I got him hooked up, thanks

Sort numbers in system files

By DwnUndr Aug 2009

Sort numbers are another confusing aspect of mod making. If you look through the vanilla files they are handled differently since each group of systems seems to have been built by a different person. Seriously, comparing different vanilla systems is confusing but if you look at them enough you can get a pattern to use. Only zones get sort numbers. Below is the pattern I used in the UnderVerse.

Br0x systems gave me this list. I don't think the high numbers are crucial to be exactly 50 for an ambient etc, they are just convenient chunks between 0 and 99. At some point they probably figured some zones needed higher than 99 so they used 99.500000.

1-49 These are used for anything not listed below (don't duplicate numbers) These HAVE populations. None of these are in any particular order by type.

50, 51, 52, 53 used for 'ambient' population zones only

74 paths (trade_path) In Hi01 and Bw01 at least

76 paths (attack_patrol, lane_patrol) In Hi01 and Bw01 at least

96, 97, 98 paths (trade_path, mining_path) (These HAVE populations)

Some systems use 99 and 99.500000 interchangeably

99 paths (attack_patrol, lane_patrol), atmo burn, docking ring

99.500000 (NONE of these have populations):

gate
hole
base
sun death
planet death
destroy vignette
exclusions (including destroy_vignette exclusions)
debrisdust, radioactivedust
minefield
ice_asteroid
tradelane lane
ring

One is covered by a Pop zone and the other is not?

This is a correctly working and labeled 3 ring tradelane (beginning, middle and end). If you have the space names as shown then search elsewhere for the problem (did you make the actual entries in the dll?)

[Object]
nickname = GT01_Trade_Lane_Ring_01
reputation = co_os_grp
pos = -26000, 0, 62500
rotate = 0, 90, 0
archetype = Trade_Lane_Ring
ids_name = 460696
ids_info = 66170
tradelane_space_name = 460685
behavior = NOTHING
difficulty_level = 1
loadout = trade_lane_ring_li_01
pilot = pilot_solar_easiest
next_ring = GT01_Trade_Lane_Ring_02
[Object]
nickname = GT01_Trade_Lane_Ring_02
reputation = co_os_grp
pos = -36500, 0, 62500
rotate = 0, 90, 0
archetype = Trade_Lane_Ring
ids_name = 460696
ids_info = 66170
behavior = NOTHING
difficulty_level = 1
loadout = trade_lane_ring_li_01
pilot = pilot_solar_easiest
prev_ring = GT01_Trade_Lane_Ring_01
next_ring = GT01_Trade_Lane_Ring_03
[Object]
nickname = GT01_Trade_Lane_Ring_03
reputation = co_os_grp
pos = -47000, 0, 62500
rotate = 0, 90, 0
archetype = Trade_Lane_Ring
ids_name = 460696
ids_info = 66170
tradelane_space_name = 460708
behavior = NOTHING
difficulty_level = 1
loadout = trade_lane_ring_li_01
pilot = pilot_solar_easiest
prev_ring = GT01_Trade_Lane_Ring_02

Simply plug in a number from vanilla that is suitable, copy and paste, then edit for your taste.

They indeed can be the same, and many folks mod this way. I have seen problems crop up twice by doing this though, so I NEVER use the same number.
The reason they can both exist is that one is a name resource and one is pure xml.
Here are pics from Reshack:

Two other things to keep in mind...

In Freelancer.ini add your new dll in the following section:

[Resources]
DLL = infocards.dll
DLL = misctext.dll
DLL = nameresources.dll
DLL = equipresources.dll
DLL = offerbriberesources.dll
DLL = misctextinfo2.dll
DLL = mymod.dll (or however you named it)

This is how Freelancer reads it.
Also, you need to put the correct range of ids numbers in it. The range for the first new one like that is from 458752-524287.

Looks like Lancer has flushed all Freelancer info from DigitalBrilliance as well as all user accounts. There used to be a dependency you needed if you had troubles. Can't help you now, maybe he will poke his head in.