SC4 Tools: New Toys..

[DocRorlach 25]

Quite the researcher, aren't you; but the link is to an item dating back to 2007. The various SPs have already been updated. But I think you've put your finger on the problem alright: this bug will only turn up for users with any type of VS installed on Win7, regardless of data width. MS updates whatever it finds withing the OS path, but it will not find the RV because it is copied locally.

What I will try is to create an installer that requires the RV as a downloadable requirement, hence getting the latest version from MS directly. Hopefully that will put paid to the problem.

Unfortunately, this ain't going to happen today, the morrow is the earliest I can get to that.

[d_j_p1 168]

MutantPlatypus,

I've just been playing a little catch up with your installation problems with DIC2.0.

First point, I have run your requested test using the .exe file and can confirm I get exactly the same issue as you reported - A fix for this is on it's way.

Second point, this is where I think (hope) there is an error at your end.

When you install the .msi file are you extracting this to a folder on your PC first?

The first time DIC runs it still refers back to the .msi file to complete the set-up process, if you have ran this from the zip and then closed the zip folder before using the shortcut DIC is unable to find the .msi to complete the installation

If you can extract the .msi file to your desktop and try the install procedure again and let me know if this helps, if you still have problems can you post screen shots of when this happens so I can look into it a little further.

Dave

[DocRorlach 25]

Greg (and of course anyone else who had this problem):

I've just uploaded a correction. We've tested it, both with the EXE and the MSI, and the problem has disappeared, it seems. The fault was mine - the RV DLLs public token did not match that of the one used in the assembly.

Uninstall DIC, download the latest version from the STEX, and reinstall, using the EXE (preferred method). That ought to download the update the RV altogether.

Correction: the last upload appeared to have the saame problem when installed via the EXE; I have since uploaded a version that omits the Report Viewer altogether.

[MutantPlatypus 0]

Well now it installs correctly from the EXE, report viewer and all.  Glad I could help .  However, I'm still having the issue of requiring the .msi to complete the setup every time I launch the DIC.

DJP:   I extracted all the files from the ZIP folder I downloaded off the STEX a few minutes ago.  I ran setup.exe, (from the extracted folder, NOT the zipped folder) and it completed without incident.  I installed the database and the desktop icon.  I ran the DIC for the first time, and it had to complete the setup.  It just took a few extra seconds to start, but there were no errors or missing file messages, because I left the installer files where I ran them.  However, the first time I ran, I got this messsage:

I don't know if this is normal or not, I just included it to help show this was the first install.  (And it has a little quirk.  Where did y'all get SimCity 5?)  After this, I set the preferences and the program works fine from there.  However, EVERY TIME I LAUNCH IT (not just the first time) FROM THE DESKTOP OR START MENU SHORTCUTS, the DIC looks for that .msi file it was installed from to complete the setup.

It does NOT look for the initial setup when I launch the exe directly, in the Program Files\eu-Contractor folder.  So, naturally, my workaround is to make my own shortcuts manually and delete the default installed ones after the first setup.

[DocRorlach 25]

Greg;

That headline on the message box? You will see that again. In fact, there will be others of similar nature, all to be taken quite lightly.

What I am more concerned with is that MSI business: that can only be a access rights issue. I have only seen this once, when I ported the entire eu-contractor folder (and the attendant registry entries) from one machine to another without installation.

Also, I am not quite clear about this: does it now work as expected? Or are you still having issues?

[MutantPlatypus 0]

Short answer: I'm not having issues anymore. (I found a workaround for the MSI issue.) Thanks! The DIC is great!

[paulmc 393]

DocRorlach : This tool permits to change the name of the cities? Do you know any way to do that, other tool or whatever it be? I

[DocRorlach 25]

The DIC (or any other tool made by us) do not enable name changes of cities or regions. However, the Extra Cheats DLL found either on the STEX or BSC LEX contains options to change city and mayor names. You will need to search the ST Forums: I did see a special thread dealing with that DLL somewhere, not too long agao.

