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Post by daniel3d on Sept 20, 2021 12:18:34 GMT -5
Hi everybody.
I'm Daniel, 41 years old and terrible at programming in any language. (not for lack of trying, Just too Dyslectic)
But I have ideas and I often find someone to build it.
I still play a 1991 DOS race game (stunts) and that has an active (modding) community, but the few programmers there are short on time.
Is there anyone interested with helping in writing part of the new SETUP program for the game.
The basis is already written in Qbasic.
I need a Installer function. First just for the game (a relative simple copy form source to destination)
Later to be expanded to install and remove mods.
The game supports 32 cars (it came with 11) but we are getting close to 100 now,
we need a tool that can move cars (4 files each, 5 if we include a graphic or metadata) from the game dir to a garage and back.
A lot of information can be found on the forum (forum.stunts.hu)
So if anyone wants to program but is looking for a project.
I apologize if I offended anyone by my shameless request.
I'm just getting frustrated and feeling powerless.
Regards
Daniel
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Post by bplus on Sept 21, 2021 8:47:22 GMT -5
Can you post or attach Qbasic code?
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Post by daniel3d on Sept 22, 2021 13:17:56 GMT -5
Can you post or attach Qbasic code? I can. But since it's public I will ask permission from the person who wrote it. I'll be back. |
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Post by daniel3d on Sept 23, 2021 16:17:25 GMT -5
Can you post or attach Qbasic code? (7.94 KB) Here it is. Thanks in advance for your time. |
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Post by bplus on Sept 23, 2021 20:09:14 GMT -5
Hi daniel3d, This looks like a very basic setup menu that writes a .cfg file and .bat file and does just as name says: sets up for a Stunts run with the .bat file. A possible typo, MCGA is on menu (as default) and sub menu has it MGCA the GC swapped. @skidmcga.EXE /spc is the line that gets written in .BAT file. That's a fine Menu Sub could probably be used for other Menu applications. Very nice old VB for DOS look to it. All ran fine in QB64 v 1.5 you (or they who wrote this) aren't calling registers or bios Interrupts or whatever tech we use to do with QBasic. So what did you want to do with this? LOL  |
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Post by daniel3d on Sept 24, 2021 2:45:59 GMT -5
Hi daniel3d, This looks like a very basic setup menu that writes a .cfg file and .bat file and does just as name says: sets up for a Stunts run with the .bat file. A possible typo, MCGA is on menu (as default) and sub menu has it MGCA the GC swapped. @skidmcga.EXE /spc is the line that gets written in .BAT file. That's a fine Menu Sub could probably be used for other Menu applications. Very nice old VB for DOS look to it. All ran fine in QB64 v 1.5 you (or they who wrote this) aren't calling registers or bios Interrupts or whatever tech we use to do with QBasic. So what did you want to do with this? LOL View AttachmentThe look of the menu is exactly like the original one.
It still needs an Installer function.
The game directory has variable contents and subdirectories. (custom content and mods) Installation can be form or to a removable medium. (basically from any location to any location)
It needs to check if the source directory contains game files and if the destination exists.
Create a directory if needed.
Copy the whole, including subdirectories, to the new location. [this part just mimics the functions of the original installer]
Optional features(re)Install the base game without additional content and modifications. Install the game in the new location with selected modifications. (de)Install modifications to current installation - these options require a understanding of the game and mechanics. They are welcome, but can wait. |
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Post by daniel3d on Sept 24, 2021 3:43:19 GMT -5
The one who programmed it has en philosophy of writing without dependencies.
So it should run on any DOS system, from real a 286 to DOSBox. FreeDOS should work to.
And he can program in several languages (assembly, any basic and C)
It's a shame he doesn't have more time..
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Post by daniel3d on Sept 24, 2021 3:52:06 GMT -5
The menu was written with expansion in mind. There are features on the wishlist that we want added. One got an unexpected start last night. (same programmer) As an extra feature, We would like a Car manager. The game supports 32 cars (it came with 11) but we are getting close to 100 cars now thanks to some active creators. we need a tool that can move cars (4 files each, 5 if we include a graphic or metadata) from the game dir to a garage and back. Last night, a proof of concept command line program was made. I'll upload the program when I can. It is fully functional, but it needs a graphical interface, and it needs to be included in setup. For additional information forum.stunts.hu
Stunts resources. My Mega folderIt contains a zip with the game version we are updating a folder with most of the custom cars several other versions of the game. |
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Post by bplus on Sept 24, 2021 10:34:40 GMT -5
Hi daniel3d,
Your link is politely asking me for permission for cookies. No, I don't want to do that with unknown sources, besides I don't need to store all those folders and files. I just need a listing of files and folders in your entire Stunt Game Folder.
The DOS command is:
tree (type the fully pathed game folder) /f /a > (type the fully pathed game folder)\TreeStun.txt
Just type it on a DOS command line and enter. It should create a file TreeStun.txt that gives us a look into the folder structure and files.
Then copy the file created: TreeStun.txt that should have been created in your game folder and attach here at this forum.
This will give us a complete listing of files and folders and paths too (I think). That's all we need for moving files around in the Game folder or modifying BAT or CFG file.
I am assuming we aren't creating anything new for game or cars, just selecting mainly cars files, I think, to race against each other for a match.
