Author Topic: Mids' Hero/Villain Designer v1.62 (Read 27462 times)

torakusu · « **Reply #1 on:** March 06, 2010, 08:27:40 AM »

FYI, the auto update isn't working and even after I downloaded the new installer executable and installed with that, it's still saying there's an update available. Click yes will crash you. Other than that, things seem to be working OK.

St0n3y · « **Reply #2 on:** March 06, 2010, 08:34:00 AM »

Covered that in my last paragraph.

torakusu · « **Reply #3 on:** March 06, 2010, 08:49:00 AM »

Quote from: St0n3y on March 06, 2010, 08:34:00 AM

Covered that in my last paragraph.

Groovy.

Master of Ceremony · « **Reply #4 on:** March 06, 2010, 11:37:44 AM »

Nice and fast work. Keep up the good work.

ohms · « **Reply #5 on:** March 06, 2010, 12:41:02 PM »

That was quick, well done chaps

Derek Icelord · « **Reply #6 on:** March 06, 2010, 01:31:05 PM »

*does a happy dance*

hailstone · « **Reply #7 on:** March 06, 2010, 02:24:35 PM »

What is the point of having an updater built in if it doesn't actually work to update?

Steiner · « **Reply #8 on:** March 06, 2010, 03:49:18 PM »

The "updater" was built when the application was first realized by Mids; circa Window XP era.... lol

There was no UAC or over-necessity for admin rights for applications to have trust issues back then and updates where flawless...

With the launch of Vista and subsequent Win7; anyone running an account that is not an admin will have errors while running these specific un-signed/un-trusted programs.

The updater will not work until Microsoft puts in a "trust feature"... "Do you trust the distributor of this application" after clicking it will install in the C:\Program Files... folder with no issues and continue to run from it without any hitches; like good ol' WinXP.
Granted there might already be something like that for the Window's installer, but we're not using the Window's installer; we're using NSIS.... not to mention that the above stated feature isn't nearly as intuitive as it needs to be to function properly.

I've been busting my <bleep> to find way around this... and my found solution was to have the application install itself into the C:\Users\<UserName>\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files... upon non-admin user permissions or heightened UAC settings... which will allow the program to write/read the data files without an issue, and guarantee that the new instance of the "updater" will actually work FOR THE USER WHO INSTALLED IT!.

What does this mean for our Mids' users? Well if you're not an administrator on your own computer Mids' will install itself in a hidden user directory folder... in a nutshell... I'm assuming you're not a power-user and will not need direct access to the Mids files. Once the system is in place I will make menu button within Mids to open the working directory that Mids is launching from... so in the case you are a power-user who is just security cautious... you'll have an easy way to get to what you need.

I'm going to try and confer with St0n3y and make sure everything is going to plan...we're hoping to have these changes made before the next big issue release on the game... and St0n3y is on top of his game, I'm the one who's slacking... so hang in there and we hope to please everyone.

Tog · « **Reply #9 on:** March 06, 2010, 04:55:32 PM »

Anything planned in a future version that will remember user settings when an update happens?

Specifically, This newest one came with PvP numbers by default, and it reset my save folder to the default location rather than where I actually save my files. I'm not sure if the default IO levels changed or not.

hailstone · « **Reply #10 on:** March 06, 2010, 05:20:18 PM »

I am aware of the permission limitations in Vista. However, I'm running on XP, as an administrator, and the self-update still doesn't work.

Steiner · « **Reply #11 on:** March 06, 2010, 05:40:49 PM »

Quote from: hailstone on March 06, 2010, 05:20:18 PM

I am aware of the permission limitations in Vista. However, I'm running on XP, as an administrator, and the self-update still doesn't work.

oh yea, the point on why I even brought it up.

It was disabled through-out the entire app... Mids actually gave me the source with that deprecated and parts removed so I wouldn't attempt to use it.

Quote from: Tog on March 06, 2010, 04:55:32 PM

Anything planned in a future version that will remember user settings when an update happens?

Specifically, This newest one came with PvP numbers by default, and it reset my save folder to the default location rather than where I actually save my files. I'm not sure if the default IO levels changed or not.

