L3DEdit: Lemmings 3D Level Editor - Release topic (V0.51)

[namida]

Uploaded V0.34. There's only one change, but it's a big one:
- Land areas can now be edited.

This pretty much means everything - minus a few very obscure flags that I doubt anyone will miss - can be edited via L3DEdit. As such, the focus will now switch to bug fixing - so please report any bugs you find! I will also, in time, look into further rendering speed improvements.

But yep - V0.34 now edits everything important. And we got here less than three weeks from starting editor development. A huge thanks to Pooty in particular, once again, for his documentation of the Lemmings 3D file formats, and for futher assistance in figuring out the remaining details of these during L3DEdit's development. That aside, also, thanks to everyone else who contributed in any way - whether it was throwing out random thoughts (some of these really did lead us to useful info!), or even just showing support.

Now - what are you waiting for, let's see some custom L3D levels! And don't forget - it's always a good idea to keep solution replays, which is possible thanks to L3DReplay.

[Flopsy]

Just to re-iterate that I am still waiting on a copy of the game and I am still intending to test this when I get the chance to.

[namida]

Uploaded V0.35. Mostly a bugfix update, but there's a couple of nice new features.
- L3DEdit finally has an actual icon instead of the generic Lazarus app icon.
- Added a menu to reorder (or mass-replace-with-placeholders) levels - hugely useful if you're working on a large pack! (It's under "Utilities".)
- The spawn direction of lemmings is indicated on top of any entrance blocks.
- When switching to land editing, the selected axis is automatically changed to Y and the selected slice to 0 (unless it's at "none", in which case it stays at none).
- You can press Alt+O to get a count of how many blocks, and how many non-block-3 blocks, are in your level. This is mostly a debugging / testing feature but I saw no reason to take it out for the release version - but do be aware that whether this feature exists and/or how to access it could change without warning.
- When no slice is selected, L3DEdit says "None" instead of "-1" for the currently selected slice.
- Fixed bug: Shift level shifts in the wrong direction.
- Fixed bug: Land coordinates (when placing land) are inaccurate when view is rotated.
- Fixed bug: Some UI components don't update properly when hotkeys are used to change the currently-edited component.
- Fixed bug: Some UI components don't update properly when objects are selected by right-clicking.
- Fixed bug: Some UI components don't update properly when changing style options via the presets.

As a reminder: Please report any bugs you run into! I'm regularly creating levels myself so I do end up finding a lot, but it's possible that some things would be so minor I don't really register them, or that they don't occur with the way I work (which is very strongly hotkey driven, so the mouse options often have limited testing).

The immediate next thing to do is "Undo". The editor really needs this in my experience.

[namida]

Uploaded V0.36. This is a minor update compared to the last one:
- The "All Levels Unlocked" save option now actually generates a save file, instead of just extracting one that's embedded into L3DEdit's EXE. In particular, this means (a) the saves created by it no longer have some existing lemming kill / save and skill use counts; and (b) when used with custom levels, the save file will have accurate titles. This option still erases all your records / completion / etc and replaces it with a save that has all levels unlocked but none complete, it's just truly a blank save (and with accurate titles) now. Huge thanks to ccexplore for cracking the checksum algorithm.
- The L3D palette file is no longer embedded in L3DEdit, it relies on the copy from L3D's data files. Since it relies on other files from L3D anyway, and thus already has to be in the same folder (or in a folder with a copy of L3D's files), this probably wouldn't have even been noticed had I not mentioned it.

[namida]

Uploaded an alternate V0.36 build that's built with Delphi XE6 rather than Lazarus. Delphi-compiled code is generally faster, especially where Graphics32 is involved. If you're having issues with L3DEdit's rendering speed, try this alternate build. However - be warned that it's highly experimental, so take even more care than usual with saving / backing up your work, etc. (It's unlikely there's any bugs that will corrupt data, unless they also exist in the Lazarus version, but better safe than sorry!)

If you use hotkeys much, please read over the new notes at the start of the hotkeys section regarding the Delphi version - they work a bit differently from the Lazarus version. (I'll likely bring the Lazarus verison in line with this behaviour in a future update.)

Linux users: It won't be possible to compile the Delphi version for Linux, but there's a good chance it'll work correctly under WINE (except maybe the RNC decompression, so you may have to decompress files manually), based on that NeoLemmix does, and that Delphi L3DEdit is compiled with the same compiler using only libraries that NeoLemmix also uses.

