Mod launcher with weapons preview & stats [Update] (v1.1.0.0)

[Serial K!ller]

The first VB program project, as an exercise for the mod configurator I'm trying to build for a mod.
Does the same as the default mod launcher but it gives a preview of the weapons.




- Supports both .bmp & .png images.

all feedback is welcome

[edit 23 Dec 2008]
Added SyavX' suggestions

- New! Double click mod name to launch soldat modded
- New! option to close tool after soldat launch
- New! Remembers last settings

[edit 18 Jan 2009]
Features:
- New! Weapons stats (realistic or normal) summary on mouse hover.
- New! Plays the fire sound when left mouse click on image and reload sound when right click.
- New! Added Bow, flamer and stationary Gun
- New! When a bg image is available (modlauncherbg.png) in the mod folder it will load it as background when mod is selected.

[edit 1 Feb 2009]
- New! pickup boxes (click on them to play sound)
- New! a check for soldat.exe and /mods/ folder and if it's not in the same folder you will get a message to place modlauncher.exe in the your soldatfolder.
- Fixed text secondary and primary weapons switched
- Fixed crashing when weaponnames.txt is in mods folder but empty
- Fixed Not loading realistic weapons mod when no normal weapons mod is available

[edit 15 Feb 2009]
- Fixed secondary interface-gfx now better aligned with text

[edit 24 May 2009]
- New! Option to use default GFX/Sfx for missing files
- New! Frag grenade and cluster grenade ingame Gfx + explosion sound when you click on them
- New! Option to load default soldat files by selecting "\Default/"
- Fixed Damage not multiplied when loading realistic mode weapons_realistic.ini file.

[edit 23 Aug 2009]
- New! Can start modlauncher with a certain mod selected using arguments : -mod ModnameToload will automaticly select the referenced mod.
- New! Use argument -skip to launch soldat with the mod referenced mod (see above) immediately. (useful for creating shortcuts on desktop with mod installers)
- New! Right click on mod selection box and click 'Open mod folder' to open the folder of the selected mod.
- New! Option to ask to let modlauncher change the interface (when enabled) in soldat.ini when set in modlauncher.ini in the root folder of the mod.
- New! Config button added to config mods/soldat, automaticly works for ivan's configurator and can load program to use from modlauncher.ini in the root folder of the mod.
- New! Option to see weapon stats in plain numbers ('plain stats' checkbox).
- New! Mod folders without a modable soldat folder (f.e. weapons-gfx) or weapons(_realistic).ini file are not added to mod list.

Modlauncher.ini info for mod makers: 

- modlauncher.ini must be in the modfolder (f.e. C:/soldat/mods/modfolder/modlauncher.ini)

- Modlauncher.ini options

  let modlauncher ask to change the interface (when enabled) in soldat.ini 
      code: interface=Modinterface1;modinterface1_1280x1024;Modinterface2;modinterface2_1280x1024
    Interface folder must be in /Soldat/Custom-Interfaces/ and player must be registred to make this work.)
   
  
  
- Load config program from modlaucher.exe 
      code : config=myconfigprogram
    (without '.exe' and config must be in soldat folder or /mods/ (sub)folder).
    When no config is set and a executable exists with the same name as the mod's folder in soldat main folder it will be assumed as the mod's config (Ivan's configurator)
      
      code : closeonconfig=0/1
      Close modlauncher on config launch yes(1) or no(0)

Modlauncher.ini Example

Code: [Select]

interface=Modinterface1;modinterface1_1280x1024;Modinterface2;modinterface2_1280x1024
config=NameofConfigfile
closeonconfig=1


[jrgp]

Oh, wow. That's awesome!

/added to fan apps list..

[SyavX]

1. Change ForeColor of buttons from white to one of system colors (e.g. ButtonText)
2. Change StartUpPosition from Windows Default to Center Screen
3. You can change mouse pointer while loading images

Code: [Select]

Screen.MousePointer = vbHourglass
'loading...
Screen.MousePointer = vbDefault4. Images of bullets 200% zoomed, why don't you use original sizes?
5. 'Enter' key in Listbox -> launch selected mod
6. Defauld mod starter (start.exe) on load set last launched mod as selected
7. "Close after launch" ?
8. Change FileDescription and ProductName in project settings. "TestWindowsApplication1" is cool but...

[Serial K!ller]

thx for the feedback!

1. Change ForeColor of buttons from white to one of system colors (e.g. ButtonText)
- Done

2. Change StartUpPosition from Windows Default to Center Screen
- ok...

3. You can change mouse pointer while loading images
- done

4. Images of bullets 200% zoomed, why don't you use original sizes?
- I thought they where rather small but anyway the interpolation messes them up so changed back to 100%.

5. 'Enter' key in Listbox -> launch selected mod
- Good idea but I can't make this work because for some reason it always calls the event after startup but I did add .MouseDoubleClick event.

