Difference between revisions of "User:Bomb Bloke"

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Wikis provide such a wide space to type up a profile. It's nearly scary.
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Some time after first playing UFO I started hunting around the web for relevant material, and came across [[X-Com Tactical Command]] (now [http://www.strategycore.co.uk StrategyCore]). I can usually be found in the forum there, though I do frequent a handful of other places as well.
  
I'm a computer nerd of sorts. I've been typing up programs since my age hit double digits, and can fix just about anything electrical - Sometimes just by walking into the same room as the afflicted device. About the one thing I can't do is make System Shock II run on an AMD processor, but then, nobody's perfect.
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These days most of my X-COM related time is spent decoding the [[Saved Game Files|UFO save files]], though I do write the occasional mod/editor/logger.  
  
My user name comes from the game Bomberman. I discovered this game online at [http://www.cyberjoueur.com/English CyberJoueur], and when asked for a username to play under it was the first thing that popped into my head. Since then I've carried it with me where ever I go.
 
  
The first time I saw X-Com: Enemy Unknown was at a birthday party. It would have been much more impressive if someone had thought to bring a manual, as we didn't get past the copy protection. Later on I came across another copy and have been playing the game since.
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{| {{StdDescTable}} style="width:100%"
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|- {{StdDescTable_Heading}}
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! [http://www.strategycore.co.uk/files/index.php?dlid=686 BB's Toolpack]
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|-
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| Contains various editors for UFO and TFTD, plus my modpack - BBMod. The [http://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp Sun Java VM] is required, though the effects of all tools can be seen under DOSBox.
  
Though "playing" is probably the wrong word. For the last year or so I've been working on a new game engine for it, and hence it's been quite some time since I actually sat down and enjoyed the blasting of a few alien invaders. Mostly I try to discover the meanings of the various bits and bytes that make up the game - Hence most of my Wiki contributions go into the technical categories. Currently my remake attempt is in the form of a map editer but I'm slowly progressing.
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Last updated: 18/11/2012
  
Some time after first playing UFO I started hunting around the web for relevant material, and came across X-Com Tactical Command (now [http://www.strategycore.co.uk StrategyCore]). I can usually be found in the forum there, though I do frequent a handful of other places as well.
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<center><b>BattleScape Editor</b></center>
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Allows you to edit saved battlescape maps, including positions of units, item properties and terrain. Check [http://www.strategycore.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=5342 this thread] for details and instructions.
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<center><b>UFO/TFTD CE EXE Splitter / Merger</b></center>
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Splits the CE executable. If any of my tools state that they require [[XcomUtil]], this can instead be used as an alternative.
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It's also able to "recombine" the new files, which is handy if you're edited them further and want them to act as one again.
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<center><b>BB-Mod Pack</b></center>
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Manages and implements custom uniform sets and inventory screens into ''UFO: Enemy Unknown'' and ''Terror from the Deep''. Additionally for ''UFO'', adds unique inventory screens for power/flying armour equipped troopers, re-introduces male civilians to terror missions, and causes X-COM craft to appear during base defense missions. Contains "addon" data for integration into [[XcomUtil]].
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<center><b>ComboMod</b></center>
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A mod for ''Terror from the Deep'' that imports most of the maps from ''UFO: Enemy Unknown'', and allows you to fight the aliens on land or at sea! Refer to [http://www.strategycore.co.uk/forums/topic/9751-ufo-tftd-combo-mod-beta/ this thread] for details and instructions.
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<center><b>LOF Terrain</b></center>
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Converts your terrain PCK images to represent the actual 3D models they correspond to (colour coded according to their type).
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<center><b>Map/Unit Image Converter</b></center>
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Takes the graphics for either UFO or TFTD and converts them for use with the other game. The resulting maps are best used with [[XcomUtil]]'s "hybrid" feature, though at the moment units need to be manually implemented after conversion (see the manual).
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<center><b>Image Converters</b></center>
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Command line tools to convert UFO/TFTD image files to GIF format, and back again (and BMP, in the case of PCKs). Programs to deal with every known game image format. If you need a program to deal with GIF files, try [http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Graphic/Graphic-Editors/Paint-NET.shtml Paint.NET].
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|}
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{| {{StdDescTable}} style="width:100%"
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|- {{StdDescTable_Heading}}
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! [http://www.strategycore.co.uk/files/index.php?dlid=264 UFO Damage Testing Tileset]
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|-
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| Replaces your desert terrain with one which displays damage dealt to tiles. More of a tool then a mod.
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|}
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{| {{StdDescTable}} style="width:100%"
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|- {{StdDescTable_Heading}}
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! [http://www.strategycore.co.uk/files/index.php?dlid=246 BB Log]
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| Logs stuff that occurs in UFO's tactical missions. The original in a growing set of loggers that I've started to lose track of.
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|}
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{| {{StdDescTable}} style="width:100%"
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|- {{StdDescTable_Heading}}
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! [http://www.strategycore.co.uk/files/index.php?dlid=576 Combat Civilians]
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| Gives civilians pistols in a given terrorist mission. Not really a proper mod (as you have to run it manually for each map), but I don't intend to update it... So here it is.
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|}
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{| {{StdDescTable}} style="width:100%"
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|- {{StdDescTable_Heading}}
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! [http://www.strategycore.co.uk/files/index.php?dlid=575 Apoc Flop]
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| The only tool I've written for Apocalypse to date, though probably one of the oldest X-Com projects I've got on file. Switches control of units in a given battle so you can play as the aliens. Unpolished.
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|}
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{| {{StdDescTable}} style="width:100%"
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|- {{StdDescTable_Heading}}
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! [http://www.strategycore.co.uk/files/index.php?dlid=666 Seb76 Patcher]
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|-
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| ('''Note:''' This tool has been made redundant, as Seb has made his own, far superior version: the UFO Extender. Check out his [[User:Seb76|user page]] for more info).
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Applies some of the various tweaks [[User:Seb76|Seb76]] has being posting around the wiki ('cause I'm starting to lose track of them all).<br><br>
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[[Talk:Grenade#Timers|Primed grenades detonate even when held]]<br>
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[[Talk:Base_Defense#Psi_and_visual_contact|Aliens cannot use PSI attacks]]<br>
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[[Talk:UNITREF.DAT#Offset_0x71|Can access mind controlled inventories]]<br>
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[[Talk:Exercising_The_AI|Tactical debug mode]]
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|}