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Post by daniel3d on Sept 24, 2021 16:01:09 GMT -5
Hi daniel3d, Your link is politely asking me for permission for cookies. No, I don't want to do that with unknown sources, besides I don't need to store all those folders and files. I just need a listing of files and folders in your entire Stunt Game Folder. Thats ok. I provide the link for those who want to. I'll provide the listing of files. And the source codes of the unfinished programs. Ill set up a clean copy with enough content to work on. May take a few days. There have been a steady stream of new cars the past couple of months (over 70 since last December) but it is slowing down now. But car creating is not a goal here, just moving them around. |
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Post by daniel3d on Sept 24, 2021 16:25:08 GMT -5
In a new post in a attempt to keep this understandable. And to recap important information. There is already an incomplete Setup program (source posted earlier) written in quickbasic. This has a placeholder for an install function but it is not written yet. (primary goal) There is a wish for a car manager to be added to the setup program. Part of that wish has been answered by the same programmer last night with a command line based start. written in freebasic. This program is pure functional no graphical interface. [ the program, config file and source included] If you just write an installer i will be very gratefull. i you can manage combining the two programs to one then you exceed my expectations. (they are not in the same language now, but the car manager (simple garage) accepts commandline imput) It would need a graphical interface. if you want to do it differently that is fine to,. just let me know. Attachments:sgar.cfg (143 B)
sgar.bas (16.69 KB)
sgar.com (232.5 KB)
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Post by daniel3d on Sept 25, 2021 3:30:25 GMT -5
OK, I have a clean copy of the game. I added the simple garage (car manager) and in it are 3 custom cars. so the main directory is the base game the garage has custom content. I hope i am clear. but i expect qusetions. thanks Attachments:TREESTUN.TXT (2.29 KB)
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Post by bplus on Sept 25, 2021 12:12:56 GMT -5
Ah! most helpful. I will reread everything you've said so far more carefully now that I have something concrete to refer to.
I see prefix to car files in garage that seem to match up with the extension names:
cars:
AUD
BMW
MCB
Prefixes and Extensions:
CARD .RES
STDA .VSH
STD .VSH
STBDB .3SH
Do prefixes always match extension? Seems redundant so my guess is they don't unless compensating for 2 prefixes for .VSH files.
Could you briefly describe the kind of file the extensions label in the main game folder? (exe, txt, cfg, bat I know.)
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Post by daniel3d on Sept 25, 2021 13:36:01 GMT -5
I see prefix to car files in garage that seem to match up with the extension names: cars (correct): DAUD DBMW DMCB Prefixes and Extensions (correct): CAR .RES STDA .VSH STDB .VSH ST .3SH Do prefixes always match extension? Seems redundant so my guess is they don't unless compensating for 2 prefixes for .VSH files. Well, yes and no. There are two types of file. Packed and unpacked. The game accepts both. Packed files have a p in front and dropped the last letter. So vsh becomes PVS. In the main game dir you will find the original 11 cars with those extensions.
I am writing on my phone so I'll start from memory.
Kms - music file. Simplified midi.
VCE - instruments to go with KMS
3sh or p3s - 3d shape resource files.
Vsh or PVS - graphic resource files images
Res or pre - resources. Text and settings
Drv - sound driver.
Plb - goes along mt sound driver
Trk - track file ( there are thousands of those. Some day it will need a manager 🙂)
Hig - high score file to go with the track
RPL - replay files. The used track is also contained in this.
Fnt - 8bit font file.
SFX - don't know..
That's all I guess.
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Post by daniel3d on Sept 26, 2021 2:19:21 GMT -5
I guess I'm creating some turmoil within the community. But they know what I am "outsourcing" so they won't do that. (O that they have time for it. But apparently there is some time for things) Attachments:sgar20210925.zip (212.75 KB)
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Post by bplus on Sept 26, 2021 10:28:57 GMT -5
I don't have FB but it looks as if the sgar code is progressing very well, kudos to your code guy daniel3d |
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Post by daniel3d on Sept 26, 2021 11:52:01 GMT -5
When installing (coping) the game, all files should be present
(with exception to car's tracks and replays. They are mostly optional)
To run the game, only default track and replay are mandatory and the default car.
The default car is standard the Lamborghini Countach (COUN) but I can be changed (not easy it is hard coded).
We have a Ferrari edition that has the Ferrari GTO (FGTO) as default car.
In the program simple garage the default car has not yet been coded.
I've asked to make it a variable that is included in the cfg.
that way it can be changed easily and other programs (like an installer can see which car is default in the particular edition of the game.
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Post by daniel3d on Sept 27, 2021 6:15:55 GMT -5
I don't have FB but it looks as if the sgar code is progressing very well, kudos to your code guy daniel3d It is made so that it can communicate through command line with an interface. So it could function as the backend of a graphical interface. Or you can read the code to see what makes it tick and copy that. The idea behind the program is to have a quick tool to use and to see what features players need. That is not easy for an outside programmer, no matter how well I explain it. |
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Post by daniel3d on Sept 29, 2021 3:16:53 GMT -5
As reference here is the original setup program. To run it it may require load.exe and stunts.com to be present. Attachments:SETUP.DAT (83 B)
SETUP.EXE (14.71 KB)
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Post by daniel3d on Sept 30, 2021 4:41:59 GMT -5
I don't have FB but it looks as if the sgar code is progressing very well, kudos to your code guy daniel3d It indeed looks like the car manager is coming off the ground. It seems to be continuing so hold on the car manager.. (no sense in doing double work) Just leaves the installer for the time beeing. |
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