Hook and Editing Update News

[Ace Antilles]

Hello! Here is a small update on some of the latest Hook editing progress.



A little information on some Hook updates from: May 5th 2020 until June 4th 2020.

Chief Engineer JeremyaFr has been busy as always and updated and fixed many hooks in the last month.

Whenever you have any issues in game we always recommend that you update the Hooks if you haven't recently.
Delete or backup your old Hook setup folder. Download them with XWA Hooks Setup and then copy the files into your XWA main folder.

Bug fixes lately include areas related to: Mine Fields, Weapon colours, Explosions, Hangar brightness, missing SSD and even a vertical Hangar launch option.

Also the SNM Movie Converter has been updated. For this download - XwaToolsDownloader
Export avi files in Mpeg4 format instead of MotionJpeg format.
Import any video files with the Media Foundation APIs

For more details on individual Hooks are in the XWA Hook Editing section Here

[Trevor]

Nice monthly update article. This should be in the front page

Trev

[Ace Antilles]

HOOK UPDATES!
Here's the news from the world of Hooks over the last month. Improvements are always coming from JeremyaFr.
Updates from June 4th - 18th July 2020.

Hook_Engine_Sound

Hello,
You can now define which sounds are played when entering hyperspace on a per craft base.

To define which sound is played when entering hyperspace, set the "HyperSoundBehavior" value.
A value of -1 means that the sound is based on the player Iff.
A value of 0 means that the "HyperStartReb" sound is played.
A value of 1 means that the "HyperStartImp" sound is played.
A value of 2 means that the "HyperStartImp" and the "HyperZoomImp" sounds is played.

So with this update you can set flyable Fighters to use the Imperial Hyperdrive noises where they may have defaulted to the Rebel option before.
A very nice change if for example you want your R41 to be equipped with Imperial drive units.

I've added a TieFighterWithIon option for the WeaponSoundBehavior setting.

What this means is that currently if you have an Imperial ship set WeaponSoundBehavior = TieFighter then all weapons will sound like a TIE laser.
That also includes Ion cannon sounds. With this new code you can have TIE lasers but get back the Ion laser sounds as well.

Code: Select all

WeaponSoundBehavior = TieFighterWithIon

See this topic for all the details on the hook itself.
https://www.xwaupgrade.com/phpBB3/viewt ... 33&t=11746



Hook_Joystick_ff

Hello,
I've updated the joystick hook.
I've included the patch that allows small movements.
I've added a setting to enable or disable small movement.

Code: Select all

EnableSmallMovement = value

The default value is 1, which enable small movement.
When the value is 0, small movement is disabled.

Essentially there was a deadzone in the game with Joysticks which the hook should have eliminated now.
See this topic for a little more detail.
https://www.xwaupgrade.com/phpBB3/viewt ... 0&start=29



Hook_Mission_Objects

Hello,
I've found and fixed a bug in the mission objects hook.

There was a bug that caused a Cort Gun Turret to gradually move by itself. The updated hook fixes that issue.
See this topic for a little more detail.
https://www.xwaupgrade.com/phpBB3/viewt ... 10&t=12738



Hook_Hangars

Hello,
Here is a WIP version of the hangars hook.

You can now define the x y and z positions of the shuttle.

I've added a "ShuttlePositionZ" setting.
To set the shuttle z position, set "ShuttlePositionZ = value". value is an integer. The default value is 0.
To set the shuttle x position, set "ShuttlePositionX = value". value is an integer. The default value is 1127.
To set the shuttle y position, set "ShuttlePositionY = value". value is an integer. The default value is 959.

I've added a "DroidsPositionsZ" setting to define the z position of the droids.
To set the droids z position, set "DroidsPositionZ = value". value is an integer. The default value is 0.

I've added a "IsShuttleFloorInverted" setting.
To invert the hangar floor for the shuttle, set "IsShuttleFloorInverted = 1".
When set to 0, the floor is below the player craft. When set to 1, the floor is above the player craft.

See this topic for a little more detail.
https://www.xwaupgrade.com/phpBB3/viewt ... &start=225



Hook_Hull_Icon

Hello,
I've updated the hull icon hook.
You can now define the map icon via a txt file instead of patching the xwa exe.

