X-Mod thread

[keif149]

My Jones tutorial I wrote from a couple years ago.

Still seems timely.

Hi,

I want to talk about installing and using the Jonesoft Generic Mod Enabler. I really believe in this thing and I use it for nearly every game I own. From JTCS, all HPS games to Steel Panthers and Combat Mission. It’s even included in the IL-2 Sturmovik mod from Special Aircraft Service site. It’s totally safe, no spy ware, it’s FREE and it’s really pretty simple to use, with a minimum effort on your part. It doesn’t delete any stock files and automatically backs them up. Even if you only want to use a couple of mods or want to see what new ground colors look like in a Squad Battles game, or want to use ALT series of graphics and scenarios for Pzr Ops or swapping in a new tank skin for Combat Mission, this really works.

I’ll just describe it in text and if anyone needs special help, I can send screen shots. It also comes with a great on line .pdf tutorial on its own and cover more features than just the basics I’m talking about. You can also Google for installation help also.

Ok;

1. EDIT: Original home page no longer available. Many download locations if you Google it including this one:
http://www.gamefront.com/files/21681483

2. Place the installer in the main directory of your game. In this example, say Squad Battles Vietnam. I prefer to use a stone stock game, as that allows you to always have a stock game option if you don’t like a mod or something. If you already have modded files and are managing them on your own, try and place them in a folder called maybe “My old Mods” or something that allows you to add them when you’re ready to use JSGME. The main directory is of course where the .exe file to start your game is.

3. Double click the installer and let it begin. Accept the licensing agreement, and continue hitting “next” through out the process. I would uncheck the box for adding a desktop icon, as that gets into running one installation for all of your games. I prefer to have it installed in each game. Foolproof and it makes a very small footprint anyway.

4. Ok, you’ll see it installed a JSGME .exe and .txt file that contains history of the product etc. Double click on the JSGME file (the one that’s represented by the big yellow G icon. It will install in your main directory anew folder called MODS. This is where you’ll be placing your custom mods, graphics, scenarios etc.

5. Now, here is where it gets important and a lot of people get confused. JSGME reads the files in the MODS folder. When you activate a file in the folder it places what ever is in that folder into your games main directory. You can name the folder anything you want, but what ever is inside that folder has to look like the destination in your main directory. I think this where a lot of people mistakenly has their mod inside of another folder.

6. Ok, for example, I want to see what the ground color from Red Victory looks like in my Vietnam game. So I go to Red Victory, Map, and copy the 2dNormal50 and 2dNormal100 .bmp files. The basic terrain colors for Squad Battles games. If the JSGME activation window is still open (after the MODS folder was installed), you may close it now.

7. Inside your Vietnam\MODS folder, create a new folder Called Red Victory Ground. Inside of that create a new folder called Map. Spelled just the way it appears in your Vietnam main directory. Place your two Red Victory .bmp files in there. So you can see what is going to happen. When you activate the Red Victory Ground folder in JSGME, it will load that folder and place your Map in the main directory. It will back up the copies of your stock Vietnam files while allowing the Red Victory file to be used in the game.

8. So, go back to your big yellow G and double click it. That brings up the activation window and you’ll see your Red Victory ground folder on the left side. Single click it. It becomes highlighted and a directional arrow becomes active in the center column. Click on it and it moves the Red Victory Ground Folder to the right side. It is now active. Close the window

9. Close that and start up your game. If you don’t like the colors then just reverse the process. You stock files are back in place. Now you can see how simple it is and if you take a moment to think about it, you’ll soon come up with many ideas on how to use JSGME in many of your other games. Want to use custom Info or media files? Do it the same way. Just remember what is inside your custom folder, has to match where it’s going in your main directory.

10. Hope this helps and it allows you to simplify using custom mod files.


Thats a simple example of how the file structure works. For using the X Mod files unzip the folder from me in your Mods folder. Then when you load it with Jones, you'll get the confirmation start up screen saying X Mod Activated.
Hopefully you can think of other examples where it might come in handy with your other games.