Tribes SCFE V


BEFORE I TELL YOU HOW TO USE IT:
I want to thank Deathstroke(Shadowknights@att.net) for building FrontEnder(http://home.earthlink.net/~thebigdh/wsn3999.html), the original skinning front end and my first inspiration for T_SCFE.


USE:

First, run RegSetup.exe to set up your registry(Only run this: 1. the first time you run SCFE V, 2. to fix a problem, or 3. to easily reset your settings.).
Then, run T_SCFE.exe.
If the files you were going to convert had names like "new.larmor.bmp" then you'd put "new"(without the quotes) in the top textbox. If they had no prefixes(as in, "larmor.bmp"), just leave it blank and SCFE won't look for a prefix.
If your Tribe's name is "WeRNeat" then you'd put "WeRNeat"(without the quotes) in the middle textbox.
If you want the VOL file to be named "WeRCool.vol" then you'd put "WeRCool" or "WeRCool.vol"(NO QUOTES! :)) in the bottom textbox.


Example:

Run T_SCFE.exe
Find the Directory(folder) that you have the new skin files in.
Type "new" in the top textbox(again, no quotes).
Type "WeRNeat" in the middle textbox(I know I don't have to say it again.). NOTE: You NEED a save prefix. If you don't have one, SCFE
will remind you.
Type "WeRCool" in the bottom textbox.
Make sure "Delete MakeSkin-created bitmaps(.BMPs) after compiling VOL." is checked in Configuration
Make sure the Tribes path is correct in Configuration.
Click "Make Skin and add components to VOL"
ONE NOTE: Don't type the following characters into any of the textboxes.
\/:*?"<>|-
It could cause problems in MakeSkin, VT and/or Tribes.

What that would do:

This would run the programs to make the new skins out of the ones you made(in this case, with names like "new.door.bmp" and "new.larmor.bmp"), putting them in a "New_SCFE\WeRNeat\" subdirectory under whatever directory you put SCFE in. Then it would run the program to make the VOL, putting it in the same place as the new skins. The new skins would have names like "WeRNeat.door.bmp" and "WeRNeat.larmor.bmp" and the VOL would be named "WeRCool.vol". After that, it would copy the new VOL to the Tribes\base\Skins directory(folder), and then it would delete the new MakeSkin-created bitmaps(.BMPs)(NOT the ones YOU made!).

NEW in V!!!
1. Ooops! I didn't have the \Original subdirectory under \Stations\ (like I said in BitmapInfo.txt) after all. Sorry! It's there now.
2. Real nice skinning interface now. Check out \Skins\Templates\Templates.txt for the lowdown on editable skins.
3. I changed my company name from Xiphos Systems to Flammable Technologies, that has nothing to do with Sciffy(T_SCFE), but hey, I DID change the company name info in the executable.
4. There is no fourth update. Let's skip to five.
5. The about box has new colors! Woohooo!
6. Emblems and such added to \Team Skins\ - Check out the directory and/or BitmapInfo.txt
7. Nice Skins included!

NEW in IV!!!
1. Vehicle, station, generator, solar panel, sensor, and turret-skinning has been added. These are accessible through the Include Menu, which is accessible through the little double-down-arrow button. Play with the Include Menu for a bit. You'll probably figure it all out.
2. I redid the interface again.
3. I fixed some bugs that I found concerning hiding and the Config and About forms(this is why I wanna be a beta tester, I can crash stuff).
4. The color setting dialogs are now a little easier to use.
5. RegSetup is a bit easier to use.
6. New command-line parameters.
	/noregion/ - No weird shapes. Hello Rectangular SCFE. :) Use this if the window displays wrong shape-wise.
	/noexec/ - Builds the batch(.bat) file, but doesn't execute it. This is useful for setting up an easy way for someone else to build skinset without you building it yourself.
	/nodirs/ - Used in conjunction with /noexec/(for example: T_SCFE.exe /noexec/nodirs/), this stops T_SCFE from creating the new folders used with MakeSkin and VT(Like New_SCFE\whatever\). This does nothing without /noexec/. Use this param if you are building a batch file strictly for someone else, or if you need to edit it. WARNING: If you're giving this to someone else, they need SCFE, and they need it in the exact place you have it, and they need the new skin files in the exact place you have them... This seems useless, doesn't it? Not totally. And you don't NEED to use this with /noexec/. Using /noexec/ alone will simply prevent SCFE from executing Compile.bat.
7. The Thanks window. Now honor goes where honor is due(Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. - Romans 13:7).
8. The ability to reset the palettes to their defaults without running RegSetup again("DEFAULTS" button in Config).
9. T_SCFE is now codenamed "Sciffy" or "Spiffy Sciffy" or "Tender Sciffy"(<T><UNDERscore><S><C>I<F><E>E) :D
10. Place a bitmap with a width of 315 pixels and a height of 222 pixels, named "back.bmp" in SCFE's directory. You now have a custom skin. :) Hey every app needs skins right? Remember, that's 315 x 222 x how ever many colors you want, named "back.bmp".
11. By the way(this is a note, not really an eleventh addition. :), /nopaint/ now stops the form from painting AND using a custom T_SCFE skin(back.bmp).
12. Most of the usable bitmaps are included with T_SCFE. Check the directories: Turrets, Equipment, Stations, Team Skins, and Flyers.

NEW in III!!!
1. A VERY redone interface
2.  System Tray functionality
3. The ability to change which palettes are used with what(Don't mess with this if you don't know what changing palettes would do.)
4. T_SCFE III is "always-on-top".
5. T_SCFE III allows for the following command-line parameters(ex: T_SCFE.exe /hide/nopaint/):
	/hide/ - For hardcore skinners who want to put SCFE in their startup folder or registry.
	/nopaint/ - This parameter restricts the painting of the main form, allowing it to load a little faster.
6. BUG BUG BUG BUG BUG!!!!! Put SCFE ONLY in a path with NO SPACES! DO NOT: C:\Dynamix\T SCFE\
	This is due to the way DOS works, NOT SCFE.
	If it's put in a path with spaces, it messes up the batch.(Yes I've tried to fix it, this one's probably here to stay.)
7. The color settings are now remembered IN the color setting dialogs.
8. Check out the new About Box.

NEW in 2.0!!!
Grr. HOW DID I FORGET TO ADD A MINIMIZE BUTTON???????
AUGH! Anyway, though, I added:
1. A minimize button. ;)
2. A TRIBES path setting for auto-VOL-copy.(In Configuration)
3. Customize colors with RGB values!(In Configuration)(Use values from 0 to 255)
4. A choice to delete the MakeSkin-created bitmaps after creating the VOL.(In Configuration)
5. A Registry Setup/Fix Program for SCFE's settings.(RegSetup.exe)


And lastly:

Email bug reports to Taeralis@planetstarsiege.com with the subject, "Your program doesn't work." :D