To set the map icon for a craft, open "MapIconList.txt" and change the corresponding line to the desired value.
If the file does not exist, default values are used.

[Rookie_One1]

so only bug not fixed is the player craft closing it's s-foils while going into hyperspace no matter what ?

[Ace Antilles]

Not much happens and then lots in a few days!
I've edited my July update to include some recent updates.

[Ace Antilles]

I've updated the Hook list a few posts above this.
Also as listed on the current news post there have been a few editor changes recently.

OPTECH V2:
A few additions have been made recently plus some reordering on the transformation tab.
He's added copy and paste buttons to the HardPoint and Engine Glow controls.

For all the information on this editor please visit this topic here.
https://www.xwaupgrade.com/phpBB3/viewt ... =9&t=12105


XWA OPT EDITOR:
The Xwa Hangar Map Editor included in this program has been updated and improved.
It has been brought up to date with some recent changes to Hangar Maps and closed S-foils.
Also: You can now export a hangar scene to an opt or obj file.

For all the information on this editor please visit this topic here.
https://www.xwaupgrade.com/phpBB3/viewt ... =9&t=11083


ZT CREATOR PATCHER
Zt Creator and Zt Patcher are tools to create and apply a patch to a file.
Zt Blank is a tool to create a patch for a specific craft.

For all the information on this editor please visit this topic here.
https://www.xwaupgrade.com/phpBB3/viewt ... =9&t=12775


XWA DAT EDITOR: I've updated XwaDatEditor.
I've added a feature to save images and groups to dat file:
* add multiselect in the lists.
* add "save DAT" buttons
* add image index

For all the information on this editor please visit this topic here.
https://www.xwaupgrade.com/phpBB3/viewt ... =9&t=12253

To get these programs use XwaToolsDownloader. This will grab and download the newest versions.
https://raw.github.com/JeremyAnsel/XwaT ... loader.zip

[Safe-Keeper]

I love how this project has been trucking along for so many years, giving out new opts off and on, then been in a state of near-hiatus for a significant time, and then suddenly returned with a vengeance to turn the whole engine upside down.

[Ronin65]

Could you explain what a "Hitpoint" is please? I can't seem to find it in Optech

[Forceflow]

Could you explain what a "Hitpoint" is please? I can't seem to find it in Optech

Ah, Ace misunderstood. HP in this case is meant for 'Hardpoint' and not hitpoint. I'll correct it in the post.

[Ronin65]

i noticed it on the news page lol

[Ace Antilles]

HOOK UPDATES
A few of the recent updates in Hook world over the last month. JeremyaFr never stops.
Updates from 18th July - 11th August 2020.

Xwa Hooks Setup

I've updated all the hooks that have a config file.
I've added support for a global "hooks.ini" file. This file contains all the individual cfg files.

I've also updated XwaHooksSetup.
All the individual cfg files are merged into a single global "hooks.ini" file.
All the individual readme txt files are merged into a single "Hooks_Readme.txt" file.

This is a new simplified Hook system that will be integrated into our next updates.
There is now one INI file rather than many individual cfg files.
If you have made any special modifications to your CFG files you can copy the information into the new INI file.

See this topic for more details.
https://www.xwaupgrade.com/phpBB3/viewt ... &start=285


Hook_Hangars

ual002 and JeremyaFr have been updating the Hangar options almost daily!
There are options for roof rack or ground launching, Shuttle and player orientation, Hangars based on IFF and more.
What this means is we can make some really cool Hangar maps for Imperial Starships in particular and they are being put to good use.

New features are:
- ShuttleOrientation setting
- HangarIff setting
- PlayerOffsetX, PlayerOffsetY, PlayerOffsetZ settings
- IsPlayerFloorInverted setting
- load files by IFF

To set the shuttle orientation, set "ShuttleOrientation = value". value is an unsigned integer. The default value is 43136.
To set the hangar flightgroup color, set "HangarIff = value". value is an integer. The default value is -1. -1 means that the IFF of the command ship is used.
To set the x position offset of the player craft, set "PlayerOffsetX = value". value is an integer. The default value is 0.
To set the y position offset of the player craft, set "PlayerOffsetY = value". value is an integer. The default value is 0.
To set the z position offset of the player craft, set "PlayerOffsetZ = value". value is an integer. The default value is 0.
To invert the hangar floor for the player craft, set "IsPlayerFloorInverted = 1". When set to 0, the floor is below the player craft. When set to 1, the floor is above the player craft.

