edit npc's - program development
 

I am just finishing a big utility suite to-

add/delete and edit npc's and search by partial name
add/delete and edit npc loot tables
create and edit custom spawns anywhere
item <-> item_id lookup
backup/restore eq database

-Working on finishing tutorials and guide on how to use this package
-Testing/debugging the spawn code today
-Writing eq database backup/restore code

This is a large collection of works all assembled in one package.
There are lot's of other interesting things in the works...

Should be released this weekend ..if all beta testing goes well
..source code released as well..

GeorgeS

h
 

Looking forward to testign that out....
we can use a good spawner tool.

Will this automate serialization of items for the ignorant noobs like myself? :)

serialize
 

That applies to items. This does not edit items - Use Mangoo's item editor - no need to re-invent the wheel..

Ok, the help/tutorial is practically complete -
Here's the link to the tuts
http://www.wizardportal.com/optimaiv...ial/excel.html

I am testing the app now and in beta stage for the week.

Let me know if there's stuff you want added.

...things like explanation of merchants, spells, npc special attacks etc...
Editing items is low in the priority list.

Anyway, so far the app works very well and it's super fast for spawns and making npc's. After the beta, I will release the program...stay tuned

georgeS

merchants code
 

Just an update on what I'm working on now -

-Writing eq database backup/restore code - done! see this link
http://www.eqemulator.net/forums/showthread.php?t=19490

-Writing Merchant tools (Edit/Delete/Create Merchants VERY EASILY!) -done!
-Working on finishing tutorials and guide on how to use this package -done!

-Adding code to RANDOMISE merchant sell stuff
This works by running some code which adds roughly
1-10 common items
1-10 medium rare items
1-10 rare stuffs
Each time it's run, the merchant sell lists are updated!
Works very well and is tested.
Customizable in every respect...
50% Done

-Roaming Mobs - Tired of seeing static mobs - well this editor should fix that.
0% Done

Just a heads up

Package should be released fri. nite! - pending no big problems..

GeorgeS

check my sig

Well if GeorgeS doesn't need to use a "http server with php". I'm all for GeorgeS.

I'm not for anyone,

Editor from georges is usefull for windows and local use :)
Editor from mystic is good for windows, linux and internet use :)

The two are good :)

Mangoo's editor working with current version ?

beta testing
 

Tonight and thursday nite beta testing is continuing

So far the bugs I found were easily found and fixed.
Creating new merchants work very well so far, add/delete sell items as well.
Spawning custom npc's and npc camp spawns will be tonights focus.
If all goes well then by friday the app will be released.


I also updated the help file
Here's the link to the tuts/help
http://www.wizardportal.com/optimaiv...ial/excel.html


edit -
Thursday nite was a success. I created merchants and they showed up correctly. Also, created a spawn group of spectres in sro tower, even made a named pop up randomly, and that worked perfectly.

George

This program can't work without excel ?

It uses Excel. That's correct. I cannot program spreadsheet functionality easily in VB6. One thing I am slightly concerned about is differences between excel XP vs. excel 2K. I prolly should test it on the XP machine...


-edit
fixed some issues and the utility works as I meant it to.
Found lot's of merchants with missing merchant_id's. Added a utility to fix that and populate their lists with 20 common items.
Everything works well. I am working on the help file and should have a release later today/tonight

GeorgeS

release
 

10/8/05
edit - made it so setting up the Excel application is easier. Got rid of all those loadup errors. ver 1.3.3 is online -help/tutorials also made nicer...

You will need to make sure you have XP/NT/2K and Excel 2K or better
MyODBC 3.51 installed (included in 'eq back up tool' DL), and the .xls placed in your emu folder - where you keep your db.ini. When it asks for macros enabled, say yes. Code is accessed with alt-F11. Read help and how to check if it works first...
Backup your data please.

The Xl utility -
http://www.wizardportal.com/optimaiv...q_database.zip
Here's the link to the tuts
http://www.wizardportal.com/optimaiv...ial/excel.html



Also, my vb6/.NET table based eq back up tool - useful for backup/restoring specific tables...
Tool is found here
http://www.wizardportal.com/optimaiv..._db_backup.zip
Help (pdf) is found here
http://www.wizardportal.com/optimaiv...EQ_DB_Help.pdf



GeorgeS

update
 

some added features -

grid-waypoint (pathing) editing
user lookup tools
many many little enhancements.

..i've been using this tool a great deal and so far been enjoying it.


