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Text File | 1994-05-29 | 19.9 KB | 594 lines

World Circuit Configuration Editor Version 1.00 Credits Author: Douglas G. Reichley Beta Testers: Brian Poff Paul Hamilton Ken Glaze Special Thanks To: Gary Levine (author of F1ED.EXE) Hugo Pi (author of WCF1GP.EXE) MicroProse Entertainment Software Please send all bug reports, suggestions and comments to: d.reichley@genie.geis.com Table of Contents ----------------- Topic Name Page# ---------- ----- What is the World Circuit Configuration Editor 2 Packing List 3 Installing the World Circuit Configuration Editor 3 Using the World Circuit Configuration Editor 4 Working With the Editors 4 Working With Name Files 5 Working With DTA Files 6 Working With F1Prefs Files 7 Troubleshooting 8 Note To GPED Users 8 Limitations 9 Disclaimer 9 Distribution 9 Known Bugs 9 Contacting the Author 9 Revision History Information 9 1 What is the World Circuit Configuration Editor ---------------------------------------------- The World Circuit Configuration Editor will allow the user to easily swap three types of configuration files for the Microprose game World Circuit. These files are the Name file, the F1Prefs file and the .DTA file. The Name file holds the information for the driver's names. Now you can have the driver's names stored for any year or any circumstance and choose between them with ease. The F1Prefs file is the World Circuit configuration file. It contains all of the data listed in the Game Options Menu as well as any Help Options that the user has chosen. Now you can have multiple configurations for various reasons. For example, you may have a file saved for modem use. If you call more than one number, then you can have a file saved for each number. No more changing everything before you call. Just load and go. Another example may be the year you choose to drive. Maybe for 1991 you like to drive car #1, but for 1993 you like to drive car #8. That's no problem now. Just select the file with the correct car and off you go. The limitations are endless. You can now tailor the configuration for any situation without having to change everything manually before playing the game. The .DTA file contains the data for the F1ED Editor. It holds the information for the horsepower of the AI cars, the AI driver skills and the car colors. The user can now easily swap between any configuration of AI abilities and color schemes. The World Circuit Configuration Editor program also allows the user to save .DTA files. This makes using the F1ED Editor program a little easier. No more overwriting a file that you worked hard on because you forgot to move it. The last feature of the World Circuit Configuration Editor program is the use of the WCF1GP Editor. This program allows the user to change the horsepower of the car that they drive. It also allows the user to set the grip of the AI cars to help them in their cornering abilities. With the WCF1GP Editor it is now possible to get the AI to turn lap times closer to the user. It can be used in conjunction with the F1ED Editor to tailor the competition to match the greatest WC driver in the world. Features: - Mouse Control - Support for over 500 Name files (.NAM) - Support for over 500 F1Prefs files (.DAT) - Support for over 500 Editor files (.DTA) - Use of the F1ED.EXE Editor program - Use of the WCF1GP.EXE Editor program - Saving/Creation of .DTA Editor files Requirements: - VGA video - Mouse - DOS 5.0 or later 2 Packing List ------------ * WCLAUNCH.EXE - The World Circuit Configuration Editor program * WCLAUNCH.DOC - This documentation file * 1991NAME.NAM - Names for the real 1991 season * ORIGINAL.DTA - An Editor file with the original WC settings/colors * F1ED10.ZIP - Gary Levine's F1ED.EXE Editor program and documentation * WCF1GP.ZIP - Hugo Pi's WCF1GP.EXE Editor program and documentation * WCLOGRV5.ZIP - An ascii file to keep track of your best setups and records Installing the World Circuit Configuration Editor ------------------------------------------------- 1) The WCLAUNCH.EXE, F1ED.EXE and WCF1GP.EXE files must be run from the same directory as World Circuit. The SVGA256.BGI file must also be located in this directory. 2) Create a subdirectory off of the World Circuit directory named 'EDITDATA'. All Name (.NAM), F1Prefs (.DAT) and Editor (.DTA) files must be moved to the EDITDATA subdirectory. Ex. E: |- WRLDCRCT <- have WC load the file 'NAMES.NAM' from this directory | |- EDITDATA <- store .NAM, .DAT and .DTA files in this directory | |- GPSAVES <- records, setups, saved games, etc (not required) | |- etc Note: The directory structure is not user configurable and must follow the above example in order for the WC Configuration Editor to function properly. 3) Change the World Circuit Startup Files option (in the Game Options Menu) to load a name file called 'NAMES.NAM'. It must be loaded from the same directory as the World Circuit program (ie remove any path name from this box). 4) There are 2 ways that this program can be used. - As a stand-alone program. This program may be started from the DOS prompt and used to change the configuration of your World Circuit files. Type WCLAUNCH.EXE to run this program from the DOS prompt. - As a World Circuit startup file (recommended). This program can be run from within your F1GP.BAT file to configure World Circuit before each session. The .BAT file would look something like this: @Echo Off WCLAUNCH.EXE GP.EXE /a /g <- This command varies depending on your WC setup. 