To load a file based on the IFF of the arrival craft, append the IFF index (starting at 0) to the file name.
This apply to HangarObjects, HangarCamera, FamHangarCamera, HangarMap, FamHangarMap.
For instance, if the IFF index is 1 and the file name is HangarObjects, then the name of the section in the ini file will be HangarObjects1. If HangarObjects1 doesn't exist then HangarObjects is used.

See this topic for more details.
https://www.xwaupgrade.com/phpBB3/viewt ... &start=233


Hook_Mission_Tie

I've fixed a crash that happens in the Pilot Proving Ground when the HangarMap contains more than 30 objects.

See this topic for more details.
https://www.xwaupgrade.com/phpBB3/viewt ... 2&start=29


EDITOR UPDATES
Some of the Editing programs have had some updates.

XWA OPT EDITOR

I've updated XwaOptEditor.
Now, when a file dialog is shown, the tool remenbers the directory for each type of dialog (open, save, import, export, each file type).
This applies to XwaHangarMapEditor, XwaOptEditor, XwaSFoilsEditor.

I've added a scale by percent feature.
I've added a button to remove unused textures.

For all the information on this editor please visit this topic here.
https://www.xwaupgrade.com/phpBB3/viewt ... =9&t=11083


XWA OPTER (OPT FIX)

Hello, I've updated XwaOpter.
Now the tool remembers the file dialog last directory.
The directory path is stored in a file named "XwaOpter.cfg".

For all the information on this editor please visit this topic here.
https://www.xwaupgrade.com/phpBB3/viewt ... =9&t=12281


XWA OPT PILOT FIXER
XwaOptPilotFixer is a new tool. It fixes an issue that affects the rotating Pilot Heads in the game.

XwaOptPilotFixer scans all OPT files in a selected directory and fixes a bug related to the mesh type of the meshes used by the pilot mesh animation.

It changes the mesh type from RotaryCommunicationSystem to MainHull for all pilot related meshes.
For the base and exterior OPT, the tool reads "Pilot.txt" or the "Pilot" section of the ini file for that OPT.
For the cockpit OPT, the tool reads "PilotCockpit.txt" or the "PilotCockpit" section of the ini file. if the PilotCockpit data don"t exist, the tool reads the data for the base OPT ini or txt file.
The fixed OPT is stored in a "FixedOpts" directory. Only the modified OPT are saved.

For all the information on this editor please visit this topic here.
https://www.xwaupgrade.com/phpBB3/viewt ... =9&t=12834

[Ace Antilles]

HOOK UPDATES
A few of the recent updates / fixes to the Hooks. Updated 25th September.

Hook_D3dl
A fix to this hook which was affecting Hangar shadows.
See this topic for more details.
https://www.xwaupgrade.com/phpBB3/viewt ... 33&t=12558


Hook_Mission_Objects
With this change you can add a ships POV into the INI file.
So if you use the replace trick to use different opts in a mission then the POV won't be wrong.

UPDATE
I've updated the mission objects hook.
Now you can overwrite the cockpit pov settings when an opt is replaced via the hook.
Suppose that the new craft is "FlightModels\[Model].opt".
To define the cockpit POV, set CockpitPovX, CockpitPovY and CockpitPovZ in a file named "FlightModels\[Model]CockpitPov.txt" or create a section named "[CockpitPov]" in "FlightModels\[Model].ini".

Hook_Hangars
More hangar improvements.

UPDATE
Now you can customize the Hangar Roof Crane animation.

New settings:
- HangarRoofCranePositionX
- HangarRoofCraneAxis
- HangarRoofCraneLowOffset
- HangarRoofCraneHighOffset

To set the Hangar Roof Crane position, set "HangarRoofCranePositionX = value X", "HangarRoofCranePositionY = value Y" and "HangarRoofCranePositionZ = value Z". The values are integers. The default value for HangarRoofCranePositionX is -1400. The default value for HangarRoofCranePositionY is 786. The default value for HangarRoofCranePositionZ is -282.
To set the Hangar Roof Crane axis, set "HangarRoofCraneAxis = value". 0 means the X axis. 1 means the Y axis. 2 means the Z axis. The default value is 0.
To define the range of Hangar Roof Crane animation, set "HangarRoofCraneLowOffset = value" and "HangarRoofCraneHighOffset = value". The values are relative to the Hangar Roof Crane initial position.

