Debugging an NPC mod based on Ghrey's tut.

[lennon]

Still working through Ghrey's "How to ..." guide & I've got a .tp2 which runs without errors. Hooray!! 

So I approach my NPC who is where I expect, I am approached as I'd expect, but the dialogue comes from MULTI[GJ].DLG, and when I initiate a conversation using the "TALK" button, the response is also from this file. 

I have checked the .cre using NI and I have DPLAYER.BCS as my default script and no override set, DPLAYER.BCS references the MULTI[GJ].DLG.

When I set the OVERRIDE to my version of Ghrey's talknow script, I find that she doesn't need to be "TALK"ed to get the MULTI talk response and she loops in this mode, albeit after she's joined.

My create script

IF
   Global("DL#BWNExists","AR0500",0)
THEN
   RESPONSE #100
   SetGlobal("DL#BWNExists","AR0500",1)
   CreateCreature("DL#BWN",[1124.3241],3)
END

DL#BWN is the .cre file name but not the Death Variable, when I reset the DV := DL#BWN, the game won't load.

The ~pdialog.2da file seems OK.

Any ideas?? 

Also does ARnnnn.bcs fire when entering the area? Do I have to enter the area to run a test if I change the code to append to the area script, or can I just create a save game at the meeting point.

[neriana]

Changing the death variable to the creature name should not cause the game not to load. There's something wrong there, and it will probably cause you many more problems down the road. Also, I recommend you use DLTCEP rather than NI to create creatures. You can find it here: http://www.dragonlancetc.com/forums/index.php?board=9;action=display;threadid=857

Are you using an .exe file or a .tp2 to get your character into the game? If you haven't done so already, make a copy of Weidu.exe and rename it to Setup-nameofyourtp2.exe.

Your create script looks fine.

[Ghreyfain]

Make sure the creature has all the flags removed, and isn't set to "exportable".  This is displayed at the top of the file in NI.

[lennon]

... stuff deleted

Are you using an .exe file or a .tp2 to get your character into the game? If you haven't done so already, make a copy of Weidu.exe and rename it to Setup-nameofyourtp2.exe.

I am doing this, but thanks

[lennon]

Make sure the creature has all the flags removed, and isn't set to "exportable".  This is displayed at the top of the file in NI.

Giving it a try!!

[lennon]

OK, this may be a bit long, but I have taken Ghrey's advice and am still having problems.

I enclose my most recent test Log

.cre start point


Override    = None
Default      =DPLAYER3.bcs   # NB Alternatives exist
Enemy/Ally = PC - 2             # This looks wrong, see below
DeathValue= DLBWN08        # Is this the problem, see below
                          # what do the dialog lines have to agree with

T1 Using group in the Bridge, aproached her, she is green ringed, approaches the PC and says nothing. When talked to she offers a statement and I can respond with bye or rejoin. This dialog still looks like it comes from MULTI[J].

T2 Reloaded my test game, couldn't find her, left bridge, re-entered found her in the wrong place and same thing happened, syntax on area script is OK i.e. she's green, approached and when talked to offers to leave.

DV := DL#BWN

I change the death value to DL#BWN to agree with the line in the pdialog.2da & the file system file name. T1 fails, (she aint there).

I go to the Govt Area i.e. leave the area with the adjusted script and then return and I find her out side the fishmongers, she doesn't talk and is green ringed. When I talk to her she starts a party leave dialog. (As above)

Enemy/Ally := Neutral

As before, except she's now blue ringed (as one would expect)

Override := DL#BWNTN.BCSl, Default still set to DPLAYER3.bcs

I do not have to leave the area to find her, she's basically outside the temple of helm, (where I expect her, but not where I programmed her to be), however she approaches the party but I can't speak to her. I get the red ink response "XXXXX is has nothing to say to you". NB progam location = 1124,3241, found location = 1901,2753)

Each of these tests has been undertaken once, since at the moment I am trying to debug the conversation problem, which will allow me to test the *.d file I have created.