6. Defauld mod starter (start.exe) on load set last launched mod as selected
Took me a while to figure out how to do this but it works now

7. "Close after launch" ?
- Added radio button to enable this like on start.exe

8. Change FileDescription and ProductName in project settings. "TestWindowsApplication1" is cool but...
- heh changed

[SyavX]

lol! why radiobutton, use checkbox

- Good idea but I can't make this work because for some reason it always calls the event after startup but I did add .MouseDoubleClick event

hmm... VB6 example:

Code: [Select]

Private Sub List1_KeyPress(KeyAscii As Integer)
  If KeyAscii = vbKeyReturn Then
    'code?
  End If
End Sub

[croat1gamer]

nice one, i love it, but you should add for the bow, stat and flamer

[Dairy]

This is ubercool.

Seriously SK this is the best thing I've seen for modding in last...

...well, maybe long time I haven't seen anything so useful for modding.

What program did you use ? Delphi ?

Good Job.

[Mr]

Nice program, well done. He used VB6.

[Serial K!ller]

Thx all, I used the Visual Basic 2008 express Edition cause I know some Vbscript.

* fixed showing wrong default weapon name for some weapon when no weaponnames.txt is available in mod folder

[Mr]

Oh, then I wonder why the buttons on the screenshot look like the ones of VB6 (which does not support the XP style). Maybe you just disabled styles at your PC or using W2k... whatever lol.

[Dairy]

So basicaly this will just replace the original Mod Changer ? Will there be any other functions ?

[Serial K!ller]

So basicaly this will just replace the original Mod Changer ?

Don't think so but I'll put it with my new mods.

Will there be any other functions ?

I'm open to suggestions!

Currently I'm working an a tooltip with weapon stats (if there are any) when you hover over an image with your cursor.

[Dairy]

Well, I know this might be too much but it would be too awesome if you could make something like Ivan the Psycho. Modification program like that. Even a half of that would satisfy me for the end of my life.

Probably the suggestion will be more realistic if I say you could add more and more functions by the time and with more skills you get.

The one function I would like to see and it's bothering me most is a color changer for blood. (Don't know about any program - except the config from Ivan) Which could handle that. Well, yes I know about the blood color pack but if you know what I mean it's kind of different.

Oh and yes, somebody mentioned it. What about Flamer, Ranbo bow ? Maybe even Cluster nades ?

Could you add some backround for the bullets as well ?

As I see it does support PNG. Right ?

I was thinking about some button next to each weapon with sound icon and when you click it it would play the firing sound.

That's all for now. Please give recently some info about progress. I wish you good luck.

Don't think so but I'll put it with my new mods.

Sorry for offtopic but you're making something new, aren't you ?

[Serial K!ller]

Don't think so but I'll put it with my new mods.

Sorry for offtopic but you're making something new, aren't you ?

Yeah, an old mod I started working on again (mod is about 2 years old) and might also update some of my older mods.

Well, I know this might be too much but it would be too awesome if you could make something like Ivan the Psycho. Modification program like that. Even a half of that would satisfy me for the end of my life.

That was my intention from the start, making a mod configurator for my new mod with PNG support since A.F.A.I.K. no other configurators do this.
The modlauncher is just a step in between to learn VB.

[Espadon]

Just wondering if you'd want to also put a [stickied] proxy topic in the Mod General Discussions since it's so closely tied to modding.

[Dairy]

Oh my glorious God !

You added the sound suggestion. Im just too happy to believe it anyway. You are making fantastic steps forward and I have to admit I love it too much. Added secondaries and third. weapons is also great thing.

P.S.: hehe , my weapons. Now I know Ive got your download as well. Yay.


Some suggestions :
-adding nade and cluster nade wont hurt because those are moddable as well
-maybe the special boxes for nade,medic,predator etc. could be nice, I think at the moment you are able to code that
-addition next to the bullets to see the weapons-gfx and maybe even fire

Im nicely pleased about your skill is getting better with the code. You made my day and becoming my hero once again.

[-Skykanden-]

Awesome, just awesome!

But It doesen't loads any mod. Could be cause I don't have the original soldat folder? (I mean with another name and so)

[Serial K!ller]

It should load the mods(folders) from the soldatmodlauncher.exe folder & "/mods/" so should work with every soldat folder name as long as modlauncher.exe is in the main soldat folder.

Might be something with a mod that screws up the tool...

[-Skykanden-]

Oh ok, I thought that it could load the mods from the desktop, ok I putted it on the soldat folder and it works.

That's great, and should stay as soldat official mod launcher IMO.

[Serial K!ller]

oh ok,
Anyway added a check for soldat.exe and /mods/ folder and if it's not in the same folder you will get a message to place modlauncher.exe in the your soldatfolder.