---

Known Delphi version bugs (and workarounds where applicable):
- When block segments are modified via the checkboxes (but not when done via hotkeys), the block is not updated. Workaround: Re-select the block type from the dropdown menu after changing these checkboxes, and it will update correctly.
- The "No Invisibles" option doesn't appear to work.

[ccexplore]

Linux, but there's a good chance it'll work correctly under WINE (except maybe the RNC decompression

Out of curiosity, what's so special about the RNC decompression that it might not work correctly under WINE?

[namida]

Linux, but there's a good chance it'll work correctly under WINE (except maybe the RNC decompression

Out of curiosity, what's so special about the RNC decompression that it might not work correctly under WINE?

I haven't written my own code for this; rather, I embedded a common tool into the EXE, which is extracted and run when needed. This is something that I could foresee possibly not working correctly, and is not something NeoLemmix does so can't make guesses based on that.

[namida]

Uploaded V0.37-D. To be clear, this is an update ONLY to the Delphi version of L3DEdit - there's no new update to the Lazarus version. (I could release an update that solely changes the version number to V0.37, but what would be the point?)

Some UI elements in the Delphi version did not respond correctly (or more likely - not at all) when clicked. This update fixes all cases I could find of this.

[namida]

Uploaded V0.38 and V0.38-D. Changes:
- Added an option (under the View menu) to pick between the standard grid, corners-only grid, or no grid at all for the selected level slice.
- Negative water movement speeds now can be entered and load correctly.
- Right clicking while editing land will now delete the last vertex, meaning you don't have to start the land over again if you mess up.
- A specific byte is always written to level files, that may help reduce the impact of the face render limit.
- (Lazarus version) Hotkeys now match the Delphi version.
- Fixed bug: Level is not re-rendered after adding a new vertex to land.
- Fixed bug: The editor allows creating land with more than 8 vertexes (which are then lost when saving).

[namida]

Uploaded V0.39 and V0.39-D. Changes:
- Added Undo and Redo. They're under the "Edit" menu, or alternatively, use the shortcut keys Ctrl+Z and Ctrl+Shift+Z respectively.
- Fixed bug: Adding more than 8 lands is possible, with excess being lost.
- Fixed bug: L3DEdit treated land vertexes with an X coordinate of 0 as invalid. (This is correct behaviour for Z, but not for X.)

[namida]

I have just pushed commits which now put the source code under the MIT Licence. As per the wording of the L3DEdit Temporary Licence that applied to older commits, they too may be used now as if they were under the MIT Licence.

[Flopsy]

Ok I'm on board with bug reporting at last.

I have had great difficulty getting L3D working in DOSBox but thanks to Nessy helping me I have managed to get it working decently now.

I didn't get much time to play around with the editor but I did notice that I'd get an access violation if I ever clicked outside of the grid in the level working area.

Also Nessy did help me learn this (among other things) but I have to apparently load a level with the tiles required to get the tiles to make a level with myself. In other words treat the level as a mini "tileset".

Looks good from what I've seen so far but the editor looks like a steep learning curve.

[namida]

I didn't get much time to play around with the editor but I did notice that I'd get an access violation if I ever clicked outside of the grid in the level working area.

Which level components tab were you on (ie: land, blocks, etc) when this happened? Also, Lazarus version or Delphi version? (If you're not sure, check Help -> About. If the version number has "-D" at the end, it's Delphi, if not, it's Lazarus.)

Also Nessy did help me learn this (among other things) but I have to apparently load a level with the tiles required to get the tiles to make a level with myself. In other words treat the level as a mini "tileset".

You don't have to - you can right click on an empty (or not-empty, for that matter) block slot in the block selection menu to edit it and choose textures yourself - but it is much easier to use another level's block data as a starting point, perhaps with your own changes on top of that. (This is my usual approach - I'll use the block data from a level with similar blocks, then make my own tweaks on top of that.)

[Simon]

I have had great difficulty getting L3D working in DOSBox but thanks to Nessy helping me I have managed to get it working decently now.

What problems did you encounter? How did you solve them?

This is highly valuable to write down in a public post. I don't mind maintaining the info afterwards, but I need the info first.

-- Simon

[Flopsy]

Which level components tab were you on (ie: land, blocks, etc) when this happened? Also, Lazarus version or Delphi version?

