what's this button do?

What do all of the Contribute/Require bits do?

That's kind of explained in this thread. Keep reading, you should be able to figure it out.

Okay, thanks. One more thing, can you edit the ares data with missioncomputer? Instead of Hera?

Mission Computer is made specifically for the three EV games. Ares, while it has a similar theme, is a different game, and thus has a different engine. If you want to edit the Ares files, you're going to need a copy of Hera.

I don't have any idea how the Ares data files are organised. At the very most — if they’re resource-based like Escape Velocity ’s — MissionComputer might be able to open them, but there isn’t any likelihood of it being at all useful for editing them.

I was reading the hera and data file readmes, and I'm pretty sure it's still resource based. Oh well, I do have hera though.

EDIT: I went back and reread that thread (twice), and when you say unused, do you mean that there's a way to set the unused bits so that they do whatever you want them to? And, still making it an escort by capturing a ship and switching it with another ship? Do you mean capture or is there a way to swap ships with your escorts?

This post has been edited by Spartan Jai : 29 September 2010 - 04:25 PM

First of all, by 'unused' I meant stock EVN doesn't use them. They're free for anyone else to use without fear of changing the way the stock EVN scenario works. To have something check for a Require/Contribute bit, just check that bit in the resource's Require field. To have something set a Require/Contribute bit, just check the bit in the resource's Contribute field.

Second, I'm not quite sure what you're asking in your last two sentences. The only way to switch ships with one of your escorts is to release it, disable it, and then try to capture it again, this time switching. It's not definite, but it's the only way.

Ares uses the classic Mac resource system. Xsera, which is the modern port, keeps data in text files where you can edit maps and scenarios with your favourite text editor.

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@darthkev, on Sep 29 2010, 08:55 PM, said in If I may be so foolish...:

First of all, by 'unused' I meant stock EVN doesn't use them. They're free for anyone else to use without fear of changing the way the stock EVN scenario works. To have something check for a Require/Contribute bit, just check that bit in the resource's Require field. To have something set a Require/Contribute bit, just check the bit in the resource's Contribute field.

What I mean is, can you change what the unused bits do? Or do they do something, just nothing in nova uses whatever they do?

@prophile, on Sep 29 2010, 10:17 PM, said in If I may be so foolish...:

Ares uses the classic Mac resource system. Xsera, which is the modern port, keeps data in text files where you can edit maps and scenarios with your favourite text editor.

Oooh. Good to know. I'll look for that.

@darthkev, on Sep 29 2010, 08:55 PM, said in If I may be so foolish...:

Second, I'm not quite sure what you're asking in your last two sentences. The only way to switch ships with one of your escorts is to release it, disable it, and then try to capture it again, this time switching. It's not definite, but it's the only way.

Forgot to respond to this. Sorry, I misunderstood. Besides, if you release it and disable it, I thought you couldn't even board the ship.

@spartan-jai, on Sep 30 2010, 03:23 PM, said in If I may be so foolish...:

What I mean is, can you change what the unused bits do? Or do they do something, just nothing in nova uses whatever they do?

Specific bits don't have any innate function; what they're used for is what they do. If, for example, an outfit has bit 1A checked in its Require fields, then you will only be able to purchase it if your ship or some other item in your possession has bit 1A checked in its Contribute fields.

If a bit isn't used by the standard scenario, your plug-in can use it for any purpose you like with no harmful consequences.

@spartan-jai, on Sep 30 2010, 12:23 PM, said in If I may be so foolish...:

Forgot to respond to this. Sorry, I misunderstood. Besides, if you release it and disable it, I thought you couldn't even board the ship.

I believe you can board it again if you've landed since capturing the vessel. I'm not positive on that, but that's what I remember. It's been a long while since I've done anything with escorts (I prefer to go 'lone wolf' in EV games) so take my word with a grain of salt in this case.

Me too. But in that rare case, I want my escort's ship (Like ShadeOfBlue) I try that trick and it doesn't work.