HL Authoring Kit

[joelcifer]

Hey, can anyone help me figure out how to use the authoring kit? I really want to make a Fallout system using it but, I don't even know what to do.

[AndrewD2]

Open up any current system. Click Develop and make sure "Enable Data File Debugging" is checked. And then select "Create New System". Then switch to your new system.

Then go here: http://hlkitwiki.wolflair.com/index.php5?title=Home

Read through Basic Concepts, Advanced Concepts and Kit reference. Then go into the Examples section and see the "Savage Worlds Walkthrough" do that before you start working on your own system. I'm just making the assumption you have very little programming knowledge so make sure you watch the order things are entered into the files.

While going through the walkthrough come and a) search for issues you're having and then if you don't find the answer b) post a question. The searching part is very important because lots of things have been answered many times.

After all is said and done, make another new system, but this time for what you want to do.

The authoring kit is not for the faint of heart, it takes a lot of time and work.

Good luck.

[joelcifer]

Thank you, it worked. Does it always copy the previous game system? Is there a way to make it completely blank?

[Mathias]

It should start you with a skeleton game system - a starting point to work from

Completely blank would mean there were a lot of components you needed to build before it would even compile, like building a tactical console, a dashboard, and a proper container to build the rest of the character within.

[joelcifer]

Originally Posted by Mathias

It should start you with a skeleton game system - a starting point to work from

Completely blank would mean there were a lot of components you needed to build before it would even compile, like building a tactical console, a dashboard, and a proper container to build the rest of the character within.

It won't let me edit or get rid of the sample stuff in it, they're read only.

[Mathias]

If you mean the .dat files, change their extensions to .user while you're working with them, and then back to .dat when you're ready to publish, so your users don't accidentally overwrite something core to the game.

[joelcifer]

Originally Posted by Mathias

If you mean the .dat files, change their extensions to .user while you're working with them, and then back to .dat when you're ready to publish, so your users don't accidentally overwrite something core to the game.

thanks man, what is a good program to work with XML's?

[Mathias]

In the Authoring Kit Wiki, go to the "Authoring Kit Examples" page - early on, that lists several options.

http://hlkitwiki.wolflair.com/index.php5?title=Home

[ShadowChemosh]

Originally Posted by joelcifer

thanks man, what is a good program to work with XML's?

I personally use TextPad and lots of people like Notepad++. Both are really good and free.

If you want to get into some really good software then it can cost. But honestly the complexity of the authoring kit is in the scripting language not the XML parts.

[AndrewD2]

I would like to point out that I suggested going through the walk-through and reading the documentation I linked. Which answers many questions you've already asked.