Latest revision as of 11:11, 18 November 2012

Some time after first playing UFO I started hunting around the web for relevant material, and came across X-Com Tactical Command (now StrategyCore). I can usually be found in the forum there, though I do frequent a handful of other places as well.

These days most of my X-COM related time is spent decoding the UFO save files, though I do write the occasional mod/editor/logger.


BB's Toolpack
Contains various editors for UFO and TFTD, plus my modpack - BBMod. The Sun Java VM is required, though the effects of all tools can be seen under DOSBox.

Last updated: 18/11/2012


BattleScape Editor

Allows you to edit saved battlescape maps, including positions of units, item properties and terrain. Check this thread for details and instructions.


UFO/TFTD CE EXE Splitter / Merger

Splits the CE executable. If any of my tools state that they require XcomUtil, this can instead be used as an alternative.

It's also able to "recombine" the new files, which is handy if you're edited them further and want them to act as one again.


BB-Mod Pack

Manages and implements custom uniform sets and inventory screens into UFO: Enemy Unknown and Terror from the Deep. Additionally for UFO, adds unique inventory screens for power/flying armour equipped troopers, re-introduces male civilians to terror missions, and causes X-COM craft to appear during base defense missions. Contains "addon" data for integration into XcomUtil.


ComboMod

A mod for Terror from the Deep that imports most of the maps from UFO: Enemy Unknown, and allows you to fight the aliens on land or at sea! Refer to this thread for details and instructions.


LOF Terrain

Converts your terrain PCK images to represent the actual 3D models they correspond to (colour coded according to their type).


Map/Unit Image Converter

Takes the graphics for either UFO or TFTD and converts them for use with the other game. The resulting maps are best used with XcomUtil's "hybrid" feature, though at the moment units need to be manually implemented after conversion (see the manual).


Image Converters

Command line tools to convert UFO/TFTD image files to GIF format, and back again (and BMP, in the case of PCKs). Programs to deal with every known game image format. If you need a program to deal with GIF files, try Paint.NET.


UFO Damage Testing Tileset
Replaces your desert terrain with one which displays damage dealt to tiles. More of a tool then a mod.


BB Log
Logs stuff that occurs in UFO's tactical missions. The original in a growing set of loggers that I've started to lose track of.


Combat Civilians
Gives civilians pistols in a given terrorist mission. Not really a proper mod (as you have to run it manually for each map), but I don't intend to update it... So here it is.


Apoc Flop
The only tool I've written for Apocalypse to date, though probably one of the oldest X-Com projects I've got on file. Switches control of units in a given battle so you can play as the aliens. Unpolished.


Seb76 Patcher
(Note: This tool has been made redundant, as Seb has made his own, far superior version: the UFO Extender. Check out his user page for more info).

Applies some of the various tweaks Seb76 has being posting around the wiki ('cause I'm starting to lose track of them all).

Primed grenades detonate even when held
Aliens cannot use PSI attacks
Can access mind controlled inventories
Tactical debug mode