I do not know where these settings are changed, most likely the config.mhd; which has been required to over-write to adhere to the PVP and DP changes.

I will get those settings moved to a local xml sheet in the working directory that will not be touched by updates.

eabrace · « **Reply #12 on:** March 06, 2010, 08:52:16 PM »

I know this is going to come up sooner or later, so I just thought I'd point it out now:

When you open Mids' up and see this notification, READ CAREFULLY.

The notification specifically states, "DO NOT UPDATE USING THE MIDS PROGRAM!!!!"

In other words, "DO NOT CLICK ON THE BUTTON BELOW LABELED 'YES'!!!!"

I know that's already been stated here, but it bears repeating.

ViolentBlue · « **Reply #13 on:** March 07, 2010, 12:51:24 AM »

I can't seem to get the updater to work. It gets stuck on this:

Checking your .NET Framework version...
MSI3.1 or better detected.
MSI3.1 installation done. Proceeding with remainder of installation.
.NET Framework Version found: 2.0.50727, equal or newer to required version: 2.0.
Proceeding with remainder of installation.
Output folder: C:\Program Files\Titan Network\Mids Hero Designer
Can't write: C:\Program Files\Titan Network\Mids Hero Designer\Hero Designer.exe

I'm using Vista.

SaintNicster · « **Reply #14 on:** March 07, 2010, 01:26:38 AM »

Quote from: ViolentBlue on March 07, 2010, 12:51:24 AM

I can't seem to get the updater to work. It gets stuck on this:

Checking your .NET Framework version...
MSI3.1 or better detected.
MSI3.1 installation done. Proceeding with remainder of installation.
.NET Framework Version found: 2.0.50727, equal or newer to required version: 2.0.
Proceeding with remainder of installation.
Output folder: C:\Program Files\Titan Network\Mids Hero Designer
Can't write: C:\Program Files\Titan Network\Mids Hero Designer\Hero Designer.exe

I'm using Vista.

Right Click on the installer file and click "Run as Administrator".

That, or install it somewhere other than C:\Program Files

ViolentBlue · « **Reply #15 on:** March 07, 2010, 01:41:22 AM »

Okay, moving it out of program files worked. Thanks.

Call Me Awesome · « **Reply #16 on:** March 10, 2010, 07:59:57 PM »

Here's a minor issue for veterans, but it will confuse new players. The power order in the travel pools is scrambled; for instance the Fly pool lists the powers in this order:
Hover
Fly
Air Superiority
Group Fly

I understand how you've set it up so that 60+ month vets can skip the prereq power, but you really need to keep the power order the same as in-game. This is a problem that's carried over from the previous version and really ought to be corrected. Is there some reason why this isn't a simple re-order of the power pool database?

cybermitheral · « **Reply #17 on:** March 10, 2010, 11:56:30 PM »

Not sure ff these have been mentioned in other posts but I have some issues with the latest release.

1) No Tool-Tips
Hovering over the AT or Powersets used to provide a tool-tip description.
Now with 1.62 it doesnt.

2) Enhancments (Enh, IO, IO Sets)
Pre 1.62 when I hovered over any enhancement it would display the properties in a pop-out window to the right as well as in the [Info] window. The pop-out no longer occurs and for IO Sets with 5-6 set bonuses that are fairly long the final bit of the data doesnt display, instead it provides a scroll bar in the [Info] window. However when you take the cursor off the IO Set the [Info] window goes blank - even if you undock the [Info] window.

Old Version

New Version

St0n3y · « **Reply #18 on:** March 11, 2010, 12:13:33 AM »

Quote from: Call Me Awesome on March 10, 2010, 07:59:57 PM

Here's a minor issue for veterans, but it will confuse new players. The power order in the travel pools is scrambled; for instance the Fly pool lists the powers in this order:
Hover
Fly
Air Superiority
Group Fly

I understand how you've set it up so that 60+ month vets can skip the prereq power, but you really need to keep the power order the same as in-game. This is a problem that's carried over from the previous version and really ought to be corrected. Is there some reason why this isn't a simple re-order of the power pool database?

Make sure you check what database your version is running. I just did a fresh install to check this and all travel powers are displaying correctly.

