Testers Needed: Alternative Thief 2 Patcher/Installer

[Jax64]

I am looking for testers for a new Thief 2 Patcher/Installer currently called "T2Fix."

With Tafferpatcher being fairly out-of-date now and showing little sign of life, I present one which implements similar functionality with some new and completely updated components (the most important being NewDark 1.26) which will continue to be updated as needed for the foreseeable future.

Currently Included Components:
-NewDark 1.26
-NewDark DromEd (with the DromEd Basic Toolkit 1.14)
-AM16's Fixed Missions and Resources Pack 1.2d (modified to account for a variety of reported issues)
-voodoo47's Interactive Candles
-R Soul's Carry Body Mod
-Thief Enhancement Pack
-Thief 2 Sound Effects Enhancement Pack
-t2skies
-t2water
-English subtitles
-Updated Scripts for Fan Missions
-Official 1.18 patch (applied automatically if version 1.07 is installed)
-Various other resource fixes
-Original non-NewDark Thief 2 executables
*Currently NecroAge and EP2 are not included due to their size, though they can be downloaded and placed into the game's directory with ease.

All major components other than NewDark and the official patch are optional.

I am particularly looking for testers with non-USA versions of Thief 2, such as the French and German localizations, as I have not yet been able to personally test the patcher's compatibility with these versions.
While nothing is currently final, the patcher functions fairly well throughout my own personal testing using the US release of the game. With all of this said, anyone is welcome to test or to provide feedback of any kind.

[Brethren]

As we discussed, I can help test.

Are you able to detail what components are included in your patch, besides the latest version of New Dark? How about t2skies/water, EP2, and/or AM16's fixed missions pack, etc, or anything else? Or possibly Dromed and related tools?

[lowenz]

Always eager to test unofficial patches (I use the GOG version of Thief 2)

[Jax64]

As we discussed, I can help test.

Are you able to detail what components are included in your patch, besides the latest version of New Dark? How about t2skies/water, EP2, and/or AM16's fixed missions pack, etc, or anything else? Or possibly Dromed and related tools?

Yes, thank you again. I have updated the first post to include the currently available components.

In addition to this, I have added you to the Shalebridge group and the first version is now available for testing.

Always eager to test unofficial patches (I use the GOG version of Thief 2)

Thank you very much! If you have an account on Shalebridge, I will add you to the group. We will be doing most of the testing there.
If you do not, you can just PM me.

[lowenz]

Why EP2 is not included? (simple question, not a request!)

[zappen]

... With Tafferpatcher being fairly out-of-date now ...

Really?!?

Works fine for me, always if there is an ND update.

[Brethren]

Why EP2 is not included? (simple question, not a request!)

*Currently NecroAge and EP2 are not included due to their size, though they can be downloaded and placed into the game's directory with ease.

Works fine for me, always if there is an ND update.

Currently you would have to run Tafferpatcher, and then also update to ND 1.26. This new patcher does both in the same step.

Also, DJ Riff appears to have gone AWOL, so it's good to have a patcher from someone who is still active here, in case other changes need to be made.

[zappen]

Currently you would have to run Tafferpatcher, and then also update to ND 1.26. This new patcher does both in the same step.

Also, DJ Riff appears to have gone AWOL, so it's good to have a patcher from someone who is still active here, in case other changes need to be made.

Didn't know that ...

[lowenz]

Testing now, it seems all fine.

[Jax64]

Why EP2 is not included? (simple question, not a request!)

Yes, as said above, EP2 is not included due to its large size. However, everything is set up so that all you would need to do is place EP2.crf in your install directory to enable it, similar to TFix.
I have also experimented in making a fat version that includes both NecroAge and EP2 among others, but the file size is nearly two gigabytes, which is a rather extreme amount to download all in one patcher.

Testing now, it seems all fine.

Thank you again. Everything is functioning correctly then?
Was there anything you found irritating or any other content you hope to see implemented? I welcome any constructive feedback.

[Yandros]

I would vote in favor of keeping the mods as separate downloads, especially if all you have to do is download them and drop them in your Thief folder or a /mods subdirectory.

[lowenz]

Yes, as said above, EP2 is not included due to its large size. However, everything is set up so that all you would need to do is place EP2.crf in your install directory to enable it, similar to TFix.
I have also experimented in making a fat version that includes both NecroAge and EP2 among others, but the file size is nearly two gigabytes, which is a rather extreme amount to download all in one patcher.



