Tools for future mod compatibility

[tshack]

Now that The Witcher Nexus is up and mods are starting to get pushed out, which will only go faster, we should probably start coming forward with some tools that we use that make our mod lives easier. As of right now it just seems to be based mostly around modifying XML files, attributes and what not, so I'm just going to start there, but will leave the topic wide open.

 

To modify these XML files you can simply use a basic text editor like Notepad and it's no problem. What if you have 2 different versions of the same file and don't feel like scanning through and comparing them making sure you won't break anything in the process? Of course you don't want to simply overwrite the one and lose the benefits of that mod. You want both of 'em to work and not waste an hour getting them to do so, right?

 

DiffTools/MergeTools are perfect for those cases. These tools will display the two files side by side and let you choose what you want to bring over, or what you want to leave, with a simple click of a button. The differences between the two will usually be highlighted with a red color if the original is different, and the same line will turn green once the change is made. This doesn't mean you HAVE TO make the change if it's red, it's just letting you know those lines are different. Using these you can fly through 2 files far faster than trying to compare them on your own.

 

That said, this by no means makes 2 mods compatible with each other. You're still going to need to know what you're editing, why you're adding certain lines, and really you just have to know what everything does. You shouldn't blindly keep clicking the merge button and assume that everything will work ok, if only everything were that simple.

 

I downloaded this one real quick through a google search just now. Works alright, but I know there's got to be better ones out there.

 

Now I know I probably did a pretty poor job explaining the usefulness of this, so if you have things to add by all means to do. Thought I'd just go ahead and get us started off with something really simple.

 

Also, add anything you use to make your mod life easier, we will all benefit from it in the long run! :)