Armadillo Project Manager

	Index
	Overview Installation Using APM {ProjectName}_Changes.txt How it works How to add sounds using APM Identifying Optional Files Using the BackUp Feature Tips and Tricks: How to Bundle an SX Without the Stadium Support Credits

The Armadillo Project Manager (APM) is a utility program intended to to take nearly all of the work out of preparing projects for bundling in Armadillo. The APM program accomplishes this by automatically editing your project files so you don't have to. Additionally the APM program can run the MakeCMP processor utility provided by Rainbow to automatically provide you with the necessary "in game" textures required for MCM2. Typically APM can process in a couple of clicks what could take hours to do manually.

Installation

** APM cannot and will not solve all of your problems with custom objects. You must have some knowledge and/or success at making custom objects work in Armadillo.

Using APM Summary

1. Run ArmadilloProjectManager.exe but do NOT open a project
2. Launch Armadillo from the button on the APM user interface and work on your project
3. Place custom user made objects (if desired)
4. Save your project
5. Switch to your desktop (Alt-Tab or Ctrl-Esc)
6. Open your project in APM
7. Make any desired changes using the APM user interface
8. Click the Process button in APM
9. When finished (assuming no errors), switch back to Armadillo. Don't worry if your textures appear messed up, this is normal
10. Click the Bundle button in Armadillo
11. Exit Armadillo but do NOT save the project again

Detailed Description

Once you have placed user made objects in Armadillo you should run the APM program everytime that you save your project. Upon launching APM the user interface will be mostly blank and/or grayed out. At this time you should use the button labeled "Armadillo" to launch Armadillo and work on your project.

Once you have saved in Armadillo you need to switch to your desktop by using Alt-Tab or Ctrl-Esc. At this point you should open your Armadillo project. The APM program will read the project information and display it on the user interface much like the following picture:

As you can see from the APM user interface there are a lot of options that can be adjusted. Make all your necessary changes and when finished click the "Process" button. After doing so, the APM program rewrites your project SCN and INI files accordingly. It will also process your CMP/TEX files for custom objects if the instructed to do so. It does this by automatically running the MakeCMP utility provided by Rainbow Studios.

NOTE: It is important for you NOT to click on other applications or windows while APM and MakeCMP are running. This could cause APM to send keystrokes to the wrong program causing MakeCMP to stall and wait for user input. This will more than likely make the program fail.

Display of {ProjectName}_Changes.txt

When APM is finished a log of all activity will be displayed by launching notepad. The log will contain the following information:

Program Banner	====================================================================== Armadillo Project Manager ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Software Version: Version 1.1 Created by: Jeff Hamblin & Bruce Atkinson of Twisted DIRT Project Log File: Generic_Changes.txt
SCN Update Section	====================================================================== Looking for SCN file updates... Cube File Update ----> test.cub Modified Sun Pos. ---> TargetPosition=1801.000000,199.000000,800.000000 Modified Fog Color --> ColorRGB=172,173,68 Modified Ambient ----> ColorRGB=100,100,100 Modified Sun Color --> ColorRGB=255,255,240 Updated/Confirmed ---> CrowdPresent=F Sound update --------> Adding StaticSound1 Sound update --------> Adding StaticSound2 Sound update --------> Adding StaticSound3 Sound update --------> Adding StaticSound4 Sound update --------> Adding StaticSound5 Sound update --------> Adding StaticSound6 Sound update --------> Adding StaticSound7 Sound update --------> Adding StaticSound8 Sound update --------> Adding StaticSound9 Sound update --------> Adding StaticSound10 Sound update --------> Adding StaticSound11 Sound update --------> Adding StaticSound12 Sound update --------> Adding StaticSound13 Sound update --------> Adding StaticSound14 Sound update --------> Adding StaticSound15 Sound update --------> Adding StaticSound16 Sound update --------> Adding StaticSound17 Complete.
SLT Search Section	====================================================================== Searching for SLT files... Found Model#011 -----> Astar_White Found Model#012 -----> Astar_White Found Model#009 -----> honda_white_sign Found Model#010 -----> honda_white_sign Found Model#015 -----> honda_white_sign Found Model#016 -----> honda_white_sign Found Model#024 -----> honda_white_sign Found Model#007 -----> oneal_white_sign Found Model#008 -----> oneal_white_sign Found Model#013 -----> Scott_blue Found Model#014 -----> Scott_blue Found Model#001 -----> TdBale2 Found Model#002 -----> TdBale2 Found Model#003 -----> TdBale2 Found Model#004 -----> waypthc-1-5x-01_01 Found Model#005 -----> waypthc-1-5x-01_01 Found Model#006 -----> waypthc-1-5x-01_01 Search Complete. 17 SLT file(s) found.
SLT Rename Section	====================================================================== Numbering duplicate SLT files and renaming... New SLT name --------> SLTFiles\Astar_White_TD_001.slt New SLT name --------> SLTFiles\Astar_White_TD_002.slt New SLT name --------> SLTFiles\honda_white_sign_TD_001.slt New SLT name --------> SLTFiles\honda_white_sign_TD_002.slt New SLT name --------> SLTFiles\honda_white_sign_TD_003.slt New SLT name --------> SLTFiles\honda_white_sign_TD_004.slt New SLT name --------> SLTFiles\honda_white_sign_TD_005.slt New SLT name --------> SLTFiles\oneal_white_sign_TD_001.slt New SLT name --------> SLTFiles\oneal_white_sign_TD_002.slt New SLT name --------> SLTFiles\Scott_blue_TD_001.slt New SLT name --------> SLTFiles\Scott_blue_TD_002.slt New SLT name --------> SLTFiles\TdBale2_TD_001.slt New SLT name --------> SLTFiles\TdBale2_TD_002.slt New SLT name --------> SLTFiles\TdBale2_TD_003.slt New SLT name --------> SLTFiles\waypthc-1-5x-01_01_TD_001.slt New SLT name --------> SLTFiles\waypthc-1-5x-01_01_TD_002.slt New SLT name --------> SLTFiles\waypthc-1-5x-01_01_TD_003.slt Complete. 17 SLT file name(s) processed.
Object Sound Section	====================================================================== Searching for object sound to process... Object sound added --> Model4 Object sound added --> Model9 Complete.