It only happens on the Blocks tab and I was using the Lazarus version

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Here you go Simon, this is the entire conversation on Discord last night which me and Nessy had (it was in a private conversation so it's not publicly viewable other than what is posted here). I hope this is helpful.

Spoiler

FlopsyYesterday at 1:09 AM
Well that is probably where I'll need the most help, I suck at anything MSDOS related

NessyYesterday at 1:09 AM
No problem I'll walk you through it.
Okay so when you first start it up type the following -> mount c c:\
This is because Dos Box saves the save file in a folder on the C drive.
Nice you do -> mount d d:[path to where your L3D folder is]
And of course the "d" can be changed to whatever drive you have the folder in (so "c" if it's there anyway. I have it on my D drive)

FlopsyYesterday at 1:11 AM
but my L3D folder is on the desktop

NessyYesterday at 1:12 AM
Okay that's no problem so you'll type -> mount c c:\ [path to your desktop]

FlopsyYesterday at 1:13 AM
I can't path it from the c drive
never mind

NessyYesterday at 1:15 AM
Okay so now type c:
That's it just c and the colon

FlopsyYesterday at 1:16 AM
ok

NessyYesterday at 1:16 AM
Now type L3D
Let me know what pops up

FlopsyYesterday at 1:16 AM
illegal command

NessyYesterday at 1:16 AM
Okay try L3D\L3D

FlopsyYesterday at 1:17 AM
nope

NessyYesterday at 1:17 AM
Alright so what is the name of the folder you have your L3D files in?

FlopsyYesterday at 1:17 AM
L3D
I had the wrong mount apparently
I now have L3D at the top Clockwork Games
MSCDEX driver not found

NessyYesterday at 1:20 AM
Oh that error -_- Yeah to fix that I have to give a file namida gave me to fix it on my side as well.
Stand by.
Back up your folder and in the working one replace the .exe with this one.
Attachment file type: unknown
L3D.EXE
148.83 KB
I don't know why this fixed it for me to be honest...

FlopsyYesterday at 1:23 AM
Ok the game is running but I have a NeoLemmix v1.43, it is a quarter of the screen
And there's no sound
For god sake, I really hate DOS Box, I tried really hard with it to get L2 Tribes working but I ended up LPing the Mega Drive version on an Emulator because DOS Box was a pile of crap

NessyYesterday at 1:26 AM
Yeah it's complicated :stuck_out_tongue:
Okay so time to fix that window size issue.

FlopsyYesterday at 1:26 AM
I have no sound either :frowning:

NessyYesterday at 1:27 AM
You have to find a file that is in this folder -> {system drive}:/Users/{username}/AppData/Local/DOSBox/

FlopsyYesterday at 1:28 AM
Ok in options, they are muted and I cannot increase the volume

NessyYesterday at 1:28 AM
Right the sound... how did I fix that. Let me see.
Did the editor ask to apply a sound patch?

FlopsyYesterday at 1:29 AM
yes
I clicked the custom level option

NessyYesterday at 1:30 AM
Try it again just to be sure under Utilities on top.
In the editor.

FlopsyYesterday at 1:32 AM
It says the patch has already been applied
Also don't understand this message
You have to find a file that is in this folder -> {system drive}:/Users/{username}/AppData/Local/DOSBox/
there's a config file in this folder but I don't have the application to open it

NessyYesterday at 1:34 AM
Oh not even in notepad?

FlopsyYesterday at 1:34 AM
well I didn't know notepad could open it

NessyYesterday at 1:35 AM
Oh sorry :S
I didn't explain this part very good sorry about that.

FlopsyYesterday at 1:35 AM
fullscreen=true?

NessyYesterday at 1:36 AM
Yes... and if you want just a window you can change the size where it says windowresolution = width x height
So the sound... I'm trying to remember how I fixed that.
The sound is always a pain in the butt -_-

FlopsyYesterday at 1:44 AM
No worries, it's a start
At least I've learned how to get the game running

NessyYesterday at 1:45 AM
The music patch should have fixed it so that's why I'm stumped.
Did the fullscreen work at least?

FlopsyYesterday at 1:46 AM
I opted for a bigger window
Don't worry about me, I'm just always that anomaly that somehow no one can help :frowning:
I just always end up with the PC that is not like other people's

NessyYesterday at 1:48 AM
Nah I'm going to help!
Okay weird question: is there music?