[Rady 94]

Hi,

I installed the DIC 2.0 version yesterday, and now would like to build up the plugins database. I have tons of plugins, and due to a system crash lost the old DIC database. I thought there would be an easy way to let DIC check whether a plugin is installed or not. But after using the "rescan downloads" function, only appr. 1/3 of my plugins have been discovered as "installed". I remain with some 1000 plugins (both MAN and EXE) that are considered as "not installed" by DIC.

As for the MAN type of plugins, sometimes the "find installation" function doesn't work with the whole search string (like e.g. "CompassBank_01x435...*", although the file is installed. After removing part of the search string and replacing it by a wildcard ("CompassBank*"), the plugin is found by the search function. Not a big problem at all, but just to mention that.

As for the EXE type of plugins, I do understand that the "find installation" function cannot work, since the DIC doesn't know anything about the files that are contained in the exe. However, is there a way to set multiple plugins as "installed"? Right now I just figured out how to do that plugin by pligin, which is kinda annoying with 1000 plugins to go.

[DocRorlach 25]

Yes there is: simply select all the plugins you know to be installed, right-click on one of the selected entries and select "Mark as Installed". We are working on improving the search for installed plugins function and hope to have an update soon.

The problem with string searches such as those you quoted apears to be a limitation of the OS, especially for Vista & later. Unless the drive location has been full indexed by Windows, the inclusion of the underscore prevents the OS from finding stuff. As a general rule it is best to search for "standard" strings only.

We are hoping to be able to include search for EXEs as well, however, that would only cover EXEs installed through the DIC where we can keep track of what is being installed.

DocRorlach

Edit: forgot to mention that Rescan Downloads is merely what the name implies; it updates the database with all ZIPs found in the download folder. To update the DB with what is already installed, you would need to run Find Installations from the Download Manager's Process menu. But be warned: if, as you say, you have thousands of plugins, this can take a really long time and is not fool-proof.

[Rady 94]

Originally posted by: DocRorlach

Yes there is: simply select all the plugins you know to be installed, right-click on one of the selected entries and select "Mark as Installed".

quote>

Sorry, but that only works for the one plugin that was "right-clicked" upon. The other entries (although marked with the checkbox and also selected so that they appear with blue background) remain unchanged.

[DocRorlach 25]

Originally posted by: Rady

Sorry, but that only works for the one plugin that was "right-clicked" upon. The other entries (although marked with the checkbox and also selected so that they appear with blue background) remain unchanged.

quote>

In which case you may have found a bug, and just in time, too, since I am busy with a small upgrade. I hope to upload this tomorrow.

However, rather than having to reinstall the entire DIC, there will be a manual update (which also fixes the problems with the semi-automatic update) available from our site.

You can either watch this space for the notification, or you can email info@sc4tools.co.uk so I can send you a notification when its ready.

Sorry about that.

DocRorlach

[Rady 94]

Doc,

1st: no need to be sorry!!

2nd: I will watch this thread for the bugfix, thank you!

[DocRorlach 25]

DIC Update, Version 2.0.0.6

Apart from the bug Rady discovered (and which has been fixed - you can now select multiple entries from the Download Manager's main table, even in different groups, and mark them summarily as installed), this upgrade also adds two new features, and prepares the ground for a third. The upgrade is only available from the SC4 Tools Download Pages. It consists of a self-extracting archive (EXE), and must be run from within the DIC' application folder - usually Program Files\eu-Contractor on 32bit, or Program Files (x86)\eu-Contractor on 64bit Windows. It replaces the DIC's main EXE, and updates several DLLs. The DIC must be closed for this to work. Note: If you get a warning about Windows not being able to overwrite certain DLL's, ignore it. Update Details:

