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Descent Manager HAXMEDIT/DOS
by Heiko 'HH-Soft' Herrmann
Current version: V1.0 Beta 02 (Build 30) - 07/05/98


[ Version Changes ] [ Known Bugs ]

Supported games: Descent 1 is NOT supportedDescent 2 is supportedDescent 3 is NOT supportedFreeSpace 1 is NOT supportedFreeSpace 2 is NOT supportedSummoner 1 is NOT supportedRed Faction 1 is NOT supported

Description

The module HAXMEDIT is to edit the contents of HAM, V-HAM and HXM files which includes editing the values and managing the elements, for example to create new polygon-models with Descent Manager POLYTRON32. The name "HAXMEDIT" is a mix between HAM and HXM EDITor.

There are two versions of HAXMEDIT available: the DOS version and the Win32 version. Both are packaged together with POLYTRON32 and POLVIEW32 in the Robot Construction Kit (RCK), the DOS version is also available as stand-alone version (since the RCK installer won't run under prue DOS).

Notes for this DOS version: After a long alpha developing phase (over 1/2 years), the DOS version of HAXMEDIT is now finally available. It is perfect to low-level adjust the settings of robots, weapons, polygon-models and much more. It supports HXM as well as V-HAM files, plus the core DESCENT2.HAM file. And you can directly open HXM/HAM files in HOG files, without needing to extract it first. HAXMEDIT/DOS only has few limitations on what to edit: some data cannot be edited to avoid multiplayer cheating. Sorry for this, but I don't want it to be the multiplayer-cheating-maker #1! Other than that you have direct control to all values, you can even hack yourself into the depths of the polygon model-data, which is also VERY useful, if you want to create your own polygon-model editor.

It is the original DOS version of HAXMEDIT. You don't need this if you are using Robot Constuction Kit, since that has this version bundled.

 

Screenshots

Here are some screenshots (click on the image to get a larger one):

HAXMEDIT/DOS can directly access HAM, V-HAM and HXM files, even when they are embedded in a HOG. This file browser lets you easily switch between DESCENT2.HAM and the current HAM/HXMs or all HAM/HXM files that are available in the current HOG.
On the layer "Blocks" you can see an overview of what blocks are available in the current HAM/HXM file.
After you selected a block via "cursor-up/down" in the layer "Blocks", you will get the element contents with a brief description. You can switch between the layers using the mouse or by using the "cursor-left/right" keys.
The last layer "Characteristics" now lets you edit the currents' elements' characteristics, e.g. the current robot. Edit a value by selecting it and then pressing F4 or just RETURN. You will either be asked for a direct number enter, or if available for the current characterstic a list to choose from.
Most block types are static in structure, meaning they always contain the same characteristics independant of which element. HAXMEDIT/DOS also supports directly editing the values of a dynamic structure like the MODEL_DATA...
...With this low-level functionality Luke builded his Polytron and we all learned the depth of the polygon model data as it is used in Descent. If you want to build your own polygon-model-editor, this tool will be extremely helpful to learn the complex structure of the polygon-model data.

 

Download

 Download Descent Manager HAXMEDIT/DOS (252 kB)
Version 1.0 Beta 02 (Build 30) - 07/05/98

 

Support

Here is some support-related information:

  • If you have problems running one of these tools, please first look at the Knowledge Base. These pages contain Known Bugs, Frequently Asked Questions, Technical Information, Version Changes and more...
  • If this does not help, please contact us at DescMan@descent-network.com. One of our programmer team will then try to help you.
  • If you have general questions about Descent Manager Tools, incl. our philosophy behind them, their making and how to join our programmer team, please have a look at our FAQ section at the Knowledge Base.

 

 

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Everything taken from the Descent, FreeSpace, Red Faction and Summoner series games are
Copyright Interplay Productions , THQ Inc. , Parallax Software , Volition Inc. and/or Outrage Entertainment