Object Sound Section	====================================================================== Processing INI file updates... Adding --------------> FileSet_8=test.cub Adding --------------> FileSet_9=D:\MCM2\TrackEditor\UserModels\SLTFiles\Astar_White_TD_001.slt Adding --------------> FileSet_10=D:\MCM2\TrackEditor\UserModels\SLTFiles\Astar_White_TD_002.slt Adding --------------> FileSet_11=D:\MCM2\TrackEditor\UserModels\SLTFiles\honda_white_sign_TD_001.slt Adding --------------> FileSet_12=D:\MCM2\TrackEditor\UserModels\SLTFiles\honda_white_sign_TD_002.slt Adding --------------> FileSet_13=D:\MCM2\TrackEditor\UserModels\SLTFiles\honda_white_sign_TD_003.slt Adding --------------> FileSet_14=D:\MCM2\TrackEditor\UserModels\SLTFiles\honda_white_sign_TD_004.slt Adding --------------> FileSet_15=D:\MCM2\TrackEditor\UserModels\SLTFiles\honda_white_sign_TD_005.slt Adding --------------> FileSet_16=D:\MCM2\TrackEditor\UserModels\SLTFiles\oneal_white_sign_TD_001.slt Adding --------------> FileSet_17=D:\MCM2\TrackEditor\UserModels\SLTFiles\oneal_white_sign_TD_002.slt Adding --------------> FileSet_18=D:\MCM2\TrackEditor\UserModels\SLTFiles\Scott_blue_TD_001.slt Adding --------------> FileSet_19=D:\MCM2\TrackEditor\UserModels\SLTFiles\Scott_blue_TD_002.slt Adding --------------> FileSet_20=D:\MCM2\TrackEditor\UserModels\SLTFiles\TdBale2_TD_001.slt Adding --------------> FileSet_21=D:\MCM2\TrackEditor\UserModels\SLTFiles\TdBale2_TD_002.slt Adding --------------> FileSet_22=D:\MCM2\TrackEditor\UserModels\SLTFiles\TdBale2_TD_003.slt Adding --------------> FileSet_23=D:\MCM2\TrackEditor\UserModels\SLTFiles\waypthc-1-5x-01_01_TD_001.slt Adding --------------> FileSet_24=D:\MCM2\TrackEditor\UserModels\SLTFiles\waypthc-1-5x-01_01_TD_002.slt Adding --------------> FileSet_25=D:\MCM2\TrackEditor\UserModels\SLTFiles\waypthc-1-5x-01_01_TD_003.slt Adding --------------> FileSet_26=Generic.cmp Adding --------------> FileSet_27=Generic.tex Adding --------------> FileSet_28=Wind01.wav Adding --------------> FileSet_29=airplane01.wav Adding --------------> FileSet_30=Applause03.wav Adding --------------> FileSet_31=EagleSound.wav Adding --------------> FileSet_32=WRECK06.wav Adding --------------> FileSet_33=zepplin.wav Adding --------------> FileSet_34=Applause01.wav Adding --------------> FileSet_35=airplaneidle03.wav Adding --------------> FileSet_36=truckidle02.wav Adding --------------> FileSet_37=WRECK01.wav Complete.
File Update Section	====================================================================== Replacing existing project files with processed ones... INI file ------------> Replaced INI file ------------> Attributes restored SCN file ------------> Replaced SCN file ------------> Attributes restored Complete.
MakeCMP Section	====================================================================== Data from Rainbow's makecmp.log file... Building ColorMap... Adding To ColorMap A-Star_white.tga... Adding To ColorMap honda_white_sign.tga... Adding To ColorMap oneal_white_sign.tga... Adding To ColorMap Scott_blue.tga... Adding To ColorMap TdBale2.tga... Adding To ColorMap tDarch-256x.tga... Finding 256 colors... Counting files... Making TextureMap A-Star_white.tga... Storing 1 x 1 texture in chain A-Star_white.tga Storing 2 x 2 texture in chain A-Star_white.tga Storing 4 x 4 texture in chain A-Star_white.tga Storing 8 x 8 texture in chain A-Star_white.tga Storing 16 x 16 texture in chain A-Star_white.tga Storing 32 x 32 texture in chain A-Star_white.tga Storing 64 x 64 texture in chain A-Star_white.tga Storing 128 x 128 texture in chain A-Star_white.tga Storing 256 x 256 texture in chain A-Star_white.tga Making TextureMap honda_white_sign.tga... Storing 1 x 1 texture in chain honda_white_sign.tga Storing 2 x 2 texture in chain honda_white_sign.tga Storing 4 x 4 texture in chain honda_white_sign.tga Storing 8 x 8 texture in chain honda_white_sign.tga Storing 16 x 16 texture in chain honda_white_sign.tga Storing 32 x 32 texture in chain honda_white_sign.tga Storing 64 x 64 texture in chain honda_white_sign.tga Storing 128 x 128 texture in chain honda_white_sign.tga Storing 256 x 256 texture in chain honda_white_sign.tga Making TextureMap oneal_white_sign.tga... Storing 1 x 1 texture in chain oneal_white_sign.tga Storing 2 x 2 texture in chain oneal_white_sign.tga Storing 4 x 4 texture in chain oneal_white_sign.tga Storing 8 x 8 texture in chain oneal_white_sign.tga Storing 16 x 16 texture in chain oneal_white_sign.tga Storing 32 x 32 texture in chain oneal_white_sign.tga Storing 64 x 64 texture in chain oneal_white_sign.tga Storing 128 x 128 