See this topic for more details.
https://www.xwaupgrade.com/phpBB3/viewt ... &start=250


Hook_joystick_ff
JeremyaFr has actually created a brand new tool which can help to configure Joystick controls in XWA.
It's still WIP but you can use it to create profiles and assign buttons.
Read this topic for more details. Please read carefully as it's still in progress so there maybe a few bugs so testing feedback is helpful.
https://www.xwaupgrade.com/phpBB3/viewt ... 34#p174234

WIP
Here is a WIP version of the joystick hook.

You can now have the main axis and buttons on separate controllers.
You can define more than 16 buttons and 4 POVs.

XwaJoystickConfig_02.png

For more Hook information please check the Forum Hook subsection.
https://www.xwaupgrade.com/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=33

[Ace Antilles]

HOOK UPDATES

Been a lot going on so I've missed a few things I'm sure. Here are some of the more notable Hook updates of late.
JeremyaFr has taken a lot of the teams ideas and made them happen! It seems very little not possible these days.

New meshes count limit per opt
Some great editing news about Opt limits!
See this topic for more details.
https://www.xwaupgrade.com/phpBB3/viewt ... 33&t=13195

Hello, I've updated the opt limit hook.
The meshes count limit of 50 meshes per opt is now broken. The new limit is now 254 meshes per opt.
I've updated the mission objects hook, the pilot hook and the sfoils hook to support the new limit.

Hook_32bpp
There is a great new Skins feature that went from Forceflows mind to creation in only the last week!
Essentially it allows anyone to add their own custom looks to an Opt. It's something that will be used more by the XWAU Team in 2021.
Anyone though with a little knowledge and some picture editing skills can create their own too!
See this topic for more details.
https://www.xwaupgrade.com/phpBB3/viewt ... 94#p177917

I've updated the 32bpp hook.

There is a new feature: Skins.
With skins, you can customize the appearance of the 3d models.

Suppose that the craft is "FlightModels\[Model].opt".
To create a skin named "[Skin1]", create a folder named "FlightModels\Skins\[Model]\[Skin1]\".
To replace a texture, place it in the skins folder with the same name and dimensions of the original texture.
The supported image formats are bmp, png, jpg. Use the png format to get transparency.
See "Skins\XWing\Default\Tex00033.png" for an example for the vanilla X-Wing.

Suppose that the mission is "[MissionDir]\[Mission].tie".
To define a skin for a craft, create a file named "[MissionDir]\[Mission]_Skins.txt" or create a section named "[Skins]" in "[MissionDir]\[Mission].ini".
The format is
CraftOptName = SkinNameA, SkinNameB
CraftOptName_fg_# = SkinName1, SkinName2, SkinName3
# in CraftOptName_fg_# is an integer for the opt color marking index, starting at 0.
The default SkinName is "Default".
See "Skins.txt"

Hook_Mission_Objects
This update is also very new but it is used in the very next XWAU Update.
Essentially you can hide areas of the craft without having a whole different Opt. All based on an INI code.
For example you could create a Death Star and then later in another mission have it look like it's the DS2 half built just by hiding some meshes.
It has some good potential and creators like Vince T are already putting it into use.
See this topic for more details.
https://www.xwaupgrade.com/phpBB3/viewt ... 33&t=13090

Here is an update of the mission objects hook.
You can now hide meshes of a craft for flightgroups of a mission.

# object profiles
Suppose that the new craft is "FlightModels\[Model].opt".
To hide meshes for a craft, create a file named "FlightModels\[Model]ObjectProfiles.txt" or create a section named "[ObjectProfiles]" in "FlightModels\[Model].ini".
The format is:
ProfileName = indices
indices are a comma separated list.

