Major XML issue

[Kodor]

OK, I've been editing and testing xml and re-skinning for a few weeks now. This all has strictly been for a personal EAW clone wars mod. If it's decent I may put it up on file front. I'm not sure how many people will be interested in a mod for the original EAW but who knows...

 

Everything has been just peachy (well, as peachy as it gets when your messin around with someone else's design). Lotsa progress and lotsa extra code not originally in the XML. However, recently I have found everytime I try to alter the XML the game will not start up.

 

Let me get specific. I was experimenting, trying to get a Nova Corps Marine unit in the game when BAP! I got hit with the every now and then nuisance of a no start. Some alteration I had just made will not allow the game to load up and thus must be removed or at least altered. No biggy, this happens all the time I'll just revert to my last working XML and try the new code a different way.

 

Right, here's where it gets rotten.

 

So I keep plugging away at the Marine idea but nothing will work. Eventually I take all the marine code out of the xml files. That would do it right. I mean I had a perfectly functioning game before this damn Nova Corps idea. Wrong, for some reason the game will not run with any but the most subtle alterations to the XML. I even uninstalled the old game and deleted it's folders. After reinstallation and fresh xml files I tried again. Same.

 

I have been trying to work around the problem but I am against a wall. If I can't edit the code the way I did before this whole project that I have yet to sit down and enjoy (not that dreamweaver and fireworks aren't fun) will be scrap.

 

*sigh*

 

Any info would help, thanks

[Bill Gates]

Hmmm, If you are POSITIVE that you edit all the files that caused the game to crash have been fixed. Then it might be the games Registry saying "I'm to modded to do anything else" And forcing a Kernel Crash. If you try running standard EAW alone will it work? And also, Have the game patched to latest. Also, try running the source game not via the MEG files. It might be that. Since MEG files uses an unsafe coding format. Worse comes to worse, A complete removal of the game may be necessary. ALSO, Make sure no new programs/Apps/hardware/Windows Updates/ Videocard/Soundcard updates you installed on your computer can conflict with the game. IN anyway. And i mean any. The slightest thing can piss of the game for good. Which is why i have a external hard drive with important/most recent modding changes that work. Beside my 2 500Gigs on my comp in SATA do.(Arealdy almost out of space....) I get this all the time as well and use a very good XML editor that can fix severe errors for you. Including making new files old ones again. It's called Open XML Editor. VERY useful and easy to use. Can also edit MEG/BIG Files right of the source! BTW....Your mod seems instresting...

 

http://www.philo.de/xmledit/

[1upD]

hmmm....

If you were into Warcraft III modding, use XML notepad. It's very similar, and it will find bugs very easily.(Google is your friend when you don't have links)

[Kodor]

Here is the thing. I maintain a backup of the last working version. Yes, sometimes I get carried away and write alot of code in between tests but that's what the backup is for.

 

I have isolated the problem a bit more. It would seem I can make simple modifications to groundinfantry and groundcompanies (these are what I've worked with, don't know about others), but when I add an entirely new unit the game gives me an exception on load up. For example: I'll copy and paste the xml for a stormtrooper unit and attach it's tags to new icons and DAT text, change the unit names (in groundinfantry, and both unit name and squad units in groundcompaniesempire). A very simple and concise way of modding new units into the game. I've been using the technique for weeks. However, any time I do it now the game wigs out. If I change the number of units in a stormtrooper squad or the maximum squad size or something small like that it's fine. I can even use different models for the stormtrooper unit, but if I mess with that stormtrooper or imperial_stormtrooper_squad tag or add a entirely new unit its crap.

 

Hope this helps a bit. Thanks alot for the replies.

[Bill Gates]

Now if you isolated the problems, Try the running the Source version of GroundCompanies.XML and Groundinfantry.XML If it starts, make some simple changes to make sure it's not the game. IE, Damage,Health, etc. If it works then. Then do some more bigger changes, Change model, Sound effect, Add new projectlies/hardpoints. And if that works....Then make a whole new unit out of a pre-existing code. AND if that works, i would say your problems solved!

[Kodor]

Done it...      Several times...

 

 

I've even reinstalled the game twice. I don't mean just uninstalled and installed. I mean uninstalled, deleted the folders in program files and reinstalled fresh and new. Tried with and without the 1.5 update as well.

 

Like I said, I can make minor changes to the variables in an existing unit in the source, but none of the added units and no newly added unit will work. I can even have an existing source unit like the stormtroopers use a diferent or custom model and skin. But once I add a new unit or change the ground unit or ground company tag name the game fails on load up. 

[Kodor]

OK, I've got good news and bad news, oh yeah and a question.

 

The good news is, I can continue work.  ;D The bad news is, I have to use someone elses mod to do it (lotsa more work) and I'm still operating under coding restrictions (e.i. no unit tag name changes or wholly new units). As well, I will not be able to release a mod that is built on someone else's.  :'( The show must go on so I'll work with this for the time being...

 

I have been using Dreamweaver to do all of my XML editing. As far as I can tell DW looks to be a likely culprit for my issues. After the last test I found myself asking, "Why does other modified code work but my own changes are cuasing problems?". The obvious answer is it is the changes themselves (ruled this out over and over again) or perhaps the editor I am using.

 

My question is this: Has any heard or does anyone know of any issues Dreamweaver can cause for this kind of XML editing? Dreamweaver is meant for webpage developement. Perhaps it is trying to do something with the code I am not seeing and the game is puking it up...

 

Thanks again for the replies and even if not as it was before, the work will go on. After I get some of this aggrevation out (Republic Commando style)

[Droid803]

I think it'd be easier to just use Notepad , if it is indeed dreamweaver.

There might be slightly different formatting for the EaW/FoC XMLs than standard XMLs, so not sure...

[Kodor]

D803, whatchyou doin coming in here with all your logic and sound advice? I had a real problem goin on...

 

Tried Notepad, worked like a charm.  ;D

 

Thanks man, I knew it was something simple like that.

 

Now if I could just get these commandos to the missle turret...

[Kodor]

BTW, I may have found DWs problem.

 

Should I save EAWs XML files with Unicode Normalization Form or Include Unicode Signature (BOM)?

 

Right now DW is not using these. I noticed Notepad saves in ANSI. This would seem to be the problem. Why DW worked before and all the sudden the mod crapped out I don't have a clue.