The Purpose of this section is to introduce you to the fundamentals of using SunEdit 2K. Even if you have been using SunEdit 2K for a while, you might want to scan through this page as you probably will learn something new
Q. Ok, what is SunEdit 2K and what does it let you do?
A. SunEdit 2K is an editor for Tiberian Sun. Specifically it lets you edit the game's INI files. These file specifies the settings for the way Tiberian Sun plays. For example, the Rules.INI file specifies all of the units and structures and defines their properties (eg. speed, cost, strength, armor, weapons etc..). The Art.INI describes all the artwork that is used in the game. However only the Rules.INI and Firestrm.INI have the friendly interface, the other INIs (Art, Sound etc..) are edited via the built in text editor
All the windows in the editor that deal with list of things (i.e. Infantry, Structures, Vehicles etc..) all have the same basic design. The list of the objects are shown down the left hand side and the sections of settings are shown to the right.
If the list down the left is in grouped mode, groups are identified by the little [+] to the left of the group name. Clicking on this [+] will cause that group to expand and show the contents.
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There are two ways the list
can be arranged. If you want, you can have the objects arranged into
groups and then sorted alphabetically. Or, you can get rid of the groups
and just list them alphabetically in one big list. You can also tell SE2K
where you want to position the "New" group. (This group
contains all of the new objects that have been added for the section you
are editing.)
To change the way the list is displayed, click on
the File menu and then Preferences. Click on the "User
Interface" button at the top and near the bottom of the screen will
be a list editor section. |
Above the list and the sections, running across the top of the window are the toolbars. These are pretty much standard throughout the whole system. These are shown below (example from the Infantry window)
Going over the buttons first, from left to right they are....
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Save | This button will save the current
changes to the object and close the window.
Changes are saved when you select another object. (i.e. you change from Cyborg Commando to another infantry unit). |
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Close | This button closes the window and throws
away changes you have made to the current object. Changes are saved when you select another object. (i.e. you change from Cyborg Commando to another infantry unit). |
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Clone | This button creates a carbon copy of the current object. This can then be edited as you want without risk of affecting the object you cloned. | ||
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Add | This button accomplishes the same thing as the clone button but takes you to the add new object wizard. This has the added benefit of allowing you to specify the name and number that get saved to the Rules.INI | ||
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Delete | This button allows you to delete units you have added. It is not possible to delete the standard units. | ||
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Reports | This button provides access to the reports for this section. If you click on the down arrow to the right of the blue icon, you will see a list of the reports. The ones at the top of the list are relative to the section you are editing. | ||
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Reset | This button drops down a menu with two options on it. You can either reset the current object or reset all the objects in this section to default. | ||
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Help | This button shows the on-line help
section for this particular window.
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Below the toolbar buttons are the buttons for the sections available for the section you are editing. For example, the infantry window has these buttons (sections).
whereas the structure window has these sections
To change to another section, simply click on the name of the section you want to edit.
Once you have made your changes, to transfer them to Tiberian Sun, close any windows that you have open (i.e. Infantry, Structures etc..) and click the apply changes button, shown below
The apply changes button.
When you apply the changes, SunEdit 2K generates the Rules.INI file. When it's been applied, all you need to do is click on the Run TS button (which is to the right of the apply changes button.)
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All the functions that are behind the buttons on the toolbar can also be reached through the menu above the toolbar. The settings menu contains links to all the menus that are concerned with settings (i.e. Infantry, Structure, Weapons) etc.. To apply changes that option is towards the bottom of the settings menu. |
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Warning! If you want to play a networked game of Tiberian Sun (either over Lan, Internet or modem / serial) you will need to remove all changes you have made with SunEdit 2K. To do this, go to the settings menu and choose Remove Changes. This will delete the Rules.INI file from your TS folder. You can then click on the run button. If SunEdit 2K prompts you to apply the changes, don't do this as it will then generate a Rules.INI. If a Rules.INI is present and you try and play, you will get "game version incompatible" errors.
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Saving your work
To save your work, simply click on the save button. This can be found next to the Load button on the main toolbar (shown below).
The save button on the main menu
If this is the first time you have saved the settings, you will be prompted to enter summary information. This info is saved along with the file and can be edited later by going to the File menu and selecting "Properties".
Loading previously saved settings
To load your saved .S2K files (the native files to SunEdit2K), click on the load button (shown below)
The load button on the main toolbar
If you click on the down pointing arrow to the right of the button, a list of previously loading files will drop down.
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The previously used files can also be accessed from the History option off the File menu. |
If you selected a previously opened file, the file will start loading straight away. Otherwise the standard windows "Open File" window appear and prompt you to select the file. When you have found the file you want to open, click "Open" and the file will start to load.