Suppose that the mission is "[MissionDir]\[Mission].tie".
To define an object profile for a flightgroup, create a file named "[MissionDir]\[Mission]_Objects.txt" or create a section named "[Objects]" in "[MissionDir]\[Mission].ini".
The format is
ObjectProfile_fg_# = ProfileName
Replace # with the flightgroup index.
The default ProfileName is "Full".

Hook_Sfoils
Some more updates to give lots of S-foil options.
See this topic for more details.
https://www.xwaupgrade.com/phpBB3/viewt ... &start=225

Hello, I've updated the s-foils hook.

Changes are:
- fix CloseSFoilsInHyperspace for player craft
- add AllowFireWhenSFoilsAreClosed
- add AutoCloseSFoils

The CloseSFoilsInHyperspace setting now works for the player craft.
With the AllowFireWhenSFoilsAreClosed setting, the player can fire when the s-foils are closed.
With the AutoCloseSFoils setting, you can choose between automatically or manually close and open the s-foils and landing gears.

Hook_Dock
Part of this improvement you may have seen already in our Mega Patch.
Now when you dock with something if your ship is close to the surface it no longer flies back up a long way before going back to dock.
You can also create custom values for different craft too.
See this topic for more details.
https://www.xwaupgrade.com/phpBB3/viewt ... 33&t=13029

You can now modify the player dock position.

Suppose that the craft is "FlightModels\[Model].opt".

To define a dock elevation, create a file named "FlightModels\[Model]Dock.txt" or create a section named "[Dock]" in "FlightModels\[Model].ini".
The format is:
DockElevation = value
If the file does not exist, default values are used. The default value is 0 for the ModelIndex 170 SpaceColony2, and 932 for the other crafts.

To force a dock elevation value, set the ForceDockElevation setting.
Set -1 to use per model values, or set a int value to use the same elevation for all crafts.

Hook_Joystick_Ff
The new Joystick features are part of our Mega Patch but with so many controllers out there getting it perfect is tricky!
Jeremy has added a few fixes since the release and here are some notes since this post was updated too.
See this topic for more details.
https://www.xwaupgrade.com/phpBB3/viewt ... 6&start=75

Hello, I've updated the joystick hook.
I've improved the enable or disable small movements feature.
I've added 2 settings. 1 for invert the throttle axis and 1 for invert the rudder axis.
I've improved performance of the hook.

You can now replace each axis: Yaw, Pitch, Throttle, Rudder

XwaJoystickConfig_03.png

Dinput.dll
Some bug fixes which help with mouse issues.
See this topic for more details.
https://www.xwaupgrade.com/phpBB3/viewt ... 33&t=12061

Hello, I've updated the windowed hook and the main hook (DInput.dll).
I've fixed the mouse move in the hangar when using High DPI Desktop. This is done by calling the SetProcessDPIAware function.

We will update the Hooks in future releases as always but if you want to update them manually then see below:
Delete or backup your old Hook setup download folder. Download them with XWA Hooks Setup and then copy the files from Setup into your XWA main folder.

[Blazingfirestorm]

Hi I've just updated it and I seem to get this error message

xwa_hook_main (Dinput.dII)

"To call the hook that sets the craft offsets" is not correctly initialized.

[JeremyaFr]

Hello,
There is a known conflict between the new hooks and the patches applied to the xwa exe.

See viewtopic.php?p=178026#p178026

[Forceflow]

Hi I've just updated it and I seem to get this error message

xwa_hook_main (Dinput.dII)

"To call the hook that sets the craft offsets" is not correctly initialized.

See the last post by JermyaFR here

[Ace Antilles]

Hi I've just updated it and I seem to get this error message
xwa_hook_main (Dinput.dII)
"To call the hook that sets the craft offsets" is not correctly initialized.

This issue has already been fixed in XWAU 2020 Mega Patch: Update 1
Which is now available to download.

[Blazingfirestorm]

it's cool thanks though

[Ace Antilles]

HOOK UPDATES

As always JeremyFr is busy adding new functions or fixing issues in others for our ancient game!
Here's a look at some of the fixes over the last month. We thank him for his amazing work.
All relevant hooks will be included in our next XWAU release.
Visit the Hook section of the Forum for the individual posts.
https://www.xwaupgrade.com/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=33

UPDATE
Hello, I've updated the d3dinfos textures hook.
Now the illumination is not rendered for disabled crafts.

