The changes mentionned below are progressively being implemented.
QB Damage Points software updates are posted in the Download section.
1.0a is a key maintenance release for QB Damage Points. Version 1.0a is fully compatible with previous versions (1.0, 0.97), except for the changes mentioned below.
It simply makes no sense to keep preliminary versions all the time! This is why I decided to move to 1.0.
QB Damage Points is now available as an ActiveX Control, as promised since more than 2 years ago! Design and run game battles with your own rules. Download now the package which includes:
That was a stupid coding error, but now moving sprites should render better. I know, it is still not perfect.
And QB Damage Points is now available as an ActiveX Control, as promised since more than 2 years ago! Design and run game battles with your own rules. Download now the package which includes:
Version 0.97 fixes a problem with transparent regions that did not show up on my computer! How good is it to test on other machines (other WinXPs, Win2K - No W9x or NT4 available for my use unfortunately). Other changes include a coolbar with a menu, just like in Internet Explorer. When the map is running, notifications to the user appear in a popup window at the bottom-right corner of the window.
The first QB Damage Points ActiveX control should be released with the same version number (please come back).
I hope this name has a stronger meaning than the previous one, while keeping its style (my pseudo). Now, with only the name, you should know what it is all about.
The configuration files (qbf) have new file formats. Unit, weapon, map attributes, and unit gauges are placed one after each other, without numbering. The order does matter. Look here for a sample configuration file.
In map files (qbm), the 'Key' attributes is replaced by the 'Name' attribute. Look here for a sample map file.
Until now, the only transparent color possible in sprites was white. Now, any color can be defined as transparent. To choose the transparent color, select it in the standard color selector, or pick it from the sprite picture using the new sprite editor (refered as 'Custom' in the properties window).
The configuration editor handles configurations in a much easier way. You can change a configuration right after having it imported, export it, change your mind and editing it again, it should not complain too much.
The Static Image Index represents the portion of a sprite image displayed for a unit or a weapon projectile. Just double-click on it in the property grid, and select an image from the sprite graphics.
Depending on the context, the editor can either create an empty map and display the editor window, ask for a file or open a pre-assigned map. This automated startup allows the user to start faster.
It is now possible to create maps or open files without closing the editor window and reopening it again. New commands (File -> New, Open) are available, and switching between files hence becomes faster.
Find any item in the map objects browser which name contains a specified string. Accessible via the regular F3 key.
These two windows have been separated to allow more flexibility. You will notice that the map objects tree displays icons, and better interacts with the editor view. The property window, besides grid display, supports fast property switching. Double-click changes True-False properties to the opposite value. Double-click also sets the next possible value in the case of object choice or enumerated values. Clicking twice the same property will provide normal editing. There are many other enhancements to these tools that do not have visible results.
For better performance while opening files, the msxml3.dll file decoder is now required to run QBDamage. msxml3 ships with the lastest versions of Office and Internet Explorer. It can also be downloaded from Microsoft.
All map custom properties are now accessible from the property list. The attributes section in the Map Property Pages has been removed. The Map Property Pages now only contain design-time attributes (Title, graphics,...).
All language resources have been moved to external files (DLLs) for better resource management.
The component file comdlg32.ocx will be no longer required to run QBDamage. The component will however still be available for download, in the case you run earlier versions of QBDamage.
The commands Go, Stop, Attack, and Move have an improved behavior and interact better with the editor.
The Toolbox has been simplified. It now contents necessary commands for drawing surfaces/walls in map, and creating units from templates. For more simplicity, the texture palette has been separated from the toolbox. However, both windows still work together.
The Toolbox contains the new commands:
Toolbars are being removed from the windows mentionned above, in order to save place when these windows are docked at the top or bottom of the workspace.
Tool windows can be dragged/dropped. Several windows can be docked on each side of the editor. Helpful for workspace management and items that span horizontally rather than vertically.
QBDamage can now take advantage of most of the new XP Themes, with only one additional small file in the download. The entire interface can fit with user's selected theme.
Images in menus only help the user to become familiar with the commands.