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Graham's TXT2COM | 1991-09-09 | 22.9 KB | 311 lines

~/H{ CIVILSET v1.4 - scenario editor} ~02 1.0 Introduction ================ CIVILSET allows you to create, modify, and save battle scenarios. A scenario is a combination of battle map (with terrain features and battlefield objective) and armies. Scenarios (xxx.CIV) files are saved as "flat" ASCII files and with practice you may choose to use a word processor or text editor to directly modify the files. Likewise, the catalog file (CIVILWAR.CAT) can be edited directly. With this update of CIVILWAR BATTLESET, the scenario files have been extended to allow up to 40 units per side. The game program MUST have all files in the new format. If you have any files developed in the old format, you MUST convert them to the new format before using them. (See Section 2.7 below). Two new data files are required by the editor (UNION.LDR and REBEL.LDR). These contain the names and ability ratings of 15 prominent leaders for each side. They are required by the program or an error will result. These files are simple ASCII files and can be modified with a text editor. The only requirement is that the total number of leaders in each file MUST be 15 and that the individual entries are in the format: "leader name",ability The leader name can be no more than 16 characters. The ability score must be in the range of 10-110. 2.0 Main Menu ============= ╔═══════════════════════╗ ║ Options ║ ╠═══════════════════════╣ ║Initial Scenario ║ ║Load Saved Scenario ║ ║Save Scenario ║ ║MAP Edit ║ ║ARMY Edit ║ ║Battle Name & Time ║ ║[ convert old format ] ║ ║Quit ║ ╚═══════════════════════╝ 2.1 Initial Scenario -------------------- This option zeros all army units and provides a blank game map (all 'clear' hexes). Use it to create entirely new scenarios. 2.2 Load Saved Scenario ----------------------- This option provides you with a list (up to 15) of the xxx.CIV battle data files that are on the current directory, to allow you to select one to load. File selection is done via menu, as described in the CIVILWAR game documentation. 2.3 Save Battle File -------------------- Before saving the file, you will be prompted to provide the battle name and time limit (Section 2.6) if you have not already done so. You will also be prompted for the file name (1-8 characters identifying the file on the catalog). Be sure to use a unique name. You do not need to provide the .CIV extender. The file catalog is updated when the file is saved. Messages will advise you of the status as the file save and catalog update take place. If you try to have more than 15 files in a catalog, number 16 and beyond will not be accessible to the game. ╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ NOTE: BE SURE THE DOS 'SORT' UTILITY IS AVAILABLE FOR ║ ║ THE EDITOR TO ACCESS. OTHERWISE, THE CATALOG FILE WILL ║ ║ BE DESTROYED AND YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE YOUR NEW ║ ║ SCENARIO WITHOUT CREATING A NEW CATALOG FILE !! ║ ╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ 2.4 MAP Edit ------------ This option allows you to move the cursor across the battle map to place the terrain features. To select a feature, you type the letter (lower case) of the one desired. Then, move the cursor (arrow keys) to the desired position and press 'Enter'. If you press 'D' (for 'Duplicate') while a given feature is under the cursor, the selected feature will be duplicated wherever the cursor is moved. Pressing 'D' again will toggle the 'Duplicate' feature off. This 'Duplicate' mode allows you to quickly draw large repetitive map features. Water (river/lake) hexes do not permit the 'Duplicate' mode. Key Terrain --------- -------------------------- c clearing f fort h hills m mountain r road s swamp t trees v village w water <space> clear + surrounding spaces" d DUPLICATE MODE TOGGLE" o SET OBJECTIVE (only 1 allowed per scenario)" ESC to previous menu" Except for water, map features take up only one space on the screen. Water hexes actually occupy 3 spaces, one on each side of the actual hex chosen. These additional water spaces are automatically shown when you place water hexes. However, if you wish to remove a water hex, you must use the space bar to clear, since it removes 3 hexes. If you use the 'clear' terrain option will remove only the central 'water' hex. Notice that these additional water spaces have no effect on game play, but are only for visual effect. ╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ NOTE: The scenario will not work properly unless it has ║ ║ exactly 1 objective. ║ ╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ You must use the 'Esc' key to escape from the map to the initial menu when you have finished editing your map. 2.5 Army Edit ------------- When you use the initial menu to access the army edit option, previously placed army units (if any) will be displayed. You will then have the option to add new units, edit existing units, or remove existing units. The editor also allows 1 letter 'hot keys' for placement and editing of units. For instance, 'C' will place a cavalry unit at the position of the cursor. The complete list of editor 'hot keys' show below can be accessed by the help menu ('/' key). Also, a status line is provided to show unit information by passing the cursor over a unit (do not have to bring up the menu). Hot Key Effect ------- ---------------------------- U toggle to place Union armies R toggle to place Rebel armies I place INFANTRY unit at cursor N place NAPOLEON (smooth bore) artillery at cursor A place rifled ARTILLERY unit at cursor C place CAVALRY unit at cursor G place GENERAL unit at cursor H place HORSE artillery unit at cursor D DELAY unit at cursor E EDIT unit at cursor X X-OUT (delete) unit at cursor 2.5.1 Add New Unit ------------------ The unit placed will be for the side currently selected. Move the cursor to the desired location for the unit and press 'Enter'. A menu will pop up indicating you are pacing a unit. To