As an addon to my Excel_eq database editor, I am releasing a utility (.exe)
that allows you to search the ITEMS table and identify items by class and type, etc...

It will also identify which NPC drops the item/s

get it here
http://66.159.225.58/uwe/eqitems.zip

...place contents anywhere, but you must put a copy of your db.ini in the folder.


GeorgeS

only one problem so far
 

When I attempt to type in text it will not take it.... opening the file for editing tells me i have an incompatible version of excel. I have Microsoft Excel Viewer 2003. I am sure its something stupid that I am doing.... if you could just let me know what that was.

Was wondering if the version of excell i downloaded is a viewer and wont let me edit? or is it the year that is wrong? Thanks in advance.

That "Excel is required" thing is kinda a deal breaker for me. I don't have Excel on my computer at all. In fact, I don't any microsoft office programs on my computer!

I use OpenOffice.Org for all my document and spreadsheet needs.

I realize that doing so at this point would most likely require a major overhaul of your code, but you should look into using an embedded MySQL database engine or something like SQLite instead of Excel to store your data.

Argh
 

Ok, so i have the whole program up and running, which btw is fantastic. I can not however properly do step 2 of the tutorial. I do not ever get the loottable-id opened. I can only see the top bag.... cant create more bags.... im sure its a simple thing. If some one could just tell me what I have to do to get that small window to the left of the bag viewer (so that I can choose what bag im viewing) i would be set.

The 2 windows you want (to display the details) are activated by double-clicking. Select a row in one of the two windows and double click to open show the pop-ups.

...new lootdropid's are created by clicking on the button 'add new lootable id'
and this new # will appear in the sheet in cells between merchant_id and regen_rate cells. Click on the loottable id and the contents should appear in the two windows.

GeorgeS

Hmm
 

Ok, I can see the right of the two tables, always could. I can double click that and get the pop up menu, always could. Nothing i do will bring up the left table however. The one that allows me to select what "bag" I am looking in for the monster. I have tried double clicking, entering, or just spazzing on the loot table id # (i realize that is the number that tells it what "bags" to include) but I can not ever get that smaller blue window to open. It is just a yellow background.

I am using excel 2003 on windows XP

Thanks

Very nice.
 

Nice tool Mr G.

Very helpful indeed! Thanks :)

Feature Request:

If possible, the ability to take out spawns by selecting one and have it moved out into a new spawntable.

Just an Idea :)

If you single click on any 'bag' or lootdropid row - do you get the contents to show up in the right window?

If you cannot get that left window to pop up a menu, then I think the issue must be with the winXP Excel versions compatibility.

Anyway, what I will do today is find a fix for this issue so it works on your PC.
This should be a relatively easy fix

Mr.G

Thanks a ton, I love your program, just cant get that left window to appear.... so it is most likely the compatability issue.


Looking forward to the fix.

edit - Uploaded the newest version.


Ok, I fixed it so you can bring the pop-up by clicking once on any 'bag'/ lootdrop row and then pressing the spacebar - that brings up the pop-up menu. I will upload this later today after work ~ 6pm PST

Fixed some other minor misc errors as well...


..not sure if you know, but I also have a selective eq-database backup/restore tool (.exe) and a utility (.exe)
that allows you to search the ITEMS table and identify items by class and type, etc...

It will also identify which NPC drops the item/s

get it here
http://66.159.225.58/uwe/eqitems.zip

I am compiling a help for this utility.

Later
Mr.G

Thanks looking forward to it =)

but
 

The program is workign wonderfully, I think i've found a small bug though. I start it up, and just hit search and let it search for hill. Then if i go down the list and click on each of the entries that show up once, the loot_table window gets smaller and smaller every time. Otherwise excellent work, I love it a bunch.

edit: oh yeah, i'm running excel 2k3 version 11.6

Did you get a chance to fix that problem I was having george? AKA if i redownload your program will it have the spacebar fix? or are you going to link a fix when you have time. Thanks in advance.

Yes, I uploaded the update already. Same link

Let me know if the spacebar selection works...


GeorgeS

Man, this program hates on me =)
 

Ok, I am having the same problem an earlier poster had now that I have redownloaded the program. When I click on the left window for items it continues to get smaller and smalelr untill it is a just a 1 dimensional line that I can not ineteract with..... So yes you fixed the one problem, but now it goes so small I can not interact with it after about 10 uses.

