I got your point.
MM now comes with two different options (see my signature):
a) Normal (via installer)
b) Portable (.zip archive)
So:
1a and 1b) Brand name is changed
. RA Mod Manager is a Random Acronym Mod Manager (Really Awesome for example, but not yet).
2a and 3a) MM can be installed anywhere. It not need to be installed in HoMM directory.
2b and 3b) Should be placed in <HoMM3>\Tools\<Mod Manager> directory. Don't need to be installed.
Also, there is design difference between installer and portable versions:
a) Can work with any game directory, settings saved in system.
b) Can work only with game where it placed, settings saved in program directory. Updates should be unpacked by user manually.
Of course, this should be placed near program download links
.
Then maybe it would be a good idea to add all those explanations in installer window. I was a bit confused at first, because when you install it not in HoMM3 folder, it can't find mods on opening, so you still need to specify game folder. So why not do it from installation process.
Just saying.
Update:
1) MM will be updated from wakeofgods.org by default. Thanks, Valery
.
2) Changed screen control buttons
3) Mod editing is now possible from MM (Hint: you can use it to convert mods with mod_info.ini to new format)
4) More bugs and bug fixes
Excellent
How works priority? I set a mod to 3, then created a new "enabled" column, couldn't figure what's going.
Valery, it was a
Bes request (see
http://wforum.heroes35.net/showthread.ph...2#pid85172 + see a screen from him a few messages below).
Simplest explanation: priority like groups (like in old Era priority system) and you can't move mod from one group to another (this applies for everything in MM).
For example, i have mod Standard Maps where all maps resides. It has priority -1, so when i enable it - it goes to the bottom of enabled mod list.
0 value is the safest one
.
I will prepare full explanation of every available feature in MM later. For now you can check this file (not everything is correct here, in fact):
http://1drv.ms/1D56gst
Здорово, конечно. Автообновление, редактирование через интерфейс информации о моде. Спасибо, замечательный продукт.
Given that I have to repack all mods with new configuration, I was thinking to a better sort of, then add the prefix to starting name.
1) GAMEPLAY mods changing or adding things to game play, for example Phoenix, HoL (I don't like the term "conversions" as it usually pushes away the conventional players)
2) GRAPHICS mods adding graphics, Morn,
3) SCENARIOS map mods, TEW, Jim's maps
4) CHEATS trainer, advanced heo level up, advanced map infos
5) INTERFACE mods adding buttons, modifying interface
6) TOWNS grove, chinese rampart, new rampart, covenant
Like the one I showed:
This way, is easier to pick what you need among the 100+ existing mods. What everyone thinks?
Yes. This is good.
Do you rename folders or fill in "caption" field in mod.json?
In either cases, i propose following changes:
1) Add in MM support of two new fields for info file: "category" and "tags" (i also write a function that goes through all mods and converts them from your format to this)
2) Sort disabled mods not by directory name, but rather by displayed caption
I was thinking to rename folders. Because if one day mod manager, for one reason or another, vanishes, we still have them sorted out. Also when browsing mods links to download, is better I think.
Valery, in that case you always can rename folders back to <Tag>_Name (yet again automatically).
Also, i think this is better:
[GRAPHICS] Morn Battlefields
or?
[GRAPHICS]_Morn Battlefields
and why tags? Is better or necessary (because I will have to redo about 20 of them)?
Just to be clear:
Say correctly, in which pattern you name your folders.
I will do everything else. You will be satisfied, i promise.
Right now, I renamed ~20 of them like this:
GRAPHICS_mod name
I will wait a few days to see if better suggestions or idea, then I repack all of them.
SyDr's variant is better, space separated variant.
Update:
1) A new item, "category", are available for mod info. Editing from MM is also available. There is a list of predefined categories: (gameplay, graphics, scenarios, cheats, interface, towns). You also can use any other category name.
2) Disabled mods are now sorted by caption, not by directory name
3) More bug fixes
Valery, after update press F8 in a main window. This will do for every mod that use CATEGORY_<OtherPartOfDirectoryName> name pattern (only for predefined categories):
1) Fill in field "category" in mod.json and saves it
2) Renames directory into <OtherPartOfDirectoryName> (i.e. removes category name from directory name)
(This is a temporary function and will not be available in the future)