Thank you again. Everything is functioning correctly then?
Was there anything you found irritating or any other content you hope to see implemented? I welcome any constructive feedback.

Good enough for me! Maybe add the graphic configurator from the HD mod?

[voodoo47]

I think I've fixed a couple of models in EP1, so if you are looking for the most up to date version, the one from TFix should be it. would also recommend using the fixed hand meshes, they are lurking somewhere in the TafferPatcher topic.

[Jax64]

I would vote in favor of keeping the mods as separate downloads, especially if all you have to do is download them and drop them in your Thief folder or a /mods subdirectory.

I am inclined to agree.

I think I've fixed a couple of models in EP1, so if you are looking for the most up to date version, the one from TFix should be it. would also recommend using the fixed hand meshes, they are lurking somewhere in the TafferPatcher topic.

Thank you. I am currently using the original EP plus several fixes you linked in the last few pages of the Tafferpatcher topic, but I will update to the one from TFix as it likely includes several other fixes. As for the hand meshes, are these the same ones noted in the Special Thanks of AM16's Fixed Missions Topic? If so, perhaps it may be appropriate to include the fixed missions by default.

[Cigam]

Could I just request that a USERMODS folder be added to the root and modpaths? Tfix provides this and I found this useful.

From the sounds of it you will already be adding NecroAge and EP2 to modpaths so that leaves my only other niggle, and it might not be anything you can do anything about, but the fact that the voicelines are removed from unconscious NPCs.

I want to be able to throw a guard on a fire and hear him scream.

[Jax64]

The current testing version already has the USERMODS folder implemented just as TFix does, so no worries!

As for unconscious NPC voice lines, I believe they still currently occur after using this patcher. The ability to change this behavior likely lies in a gamesys or DML fix somewhere, though I am not certain where. That said, I would be somewhat hesitant to change the default behavior. Though if I ever happen across this option, I suppose I could document it so that anyone could change as they see fit.

[john9818a]

If you are talking about NPCs or AIs speaking immediately after they are KO, I don't think much could be done about that since it is from what I have observed a timing quirk with the AI wanting to speak immediately after grunting (on the way to the floor) and the sound system playing the wanted line. I don't want to get too technical about other situations/solutions here in the fan mission forum.

[Cigam]

One more thing, and it is quite minor. About the name. Think fan or unnoficial patches should give themselves names that distinguish themselves from official patches. Only the 1.18 patch should call itself the T2 patch. It would be like the Syrim unnofficial patch just calling itself the Skyrim patch.

That's it, just think it's formal title should be something like unnoficial patch, fan opatch, community patch, or if you fancy a bit of Cockney rhyming slang, the Tea Leaf patch.

[Cigam]

Think the voices were removed in the fixpack. I have used Tafferpatcher without it and got the voices.

[Jax64]

About the name. Think fan or unnoficial patches should give themselves names that distinguish themselves from official patches. Only the 1.18 patch should call itself the T2 patch.

I agree. The name is subject to change, and will very likely change before release. I just haven't decided on a name that can be both unique and unambiguous. I am certainly open to suggestions, however.

Think the voices were removed in the fixpack. I have used Tafferpatcher without it and got the voices.

If this is true, it is probably not my place to be modifying that. It could be true that this behavior has changed with the latest release. Though currently checked by default, the fixed missions pack is completely optional.

[voodoo47]

very quick look, and looking ok so far. some stuff:

- the "do you want to update old data" prompt is unnecessary, as the answer is simply yes (I do want all files up to date so my game would not glitch out)
- crop movies properly

movie_crop_exclude credits.avi+success.avi+death.avi+B01.avi+b02.avi+B04.avi+B05.AVI+B06.avi+B07.avi+b08.avi+b09.avi+b10.avi+b11.avi+B12.avi+B13.avi+b14.avi+b15.avi

- currently, vanilla resources (missions, if nothing else) are overwritten when fixed ones are installed, maybe consider installing them separately, TafferPatcher style (patchedmis/patchedres)
- enable FSAA by default (multisampletype 8)
- enable ATOC by default (d3d_disp_enable_atoc 1)
- the carrybody mod in cam_mod ini should probably have a higher priority, right after the candles should be good
- outdated gamesys.dml, update to prevent sorting issues on very large trees;