These powers have to be fixed every time there is an update. I am sorry this is such an inconvience for you. I will make sure travel power sort order is the number one thing I do on each release from here on out.

Thanks for the feedback.

St0n3y · « **Reply #19 on:** March 11, 2010, 12:14:52 AM »

Quote from: cybermitheral on March 10, 2010, 11:56:30 PM

Not sure ff these have been mentioned in other posts but I have some issues with the latest release.

1) No Tool-Tips

2) Enhancments (Enh, IO, IO Sets)

Click the button in the upper right corner that says "Pop-Up: Off". these were turned off by mistake on my end. By clicking that buttun, it will resolve both of your issues.

cybermitheral · « **Reply #20 on:** March 11, 2010, 01:15:41 AM »

<smacks head in shame

>
I look everwhere EXCEPT there.

Also I tried to find (but failed) infiormation on what the [Receipts: On/Off] button does.

Guys I have to say that this tool is awesome in the extreme

Thank you to everyone who works on it.

Call Me Awesome · « **Reply #21 on:** March 11, 2010, 01:21:10 AM »

Quote from: St0n3y on March 11, 2010, 12:13:33 AM

Make sure you check what database your version is running. I just did a fresh install to check this and all travel powers are displaying correctly.

These powers have to be fixed every time there is an update. I am sorry this is such an inconvience for you. I will make sure travel power sort order is the number one thing I do on each release from here on out.

Thanks for the feedback.

So it's something off on my end? It's not an issue for me since I know the order anyway but it's struck me odd in the last two updates. I started with the last "official" Mid's before you took over, then added the unofficial update for the issue 16 closed beta which now that I think of it also showed the pools incorrectly. My problem is a legacy of updating the last couple of times over the previous version?

Interesting, I'll give an uninstall/fresh install a try and see if that cures the issue.

Energy Aura · « **Reply #22 on:** March 11, 2010, 01:38:00 PM »

Each update Stoney or I put out overwrite each other. Granted, some of the issues are dbase related, but you just need to install the lastest version to get the features. The versions DO NOT build on each other...

Cheers

Spar · « **Reply #23 on:** March 11, 2010, 05:41:57 PM »

Quote from: cybermitheral on March 11, 2010, 01:15:41 AM

<smacks head in shame >
I look everwhere EXCEPT there.

Also I tried to find (but failed) infiormation on what the [Receipts: On/Off] button does.

Guys I have to say that this tool is awesome in the extreme
Thank you to everyone who works on it.

I don't know about "receipts" but there is a "Recipes" button which will then show the salvage required to craft recipes that you hover the cursor over.

Call Me Awesome · « **Reply #24 on:** March 11, 2010, 05:46:39 PM »

Quote from: Energy Aura on March 11, 2010, 01:38:00 PM

Each update Stoney or I put out overwrite each other. Granted, some of the issues are dbase related, but you just need to install the lastest version to get the features. The versions DO NOT build on each other...

Cheers

Well, I just did an uninstall of Mid's and then re-installed... the power pool order is correct now so I guess it was an issue with my install somehow carrying over on the last two updates. Anyway, after the complete uninstall/reinstall everything's as it should be.

Oh, and thanks for keeping the tool functional for us guys; it's an invaluable resource.

sgtkeeper · « **Reply #25 on:** March 16, 2010, 07:24:33 PM »

I don't know if it s just me, but when i choose the tough power from the fighting power pool it shows added resistance to everything instead of just smash/lethal. I just figured I would let you know of this problem.

thanks,
SGTKEEPER

SaintNicster · « **Reply #26 on:** March 16, 2010, 08:21:20 PM »

Quote from: sgtkeeper on March 16, 2010, 07:24:33 PM

I don't know if it s just me, but when i choose the tough power from the fighting power pool it shows added resistance to everything instead of just smash/lethal. I just figured I would let you know of this problem.

thanks,
SGTKEEPER

Toggle off PVP mode in the top right corner and you should be good.

eabrace · « **Reply #27 on:** March 20, 2010, 05:17:33 AM »

Found a bug in the database. Hamidon Centrioles enhance Damage and Range. In the database, they're enhancing Damage, Range, and Resistance.

iakona · « **Reply #28 on:** March 31, 2010, 09:12:38 PM »

Quote from: eabrace on March 20, 2010, 05:17:33 AM

Found a bug in the database. Hamidon Centrioles enhance Damage and Range. In the database, they're enhancing Damage, Range, and Resistance.

