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Is there a better editor than freelancer explorer

Do you want to start editing Freelancer, but have no clue where to begin? This is the place for you to find things and talk about getting started on Freelancer Modding

Post Wed Nov 10, 2004 5:15 pm

I have been building one on and off now for over a year which is text based (no graphics) but between work and spare time, it takes a long long time.
Im up to the stage now where it can automate nearly all system object tasks and ini file generation but things like zones I add manually.
Its not exactly in a release mode yet cos I nevr seem to get the time to really work on it
post script: I have never used fl explorer and am not saying mine is better, I just wanted to let u guys know how hard it is to do something like this, so well done to the designers of fle for doing it and releasing it.

Edited by - bane42 on 11/10/2004 5:17:50 PM

Post Wed Nov 17, 2004 2:58 am

The new version of FLE will be ready for release soon and addresses just about every issue that has plagued this program in the past and added some new features.

I should point out though that with the last publicly released version of FLE there were no major issues. It's like that saying about how a chain is only as strong as its weakest point. In this case the weakest point is usually the person using the program.

With the last public version I have made many systems without any problems and only required a few cleanups of small errors like the double-entry and space_constume.

This program is not hard to use. Basically if you are having problems than most likely you are not building your system correctly.

Edited by - Louva-Deus on 11/17/2004 3:02:48 AM

Post Thu Nov 18, 2004 5:37 pm

Louva,

Typical of you to place the blame on the people using the tool rather than the creator of the tool. It is widely known that FLE is the most poorly created tool for Freelancer, it creates tons more errors than is helpful. It destroys mbases.ini and frankly it is pointless to do any work on the .dll through it.

Building a system incorrectly?

I think that means using FLE

Post Thu Nov 18, 2004 9:11 pm

I'll bet you if everyone who complains about FLE learned how to actually build a system properly you would see almost no complaints. They are lazy and think the program will do it all for them but the fact is, it is just an editor. The tool is only as good as the person using it, and with the fact that I have had no major problems in my own systems like the ones these people are complaining about seems to disprove the theory that FLE is the source of everyones problems.

Now I'm not trying to say that everyone here is an idiot, I'm simply stating the facts of the matter since you are so intent on trying to make me look bad. You have to understand that about 98-99% of all mod makers in any community are amatuers, or hobbyists if you prefer, not professionals. In general most of them just want it to work and be easy without having to get into the gory details.

Survey says: you lose!

Post Fri Nov 19, 2004 8:31 am

the only 2 issues i have with FLE are these...

1.) When adding Fields..IE nebs and asteroids....they are usually labled [Asteriods for both and the .ini's are sent to the asteroids folder...(not a big problem since i manually go into the ini after creating the nebs and tweak em

2.) Patrols. some times they work some times they don't....but if ya go into the ini and add a variable or maybe a number here and there....then they work fine...

I am NOT saying the tool is bad. Its a GREAT start for any modder, but as any vet would say "You gotta do some INI editing" so hats off to the creators of the tool.....

also, i do agree with parabolix as well a louva, the programs is as good as its CREATORS and its USERS. Some people are too lazy to read the tuts on an editor and or program. (SOME NOT ALL). But for the most part people do read them mainy for the fact noone wants to sound like a noob

So for both sides here it is a good program...has a few MINOR bugs...and if anyone is doing .dll editing......use FLeIds, it is the easiest and best info card creator out there. Multiple tools and knowladge bases are required to make a system, not the imaginary "infalable tool".



"To live is to die....but living is to die slowly..why waste time on trivial things just play as hard as you can"

Edited by - Dark_Shadow2004 on 11/19/2004 8:32:47 AM

Post Sun Nov 21, 2004 4:51 pm

I think the root of the problem is correctly put by Louva.

Also, people want a sytem built within minutes with little thought to all the components that go into it. A lot of people clearly don't know how to use it, they skip reading all the tutorials and then complain.

The FLE is good for getting the basics and then some together, and granted it leaves some errors, but these are well documented so can be amended afterwards.

FLE is a great tool, it provides a visual map as well as offering many other things that people just ignore. If people spent time using it rather than thinking that it would provide immediate gratification they would have a different opinion.

I think too many people think that they can drum up a fully working system in 5 minutes without really understanding the ins and outs of FLE and what it has to offer. Then they get disapointed.

Post Tue Nov 30, 2004 6:36 am

I've used FLE...
Check out "Privateer: The Reckoning OpenSP Beta 4.0"
70 completely new systems.
All done with FLE, PE Explorer, and Notepad.

I had to use PE Explorer to straighten out some DLL problems...
(Mostly spelling errors.)

And I used Notepad to write the Market, and mBases ini's.
(It takes far to long to do them justice using FLE.)
I also used Notepad to edit the pop zones.
(Again, It takes far to long to do them justice using FLE.)
And Universe only required minor editing to get it working right.

And since the ships, factions, random missions, and sundry other things have to be done with Notepad, FLE actually saved a lot of time.
(Even so, it took almost 2 months to do those 70 new systems!)

For a simple mod, FLE can do those in a few hours, or a weekend.
(With minor clean-up.)

I think that the main complaint comes from the fact that people would like an all-in-one mod-maker.
For me, less clean-up of files would speed things along.
But, then again, I doubt I'll be making 70 new systems again anytime soon!

Watch your 6!

Edited by - warzog on 11/30/2004 6:42:51 AM

Post Thu Dec 02, 2004 7:09 pm

It's true that the program is only as good as the user. FLE has its problems but if you know which files it edits and where the errors go then its easy to fix. I use it a lot to create the basics then dive into the .ini files to tidy things up. You can use it to add practically anything defined in stararch or solararch. Works for me!

Proof here at Lancers, i used it to create the Solar System mod in the downloads section: http://www.lancersreactor.com/t/downloa ... sp?id=1292

Post Wed Dec 08, 2004 3:36 am

Although I build my systems by hand, I must say that FLE is the ONLY editor out there an Louva-Deus is correct.

YOU GOTTA READ THE INSTRUCTIONS.

Its not easy to build a system even with an editor. But IF YOU DON'T READ THE INSTRUCTIONS, you will have no success.

Modding is not easy. if it was, everyone would do it. You have to work to learn, even if you are given good tools like FLE.

Glock36
"No Comment"

Post Mon Dec 20, 2004 10:50 am

uhm, wouldnt it be nice if FLE where made open source?

sorta less buggy, maybe even perfect?

just a hint...

I myself made an entire system whith FLE, a border worlds (br-ku border)
one outcast base, one img planet, sun and planet in a smogfield whith big exclusion zone, goods, news, characters, icefield, jumphole, jumpgates, bountyhunter patrols, patrols, pops, tradelanes, tradelane traffic, tradelane acess, everything!

just chrashed upon entering

Take a Pick!

Edited by - BmB23 on 12/20/2004 10:53:45 AM

Edited by - BmB23 on 12/20/2004 10:54:47 AM

ok ok, a lot of spelling errors, sorry.

Edited by - BmB23 on 12/20/2004 10:56:22 AM

Post Mon Dec 20, 2004 11:40 am

There are few qualified to work on a program like this and those few generally have no interest in it. I believe though the source was already released for FLE by Shsan and nobody has done anything with it yet.

Your system problems are best answered elsewhere in this forum. FLE is not for beginners so you should really start with system building tutorials first.

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