rec.autos.simulators

by **Dave Henri** » Mon, 16 Apr 2001 17:56:12

Nascar Heat is getting a slew of patches that require swapping out certain
files and replacing them with updated files that contain new carshapes and
physics and drivers names. So far several users have come up with a couple
of
batch files to swap out the new CARt or IRL files for the Winston Cup files.
But you have to have .bat files for each version and you have to put the CUP
cars
back in place before changing to another type of car.
So what I'm looking for is this: I need someone to craft a windows
launcher
that will allow the users to copy the files needed and then replace the cup
car files when
done. Several considerations must be met. 1. Nascar Heat can be installed
on two separate drives if the user does not chose the default setup
options...so some sort of
browser function would be needed to show the program the proper drive and
folder for
installing the patches. 2. It must be easily upgraded because as of right
now there are the follwing announced patches: Cart Heat, IRL Heat, Le Mans
Heat, and Dirt Track heat.
I have no IDEA how many other possible scenarios will appear, but I'd guess,
since the SCGT cars seem to be portable to Heat, we will see Touring cars
also and who knows what else. 3. I would also suspect that a track manager
function would need to be
added at some point. 4. And if all that is too easy then also incorporate
a car swapper utility to add custom or updated cars.
So, at least from MY viewpoint, this would be a very serious undertaking.
The program would have to account for several possible patches and a couple
of locations.
If anyone feels up to this, I'll pass along some sample .bat files and
what ever else you
may need to get the project up and running...Oh and as payment for this
work, I'll even let you NAME the program.
dave henrie

by **Ian** » Tue, 17 Apr 2001 02:22:02

hi dave,

we can call it nascar heat xfile manager.

i don't have NH as it was never released in South Africa, but allow me
to volunteer a few evenings to see what I can come up with.

If you can explain the tasks very clearly to me, I could probably make
a program like that for you. I am a huge believer in making end-user
customisable programs so, if I have a *very* good idea of the steps
involved, I'm sure I could make a launcher app that you could
configure to replace all your little batch files.

My only caveat is that you or someone else will need to do the testing
with NH. :( I will be able to simulate it to a degree, but the rest
is up to you (or whoever).

I can't stand all these VB launchers which each require various dll's
and ocx's so I will do probably to it in delphi if possible.

Please send me as much info as possible and I'll see what I can come
up with. If I don't get it past beta, I will pass the code on to
someone who has more time than me.

Regards,
Ian

by **Jason** » Tue, 17 Apr 2001 06:03:43

I do not have NH, but have quite a bit of experience in what you seem to be
requesting. I am sure with a little guidance from you in regards to the
files, and the locations in the folder structure for NH, I can quickly
create something that will allow you to switch between the different series,
without need of those DLLs, or OCXs. Given cooperation, I suppose I could
have something for testing in a matter of days. Of course I will also need
those batch files you speak of.

Let me know what you think.

Cheers,

Schumi

by **Tex** » Tue, 17 Apr 2001 06:00:30

I'm working on something like this now for my own use with the IRL and CART
add-ons (the current LeMans seems to have a few probs...I'll wait for the
next version of that before incorporating it.) If I can get the time to
finish this up, I may release it in a beta state, but I'm not going to bend
over backward to incorporate all features for all people (things like
supporting installs to the non-default dir, etc) at this point.

If I get it to a releasable point, enough folks like it, and there aren't
any better tools out in the meantime, I'll look at adding some of the more
advanced features. But since this is working with beta releases of multiple
products, I can't say whether I'll have the time to keep constantly keeping
up with the latest releases and the files they need. I'll keep the NG up to
date on the progress I make (if any.)

Tex

by **Dave Henri** » Tue, 17 Apr 2001 23:07:25

Thanks both of you...Ian Stauffberg has already gotten going on the
project. I'll
let everyone know what's happening soon. We've tested it out so far with
CART Heat
and it works well. Ian also doesn't have Nascar Heat and I cain't prgram at
all so
it's like to partially blind guys trying to help each other cross the
street.
This all may be rendered pointless if MGI builds a patch menu into the
game like
Halflife has...but we'll see. I hope to have this little program out to the
various patch
makers so they ALL can use the same program to move their needed files back
and forth
and then the end users will have a standard interface that will work for
each patch and not, hopefully, be tooooo confused. :>
dave henrie

> I do not have NH, but have quite a bit of experience in what you seem to
be
> requesting. I am sure with a little guidance from you in regards to the
> files, and the locations in the folder structure for NH, I can quickly
> create something that will allow you to switch between the different
series,
> without need of those DLLs, or OCXs. Given cooperation, I suppose I could
> have something for testing in a matter of days. Of course I will also need
> those batch files you speak of.

> Let me know what you think.

> Cheers,

> Schumi

> > Nascar Heat is getting a slew of patches that require swapping out
> certain
> > files and replacing them with updated files that contain new carshapes
and
> > physics and drivers names. So far several users have come up with a
> couple
> > of
> > batch files to swap out the new CARt or IRL files for the Winston Cup
> files.
> > But you have to have .bat files for each version and you have to put the
> CUP
> > cars
> > back in place before changing to another type of car.
> > So what I'm looking for is this: I need someone to craft a windows
> > launcher
> > that will allow the users to copy the files needed and then replace the
> cup
> > car files when
> > done. Several considerations must be met. 1. Nascar Heat can be
> installed
> > on two separate drives if the user does not chose the default setup
> > options...so some sort of
> > browser function would be needed to show the program the proper drive
and
> > folder for
> > installing the patches. 2. It must be easily upgraded because as of
> right
> > now there are the follwing announced patches: Cart Heat, IRL Heat, Le
> Mans
> > Heat, and Dirt Track heat.
> > I have no IDEA how many other possible scenarios will appear, but I'd
> guess,
> > since the SCGT cars seem to be portable to Heat, we will see Touring
cars
> > also and who knows what else. 3. I would also suspect that a track
> manager
> > function would need to be
> > added at some point. 4. And if all that is too easy then also
> incorporate
> > a car swapper utility to add custom or updated cars.
> > So, at least from MY viewpoint, this would be a very serious
> undertaking.
> > The program would have to account for several possible patches and a
> couple
> > of locations.
> > If anyone feels up to this, I'll pass along some sample .bat files and
> > what ever else you
> > may need to get the project up and running...Oh and as payment for this
> > work, I'll even let you NAME the program.
> > dave henrie

by **John Bod** » Wed, 18 Apr 2001 04:20:18

GREAT news, guys -- SoLID from the High Gear forums has developed an
all-in-one switcher utility that will allow you to launch NASCAR Heat
in NASCAR mode, IRL mode, CART mode, or Le Mans mode -- I haven't
fully tested it out myself, but it looks promising. You can download
it here:

http://users.pandora.be/grandprix3/HeatSwitch.zip

Enjoy!

-- JB

rec.autos.simulators

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