XML to Array Converter with Special Character Support

[Blue66]

Hey guys!

I'm currently using a data sheet in XML format for dialogue in my game and I am trying to convert it to array to load it into MMF2. Right now I'm using a converter I've found made by Sketchy which is simple and effective, but it has problems with special characters and turns them into weird symbols. Is anyone out there who knows another way to convert XML into an array so special characters stay how they are and my text blitter object can read them?

Much appreciated

[MuddyMole]

If by "special characters" you mean unicode, then I believe you're out of luck - you'd need to buy the unicode plugin (£30). Even then, I have no idea whether third party extensions like the Text Blitter extension would fully support unicode, or only those already built-in to MMF2.
I actually made that XML-Converter (Sketchy is just the name I use on TDC), but I don't own the unicode plugin, and I'm pretty sure I've lost the .mfa source file - so there's no possibility of me adding unicode support.

[Blue66]

Oh hello
I mean standard ASCII characters like ØÙÚÛÜÝÞßàáâãäåæçèéêëìíîïð, which are supported by the text blitter object (I can copy&paste them into the standard text box and at least most of them show up correctly). But when I convert my XML sheet from Excel that have those characters into an array and load that into the text blitter, they turn into weird other symbols in the game. Even in the array itself the characters are scrambled, so there must be a convert problem or something.

Example when I type ü into an excel sheet in xml format and convert it, in the array there is ü at it's place.

[DavidN]

Instinct tells me that "XML sheet from Excel" sounds like it might be rife with potential problems... can you upload the XML file? Does it appear correct when you open it as plain text?

[MuddyMole]

It's definitely not a problem with Excel. I'm fairly sure the problem is caused by the EasyXML extension. Unfortunately, trying to parse a .xml file without that extension would be a massive pain (there's no way I'd attempt it).
You'll probably have to use .csv files instead or create your own data editor.

[Blue66]

@DavidN: When I open the xml with notepad it has the correct characters inside, so it must be the conversion that causes this problem.

@MuddyMole: Could you please look around a bit if you can find the mfa of the converter? If I see it right the EasyXML extension is from 2006. Is Vortex2 still an active member of the community? Maybe I can contact him and ask if he can make an update for EasyXML that supports all ASCII characters. Would that solve the problem?

[nivram]

Blue66. If MuddyMole can not find the mfa, I still have it.

Marv

[MuddyMole]

@Nivram: Have you been browsing my skydrive account?

These are the only versions I can find:
https://skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/...a&sc=documents
https://skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/...a&sc=documents

Not sure which is the newest, but they're both pretty old and probably have a heap of bugs that weren't fixed until later.
The only newer versions I have are on a hard-drive that's currently sitting on my desk - and I don't have a PC to put it in.
You might want to make a very simple example with the EasyXML extension, just to check that is the problem.

[nivram]

@Nivram: Have you been browsing my skydrive account?

Now you know I would never do such a deceptive dastardly act as that. LOL

Marv

[MuddyMole]

I don't really mind - just surprised you bothered. I keep meaning to fix up all my examples, and make a website for them (a bit like yours, but with articles explaining the events in each file).