Can't Add Tree Forms

[MDx_Wayne]

Laurie at an earlier post said

To change the size of trees go to the eco-system tab in D2 and use the Edit trees box at the bottom, select the tree you want to base the new size tree on in the drop down box, then enter new values for height min/max and mean, then the same for Radius min/max and mean. Then just press the Add button. Now you can place these new trees lke you would any others and you will see the effect of the different settings

For some reason, my D2 won't do that.  I click a tree, enter new values, click add and then I get a error "LIST INDEX OUT OF BOUNDS (-1)"  Any idea what's going on with this?  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

As a second thought, can I manually go in and edit the .est file to add new tree sizes and bypass using D2 to do this add function?

Wayne

PS If this has been discussed before, I apologize, I looked all over and couldn't find it if it had.
I am running the 3-24-05 .exe file and the 10-21-00 .dll file

Another issue, I can't seem to find the est file.  My other custom tracks have them, but the current one does not.  What is the cause of that?

[MDx_Wayne]

Dang, this is starting to get to me.  I modified my Forest.est adding one new tree and auto generated 5 trees in D1.  Saved the project and exited.  I then opened D2, clicked "new" and then selected the project file I just closed and I get an "Access Violation" error in DilloToo.exe.

What gives????  I'd sure like to get to the bottom of this.  All I am trying to do is add some collision free trees to my new track.  I didn't think it was going to be this hard.

Any ideas?

Wayne

[mcm2boys]

I'll have to take a look at it, it's been a long while since i wrote the eco system stuff. It might take a while i've just moved house and most of my stuff is in a shipping container somewhere..


For the EST problem, i don't think you get one of those for each project they are all found in the TrackEditor\EcoSystem folder as you probably already know by now.


Laurie

[MDx_Wayne]

Actually, if you auto generate any trees in Dillo, it generates an .EST file in the project folder.  In my research thus far, I see no use or purpose for it other than a record of the eco system used in your track.

I am making progress with editing the EST files.  :o  I will post the results of my efforts and what I've learned when my study is complete.  But please, feel free to offer any insights you may have.

Wayne 

[mcm2boys]

I'm working on my laptop right now (while i move) and i don't have any of my project files with me so i couldn't remember or easily find the ext for the other eco file Dillo creates, i thought it was a TXT file but i was obviously wrong.


I just tried using D2 to modify an Eco set and added a new tree type ok and even added copies of the new tree to a track without any problems. Could you maybe let me know which EcoSystem you are using and the values for the new tree type you are trying to add so i can check it out myself?

If you just want to take the collision out you will have to do that by hand anyway since D2 can't do that for you.

Laurie

[MDx_Wayne]

Thanks Laurie,

I too, have since used D2 to modify an Eco set and added new trees.  Whatever was causing an issue with that has passed.  The remaining problem was I couldn't find the trees I added in any EST file that would permit me to remove the collision which was my goal from the beginning.

However, I have had luck making my own Eco set, I took Forest and copied it to Forest2.est and as long as I didn't change the number of items or change the names of them, I could change the size and collision at will.  Inside of D2, I was able to change my ECO set to the newly created Forest2.

That seems to be working but I have not yet identified all of the specifics as to how much edit freedom I have this way.  I can keep you posted as to progress.

Wayne

[mcm2boys]

You should have pretty much total edit freedom in the EST files, i think there are only a few items that have no effect (that i found).


At the top of the EST there is some kind of count variable, if you add new type then you have to adjust this value to suit else they won't appear.

Laurie

[MDx_Wayne]

I'm pretty sure I got it. ;D   Forest.est has 11 veg forms in it.  My new Forest2 has 11 veg forms in it, 3 of the original and 8 custom forms.  The customs are all non-collision and are varying sizes of the originals with sizes as much as 225% of the original.  I did find that the billboard and U & V variables control the low detail view and the NAME= variable controls the high detail view (when you are close up).  I tried changing the billboard area on a crunchberry to make it an orchard, when I was far away it looked like an orchard tree, cool, when I got close up it turned into a crunchberry of the same size.  .  That is when I figured out the importance of the name= variable.  That is also why you can't add new veg names.  As long as you use an existing veg name you can change size, shape and collision details to anything you want.

I am comfortable I have a pretty good handle on this, so if I can answer any questions, please feel free to ask them.  Thanks for your help, it is most appreciated.

Wayne