RA2 files folder in FA2

banderi · Vehicle Driver **Joined**: 15 Apr 2011 **Location**: IT

How can I make FA2 load RA2 files from another directory? I can set it under "settings", but when I reopen FA2 it reloads the original folder.

FinalAlert.INI shows my new (changed) directory, but I can't find anything else that seems to control it.. Embarassed

What I need to do is make FA2 recognizing a mod depending what directory I make it point to, instead of transferring all mod files in the original RA2 folder to make a map under that mod Very Happy

banderi · Vehicle Driver **Joined**: 15 Apr 2011 **Location**: IT

I'm pretty sure there is a method for that... or a workaround. But what?

Nikademis Von Hisson · Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2011 1:07 pm Post subject:

it needs the game mix files to open.....maybe if you explain what you are trying to do, give a bit more info you could get some help

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banderi · Vehicle Driver **Joined**: 15 Apr 2011 **Location**: IT

I have more RA2 directories that contain more mods. I need to tell FA2 which one should read for units, buildings, etc. Smile

Copying every time mod files into the original RA2 directory is a suicide, and installing more than one FA2 is not the best solution, I would wast precious space.

Cranium · Defense Minister **Joined**: 05 Dec 2009 **Location**: USA

his explanation is pretty clear to me. He wants his FA2 to open/use the files from his mods directory. Though FA2 is programmed to look for Westwood/RA2/RA2.exe, even changing the settings in the options section dosent change it. I tried like hell to get this to do the same thing way back when, but no success. I always have to rename my mod folder to Westwood before using FA2. It sucks, but it's the only way unless you know how to do an .exe hack to allow it to search for other locations during start up.

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banderi · Vehicle Driver **Joined**: 15 Apr 2011 **Location**: IT

Damn it... Neutral

Starkku · Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2011 1:21 pm Post subject:

FA2 normally ignores the manual setting in .ini file in favor of automatically looking up your RA2 install path. You can disable the automatic lookup by opening up the FinalAlert executable in a hex editor of any choice, searching for a string 'InstallPath' and replacing it with zeros or whatever else (obviously make a backup of the original executable just in case before doing this).

After doing that FA2 automatic lookup for installation path registry key will fail and thus it obeys the setting in FinalAlert.ini but chooses to inform you of this every time you open the program by generating a message box.

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Nikademis Von Hisson · Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2011 1:22 pm Post subject: ra2 fa2

I had a feeling I knew what he wanted but with the way some people word the posts its not as it would seem. I just wanted him to clarify the post. What I do is have my mix file in the main directory, then I that same directory in the launchbase mod files . When I add things to it I always add to the one in the main directory then copy and past it to the mod folder. same with the rules and art files. You just have to remember to copy them for you main folder to your mod folder

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I am authorized to send out the TMP Studio, PM ME IF YOU WANT IT And check this out, these were sent to me for help with terrain and zdata help along with TMP Studio/Builder

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Cranium · Defense Minister **Joined**: 05 Dec 2009 **Location**: USA

heh, I'll say it for everyone. Thanks Starkku! worked like a charm.

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The enemy shall be injected with toxic poison - Venom

banderi · Vehicle Driver **Joined**: 15 Apr 2011 **Location**: IT

I tried the HEX editing, it works! Very Happy

I was trying the same thing, but I thought it was, like, coded to binary or something like this xD

@Nikademis Err, I don't exactly get the method.. can you show me step by step?

Thank you all guys! ;D

Krow · Commander **Joined**: 30 Jan 2010 **Location**: Malaysia

Me too! Thanks Starkku! Been wanting to do this for almost a month! Very Happy

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banderi · Vehicle Driver **Joined**: 15 Apr 2011 **Location**: IT

This is a "patched" version of the exe (with TX enabeld), and the backup too. If someone doesn't want to hexedit it himself, is already here Wink

FA2YR.zip

Description:

Download

Filename:

FA2YR.zip

Filesize:

1.68 MB

Downloaded:

288 Time(s)

Nikademis Von Hisson · Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2011 2:45 pm Post subject:

Do you have the Launch base? If not get it here

http://marshall.strategy-x.com/LaunchBase/

Make a mix file for yuri Place all your shps/vxl/hva in here and place that in the main RA2 folder: expandmd??
Have all your rules and art ini in the main ra2 folder so FA2 reads it.

When ever you edit the mix file, rules. art ini edit them from the main ra2 folder this way FA2 reads them.

Then open Launchbase and got to your video file in your mod folder and place anything you created ini, mix, csf files...

When you create a map always save in your mod folder. If you have one in your RA2 folder and one in your mod folder there is a pop up when loading LB there is something that says there is 2 copies and will move the one from RA2.

Every time you edit the art/rules ini or the mix folder in RA2 dierectory you need to copy and paste them to your mod folder.

_________________
I am authorized to send out the TMP Studio, PM ME IF YOU WANT IT And check this out, these were sent to me for help with terrain and zdata help along with TMP Studio/Builder

http://www.ppmsite.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=27714

Cranium · Defense Minister **Joined**: 05 Dec 2009 **Location**: USA

Thats just to much hassle if you ask me. Starkkus way of editing the exe solves everything in one place. Very Happy

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The enemy shall be injected with toxic poison - Venom

Krow · Commander **Joined**: 30 Jan 2010 **Location**: Malaysia

I agree with Cranium. Wink

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Nikademis Von Hisson · Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2011 4:57 pm Post subject: ra2 fa2

its moving 3 files at most. its not that big of a deal.

_________________
I am authorized to send out the TMP Studio, PM ME IF YOU WANT IT And check this out, these were sent to me for help with terrain and zdata help along with TMP Studio/Builder

http://www.ppmsite.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=27714

banderi · Vehicle Driver **Joined**: 15 Apr 2011 **Location**: IT

It's still a good workaround Wink