you want to point out regarding to this, that's fine.
It can load old theme files! Yes, I can hear you mumbling "So what?" :p.
Well, as I promised before, some crufty things have been removed and the load code compensates that. Therefore this preview can detect some errors in your theme files. These are mostly those that lead to RCT3 crashing when starting it. I'm not saying it detects all, but all related to messing up text strings and icon references should be detected.
Note: Whatever message comes up when you load a theme file in this preview is usually a fatal error when using it in any currently working importer version! Some sound harmless, and in fact the next version will cope with most things, but that doesn't apply right now. The only warning that is no problem is the one about a missing prefix and those about changed name text string handling in stalls/special attractions (still the latter ones should be fixed to keep compatibility later).As this version will modify your RCT3 Importer config file, you might be happier placing it into a different directory, but that is not necessary, it only modifies the last open directory and the file is still compatible with old versions (the format is identical).
It will not modify any theme related files in any way!

Importer v18preview1 (http://belgabor.vodhin.net/importer/rct3importer-v18preview1-dist.zip)

Screenshots:

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/1458/importerv1818wj.png (http://imageshack.us)

http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/7949/importerv1820sp.png (http://imageshack.us)

[Keckhs]

I think this design is really cool. Unfortunately, I deleted my old theme files so I can't really test this out much, but even from the little exploring I did it does look like it'll be easier to use. I can't wait for the full version. Thanks for taking so much time to make these importer improvements for us. :)

[coinich]

Well, since I'm behind the times, (v17 ;) ) I guess I should dl this. Thanks!

[Vodhin]

As this version will modify your RCT3 config file, you might be happier placing it into a different directory

Maybe some screen shots for those of us who'd just like to see the interface?

[CoasterSim.Fan]

Looks good so far. Being that non of the buttons or anything else work yet there's not much to say so far. But I think when it complet it should defnitly be easier to work with.

[Belgabor]

Maybe some screen shots for those of us who'd just like to see the interface?

I hear and obey :p

I mainly pushed this out to help those that messed up their theme files, less for the "show", so I didn't even think about screenshots :)

[Vodhin]

Looks like a good start, may I ask if you could make the Custom Object List (maybe others) "collapsable"? I can see it might get a bit messy- I like seeing the OVL names, but maybe there could be different views, one that's just a list? Another thought, is maybe some report or display of used and unused OVL files, and Active Custom Objects that use the same OVLs (this doesn't work all the time - As I tried this with different place settings for my traffic lights). Just a thought and not important...

[sr3d]

Sorry to sound like a newb but i can't actually get anything to load into it like My Stone wall you told me to run through this :/ Press the Add files nothing happens :s

[Belgabor]

"Open theme" is what you need (and besides "Quit" is all that works).

[surfingoz]

Hi I was just wondering how close this importer is from release, can't wait, it's looking great.

[Eddi22]

It is beautiful to see, what can still take everything out.
Belgabor, thanks to you for the whole work...

[Old-Spice]

Sweetness.......... i like it!!

[J.M.W.Thieves]

cool but can u make it that u can make:carried items

[michielh3]

cool but can u make it that u can make:carried items

carried items ... :weird:

Nice update ,
I hope this one will be a bit ieser , so i can import a whole group of cs items with the same references and textures in one time :D

[errt]

Sorry, but I don't think there will be an Importer V18 this year.

[RCT-Spanky]

I'm not sure, if this version will not be ever released, because a lot of our good designers an engineeers work now for the Sebar-Company.

[LittleMac]

Could i ask if you are going to change the names regarding the unknowns now, after all 3,4 and 5 are no longer well unknown!

(Well done Vodhin) And good work so far Belgabor!

[StarRngr4.0]

Yup, pretty much the way I see it too, Spankster.

[rctmaniac]

I hope it is released. *hint* lol. No worries.

[J.M.W.Thieves]

do u mayby have an idea when its *released*???

[Slyther360]

so is this basicly an easier importer?

~Slyther360~

[Maverick2007]

It edits the RCT3 config file? Why would that be?

[StarRngr4.0]

No, this is the program that translates model information into the .ovl format that RCT3 understands.

[errt]

As this version will modify your RCT3 config file
@StarRngr4.0: Read!

[Belgabor]

Sorry, that was a minor slip. I was talking about the config file of the importer (now corrected above).
To comment further, there won't be a v18 from me I'm afraid, not in the way I envisioned it. That's simply to much work. What I'm considering to do is a v17.5 that takes the importer into the direction of v18 but lacks some of the features that would need most of the work.
As my time still is limited in honesty I can't give any ETA or even promise that it will be done.

[Squirrel]

I was not paying attention

*Please delete this post*

[CoasterSim.Fan]

Do it Do it Do it :p

But really any thing you can do will be greatly appreciated we all know real life comes first.

[rctmaniac]

Belgabor? You are not allowed a life. You must stay and finish the importer, crack custom rides and animation, and then finish TPB3D. Until then, no life.

:p