DML1

//adding proper alpha to avoid sharp edges on plants
ObjProp -3291 "RenderAlpha" = 0.9999
ObjProp -3292 "RenderAlpha" = 0.9999
ObjProp -3293 "RenderAlpha" = 0.9999
ObjProp -2840 "RenderAlpha" = 0.9999
ObjProp -2841 "RenderAlpha" = 0.9999
ObjProp -5345 "RenderAlpha" = 0.9999
ObjProp -5346 "RenderAlpha" = 0.9999
ObjProp -6079 "RenderAlpha" = 0.9999
//adding proper alpha to avoid sharp edges on blood stains
+ObjProp -1519 "RenderAlpha" = 0.9999
//fixing hammer dimensions
+ObjProp -458 "PhysDims"
{
	"Radius 1" 0.34
}

also, are these resources in?

-the vhotted candle pack (no reason to not have it there, vhots may come in handy and some models had flaws that have been fixed as well. new need to be installed when EP or NecroAge is active, old when not - so basically, the "old" set should be included with the fixed resources, "new" with EP, and the "obj" folder needs to be removed from the Candles mod. this is something that will probably need more testing - making sure all combinations of mods work without issues).
-the jointed bell (now swings around. rename the model to bell2.bin for T2).
-the retextured wooden ladders (all the ladders.zip - vertical bars are now textured properly).

[Jax64]

- the "do you want to update old data" prompt is unnecessary, as the answer is simply yes (I do want all files up to date so my game would not glitch out)

Duly noted. Critical files such as dark.gam and the first party scripts are installed regardless of selection; only updated missions and resources are installed as a result of the option. It was intended to give the user a choice(mostly between the 1.07 and 1.18 versions of the missions), but I suppose having the data around would only cause problems.

- crop movies properly
...
- enable FSAA by default (multisampletype 8)
- enable ATOC by default (d3d_disp_enable_atoc 1)
- the carrybody mod in cam_mod ini should probably have a higher priority, right after the candles should be good
- outdated gamesys.dml, update to prevent sorting issues on very large trees;

All of these are now integrated. As for the anti-aliasing options, the above is set by default, but other preset options are available if the default proves to be too much for the user's system or the user has a powerful system and wants more graphical fidelity.

- currently, vanilla resources (missions, if nothing else) are overwritten when fixed ones are installed, maybe consider installing them separately, TafferPatcher style (patchedmis/patchedres)

If the fixed missions are detected, vanilla missions are reinstalled if the user runs setup while not selecting the fixed missions pack. So the user can choose whether they want or do not want the fixed missions with each run of the patcher. This method saves space and doesn't clutter the installation with two sets of missions. Fixed resources behave the same way, but do not overwrite existing resources when installed. Rather, they are loaded prior to vanilla resources in the ".\RES\RESPATCH" directory.

also, are these resources in?

-the vhotted candle pack (no reason to not have it there, vhots may come in handy and some models had flaws that have been fixed as well. new need to be installed when EP or NecroAge is active, old when not - so basically, the "old" set should be included with the fixed resources, "new" with EP, and the "obj" folder needs to be removed from the Candles mod. this is something that will probably need more testing - making sure all combinations of mods work without issues).
-the jointed bell (now swings around. rename the model to bell2.bin for T2).
-the retextured wooden ladders (all the ladders.zip - vertical bars are now textured properly).

Everything was in besides the jointed bell, which is now integrated. Thank you very much for taking a look, as it has already been quite beneficial.

[voodoo47]

sounds good - feel free to drop the next beta on me, I'll give it another spin.

note that no 1.07 stuff should be left/allowed under no circumstances, imho.

[Jax64]

Absolutely. I uploaded the newest version and the link I sent you previously should now direct you to it.

And yes, it is probably best practice to simply update to the latest official version automatically, which is the current behavior. It makes sense to present the user with options while at the same time not sacrificing usability.

[voodoo47]

getting smoother. the 1.18 patch crfs are merged with the patched resources, I'd assume? also, NVScript seems to be out of date for quite a bit, get the latest version here (maybe double check all the other 3rdparty scripts as well).

also watch out - the new bell2 is a hires (EP) resource, so it needs to be placed into the EP crf, RESPATCH should be reserved for fixed vanilla resources.