Technically, they enhance Damage, Range, and Resistance in-game, so it's not exactly a bug with the database. (They only state Damage and Range in game because that's all they're intended to enhance, but due to the core design of the game, damage enhancements enhance damage resistance as well.)

SaintNicster · « **Reply #29 on:** March 31, 2010, 09:24:50 PM »

Quote from: iakona on March 31, 2010, 09:12:38 PM

Technically, they enhance Damage, Range, and Resistance in-game, so it's not exactly a bug with the database. (They only state Damage and Range in game because that's all they're intended to enhance, but due to the core design of the game, damage enhancements enhance damage resistance as well.)

Ooh, I think I remember this explanation from the CoV closed beta. Masterminds used to be able to slot +resist in some pets. I think it was something like Damage Resistance was treated a negative buff to damage applied to you. I don't remember the exact effect, but it messed with the pets enough to remove the ability to slot resistance, but in exchange, they buffed the original resistance values equivalent to 2 SOs.

/random flashback

iakona · « **Reply #30 on:** March 31, 2010, 11:38:16 PM »

Also, a fun bonus of that design quirk is that you can slot centrioles in ally damage resistance powers, like sonic shields (anything that takes range enhancements), and with only two enhancements you can approach the damage resist boost of 3 common IOs (plus a 40% range boost).

Fleeting Whisper · « **Reply #31 on:** April 01, 2010, 08:42:37 AM »

Quote from: eabrace on March 20, 2010, 05:17:33 AM

Found a bug in the database. Hamidon Centrioles enhance Damage and Range. In the database, they're enhancing Damage, Range, and Resistance.

While not intended behavior, this is what Centrioles actually do. Resistance and damage are intrinsically linked in the powers system (part of why powers like Power Boost will buff defense powers, but not resistance powers).

I recall during one of the betas, Brutes were getting extra resistance as they built Fury

Enhancing resistance with a Centriole (among other tricks with HOs) is technically an expliot, one that has existed since game launch, and has even been acknowledged by Castle. As you can guess, it's not an easy exploit to fix.

Note that some examples of the exploit that you would intuitively think would work... don't. For example, you can slot Enzyme Exposure in [Call Enforcer], with the expectation that you'd get the 33% buff on Enforcer's Maneuvers, rather than the normal 20%. However, since Enforcer Maneuvers is an auto power, it doesn't accept endurance reduction enhancements. Therefore, Enforcer Maneuvers doesn't technically accept any aspect of the Enzyme, so the Enzyme doesn't affect it.

eabrace · « **Reply #32 on:** April 01, 2010, 11:27:19 AM »

Fair enough. I've been aware of the ToHit Buff/ToHit Debuff crossover for ages, but hadn't ever really thought about there being a Damage/Damage Resistance crossover. Very interesting.

I just found it odd seeing Laser Beam Eyes showing a Damage Resistance enhancement.

Local Man · « **Reply #33 on:** April 08, 2010, 10:14:58 PM »

I had an interesting problem. Mids was showing very low numbers on control powers. For example, I have my Illusion/Radiation build up now and it was showing the base duration for Flash to be only 4 seconds.

. . . . Drove me nuts. I uninstalled and reinstalled the program 4 times, thinking it might be a database error. And just now, I finally figured it out . . . The PvP mode toggle was on. I don't know how it turned on, but it was on. I never PvP, so I had no idea that the controller effects were so short in PvP.

So if anyone else has that problem, look at the toggles in the upper right corner and change the PvP mode to PvE.

Spar · « **Reply #34 on:** April 08, 2010, 11:10:09 PM »

Quote from: Local Man on April 08, 2010, 10:14:58 PM

I had an interesting problem. Mids was showing very low numbers on control powers. For example, I have my Illusion/Radiation build up now and it was showing the base duration for Flash to be only 4 seconds.

