Halo 1 & 2 for PC
This topic has moved here: Subject: Compiling Errors, and other shenanigans.
  • Subject: Compiling Errors, and other shenanigans.
Subject: Compiling Errors, and other shenanigans.

Sandswept Studios Design Director

Visit us and check out our games at Sandswept.net!

~~Pardon Our Dust.~~

All right, after spending two hours discussing/changing/modifying a map for Halo 2 Vista, to no avail, I am ready to cry.

Help would be most appreciated. I have plenty of tissues, thanks for asking though. Now, I'm about to ramble a bit about the problem, try to follow.

Here's the problem:
My friend has modeled a map (we're actually working on a map pack of about 6-7 maps). This is the first we've tried to implement. Using 3ds Max 7, we have exported the map file to a .ass filetype. Problem is, when we compile, we get some crazy errors. Warnings about missing files (like effects) and Errors regarding shaders and what-not. Then, we open Sapien, it gets to Step 3 of 3 (after it ends compiling scripts on step 2), and it says "File is corrupt, Sapien will now close."

The tutorial help files aren't very helpful, as we've basically followed them step by step, still with negative results. With all of the Halo 2 Map Editor tools installed from the H2 Vista disc, (I was on a Vista machine at the time, Halo 2 runs fine, the tools work, etc.) Why is it telling me it can't find shaders, effects, etc? Anyone have any idea what could be going wrong? Everything is installed into the default C:/Program Files/Microsoft Games/Halo 2 Map Editor/ with all the proper folders from there.

Something about linking the "+sky" in Max? If anyone has successfully made a semi-complex (not a square room, for example) H2 Vista map and got it working in Sapien, please let me know what we're screwing up on.

I could get some of the specific compiling errors, if that would help. Of course, we're thinking our problem may lie in the materials in Max, and linking the objects properly. For the record, our map mesh is one piece, and then we made a sphere, as it said in the tutorial, for the skybox and what-not. (and linked them via Parenting) It's mighty confusing to me why this is not working, so any help would be fantastic.

Thanks!

edit:
Here's a picture of the map in the Max viewport, if it helps any of you who think we're completely clueless about what we're doing.

[Edited on 09.06.2007 1:09 PM PDT]

  • 09.06.2007 12:50 PM PDT

-S

I can't tell with this information what your exact problem is, but I'll toss out some suggestions:

Halo is very specific about where files need to be saved in order to work. Make sure you're saving and exporting to the correct folders, or your compiles will not work.

Do not use the default materials given to geometry when you create them. Make sure the materials assigned to any object linked to the frame is using a Multi/Sub Object material. In fact, it's generally a good practice to keep the total number of materials down as small as possible for the sake of organization. One multi/sub object material can be used to texture an entire map, though depending on the number of shaders you'll be using, you may want to find a logical division.

If your shader names are incorrect, Tool will not be able to locate them and you'll end up with a default texture (a checkerboard pattern) instead.

Keep in mind that assigning a shader with +sky doesn't mean your sky will render properly. You'll also need to assign the appropriate sky to the level, or else your sky will just render as a black field.

I haven't seen the tutorial levels for H2Vista. If there are any tutorial maps you can open in Sapien, I recommend trying that just to make sure that Sapien isn't flipping out.

I know you want to start large and make full scale multiplayer maps, but you should go back and take smaller steps to ensure that it's not you making the mistakes. Go ahead and make a couple simple maps before jumping into full blown multiplayer maps.

  • 09.06.2007 1:35 PM PDT

Sandswept Studios Design Director

Visit us and check out our games at Sandswept.net!

~~Pardon Our Dust.~~

All right. I'll make sure everything is working in that respect. Sapien does work, yes. I've been able to open the tutorial map they've supplied.

Thanks for the help, I'm going to try some simpler stuff, make sure it's all working, then move from there and find out what went wrong. ;)

  • 09.06.2007 2:27 PM PDT

-S

Posted by: SS_Zag1
Thanks for the help, I'm going to try some simpler stuff, make sure it's all working, then move from there and find out what went wrong. ;)


That's a good practice for any new tech you're trying to learn. Even if it's very similar to something you're familiar with.

  • 09.06.2007 5:59 PM PDT