=(

Newest version should have the shrinking window issue solved. Let me know
if it still does this. I changed the window properties to resemble the right panel and the shrink appears to be gone. I never had the shrinking window on my version of XL (Win2K) but the window did flicker in an odd way.

You can now download this latest release...



Mr.G

Link update
 

FYI - the links to download are

Help is here
http://66.159.225.58/eqemu/excel_eq/excel.html

Utility is here
http://66.159.225.58/eqemu/excel_eq/eq_database.zip

A very good guidebook

http://66.159.225.58/eqemu/EQEmu_Guidebook13.zip

I am working on getting this properly working with 0.6.6, but most
things do work.
GeorgeS

.
 

Great work,
It's very easy to use and setup.
I use 0.7.0 but im sure it won't take much to fix it up.

So for those of us who don't own Excel, any other means to use this?

If you do not have Excel but you are running windows you can always take a peek at my Database editor.

You can download my editor at:
http://eqemu.sesmar.net/index.php?op...d=32&Itemid=38

For installation instructions please see this thread:
http://eqemulator.net/forums/showthread.php?t=19839

So far it supports Editing: NPC, Loot Tables, Spell Tables, Faction Tables and Server Variables.

I am currently in the process of reworking a lot of the backend on it and adding support for spawn groups.

I hope this helps.

Updated version 1.5.0
 

Newest version (1.5.0) now is 0.6.6 compatible. Just updated some code and refreshed the views. Remember Excel (Y2K/XP) is required...

Utility is here
http://66.159.225.58/eqemu/excel_eq/eq_database.zip

Worklog -
-Fixed zone spawn code
-Fixed the merchant code
-Updated menus to look cleaner
-Updated random merchant code

GeorgeS aka Mr.G

Update and new version
 

Just added some feature enhancements -

-Ability to load ALL npc's within a specific zone
-Ability to load a specific npc within all zones or within a specific zone
-Ability added to sort by level,npc name,npc id
-fixed small/minor issues. Speed of display refresh is much better

Search by NPC can be partial name searches.

Help is here
http://66.159.225.58/eqemu/excel_eq/excel.html

Utility is here
http://66.159.225.58/eqemu/excel_eq/eq_database.zip

again remember Excel for Y2K or XP is required.

GeorgeS

more - again
 

Just to let you know, I am pretty much done with the program as it stands, and will now start porting it to VB6 (not .NET). Code is identical to VBA, so porting should not be a big deal.

The big advantage is you will no longer need office/excel, and the program will be compiled. Other advantages are more robust functionality.

The program also allows very rapid NPC editing (adding/creating/modifying) - incl. very easy loot changes, way point (grids) editing, and merchant (adding/creating/modifying). This will all be preserved in the VB6 version.

As usual it's going to be open source for those who are interested...

FYI - the code in the Excel version is accessed via Alt-F11.

This news I hope is of interest to those especially who don't own Excel.

This version can be wonderfull if no more need excel :)
And Opensource is a very good idea !

I love your product and this is an even greater improvement. I cannot wait!

progress...
 

Well, managed to nearly complete the 'NPC' editing and 'loot' editing portion over the weekend. I predict being 1/2way by this friday. Porting is actually pretty easy as both apps use similar syntax. I'm working on how to integrate all the functionality from the excel app seamlessly, and so far came across a solution to create several stand alone apps with a launcher that takes you to the various apps separately.

It works just like the excel version, but a bit better. The compiled version so far stands at about 80k! With luck, expect a release this weekend to test out.


GeorgeS aka MrG

I have a question;
Concerning the the dropdown menu "Tools > NPC > Copy Existing NPC" , I get a copy of the NPC, but not in the zone in use. Is there a way to move it back to the zone it was duped in?

NPC's can be shared/re-used in any zone i.e certain bats can be found everywhere. So what you need to do is go into spawneditor and add that npc into the spawngroup, so yes you can but not directly in npc editor.

I think your question is valid, however I think adding that functionality is complex and may yield errors in the database.

I'm off now to make the spawneditor ready for 0.7.0-800 06/07/2006 build date.

-edit - now the spawneditor should be 0.7.0-800 compatible. A few feature enhancements such as error checking is added .
You can now type in the npcid and the program responds with npcname automatically.
Also, clicking on the npc row (in spawnentry grid) will populate the NPC_search pop-up and you can thereby search for the npc that way.

http://66.159.225.58/eqemu/GeorgeS_EqEmu_Files.zip

GeorgeS