SUGGESTION: _blank enhancements

[RickJ]

Currently the "New Room" function will populate the new room's script file with the contents of _blank.crm.  This is really handy but there are a couple of small things that would make it much more useful.

• Template - include the _blank.crm file in a game templatez made from the "Game Make Template" function.
  
  
• AGS Directory - if the file is not found in the game directory could AGS then look for it in the directory from which AGSEDIT.EXE is running?
  
  
• New Module - could we also have the same ability to populate a new module with the contents of a _blank.scm file when using the "New Module" command?   Again the file could be either in the game or agsedit directories and included in any game templates made as above.
  
  
• Template Creation - could the "Make Template" command also collect other folders from the game directory, at least one called Document but preferably all or a specified list?
  
  [edit]and one more...
  
  
• Is there a maximimum number of characters that can be in the template.txt file?   I have made a template that contains this template.txt file.   When I create a new game using this template the template.txt file is displayed on a popup dialog but when the dialog is closed AGS crashes.  The game is created and if I try to open it again everything seems to be find.  I know that the file is too large to fit in the dialog but couldn't it just display the first x number of characters instead of crashing? Oh and here is the game template:
  
  MiniGame Template
  
  
  I know these are not of a high priority but thanks for listening anyway.
  
  Cheers
  RickJ
  

[Scorpiorus]

I just want to support all what Rick suggested. With that, game templates would be even more self-contained and equipped with all the templets, docs and other resources that may be necessary.


There is a related tracker entry for the script module templates feature, so here is the link in case anyone want to add comment on it:
http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/tracker.php?action=detail&id=535

[Gregjazz]

That room template idea is superb!

[Pumaman]

Currently the "New Room" function will populate the new room's script file with the contents of _blank.crm. This is really handy but there are a couple of small things that would make it much more useful.

• Template - include the _blank.crm file in a game templatez made from the "Game Make Template" function.
  
  
• AGS Directory - if the file is not found in the game directory could AGS then look for it in the directory from which AGSEDIT.EXE is running?
  
  
• Is there a maximimum number of characters that can be in the template.txt file? I have made a template that contains this template.txt file. When I create a new game using this template the template.txt file is displayed on a popup dialog but when the dialog is closed AGS crashes. The game is created and if I try to open it again everything seems to be find. I know that the file is too large to fit in the dialog but couldn't it just display the first x number of characters instead of crashing? Oh and here is the game template:
  

Thanks, I'll get these fixed.

--
Edit by strazer:

AGS v2.72 Beta 5:
* _blank.crm is now included when you make a template.
* _blank.crm will be checked for in editor folder if not found in game folder.
* Fixed editor crashing if a very large template.txt file was used when starting a game from a template.
--

• New Module - could we also have the same ability to populate a new module with the contents of a _blank.scm file when using the "New Module" command? Again the file could be either in the game or agsedit directories and included in any game templates made as above.
  
  
• Template Creation - could the "Make Template" command also collect other folders from the game directory, at least one called Document but preferably all or a specified list?
  

The New Module thing has been discussed before, as Scorp has pointed out. It's a good idea and something I'll add at some point.

As for including other files in the template, what do people think? Should it just go ahead and include everything in the game folder?

[Scorpiorus]

As for including other files in the template, what do people think? Should it just go ahead and include everything in the game folder?

Hmm, there is a chance where template can get bloated with some unnecessary stuff and other garbage that gets included by mistake, I can appreciate. On the other hand, anything located in the game folder should really be already related to the game one way or another.

Anyway, at least the Documentation folder would be nice.

[SSH]

As for including other files in the template, what do people think? Should it just go ahead and include everything in the game folder?

Well not things with "backup" in their name...

[RickJ]

SSH's suggestion sounds good to me.  Exclude any files or folders starting with (or containing)  "Backup".