This is a neat new idea the team was working on. Now when a ship is disabled the bright lights go out! It doesn't change textures, just illumination.

UPDATE
Hello, I've updated the weapon color hook.
I've merged the changes from the WIP version into the stable version.

This fixes a bug where AI ships were being sneaky and firing lasers and Ions at the same time.

UPDATE
Hello, I've updated the 32bpp hook.
I've fixed a bug with the skins mipmaps.
I've fixed a bug with the skins feature in the Tech Library.

More skin support fixes.

UPDATE
Hello, I've updated the mission objects hook.
Now the object profiles are loaded in briefing and tech library.

More Profile support fixes.

UPDATE
Hello, I've updated the opt limit hook.
I've fixed a bug with the meshes count limit. There was a few missing offsets.
To use default values for the meshes count limit, set "MeshesCount = 0".

Fixes a bug with the Salvage Yard

UPDATE
Hello, I've updated the the joystick hook.
You can now select the controllers either by their index (position starting from 0) or by their ID (Product identifier).

More Joystick improvements.

UPDATE
Hello, I've updated the TgSmush dll.
I've fixed a bug where when multiple movies are played, then only the first movie is played.

Fixes issues with custom movie playback.

We will update the Hooks in future releases as always but if you want to update them manually then see below:
Delete or backup your old Hook setup download folder. Download them with XWA Hooks Setup and then copy the files from Setup into your XWA main folder.

[Ace Antilles]

HOOK UPDATES

Time for another update of Hook News! Sponsored by JeremyFr and Sienar Fleet Systems
Here's a look at some of the fixes over the last month. We thank him for his amazing work.
All relevant hooks will be included in our next XWAU release.
Visit the Hook section of the Forum for the individual posts.
https://www.xwaupgrade.com/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=33

UPDATE
Hello, I've updated all the hooks.
Now the CFG files are read before the ini files.

This is a main change to all the Hooks. Hooks.ini still controls the Hooks if you edit a section in that file.
It was starting to cause issues with custom builders as every time a new Hook package was released then it could accidentally be overwritten and settings lost.
So now if you have a config file in the main directory for example Hook_Hangars.cfg then the game will read that file first for the appropriate Hook.
Standard XWAU users do not need to change anything with future or previous updates.

UPDATE
Hello, I've updated the hangars hook.
I've added a ShuttleAnimationElevation setting to set the elevation of the shuttle.
I've added a PlayerAnimationStraightLine setting.
To set the player craft straight line animation length, set "PlayerAnimationStraightLine = value". value is an integer. The default value is 0.

This allows us to make the Shuttle go higher before take off and the Player longer. Items we've already put into use

UPDATE
Hello, I've updated the s-foils hook.
I've added a "ParkOrderSFoilsClosed" setting.
To close the S-Foils when the craft is parked, set the ParkOrderSFoilsClosed setting. To enable, set "1". To disable, set "0". The default value is "0".

So thanks to Jeremy we've pushed this Hook to a final one, but for now we are not going to enable it in all XWAU craft.
We may put the commands into place on some but disabled. There are some issues with the wings staying shut after leaving a Parked order. It only works correctly on some missions if those missions are edited so that they progress to the right orders and the wings open correctly.
So until either all the relevant missions are checked and corrected we don't want ships flying about with S-foils closed lol
You can read more details in this thread and for the ambitious can obviously experiment themselves.
https://www.xwaupgrade.com/phpBB3/viewt ... 33&t=13298

UPDATE
Hello, I've updated the 32bpp hook.
I've added the skin name as a suffix for the textures names.

Suppose that the craft is "FlightModels\[Model].opt".
To create a skin named "[Skin1]", create a folder named "FlightModels\Skins\[Model]\[Skin1]\".
To replace a texture, place it in the skins folder with the same name, or the name of the skin appended, and dimensions of the original texture.
The supported image formats are bmp, png, jpg. Use the png format to get transparency.
For example, if the name of the skin is "Skin1", the name of the texture is "Tex00000", and the texture extension is ".png", then the texture filename can be "Tex00000_Skin1.png" or "Tex00000.png"

Some more improvements for compatibility with using Skins.

That's your Hook report for February. Stay tuned for more next time!