Backup Panel: You can now use the DIC to backup or restore plugins, using either straight file backup, or compressed ZIP archives. Additionally, each backup can have its own destination folder, be it on another drive or even another, networked machine. Quick Overview: (1) Create a new backup: simply enter a name for the folder/archive (2) Re-use an existing backup, if any exist (3) For existing backups: click the white arrow to see the contents of the backup (straight backups only) (4) Set your backup options on the fly: where to backup to, and what format to use (straight or compressed). Then click the Save button to make these options permanent (if you want) (5) List of folders/files currently in the Plugins folder. You can only backup entire folders or files found in the plugins root. (6) Switch to Restore Panel (7) Delete selected backup - removes not just the registry entries but also erases the actual file or ZIP backup. ( Quick selection options

Restore Panel: Naturally, the Restore Panel is only available if you made at least one backup via the DIC. The panel features the same on-the-fly settings (4) as the Backup Panel. Quick Overview: (1) Select existing backup (2) Restore selected backup. Please note that if you select a folder in the plugins tree (5), then any straight file backup will be restored to that folder - even if the original backup was made at a different level! This can result in path names longer than Windows' 248 character limit - such restorations will be ignored. Compressed backups are always restored to their original locations. (3) Shows the the contents of the selected backup (4) Backup Settings (do not affect existing backups) (5) Plugins folder tree & file/folder list (6) Switch to Backup Panel (7) Delete selected backup (same as in Backup Panel)

Other Changes: This update lays the ground-work for Themes (Dave's bright idea). Themes are basically DAT-packed subsets of your plugins folder, which you will be able to swap in and out of the game's plugins folder. If, for example, you plan to create a strictly rural region, you can do without a lot of extraneous plugins. The Theme Editor will let you pick and choose exactly which plugins you want to use with that theme; when you save that theme, only the selected plugins are DAT-packed in an external folder. You can then use new Swap Options to exchange the existing game folder for the new theme. When you want to go back to an older region which needs all or different plugins, you simply swap again to restore the previous game folder. There is no limit to the permutations, and you can ensure that certain standard folders, such as NAM or CAM are never swapped. In Version 2.0.0.6. this is still disabled; we are in the midst of some rather complex coding. Hopefully, we'll have this ready by the end of the month.

DocRorlach WorkingMan Productions

[Rady 94]

Doc, me again, sorry to bother, but it seems I cannot finde the "pack/unpack" function??? I think it has been under the "Tools" menu entry, but there are only the backup functions now ...?

[d_j_p1 168]

Hey Rady,

The Packing & unpacking options have been moved to the new "swapping" menu - 3rd of the 6 menus along the top.

If you don't have a "swapping" menu, check your preferences under tools to ensure DatPacker is marked as installed & the location is correct.

Dave

[DocRorlach 25]

Rady, your menus should like this (except for the Themes option):

If they do not, then - as Dave said - you need to rerun your Tools - Options and make sure the DAT-Packer path is correct.

According to Dave's latest test result, I've messed up something when an update is installed. Hence, there will be another update (sic!) soon..

Apologies,

DocRorlach

Edit (21:03 GMT): Thee is an update available. From the Help Menu, run "Check for Updates". If successful, the DIC will shut down (sorry - have not yet corrected the auto-update process); switch to the folder where you installed the DIC and run the dic_update exe found there. Then restart the DIC. You can delete both the dic_update.exe and the ZIP of the same name afterwards.

[Rady 94]

Up and running!

Thank you!

Edit: after some days, strange things occured:

1: the quotes in the main window look like this:

2. When adding a whole folder, the DIC normally adds the files to the database, but moving the files to the download folder (SC4stuff\Downloads) needs to be done manually. Now, when adding a folder, the downloaded files vanish from their download location (which is a folder on my desktop), but don't appear in the SC4stuff\downloads folder. Additionally, when switching to the "Manage & install downloads" part, the DIC shows those entries as "download is missing" (coulored red) and I cannot install them.? So it looks like those files got lost on the way somewhere ..?

[DocRorlach 25]

Rady;

My apologies for not seeing this earlier; somehow ST forgot to notify me that there had been new submissions to the forum.