place the unit, select the unit type with the cursor, and press 'Enter'. You will be prompted to enter the name of the unit. If you hit 'Enter' a menu will appear listing the names and abilities of 15 prominent leaders for the side being placed. If select one of these leaders, the name and associated morale/leadership values is automatically assigned to the unit. If you press 'Esc' you are returned to the option of providing your own name. If you assign your own name, the morale/leadership values will initially be set at default values. After you enter the desired name, press 'Enter' and the unit will be placed. If you wish to modify any of the unit attributes, you must edit the unit as described below. If you wish to place an army in the location shown, but for the side (Union or Confederate) other than one displayed, move the cursor to the portion of the menu showing the current side and press 'Enter' to toggle to the other side. You may then place the army type as before. Each side has a maximum of 40 units available for positioning. There is no restriction on number of units of a given type. The current number of units of each type and total strength of all units is shown for each side as units are placed or edited. Also, the ratio of total Union strength to total Rebel strength is shown. Occasionally the screen will need to be redrawn to replace units that have been erased during the edit process. A redraw feature is provided for that purpose. 2.5.2 Edit Existing Unit ------------------------ To edit a unit,move the cursor to the unit and press 'Enter'. You will be given the option to edit the unit. When you elect to edit, a window will be displayed with the unit characteristics: ╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ side and number Rebels numbered 1-40 ║ ║ Union numbered 41-80 ║ ╠═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ strength defaults: ║ ║ 750 for infantry ║ ║ 500 for cavalry ║ ║ 300 for artillery and Napoleons ║ ║ 100 for horse artillery ║ ║ 200 for general ║ ╠═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ morale (default is 80) ║ ╠═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ leadership (default is 80) ║ ╠═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ unit name (default is 0) ║ ╠═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ time delay if shown with an *, the unit is NOT on ║ ║ before first field until time delay is elapsed. ║ ║ action ║ ╠═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ entrenchment Message if unit is entrenched ║ ╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ To change an attribute, select the desired characteristic from the menu. Strength, morale, and leadership are increased by pressing the + key (following instructions on screen); they are decreased by pressing the - key. Unit name may be changed by typing in a new name at the prompt. You cannot change the unit side - if unit placed is for wrong side, delete it and place a new unit for the correct side. 2.5.3 Delete (X-Out) Unit ------------------------- Selecting the 'DELETE UNIT' option from the edit window will remove the unit. This is useful to reposition units or remove incorrect units. 2.5.4 Cancel Edit (Selected Unit) ---------------------------------- You may cancel the edit of the unit selected by choosing the 'Cancel' option on the menu. (Alternatively, you may use 'Esc' to cancel). 2.5.5 Entrenching ----------------- Units can be 'entrenched' using the editor. Computer-controlled units that are entrenched at the beginning of a scenario will hold their position during the game. Human-controlled units that are entrenched at the beginning of a scenario may refuse to leave entrenchments (if leadership/morale is low). Even if units follow orders to leave entrenchments, they require extra time to do so. Once units are un-entrenched, they cannot be re-entrenched in the game (though you COULD save the game and re-entrench using the editor). While entrenched, units will fight at a bonus (in addition to any terrain bonus) if attacked. Entrenched artillery units will still fire, but are receive the entrenchment defensive bonus. 2.5.6 Delaying Units -------------------- When specifying a 'Delay' for units, you are given the option to have the delayed unit either a) be off the screen until the specified delay has elapsed (default option) or b) be on screen but simply inactive. When examining a unit, a '*'next to the 'Dly' value indicates the unit will be OFF SCREEN until the delay elapses. For example: *Dly : 5 means that the unit under the cursor will not appear until after time 5. After that time, the unit will arrive at the battle as soon as the location at the cursor is not occupied by another army. Dly : 15 means the unit under the cursor will be on the map but inactive until after time 15. (Note that this unit may not always be visible. For instance, it may be an enemy beyond the visibility limit). If attacked before its delay has elapsed, it will automatically activate. 2.5.7 Return to Main Menu ------------------------- Press 'Esc' to return from 'Edit Armies' to the editor main menu to save the scenario or modify the map. 2.6 Battle Name and Time Limit ------------------------------ Choose a name for the battle to be displayed at the top of the map (simply a title line, and NOT necessarily the file name). Do not use commas. A suggestion is to use the battle name and date. You must also select a time limit (number of turns) for the scenario. 2.7 [convert old format] ------------------------ Use this option to read OLD FORMAT files created with previous versions of CIVILWAR BATTLESET. Then SAVE file as described in Section 2.3 above. The following procedure is suggested: a) Make a back up copy of your old scenario (just in case...) b) Load the old scenario using the 'convert old format' option. (Do NOT use the 'Load Saved Scenario' option or an error will result). c) Save the scenario under the 'Save Scenario' option. It can now be loaded using the 'Load Scenario' option.