. . . . Drove me nuts. I uninstalled and reinstalled the program 4 times, thinking it might be a database error. And just now, I finally figured it out . . . The PvP mode toggle was on. I don't know how it turned on, but it was on. I never PvP, so I had no idea that the controller effects were so short in PvP.

So if anyone else has that problem, look at the toggles in the upper right corner and change the PvP mode to PvE.

Yeah, they left that turned on when the new version went live. There have been several threads about problems caused by this, actually. I knew that the PVP mode messed up the numbers, so I knew to uncheck it when I saw weird numbers right after downloading the new version.

Steiner · « **Reply #35 on:** April 09, 2010, 12:03:08 AM »

Thanks for lookin' out Spar.

PeteDutcher · « **Reply #36 on:** April 18, 2010, 02:45:23 PM »

I tried the install, several times over, and all I get is a partially complete window for the program. The pool powers are not listed and the drop downs are unclickable, the PVP on/OFF buttons are gone, along with what is next to them, and hte entire program will not let me change anythin at all.

Fleeting Whisper · « **Reply #37 on:** April 20, 2010, 08:23:39 AM »

You're not getting any error messages or anything? That's... bizarre. Can you take a screenshot of what's going on for us?

NeutronStar · « **Reply #38 on:** April 23, 2010, 03:39:09 PM »

Heads-up for Windows 7 users: You'll have to run this as an administrator, otherwise it won't install.

Steiner · « **Reply #39 on:** April 23, 2010, 04:32:54 PM »

That's been the ordeal since Vista, lol. Not much we can do about it unless the users want to pitch in for a trust-certificate.

https://www.verisign.com/code-signing/content-signing-certificates/microsoft-authenticode/index.html

Pretty steep.

Other than that, it would require a self-signed cert, that would require the user to be an admin to accept anyways.

Microsoft kind-of has our hands tied. However, I will soon be adding logic to the application/installer to allow it to be run from your

Code: [Select]

C:\Users\<User>\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files [(bit flavor)]\Titan Network\Mids' Hero & Villain DesignerWhich is the equivalent of running it from your computer's C:\Program Files... but without the need of admin rights.

Microsoft uses this directory for OneClick applications, which we can't use because Mids is simply too complex and relies on the NSIS installer.

Using this folder will grand FULL access to the application without the need of admin mode/rights.
Might cause a few issues though:
- If you're not an admin you can't install more than one copy of Mids...
- I'm assuming you're not a power-user that needs access to the files if you're not running in admin mode, so burying the files in your AppData folder shouldn't affect you.
- It will only be installed for THAT user who installed it... the "Everyone" option is only available to admins.

Fleeting Whisper · « **Reply #40 on:** April 25, 2010, 03:34:45 AM »

Quote from: Steiner on April 23, 2010, 04:32:54 PM

Other than that, it would require a self-signed cert, that would require the user to be an admin to accept anyways.

Doesn't a self-signed certificate pop up a yes/no box rather than requiring the executable to be specifically run as administrator, though?

Steiner · « **Reply #41 on:** April 25, 2010, 11:40:06 AM »

Possibly, but it won't matter anyways, because the only way to implement a self-signed is by using the Microsoft installer wrapper.

Mids relies on the NSIS installer which might be able to implement a self-signed... but I'm also under the impression that you need to be an admin in order to answer a trust certification.

Medieval Power · « **Reply #42 on:** April 25, 2010, 02:33:10 PM »

Hi,

I have display problem with .mxd files. They're all showing the default windows file icon. With the previous version of Mids they would show a panda (the same as the Mids executable). The icon for the Mids executable for 1.621 looks different than the old version (looks like a gold plated endurance modification), but the *.mxd files are all showing just the default windows icon - not using the panda or the new end modish icon.

I tried re-installing the app. No luck. I'm running Windows 7 64. I ran the installer as administrator and took all the defaults during install.

MP

Steiner · « **Reply #43 on:** April 25, 2010, 02:47:13 PM »

There has been a new icon assigned to the mids application (per Mids' permission) we're using the Titan Planner icon/logo set for it now.

I wasn't aware that the affiliated files weren't getting the correct icon assigned to them, I will take a look at that.

News:

Author Topic: Mids' Hero/Villain Designer v1.62 (Read 27462 times)