I'll have to look into the MIA/Add folder issue. Normally, files just get added to the database. To move them to the DL folder, you would have to use the "Move Missing DLs" rather than manually moving the files. However, ifyoudid move themvia the Windows Explorer, "Rescanning Downloads" should correct the location path for these existing entries. If it does not, then we have a bug.

The quote problem looks extremely odd: are you sure you have not removed the Segoe UI font from your system? Are you getting these odd characters anywhere else? And finally, can you check that the quotes.dat (in the DIC's application folder) can be opened with a standard text editor? If it can't, simply use the "Check for updates" from the Help Menu to download the update we've just released (Ver. 2.0.1.2). Alternatively you can also download the update from our site.

Talking about updates:

Every update, since version 2.0.0.0, comes in form of a self-extracting WinRAR EXE, containing all required DLLs, the quote.dat, and, of course, the DIC EXE itself. If you enabled "Check for updates" on the options panel, then the link will be available from the Help Menu.

After a brief check, and if a newer version is found, the DIC asks to be shut down. It will attempt to run the update automatically, but may not succeed, depending on your computer's settings. In that case use the Windows Explorer to navigate to the Program Files\eu-Contractor folder, and run the DIC_UPDATE.EXE:

Simply click "Install" - that is all there is to it.

As the warning says, it may balk at overwriting certain DLLs, again - depending on your file system setup. Ignore these warnings - the main EXE & quote.dat will always be updated.

[DocRorlach 25]

Mea Culpa:

What Rady discovered was a real, and rather dramatic bug: the contents of a variable were changed just before the Add Folder function got a hold of it. As a result, every file moved with Add Folder was in fact moved to the quote.dat, overwriting it each time.

On Win 7 64bit OS machines, file moves are never fully executed (only the copy part runs) because of Win 7's restrictions. This may also happen on 32bit Win 7 machines if the Windows Explorer is open and pointing to either folder in use with the move process. It will always happen if the move involves network-mapped drives.

What we've done is split the process into two separate copy & delete functions, the latter being executed only if the fcopy succeeds and can be verified.

Unfortunately, there is another stupidity of mine that crept into yesterday's update: the date on the update was set to 27/10 instead of 27/09. If the "Check for updates" (after 27/09) does not work, download the latest update from our download page.

For those who had their quotes.dat trashed I've attached a clean copy below - just unzip it into the DIC's installation folder.

Sorry about all of this.

DocRorlach

quote.zip

quote.zip

quote.zip

[d_j_p1 168]

Bug Fix: Another bug has crept into the previous two updates, it seems: Returning to the main window after new installations using the Download Manager would cause the application to stop respondng and eventually crash. That has been fixed. New Functionality: On the good news side of things we have added filtering to the Download Manager. Currently this allows you to show only props and essentials or, alternatively, just executable or manual installations. This tends to be useful if you want to run a sequence of installations; in the case of the manual filter, for example, it makes it easier to run batches of installations simultaneously to a single folder. And it certainly makes it easier to find a download among the thousands. As always, those who run version 2.0 or later, the Check for updates option in the Help Menu will provide the update without reinstallation. Others will need to visit our download page. Dave.

Filter Options in the Download manager

[Gringamuyloca 47]

mmm.... I have version 2.0.0.9 when I run update from the help menu, I get a message saying:

You are up-to-date. Online version is 2.0.0.9, dated 2010-01-08

Nothing to do:You are up-to-date..

So am I update? I downloaded direct from your site on Sep 6 2010.

Thanks

t

[DocRorlach 25]

Gringamuyloca:

No, you are not up-to-date; the fault is mine

No, you are not up-to-date; the fault here is totally mine because I inadvertenly misdated two intermittent updates as 27/10/2010 and 28/10/2010. Hence your version will not pick up automatic updates.

To get up to speed (Version 2.0.1.5) download the update from this link: SC4 Tools Donwload Page. Unpack it in the same folder as the DL Catalogue EXE and run the resultant EXE.

