Beginners dialogue problems

[mightykipper]

I can't run a ready created dialogue (created with the dialog editor) using "run script" command from the interactions menu, and don't want to run it with the "Run dialog" option.

Dialog has to be available from the global script (as NPC can be in inventory).

Have looked at similar problems on the message board and have decided I must be uberslow. Every time I try your solutions I get parse errors or similar. Clearly, the solutions work for everyone else, so I am doing something wrong.

Can I have a step by step "go to the edit global script... go to the edit script in the dialog tab" style moronproof guide as I am mucking this up horrendously.

Also, I have a problem changing speech colour for characters. I type:

cArt.SpeechColor(65111);

(where Art is the character, 65111 the colour) between the sectionstart and section end for "character1_a()" (which the comment lines inform me is the correct character), and it gives me more parse errors. Grr.

I don't even know what a parse is 

please help, without it I'll continue doing seriously dumb stuff for a long time.

[Ashen]

A 'parse error' means AGS is having difficulty understanding (parsing) your code, usually due to misplaced brackets, wrong parameters, or something similar. Usually you'd need to show us the EXACT text of the error, so we can figure out where you've gone wrong - which you'll have to do for the Dialog problems, and showing the code you've got would be a good idea, too.

For the SpeechColor problem, though, I think I've got it:

cArt.SpeechColor(65111);

Check the manual. The correct usage is :

cArt.SpeechColor = 65111;

[mightykipper]

ok, tried the speech colour thing. Think I'm editing the wrong script (which one should it be??), have work now, but will post all stuff required at some godawful hour when I finish. Appreciate the help.

Incidentally, hwen I tried opening the manual that came with the download for AGS I get no actual help just a lot of that internet explorer page not found thing. The compiled help file in the downloads section (or wherever) works fine tho, as does the link you just posted. thought u might like to know.

[Ashen]

Where to put your code depends on WHEN you want it to happen. If you just want to set the character's Speech colour for the whole game, you don't need to use script at all, just the 'Talking color:' option on the Character Editor window. If you want it to change during the game, then you need to use the script, but without knowing when/why you want it to change, I couldn't say whereabouts exactly.

The manual thing might be a known issue - I think it's to do with IE's security settings. Try a forum search - like I said it's come up before and the solution is around somewhere (I just don't remember it off hand).
EDIT: Yeah, that's the one. Cheers, strazer.

[strazer]

From the Tech Archive: Error opening help file "The page cannot be displayed"

[mightykipper]

actually having access to the manual has cleared a lot up. Can't see me having any more problems with this, but there is still time.

Thanks for the help.