texture in chain oneal_white_sign.tga Storing 256 x 256 texture in chain oneal_white_sign.tga Making TextureMap Scott_blue.tga... Storing 1 x 1 texture in chain Scott_blue.tga Storing 2 x 2 texture in chain Scott_blue.tga Storing 4 x 4 texture in chain Scott_blue.tga Storing 8 x 8 texture in chain Scott_blue.tga Storing 16 x 16 texture in chain Scott_blue.tga Storing 32 x 32 texture in chain Scott_blue.tga Storing 64 x 64 texture in chain Scott_blue.tga Storing 128 x 128 texture in chain Scott_blue.tga Storing 256 x 256 texture in chain Scott_blue.tga Making TextureMap TdBale2.tga... Storing 1 x 1 texture in chain TdBale2.tga Storing 2 x 2 texture in chain TdBale2.tga Storing 4 x 4 texture in chain TdBale2.tga Storing 8 x 8 texture in chain TdBale2.tga Storing 16 x 16 texture in chain TdBale2.tga Storing 32 x 32 texture in chain TdBale2.tga Storing 64 x 64 texture in chain TdBale2.tga Storing 128 x 128 texture in chain TdBale2.tga Storing 256 x 256 texture in chain TdBale2.tga Making TextureMap tDarch-256x.tga... Storing 1 x 1 texture in chain tDarch-256x.tga Storing 2 x 2 texture in chain tDarch-256x.tga Storing 4 x 4 texture in chain tDarch-256x.tga Storing 8 x 8 texture in chain tDarch-256x.tga Storing 16 x 16 texture in chain tDarch-256x.tga Storing 32 x 32 texture in chain tDarch-256x.tga Storing 64 x 64 texture in chain tDarch-256x.tga Storing 128 x 128 texture in chain tDarch-256x.tga Storing 256 x 256 texture in chain tDarch-256x.tga Freeing memory Done processing C:\Mcm2\TrackEditor\Projects\Generic\Generic_ObjectTGA\APM_UserModels.ini Complete.
File Validation Section	====================================================================== Verifying FileSets and processing duplicate SLT files... OK ------------------> Generic.tdf Optional ------------> Generic.esb OK ------------------> Generic.scn OK ------------------> Generic.trn Optional ------------> Generic.seg OK ------------------> Generic.tga OK ------------------> GenericS.tga OK ------------------> test.cub OK ------------------> D:\MCM2\TrackEditor\UserModels\SLTFiles\Astar_White_TD_001.slt OK ------------------> D:\MCM2\TrackEditor\UserModels\SLTFiles\Astar_White_TD_002.slt OK ------------------> D:\MCM2\TrackEditor\UserModels\SLTFiles\honda_white_sign_TD_001.slt OK ------------------> D:\MCM2\TrackEditor\UserModels\SLTFiles\honda_white_sign_TD_002.slt OK ------------------> D:\MCM2\TrackEditor\UserModels\SLTFiles\honda_white_sign_TD_003.slt OK ------------------> D:\MCM2\TrackEditor\UserModels\SLTFiles\honda_white_sign_TD_004.slt OK ------------------> D:\MCM2\TrackEditor\UserModels\SLTFiles\honda_white_sign_TD_005.slt OK ------------------> D:\MCM2\TrackEditor\UserModels\SLTFiles\oneal_white_sign_TD_001.slt OK ------------------> D:\MCM2\TrackEditor\UserModels\SLTFiles\oneal_white_sign_TD_002.slt OK ------------------> D:\MCM2\TrackEditor\UserModels\SLTFiles\Scott_blue_TD_001.slt OK ------------------> D:\MCM2\TrackEditor\UserModels\SLTFiles\Scott_blue_TD_002.slt OK ------------------> D:\MCM2\TrackEditor\UserModels\SLTFiles\TdBale2_TD_001.slt OK ------------------> D:\MCM2\TrackEditor\UserModels\SLTFiles\TdBale2_TD_002.slt OK ------------------> D:\MCM2\TrackEditor\UserModels\SLTFiles\TdBale2_TD_003.slt OK ------------------> D:\MCM2\TrackEditor\UserModels\SLTFiles\waypthc-1-5x-01_01_TD_001.slt OK ------------------> D:\MCM2\TrackEditor\UserModels\SLTFiles\waypthc-1-5x-01_01_TD_002.slt OK ------------------> D:\MCM2\TrackEditor\UserModels\SLTFiles\waypthc-1-5x-01_01_TD_003.slt OK ------------------> Generic.cmp OK ------------------> Generic.tex Internal ------------> Wind01.wav Internal ------------> airplane01.wav Internal ------------> Applause03.wav OK ------------------> EagleSound.wav Internal ------------> WRECK06.wav Internal ------------> zepplin.wav Internal ------------> Applause01.wav Internal ------------> airplaneidle03.wav Internal ------------> truckidle02.wav Internal ------------> WRECK01.wav Success!! No errors found.
Pass/Fail Banner	====================================================================== APM Processing Complete!

