michael garlick
Freelancer Path Generator
For mod creators of the Microsoft game Freelancer, plotting correct shortest path files was always a major obstacle requiring a total of 3n2 paths to be typed by hand for the n systems connections. Since incorrect path files have been proven to be responsible for a large number of crashes and instabilities, the task of creating the path files became a necessary major inconvenience. I programmed an application in 2006 that would relieve the tedium, imaginatively called the Freelancer Path Generator... It generates the path files for the modder, completing the task in approximately 2 seconds.
Freelancer Path Generator remains the only solution to this problem so far.
How it works
Freelancer Path Generator parses the universe.ini and initial_world.ini to gather information regarding the location of all the individual system ini files, and which gates are locked.
The application then parses all the system files in turn, to generate a representation of the universe, and their legal and illegal connections.
Finally it generates and writes all the paths between each system and all the remaining systems, both legal and illegal, and issuing warnings where errors are found. Locked gates are not included in the generated paths.
Backups are made of the original path files, and the new path files are written to the universe directory.
Errors such as incorrect connections (jumpgates or jumpholes) between systems are generated when found, and appended to an errors window - displaying the file name and line number where the error is located. It will also issue a warning in the event paths over 10 jump lengths are found. These paths are rumoured to be the cause of crashes within the game, and should therefore alert the modder to alter the systems layout.
The Freelancer Path Generator does not parse encrypted files at this time, and will generate errors when an encrypted file is encountered.
Requirements
The Freelancer Path Generator is programmed in Java, so to run the JAR file you will require Java 1.5 installed on your computer.
Download
Feedback
You may email me any feedback, bug reports or suggestions; see the contacts page for my address. Alternatively you may visit the freelancer related forum to leave any additional comments.