Yitzi's Unofficial SMAX patch 3.5c

[Yitzi]

Yitzi's Unofficial SMAX patch 3.5c

http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;down=349

This should fix the crash that some people encountered during the native units' turn.

[ikonoklast61]

I've played AC since 1999 but have never tried any of these alternate versions. I downloaded Binary Dawn and the 3.5 patch.  How do you use these? I don't see an EXE file to install. Are these supposed to be moved into the AC folder? I wanted to put these in a new folder so I don't disturb the original files.

[Mart]

Good idea with folder copying. Download basic 3.5 first, then the patch 3.5c.
There is link to terranx.exe, find it above stats:
...
terranx.exe
Filesize: 2.93MB  Views: (422)  Downloads (253)  Last Download: Today at 19:43

The link to 3.5 base:
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;down=346

[ikonoklast61]

I downloaded everything I'm supposed to download, AFAICT, both Binary Dawn, basic 3.5 and patch 3.5. The only EXE file I see is terran.exe and it doesn't do anything when clicked upon. How do I install these files so I can play this alternate version?

[ikonoklast61]

Okay, I found the patch readme with installation instructions, thanks.

[ikonoklast61]

Okay, got it working and played yesterday. Not fond of learning a new tech tree, but I'd like to experiment more with the new factions. How do I load them int ACX without changing any of the rules or techs?

[Yitzi]

Okay, got it working and played yesterday. Not fond of learning a new tech tree, but I'd like to experiment more with the new factions. How do I load them int ACX without changing any of the rules or techs?

After downloading the new factions, find the part in alphax starting with "#FACTIONS" (you can use ctrl-F); there should be "#FACTIONS", "#NEWFACTIONS", and "#CUSTOMFACTIONS"; each of these three can have 7 factions listed (just put in the name used in the file names), like they are for the ones already there.  This won't change the tech tree, rules, or anything else, but will change the factions available.

[ikonoklast61]

Don't the faction files from the FACTIONS folder in Binary Dawn also have to be copied into alphatxt? I copied #customfactions into alphatxt from Binary Dawn alphaxtxt, then copied the individual files for each faction into alphatxt and it won't start.

[Yitzi]

Don't the faction files from the FACTIONS folder in Binary Dawn also have to be copied into alphatxt? I copied #customfactions into alphatxt from Binary Dawn alphaxtxt, then copied the individual files for each faction into alphatxt and it won't start.

You probably should not copy the individual files for each faction into alphax; it certainly won't help, and depending on how you do it, it might hurt (though it probably won't).  You should copy the faction files into your Alpha Centauri folder, not into alphax.txt.

[ikonoklast61]

Ah, thanks. So move both Faction folders into the AC folder and only copy the #customfactions section into alphatxt. I'll try this, thanks.

[Yitzi]

Ah, thanks. So move both Faction folders into the AC folder and only copy the #customfactions section into alphatxt. I'll try this, thanks.

Don't just move the faction folders into the AC folder; move all the files in them into the AC folder.

[ikonoklast61]

Okay, I started from scratch: I copied all the patch files into the AC folder, replacing files there; I copied the contents of the faction folder in Binary Dawn into the AC folder, replacing files there; I copied #customfactions from Binary Dawn into alphatxt. They are not showing up on the selection list.

[gwillybj]

Are you playing Alpha Centauri or Alien Crossfire?
The original, Alpha Centauri, uses terran.exe and alpha.txt and won't work with Yitzi's patch.
The sequel, Alien Crossfire, uses terranx.exe and alphax.txt -- those are what Yitzi's patch is written for.

Would you mind attaching your alphax.txt here so someone can look at it and see why it's not working?

[ikonoklast61]

I'm using the ACX I bought on disk. Ah, you found my problem: there is both an alphatxt and an alphaxtxt. I modified alphatxt, not alphaxtxt.  Okay, I returned alphatxt to its original state and added #customfactions to alphaxtxt. The new factions were listed but it started what looks like accelerated start although this is unchecked in rules. alphaxtxt is attached. thank you so much!

[Yitzi]

If you provide a savegame (preferably from as soon as it starts), that may give some hints as to what is going on with the accelerated start.  No promises, but it might help.

EDIT: You should probably try gwillybj's advice (on page 2) first, though.