What is Moddir and how does it work?

[unmerged(21924)]

I've read allusions to this file, but don't know what it is or what it does, exactly. It seems to allow you to use several different mods with one HOI install, which I would love to be able to do. I just had to remove all of my HOI's (one for each mod I downloaded) and defrag my disk. I'm getting ready to reinstall. I'd love to have to only install it once, then use several different mods. Is that possible? If so, how does it work?

Thanks,

Chris

 

[jdrou]

Moddir is a parameter that can be added to the command line when launching HoI that tells it to look for game files in a subdirectory instead of the main Hearts of Iron install directory. Normally to use it the mod has to be designed for it although you could conceivably copy the files yourself. For example, CORE might start with a shortcut to "HoI.exe mod-core" instead of the basic "HoI.exe". The modded files are then in Hearts of Iron\mod-core\db, Hearts of Iron\mod-core\scenarios, etc. Note that db\province.csv won't currently use moddir so multiple mods must all use the same file. Also, moddir can cause problems in multiplayer games. (Actually, CORE single-player is normally run from a shortcut to "core.exe" which displays a splash screen and then runs "hoi.exe mod-core".) I usually find it easier to make multiple copies of HoI for mods, especially since some make extensive changes to province.csv like Mithel's StarFire mod.

 

[Dr Rare]

Moddir?

I know this is an old thread in a quiet sub forum ,but i would like to just clarify something if possible.I am using moddir for testing some mods.I understand that moddir will only work and overwrite files that exist in vanilla .If the moddir has a new province csv am i correct in thinking that for it to work it must also be added to vanilla db? ?

 

[jdrou]

I know this is an old thread in a quiet sub forum ,but i would like to just clarify something if possible.I am using moddir for testing some mods.I understand that moddir will only work and overwrite files that exist in vanilla .If the moddir has a new province csv am i correct in thinking that for it to work it must also be added to vanilla db? ?

For most files the issue is that there must exist a file with the same name in the vanilla folder for the moddir folder to overlay it. In the case of province.csv, moddir doesn't work at all so you only need the file in the vanilla db folder. I don't remember if this ever got fixed. I think the major mods had programs that automatically swapped the province.csv before they ran so that they didn't need to overwrite it.

EDIT: looks like 1.06c fixed province.csv (but I think moddir still never worked properly in multiplayer despite what the patch notes say). So you shouldn't need to do anything but put your modified province.csv in the moddir.

 

[Dr Rare]

Cool!

Thankyou jdrou for your quick an consise answer Just goes to show old threads never die!.This is good news for me
I have compiled large set of new TGW mod historical events,tweaks and changes for many minors and majors .These TGW mod modifications are made by erhpdm.
I in consoltation with him have compiled them all into a moddir .This means it has its own save games folder and that people can use it without it effecting there vanilla TGW instal.It is like a CORE mod for TGW. We hope to upload it soon for all to play test.
Dr Rare