3 Using the World Circuit Configuration Editor -------------------------------------------- The first time the program is run a configuration file (WCLAUNCH.CFG) will be made. The user will be asked to enter configuration information including the drive letter and path that World Circuit is located in. This program will not read your World Circuit files automatically. The user must select all configuration files manually. Once the files are selected the WCLAUNCH.CFG file will track the configuration and will contain the proper configuration information. Once the configuration file is created the main screen will be displayed. The main screen will show the current configuration of the World Circuit files. There are also 'buttons' to change the files and use the Editors. The buttons are explained below: Use Editor - brings up the Editor Menu which consists of the following buttons: F1ED.EXE - calls up Gary Levine's F1ED.EXE Editor WCF1GP.EXE - calls up Hugo Pi's WCF1GP.EXE Editor Use Both - allows the user to use both editors. Change Name File - lists all available .NAM files. Change DTA File - lists all available .DTA files. Change F1 Prefs - lists all available .DAT files. Exit - exits the program. Working With the Editors ------------------------ The instructions on using the editors are included as separate manuals. These manuals were written by the authors of the editors and have been included in the editors .ZIP files. Please refer to these manuals for proper instructions when using the editors. To Use the F1ED.EXE Editor: Note: It is necessary to select a valid .NAM file before using the F1ED.EXE editor. 1) From the main screen, click on the Use Editor button. 2) Click on the F1ED.EXE button. 3) Refer to the manual written by Gary Levine for instructions on using the editor. To Use the WCF1GP.EXE Editor: 1) From the main screen, click on the Use Editor button. 2) Click on the WCF1GP.EXE button. 3) Refer to the manual written by Hugo Pi for instructions on using the editor. 4 Working With Name files ----------------------- All Name files must have the extension '.NAM'. To Change the Name File: 1) Click on the Change Name File button. 2) The files will be listed in alphabetical order. 3) Click on the file of your choice. To Create a Name File: Note: If you are familiar with creating a Name file in World Circuit then you may skip these instructions. These instructions were written for a mouse. If you use the keyboard then you can substitute 'Use the cursor keys to highlight and press Return' for 'Click'. 1) Start World Circuit and go to the Main Menu. 2) Click on Driver/Team Selection. 3) Choose a team by clicking on the team name. 4) To change a team or engine name click on Edit Team Name. Click on the box below Team Name or Engine Name. Use the backspace key to erase the existing name and enter a new name. When done changing the team and engine names, click on Edit Complete. 5) To change a driver's name click on the driver's name. Use the backspace key to erase the existing name and enter a new name. 6) After editing the team, engine and driver's names click on Choose Another Team. 7) After editing the remaining team, engine and driver's names click on Selections Complete (or click on OK if you are on the Team Selection screen). 8) Click on Load/Save Game. 9) Click on Save Names. 10) Click on the path name located at the top of the menu. 11) Use the backspace key to erase 'GPSAVES\*.*'. Enter 'EDITDATA\*.*' in it's place. 12) Click on the box below 'FileName:'. 13) Enter a file name for the Name file. You must include the extension '.NAM' for the file to work with the World Circuit Configuration Editor. Tip: Call the file something easily remembered. Ex 1993NAME.NAM would be the name file for 1993. 14) Click on OK. If the file already exists WC will ask you to replace the file or cancel the save. 5 Working With DTA Files ---------------------- All DTA files must have the extension '.DTA'. To Change the DTA File: 1) Click on the Change DTA File button. 2) The files will be listed in alphabetical order. 3) Click on the file of your choice. 4) Click on the Use Editor button. 5) Click on the F1ED.EXE button. Note: A valid .NAM file must be selected before using the F1ED.EXE editor. 6) Click on W. 7) Click on E. 8) Click on the No, I Didn't Change It button. To Create a DTA File: 1) If you are creating a file from scratch then skip to step 4. 2) Click on the Change DTA File button. 3) If you are editing an existing file then select that file now. 4) Click on the Use Editor button. 5) Click on the F1ED.EXE button. 6) Make any changes to the file by following the instructions in the manual written by Gary Levine. 7) Click on W. 8) Click on X. 9) Click on the Yes, I Made Changes button. 10) You will now be asked to enter a file name. If you are making a file from scratch then type in a new name to call your file. All DOS rules apply to this file name. If the file already exists you will be given the option to overwrite the file or rename it. If you are editing an existing file verify that the default name is the same as the one you are editing. Press the Return key to accept the default name and save your changes. The file is saved to the EDITDATA directory. Tip: Call the file something easily remembered. Ex 93SILVER.DTA would be for 1993 at Silverstone (Great Britain). 91CANADA.DTA would be for 1991 at Canada. 6 Working With F1Prefs files -------------------------- All F1Prefs files must have the extension '.DAT'. To Change the F1Prefs File: 1) Click on the Change F1 Prefs button. 2) The files will be listed in alphabetical order. 