[Gringamuyloca 47]

DocRolrlach

Thanks for your quick response and the link.

A huge thank you for sharing your hard work!! Very professional and easy to use!

[DocRorlach 25]

Potentially irritating bug:

For once I am the bearer of bad news. There is a really irritating bug in the DIC's Reset & Pack maneuver. It can happen only if you close the DAT-Packer before it has completed its job (or has not even started packing):

In that scenario, DAT-Packer still passes an exit code or 0 (no errors on its side) back to the DIC. Ergo, the DIC assumes that everything has been packed and will act accordingly.

If this happens to you, do not - repeat NOT - run the Post-Reset operation. Instead close the DIC and manually restore your folders. Nothing has been deleted, but those folders marked as "Do not pack" will have been moved to SC4 Stuff\Repository, whereas all other folders will be in SC4 Stuff\Has been compressed.

Simply move the contents of those two folders back into your plugins folder and move the Plugins_Compressed folder found there to SC4 Stuff\Has been compressed, merging it, if necessary, with the Plugins_Compressed folder found there.

You can now restart the DIC and it will operate normally.

I am working on a fix for this and hope to have an update ready by the weekend.

[DocRorlach 25]

DIC Version 2.0.3.4, November 22nd, 2010:

The DIC has, once again, received a bunch of fixes and a few new features. Quickly stated these are:

System:

1. Fixed a nuisance of Vista/Windows 7 that reported the DIC as “Not Responding” during the plugins check;

2. Added direct access buttons for Region & City Viewer and MD/CJ Editor;

3. Revised duplicate check and plugins manager to exclude DAMN folders;

4. Replaced most (but not all) buttons with dual-state buttons;

5. Fixed bug that would crash the DIC during initial plugins check due to a faulty quote.dat;

New Options:

1. Added empty folder check both before and after cleaning; this permits the deletion of folders left empty after a cleanup operation or installation;

2. Added a Back-up Maxis Files option to allow for backups of DAMN folder and other game files;

3. Added Find Installations; this works similar to the option of the same name in the Download Manager, and also allows uninstalling of manually added plugins;

4. The Combine Folder option now has a Remove Folder button to enable rearranging folders after an initial addition;

5. Improved filter behavior in the Download Manager – it now accepts dates as a custom filter thus enabling the listing of downloads obtained after a given date.

 

The Region & City Viewer, available from both our site and the STEX , has also received a much needed update. Foremost among the fixes is its full compatibility with Daeley's excellent Region Counter mod (available on the LEX), to show both population reports and a farming report. Both the DIC and the RCV have had a bit of a visual make-over as well. A link to the How-to page has been included in the Help Menu.

Problems, complaints, suggestions, et al, should be posted here, as always.

Alternatively you can also now post on the corresponding SC4D forums page.

[ovchar 1]

Can any one of these tools expanding the compressed_plugins folder ? Really need to see all the files there.

I deleted the original folders so as not to occupy too much space on disks

[DocRorlach 25]

Originally posted by: ovchar

Can any one of these tools expanding the compressed_plugins folder ? Really need to see all the files there.quote>

No. There is currently no tool (to my knowledge) that reverses the action of DAT-Packer. That said, you can use iLive's Reader (available from the MODD section of the STEX, among others) to see the contents of a DAT-packed file.

But surely if you packed folders via the DAT-packer you do still have a copy of the originals? At least if you used the DIC or Organizer to start the packing process you would.

[ovchar 1]

Thanks.

Can i by ilive's reader see and delete some files from 1 big dat. file? Because there are compressed many different mods folders (nam2008,st houses,other transport mods)due to laziness were collected into a single folder and compressed - formed 1 plugins_compressed folder . That the press needed in the program?, I have it crashes sometimes.

[DocRorlach 25]

Unless you are an expert an using iLive Reader I cannot and will not advise you on this: you canseriously mess up the file and end up with a non-playable region. You need to ask your question in one of the modding forums - they know more about this.