[Felix 039]

Can someone tell me what software do I need to make custom missions/campaigns? And are they free?

[Akalabeth Angel]

If you look in your freespace 2 directory you'll find a program "Fred2.exe"

this is all you need for missions/campaigns.

If you want to add ships, music, etcetera then you might need some more programs. But they're all free. (unless you want to create new ships yourself, then THOSE might not be free depending on what you use).

What exactly do you want to do?

[Felix 039]

I am currently using a mac but I do have access to a PC, unfortunately I lost my copy of FS2 after copying the original game files so I cannot get the Fred2.exe

I see some ships have different name plates, say GTC call Boom. The ship's engine hull says GTC Boom. Since there isnt a GTC Boom in the FS2 campaign, I assume I have to make it. If I use the same model as a Fernis Class Cruiser, do it auto change the ship plate name?

[The E]

No, the nameplates are a new texture that you have to apply via FRED. Sorry, but for mission/campaign writing using FRED is a necessity. And just so we're clear, FRED2Open should be used.

[Rodo]

you don't need fred to make a mission, but you'll probably loose a lot of time making your mission on notepad.

IRC you get the fred2.exe with the 1.2v patch of the game, so if you have installed the fs original on your pc just hit the update button on the launcher and it will download this patch.

Not sure about this last one though.

[The E]

.... Using FRED2 (the original one) is only a good idea if you plan to do something that is retail compatible. If you want to use FS2Open features, (like all the new sexps, for example) FRED2Open is a necessity.

[Felix 039]

you don't need fred to make a mission, but you'll probably loose a lot of time making your mission on notepad.

IRC you get the fred2.exe with the 1.2v patch of the game, so if you have installed the fs original on your pc just hit the update button on the launcher and it will download this patch.

Not sure about this last one though.

The thing is, I no longer have my FS2 Disc.

[The E]

And you don't need it. If you've installed FS2Open, you have FRED2Open, which is the main tool to create missions and campaigns.

[Rodo]

The FS2 disc is not needed, just an installed version of FS, if you have that just run the retail launcher, or even better, update to FSopen (get the RC3 release exe's) and you should be ready to go as The E said.

[The E]

Rodo: NO. JUST NO. RC3 IS NOT RECOMMENDED. GET 3.6.10 FINAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Get the FSOpen Launcher from that thread as well.

Seriously, how do people miss those announcements?

[Felix 039]

NONONONO.

---

The game I am playing now is FS2 Open on Mac OS X, and it does not have FRED included for some reason, so I cannot put it in a USB or whatever I might be able to do if I have it in the first place.

[The E]

Ah. Sorry, but FRED is windows-only at the moment. There's an effort going into making it cross-platform, but it's only just beginning. So unfortunately, you have to either use Windows, or some sort of compatibility layer (like Wine on Linux) to make it work on MacOS.

[Felix 039]

 

What I mean is:

I lost my FS2 CD.
I have access to a windows computer.
I don't have the FRED software, so I cannot drag it from my Mac comp to my Window comp.

[The E]

What's your problem, then? Just install FSOpen on the Windows machine by copying the FreeSpace 2 directory as a whole. If you download the Windows executables from the 3.6.10 Final release thread, there will be a FRED build included.

[Felix 039]

Oh? I'll see if it works... tomorrow hopefully...

Thanks E, its really helpful info. I didnt know Wisdows 3.6.10 Final include that.

[Felix 039]

Umm... somethings wrong, I copied the files into the Windows, downloaded the FS2O 3.6.10 for windows and copied it (along with other files in the zip) to the folder as well. When I tried to run the exe (Both FS2O and FRED2O and their debug builds), a screen pop out and say that I do not have OpenAL32.dll, so I went online and downloaded some files (I am not sure if its what I need, I just googled it dl the stuff with OpenAL labeled). I installed those stuff and found that OpenAL32.dll now exist on my system directory, but for some reason, everytime I try running the exe(s), the circle pops up (Im using Vista) indicating its loading something, then stopped after 5-10 seconds. I tried reinstalling the OpenAL but it doesn't work. What did I do wrong?

I am a windows noob btw.

[The E]

Can you run one of the debug builds, then post the debug log (fs2_open.log, in the data folder) here? And did you download and use the Windows Launcher in the 3.6.10 Final release thread? As for openAL, this should be all you need.

[Felix 039]

Can you run one of the debug builds, then post the debug log (fs2_open.log, in the data folder) here? And did you download and use the Windows Launcher in the 3.6.10 Final release thread? As for openAL, this should be all you need.

FS2O: I should be downloading from this: http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,64520.0.html   Right?
Launcher: I didn't download the launcher, but shouldn't it still work without the launcher? I'l download it now too. Edit: Damn... Where is the launcher?
Debug Build: I couldn't run any of the builds earlier, so no. I'll try it again once I re-download everything. BTW, where's the fs2_open.log for windows?

[The E]

Yep, that's it. And the Launcher IS necessary, I'm afraid, since it sets up all the registry settings FSO needs. It can be found in that thread, or here: http://fs2source.warpcore.org/exes/Launcher55e.zip

And the log is in the data folder in your FS2 directory.

[Felix 039]

Ohh!!! Cool, I'll try it now.

Will I need Turney's Installer? How updated is it?