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Hi - I have been away from the "Click" scene for a while. However, about 10 to 15 years ago I wrote about 40 games with KNP & CNC. Now I am converting them to MMF2Dev and Java. I thought I would keep a log here of the problems I encounter and how I solve them. And also, get some insight from other members.
The MMF2 error log is a big help, of course, since it targets the problem areas.
Okay - One of the first problems I encountered was with my RTF files. My games are educational and have extensive RTF doc files in scrollable windows. I had always made my RTF files in WordPad and then copied and pasted them into CNC. The old files caused the converted programs to either lock-up or crash altogether. To solve this, I copied them into the current Wordpad (Vista 32-bit Home Premium) and saved it. Then I deleted the old Formatted Text object, created a new Formatted Text object and loaded in the RTF file at runtime. The games would then run on Vista and Windows 7 (64-bit).
I had to remove the RTF's for Java. I could probably have spread them out over 4 or 5 screens each, but that would be a little tedious and add to the game size.
Second Problem - Text Push Buttons - I noticed that the text in my Push Buttons did not change size for different screen resolutions.
Since most of the games were created in 640 x 480, the text on the buttons would be really tiny at a high resolution like many of today's computers have.
First I tried bitmap buttons, using PNG images I had created online with Da-Button Factory. They wouldn't work for some reason.
So, next I tried creating Active Objects and pasting the PNG. These worked fine. Not true buttons, but they work just as good.
I'll be posting one of my games (Acid - Base Arcade) soon, so some of you can see the results and maybe try it on your own computer.
I hope this info helps some people and maybe some of you have insights into the whole conversion problem.
Bitmap buttons ought to work in Java, though, I see no technical reason why it can't (bug to fix?). But it's easy enough to work around as you have discovered.
Hey Chris - Thanks for the input. Converting the old games is tedious because I have to redo just about all of the graphics.
The 640 x 480, 256 colors looked a bit cheap on today's hardware.
But, I'll keep chugging along!
Okay - Is there a way to post your games up on the Clickteam site? I've looked around the screens and the Download page, but can't find anything. Is there an FTP link for doing it?
Thanks to whoever can help.
In the File Archive sub-forum. New Topic > File Manager.
Marv
Marv - Thank you. I'll take a look at it. - Rich
Marv - Hmm..m..m. Not sure it took.
Here is a web link to a site where I'm putting games.
http://www.newromansclub.com/rtcgames
Username = friend
Password = please
Rich, can't download that file (US Facts).
Marv
Marv - What kind of error message did you get?
I'll check the links in the mean time.
Sometime a dash or a capital letter makes all the difference.
Shoot Rich, it's been more than 24hours. My "Brain Leakage" prevents me from remembering.
404 I think, after logging in and trying to upload. As far as the CT File Archives, there was no link because the file was 5mb too large.
Ok, I have a question. What is wrong with hosting the thing where it is right now. To share? Trouble shoot? If it is just to share, is it open source?
If so I can host the open source file on my website with the other example files.
Would you be willing to continue via PM?
Thanks
Marv
Marv -
I've re-posted the files up on my original site.
I put up a number of other programs too.
Remember, user is "friend" and password is "please".
I had been on a friends computer when I tried to set up the original links. Sorry.
BTW - if you download the RTF program list, don't click the website link at the bottom. I closed down the business and website over a year ago. Not sure where that link goes now... somewhere in China I think.
I'll think about sending you the mfa files.
ok, thanks
Marv
Marv-
At one point you had asked me
"Would you be willing to continue via PM?"
Forgive my ignorance, but what is PM?
Personal email? Public mail?
Just wondering.
Private Message. :)
Ok Marv - So, how do we set up a PM?
Nothing to set up. Click on my name that is on the left in blue. You will have an option to Private message me.
Marv
Well, I sent Marv a few PM's but haven't heard back from him.
Not sure how to tell if I get a PM back. Oh well, all in due time.
Anyway, I noticed something else about converting my old programs.
It seems that Norton security products don't like exe files that write to the disk. These programs are identified as a threat and removed. I noticed this with Norton Internet Security in Windows Vista 32 and Norton 360 in Windows 7. The exe file contained a save game feature. Norton must scan the code for the corresponding algorithm and flag it as a threat. So, I will remove this feature as well as saving high scores and convert the game to Java stand alone. More later.
OK - I found out to get to my PMs. Duh. Just a little old and slow.
Got your pm. Norton is wierd like that. Do you have another AV you can use? There are free ones that might be more gentile.
Marv
Okay - just another note about Java stand alone apps.
I tried running one of my converted programs on Ubuntu. The program works fine on Windows. However on Ubuntu (Linux) it had problems and ran choppy with choppy sound also.
Just an observation.
Java doesn't seem to like too much text. I've found that it speeds things up if all text is converted into graphics. It tends to increase the file size, but I guess that's the trade off.