I want to get the conversation working properly first. Any ideas? My NPC still seems to be using the Multi[J] dialogue (or nothing). I can't rember if I made the .cre using the single player or multiplayer game, I have edited with both Shadowkeeper & NI since creation. I am using weidu .tp2 files to complie my scripts into the game.

There remains the question as to what the first entry in the pdialog.2da line needs to agree with, name, death variable of file name. The line is in the file, should I be testing for any other linkages.

[jcompton]

I change the death value to DL#BWN to agree with the line in the pdialog.2da & the file system file name. T1 fails, (she aint there).

Did the creature get created anew when you tested again, or was it one that already existed in a saved game?

I want to get the conversation working properly first. Any ideas? My NPC still seems to be using the Multi[J] dialogue (or nothing).

Did you assign the initial DLG name in the CRE file? PDIALOG and INTERDIA govern what DLG files it will once once IN the party, but the initial DLG is defined in the CRE.

There remains the question as to what the first entry in the pdialog.2da line needs to agree with, name, death variable of file name.

DV.

[lennon]

I change the death value to DL#BWN to agree with the line in the pdialog.2da & the file system file name. T1 fails, (she aint there).

Did the creature get created anew when you tested again, or was it one that already existed in a saved game?

It should be my disk file copy being reread. i.e. the specified ..\DL#BWN.cre.  I am using a save game created from before the .tp2 was run. Also I believe from testing that it runs the area script time on loading the area so since I quit out of the game this seems to be OK (as far as I can tell).  (I also have two copies of the .cre (with different items) and these behave as I'd expect.

I want to get the conversation working properly first. Any ideas? My NPC still seems to be using the Multi[J] dialogue (or nothing).

Did you assign the initial DLG name in the CRE file? PDIALOG and INTERDIA govern what DLG files it will once once IN the party, but the initial DLG is defined in the CRE.

I don't think I did this. How do I do it.   

There remains the question as to what the first entry in the pdialog.2da line needs to agree with, name, death variable of file name.

DV.

Ok, I'd got to that conclusion, so I think I'm OK here.

TIA

--
Lennon

[cliffette]

It should be my disk file copy being reread. i.e. the specified ..\DL#BWN.cre.  I am using a save game created from before the .tp2 was run. Also I believe from testing that it runs the area script time on loading the area so since I quit out of the game this seems to be OK (as far as I can tell).  (I also have two copies of the .cre (with different items) and these behave as I'd expect.

If you want to be sure, change the cre's main colour to hot pink and you'll be able to tell easily whether she's the new cre or the old one.

Did you assign the initial DLG name in the CRE file? PDIALOG and INTERDIA govern what DLG files it will once once IN the party, but the initial DLG is defined in the CRE.


I don't think I did this. How do I do it.   

I usually set this using Creature Maker. You can find an entry for "Dialog File (without DLG extension)" under the Other Attributes tag - just enter the initial dialog filename there, then save. Otherwise, take a look at the .cre file in NI and go to the Edit tab. There should be a row devoted to a dialog file there (according to IESDP, it should be near the bottom of the list) and I assume you can just enter your dialog filename there. I don't really use DLTCEP, so I can't help you with that one 

ETA: Well, I opened up NI - there's a row for "Dialog" - right click on that row's entry column, choose Edit as String, and enter your dlg file name (including the .dlg extension). Voila! 

[jcompton]

But both DLTCEP and NI would have fields for "Dialogue" or "DLG" or something similar to that.

[Ghreyfain]

ETA: Well, I opened up NI - there's a row for "Dialog" - right click on that row's entry column, choose Edit as String, and enter your dlg file name (including the .dlg extension). Voila! 

I've never done it with the .dlg extension, and it works, too.

[lennon]

If you want to be sure, change the cre's main colour to hot pink and you'll be able to tell easily whether she's the new cre or the old one.

I used the inventory contents but I'll rember the colour, its a good idea.

[Edit]

That seems to work, I'm now not happy with the dialogue I wrote, this is going to be very addictive - Thanks and I'll be back soon

[/Edit]