FlopsyYesterday at 1:51 AM
I have a sound folder

NessyYesterday at 1:51 AM
Is there a file inside that folder called "patched"?

FlopsyYesterday at 1:52 AM
yes

NessyYesterday at 1:53 AM
Alright we are going to try something else. Let's go back for a moment to DosBox and mount everything again but at the end instead of running the actual game type "setup"

FlopsyYesterday at 1:53 AM
Is there a command to skip the intro cut scene

NessyYesterday at 1:53 AM
The entire thing no... you can just click on the screen to skip each part though.

FlopsyYesterday at 1:54 AM
I just want to check if namida's demo is set up correctly but I have to sit through that Lemmings breaking out of the computer video all the time

NessyYesterday at 1:54 AM
You can't click on the screen to skip it?

FlopsyYesterday at 1:54 AM
no

NessyYesterday at 1:55 AM
Alright let's go back into Dos Box and run that "setup" I mentioned.
Let's start there.

FlopsyYesterday at 1:56 AM
brilliant, L3D has crashed now on loading Fun level 1
did you manage to load namida's demo?

NessyYesterday at 1:56 AM
Yeah I was able to.

FlopsyYesterday at 1:56 AM
I am just not meant to use Dos Box

NessyYesterday at 1:56 AM
I had this problem as well.

FlopsyYesterday at 1:56 AM
I suck at it

NessyYesterday at 1:56 AM
The crash I mean.
Okay new plan. Go to your C: drive. Just the actual thing no subdirectories.

FlopsyYesterday at 1:57 AM
ok

NessyYesterday at 1:57 AM
Do you see a folder called LM3D.CD

FlopsyYesterday at 1:58 AM
no

NessyYesterday at 1:58 AM
Is that folder in your actual L3D folder?

FlopsyYesterday at 1:59 AM
no

NessyYesterday at 2:01 AM
Okay okay so go to this thread -> https://www.lemmingsforums.net/index.php?topic=4257
Lemmings 3D Save with all levels unlocked
Lemmings 3D Save with all levels unlocked
Download that folder in the first post.

FlopsyYesterday at 2:01 AM
ok

NessyYesterday at 2:01 AM
And extract to C:\LM3D.CD\ like the post says.

FlopsyYesterday at 2:03 AM
ok

NessyYesterday at 2:03 AM
And then try to run the game again. If it still doesn't work let me know.

FlopsyYesterday at 2:04 AM
Ok waiting for the game to finish the intro cut scenes
Since I can't skip any of it for some reason
Really annoyed that there is no sound, I always have issues with DOS Box
If I could I would just avoid DOS Box at all costs, I'm only putting up with it to help namida debug

NessyYesterday at 2:07 AM
Yeah :frowning:
I still don't understand why you can't skip.

FlopsyYesterday at 2:07 AM
Game crashed again when trying to load Fun levels
just black screen and nothing

NessyYesterday at 2:08 AM
Okay Plan B... now move "LM3D.CD" into your actual "L3D" folder
Sorry if I'm a little bit all over the place :\
Trying to figure things out.

FlopsyYesterday at 2:09 AM
It's ok, I just wish I could skip the intros
I have sound now
And I can skip through the intro

NessyYesterday at 2:10 AM
Progress!

FlopsyYesterday at 2:11 AM
Ok new issue, another reason why I hate DOS Box
The game is playing at 1FPS

NessyYesterday at 2:12 AM
Okay that's an easy fix. Go back to the .config file real quick.

FlopsyYesterday at 2:12 AM
ok
Another side issue, I was only finding quadcore from namida's demo
the rest of the levels were the original names
I have config file open now

NessyYesterday at 2:15 AM
Okay scroll through the file until you find:
core=
cputype=
cycles=
Now replace with:
core=dynamic
cputype=auto
cycles=max

FlopsyYesterday at 2:15 AM
ok
rerun DOS Box now?

NessyYesterday at 2:16 AM
Yes. It's a pain to keep mounting stuff so before you close the .config file here's another tip :wink:

FlopsyYesterday at 2:17 AM
yeah I see it at the bottom

NessyYesterday at 2:17 AM
Sorry I forgot it was at the bottom and was looking for it.
So yeah you type the commands there and it will automatically run them whenever you run DosBox.
That way you don't have to type mount this and that every time XD

FlopsyYesterday at 2:19 AM
Thank you Nessy, you sorted it out for me :smiley: