SMAC Files proper file structure

Hi all

I've downloaded and been using some of Shessars files from their web site. I noted that the file structure needed to be and made sure that the files were posted as it said. But when I went to open the map some symbols showed up and some became x's. So I re read the instructions and decided to put the art files and the fsc catalogue all in the same SMAC directory, well that didn't work either. So what am I doing wrong? Why did some symbols show up and others didn't?

Just for clarity is the proper structure - Symbols/smac/fsc files and a seperate folder here with the art? or is it Symbols/smac and art and fsc file all here with no subfolders?

Thanks

Ab

Comments

  • MonsenMonsen Administrator 🖼️ 81 images Cartographer
    The .fsc files should live in the root of the #symbols\SMAC directory, while the artwork should be in subdirectories. If you extract the zip files you download into #Symbols\SMAC, everything will be ok (Just make sure your unzip software does not make another directory level with the same name as the zip file, as some programs commonly does this)

    Also note that the city symbols should be in #Symbols\SMAC Cities instead of #Symbols\SMAC
  • Arbanax, both the .fsc files and the Art folders (which contain the PNGs) should be in you CC3 directory: CC3/Symbols/SMAC. If this is where you had them, but were still getting red x's (meaning CC3 could not find the art files in the expected location) then double check that you had SMAC spelled correctly and with all caps. The key here is not so much where the .fsc files are, but where the art files are.

    In the case of the City Symbols the directory should be CC3/Symbols/SMAC Cities

    Just for my own curiosity in tracking errors, what operating system are you using? I know that when I had worked on the CSUAC, we had some Vista users that needed to extract the zips into a temporary folder and then drag them into the correct CC3 folder in order for them to show up. If nothing else works, you may want to try this.

    Good luck, and let me know if you still have problems.
  • HI Guys

    thanks for the prompt replies. Firstly I put the symbols into the SMAC folder, (originally I called it SMAC Dungeon) but then changed it back. Into that folder I had the FSC file and in the subdirectory the art file. (incidentally I notice that there is a FCW file with the art in these separate subfolders - is that correct?). I am still getting red X for the files floor symbols Magic effects and for the file special effects. Both are set up as instructed above. The inserted and showed up fine when I did the symbol placement originally but are red x now. If I click on the FSC file they show up in the symbols selection toolbar with their icons all fine and dandy, but they are still x's on the map.

    I am running Win 7 64 bit. Thanks again for the help.

    Ab
  • This must have happened at some point when the files were moved around. To fix it, you will have to delete the symbols that are red x's from the symbol manager and then place them again. There are other ways of fixing this, but are much more complicated. The fact that the symbols show in the catalog window means that they are in the correct place now. :)
  • Great I'll give that a try and see how I get on, thanks for the help.

    Ab
  • Ok Shessar got a new problem for you.

    I pull up the symbol catalogue and I find the symbol I want. I delete the old one, and then go to insert the new replacement. As I click on the symbol (its thumbnail is clear to see) it becomes a box with an X in it and inserts that instead of the art I wanted. What is going on?

    Ab
  • Sorry just to add, that I deleted the file, unzipped my original copy (kept as a back up on a separate drive) and installed to make sure it wasn't corrupted. Got the symbols up and it still didn't insert properly. I tried a different catalogue and it worked fine. So still unsure as to what is happening. Appreciate the help thanks.

    Ab
  • I'm sorry you are having problems with this Arbanax. :(
    I'll stick with you until we get it sorted. If you don't understand something I describe, just ask, because I sometimes have difficulty explaining things.

    Did you delete the red x's from the map using the erase button, or through the Symbol Manager (Top menu: Symbols>>Symbol Manager)? In the Symbol manager, scroll to the bad symbol, click on it, then click delete on the left buttons. This totally removes that symbol reference from the map. You should now be good to go.
  • Shessar you sir are a real gentleman. Thanks for you continued assistance. I'd completely forgotten about using symbol manager to delete the symbol references. I hadn't done that, but I just tried it and all seems to be working fine. To be on the safe side I also closed CC3 and reopened it and viola its all there.

    Thanks so much, I really appreciate using the symbols and now I've got it worked out how to use them properly my players are going to love the new maps as well.

    Thanks for services rendered to the gaming/mapping community.

    Ab
  • Oh good! I'm glad you have it all working now.

    Happy mapping!
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