3) Click on the file of your choice. To Create an F1Prefs File: Note: If you are familiar with creating an F1Prefs file in World Circuit then you may skip these instructions. These instructions were written for a mouse. If you use the keyboard then you can substitute 'Use the cursor keys to highlight and press Return' for 'Click'. 1) Start World Circuit and go to the Main Menu. 2) Click on Help Options Setup. 3) These options are available in the cockpit as function keys F1 - F6. If you wish to have them on (Yes) or off (No) by default select them from this menu. 4) Click on Game Options Menu. 5) You may change any or all of the options in this menu. The Name file loaded by default (in the Startup Files option) must be NAMES.NAM for the World Circuit Configuration Editor to work properly. Note: The car that is driven by the human driver is selected using the Car Number option in Quick Race. 6) After the configuration changes have been made, click on Save Options. Note: A message stating that the file already exists will appear. Click on Replace. 7) Exit World Circuit. 8) At the DOS prompt, verify that you are in your World Circuit directory. 9) Type 'Copy F1PREFS.DAT drive:\path\EDITDATA\xxxxxxxx.DAT' where: drive is the letter of the drive that World Circuit is loaded on. path is the path name that World Circuit is loaded in. xxxxxxxx.DAT is any valid DOS file name. Your file is saved in the EDITDATA directory. Tip: Call the file something easily remembered. Ex 93SEASON.DAT would have preferences for a 1993 season. MODEM.DAT would have preferences for a modem game. 7 Troubleshooting --------------- Problem: My mouse doesn't work with WCLAUNCH.EXE or it will not work with the F1ED.EXE editor. Solution: Your mouse may not be compatible with this program. See also the F1ED.EXE manual for additional mouse limitations. Problem: When I try to list the files it says 'Path not found' or 'File not found'. Solution: The directory structure is not installed properly. All files are read from the directory 'drive:\path\EDITDATA' where: drive is the letter of the drive that World Circuit is loaded on. path is the path name that World Circuit is loaded in. Create the EDITDATA directory and move all .NAM, .DTA and .DAT files into this directory. Solution: There are no files to be read. Verify that there are .NAM, .DTA and .DAT files in the EDITDATA directory. Problem: The competition level/colors are not the same as I have selected. Solution: The F1ED.EXE editor was not used properly. After selecting the DTA file the user must enter the F1ED.EXE editor. To properly configure the competition level/colors the user must click on the W in the upper right corner of the F1ED.EXE display screen. Then click on the X in the lower right side of the screen. This will update the GP.EXE file with the new competition level/colors. Note to GPED Users ------------------ You may continue to use the windows editor GPED to alter the competition level/colors and use this program to alter the Name and F1Prefs files. In addition, this program can be used to extract the F1ED.DTA file from the GP.EXE file using the following steps: 1) At the DOS prompt, verify that you are in your World Circuit directory. 2) Type 'del F1ED.DTA'. This step may also be added to the .bat file BEFORE the WCLAUNCH.EXE command. 3) Select a name file using the 'To Change a Name File' instructions above. 4) Click on the Use Editor button and then click on the F1ED.EXE button. 5) The editor will now extract the new F1ED.DTA file from the GP.EXE file. 6) Click on X. 7) Click on the Yes, I Made Changes button. 8) Enter a name to call the file. The file will be saved to the EDITDATA directory. 8 Limitations ----------- This program will create a file (WCLAUNCH.CFG) to keep track of the current configuration files that the user has loaded. However, if the user changes any of the files without changing the WC Configuration Editor also, the program will not correctly show the existing state of that users WC program. WCLAUNCH.EXE will in no way, shape or form alter any World Circuit files. This program was not intended to be fully automatic. It is up to the end-user to keep track of any changes to his/her own files. With proper use of this program the state of the World Circuit configuration files will always be displayed correctly. Disclaimer ---------- Douglas G. Reichley will not be held responsible for any lost or damaged data or damaged hardware resulting from the use of this program or any lost or damaged data or damaged hardware resulting from the use of either editor included with this program. The user assumes all risks when using this program or either of the editors included with this program. This program has been beta tested on 4 different systems, however, it is not guaranteed to work with every configuration of hardware. Distribution ------------ Douglas G. Reichley allows and encourages the distribution of the World Circuit Configuration Editor files, however, only the WCLAUNCH.ZIP file may be distributed in it's entirety. It may be given to friends, family or any bulletin board or computer service. No fee shall be charged to the person receiving this program with the exception of any download charges that occur under normal operating procedures of a bulletin board or computer service. Known bugs ---------- * No known bugs exist. Contacting the Author --------------------- Send all bug reports, suggestions and comments to: d.reichley@genie.geis.com It is guaranteed that I will read any mail sent to me regarding this program, however, it is not guaranteed that all mail will be replied to. Revision History Information ---------------------------- * Version 1.00 - Initial release. 9