This program is meant to be a better version of the M2/M∞ Shapes Shuttle. It allows to extract Shapes collections from a Shapes file, and put them into another Shapes file, into a Shapes Suitcase (file designed to store collections) or into a Shuttle (program that can auto-reinstall them).
Ok, how does it work?
It's pretty simple. I'll explain every menu command, in order.
File
Preferences: Pretty obvious. I'll explain the prefs later.
Quit: Well, duh.
Installing
This menu contains three items: Shapes -> Shapes, Shuttle -> Shapes and Suitcase -> Shapes. They allow you to take information out of a file and install it in a Shapes file. When selected, you are asked to select the file from which to copy the data (be it Shapes, Shuttle or Suitcase) and the Shapes file in which to install it. You are then asked what collections to install via a dialog box. If you install stuff from a Suitcase or Shuttle, the program will scan the file to see which collections are there and will only display those collections in the dialog box. Thus, you can install only parts of the file.
When everything is selected, the Juggler will do its work, installing the collections you have selected in the destination file.
Editing
This is almost the opposite of Installing. You can either create a new Shuttle or a new Suitcase. In both cases, you are asked to name your file, and then to select a Shapes file from which to collect the data. You are then asked what collections to install. Then the Juggler will work a bit and install them.
NOTE: When you create a Shuttle, it takes a bit of time to install all the needed resources in it (so it's capable of running alone).
You can also edit Shuttles and Suitcases. When you select this, you are first asked to select a Shuttle/Suitcase. You are then presented with a dialog similar to the one you get when you create a Shuttle/Suitcase. What's new: beside each collection that is already present in the file, you'll see a radio button.
To delete collections from the Shuttle/Suitcase: make sure the radio button beside that collection's name is deselected.
To add collections: check the corresponding check box.
If you chose some collections to be installed, the program will prompt you to select a Shapes file.
Of course, when you check a check box, the corresponding radio is unchecked. This means that if you install a collection that is already in the Shuttle/Suitcase, it will replace the one that's already there.
Scripting
Not yet implemented. (maybe one day :)
Suitcase?
A Suitcase is a kind of file that is designed to contain collections in resource format. It's pretty much like a Shuttle, except that it cannot run alone. You need the Juggler in order to reinstall the collections in a Shapes file.
Shuttle?
The Shuttle works exactly like the M2/M∞ Shapes Shuttle. When ran, it will ask for a Shapes file to patch. It will then ask if you are sure about this. It will then install all the collections in the Shapes file.
NOTE: Previous versions of the Shuttle offered to optimize the Shapes file. However the code had a slight bug that could cause Marathon to crash if you did not optimize. Now the Shuttle always optimizes the Shapes file, without asking. (same thing for the Juggler).
Drag'n'drop?
Yes, it is supported. The Juggler will accept Shapes files, Shuttles, Suitcases and even Preferences File (which causes the Edit Preferences dialog to show up). The Shuttle itself also support the drag'n'dropping of a Shapes file. This brings us to...
Preferences?
The preferences are basically designed to configure the drag'n'drop options. What will happen when you drag'n'drop a Shapes file, Suitcase or Shuttle on the Juggler is determined by the preferences. It can install/extract to/from a Shapes file/Shuttle/Suitcase.
Forget about the Script preferences for now.
Preferences are saved to disk in the Preferences folder.
Special thanks to special people!
Thanks to the beta-testers:
Stephan "STef" Bondier
Hamish Sanderson
Candace Sheriff
Thanks to STef for encouraging me to write the Shapes Shuttle in the first place.
Thanks to Hamish for encouraging me to enhance the Shuttle, and for the About box pic!
Also, thanks to Bungie, for... what? oh, you already know that. :)
Version History
1.0 - Initial release.
1.0.1 - When you edit a Shuttle/Suitcase, the Juggler will only prompt to select a Shapes
file if you chose some collections to install. This way, you can delete collections
from a Shuttle/Suitcase without selecting a Shapes file.
Added keyboard equivalents to all menu items.
1.0.2 - Supports 16-bit collections. They are always handled at the same time as their
8-bit counterparts.
1.1 - Because it caused problems when you did not optimize, i removed the optimization
dialog and made it so the program always optimizes the Shapes file.
1.11 - Corrected a bug that caused the 8-bit part of a collection to be "forgotten"
somewhere in the Shapes file when a 16-bit part was also present.
This claimer
This program has been tested, but there is no telling how it will react in the end. It might go rampant and take over your favorite Pfhor ship. I am not responsible for anything (including explodabobs). E-mail any comments to doh@videotron.ca.
Oh, and don't forget to visit my marathon page: http://pages.infinit.net/doh/marathon/.