How it works

Background

The normal way of doing objects with MCM2 and Armadillo has a few problems. I will explain briefly how it works out of the box and then what the problems are.

Armadillo

Armadillo searches the \TrackEditor\UserModels folder for custom user made objects. These objects are defined by 3 files:

1. SLT file - Text file that describes the structure of the object
2. TGA file - Pointed to by the SLT file and this is the texture of the object
3. _art.tga file - This is the picture that Armadillo will use in the object selection drop down menu.

If you place the appropriate files in the UserModels folder then they will show up in Armadillo. You will be able to place multiple copies of them and they will work in Armadillo. The information for Armadillo is saved in the projects .SCN file.

MCM2

MCM2 does not use the same scheme for finding the objects. When the track is bundled the .SCN is used as well as statements that need to be added to the projects .INI file. The _art.tga file is ignored and the objects texture (TGA) needs to be processed by MakeCMP, which will convert them to 3 files (CMP/TEX/PAL). These files will be needed when the track is bundled.

Problems

How to add sounds using APM

Be familiar with the Sound Tutorial

Identifying Optional Files

We discovered that Armadillo will add statements to the INI but the files are not needed to actually have the project work and the files may have not been created yet. To allow for this APM saves in the Windows registry a list of optional files. You can disable any of them by changing the Yes to a No. Any files that match will be flagged as optional if they do not exist. The #ProjectName# is replaced by APM at runtime for the name of the project that is being processed.

Using the BackUp Feature

Anyone who has ever used Armadillo for very long should know that the program is prone to crashing and/or corrupted projects. Sometimes there are clear reasons why it happens, other times it's just bugs in the software. No matter what the reason is, YOU NEED TO BACKUP YOUR PROJECTS!! In APM there is a very simple and easy to use BackUp feature that will allow you to keep a maximum of three BackUps. More than three BackUps can be created but the oldest BackUp will be lost. The process works like this:

1st Backup ---> Backup all files in project folder to subfolder {ProjectName}_Bak1
2nd Backup ---> Backup all files in project folder to subfolder {ProjectName}_Bak2
3rd Backup ---> Backup all files in project folder to subfolder {ProjectName}_Bak3

After the third 3rd backup shift backups downward...

1st Backup ---> Deleted
2nd Backup ---> Renamed as 1st Backup
3rd Backup ---> Renamed as 2nd Backup
nth Backup ---> Backed up as 3rd Backup

Each of these BackUps can be restored using the Restore feature. The following picture demonstrates what this looks like:

Tips and Tricks: How to Bundle an SX Without the Stadium

Since Armadillo was first released, I've enjoyed finding all the little tricks you can do to get the most of the track editor. Through some experimentation I found that you can Bundle an SX without the stadium if you follow some simple steps and use the APM program. Here's how:

* Build your track and place all of your objects.

* Do NOT add a stock stadium.

* Save your track in Armadillo.

* Exit Armadillo or Alt-Tab / Alt-Esc back to the desktop.

* In APM set ALL of the files as "Read Only" INCLUDING the PRJ file.

* Add either a stock or custom sky cube.  YOU MUST DO THIS!!

* Process your files in APM.

* Go back into Armadillo and place a stock stadium.

* Click Save (This will not actually save anything because the files
  are Read Only.  It will allow you access to the Bundle button though).

* Click Bundle.  Exit Armadillo.

Support

Your feedback is important! Please send all comments, questions, and suggestions to:

Credits

This project is the next generation of the original Multi Object Assistant (MOA) program. Bruce (AMA_DirtTwister) was instrumental in helping convert the original MOA program into a single Visual Basic executable file. We hope that you find this utility useful. We are confident that it will take the pain out of using custom objects with MCM2 and help you avoid the problems that are caused if you do not employ the techniques used by the APM program.