Author Topic: NEAT COMPILATION OF PATCHES AND MODS v1.3 for FF7PC..... + FF7 problems covered!  (Read 110523 times)

miracle.flame

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FINAL FANTASY VII PC - NEAT COMPILATION OF PATCHES AND MODS  v1.3

 Remake of Final Fantasy 7 for PC on XP coming true...


 Download:

 Step-by-step instructions  by me

 TrueMotion codec
 Upside-down FMV cutscenes patch
 Laptop Keypad patch

 1. ff7 v1.02 official patch
 2. The SaiNt's High Res FF7PC Patch v1.00  (with integrated Jedwin's chocobo patchby SaiNt
 3. YAMP - Yet Another Multi-Patcher  by dziugo
 4. Higher quality Cloud mod  by Dreakon
 5.a) FF7PC Hand Patch mod v01.6  by Srethron Askvelhtnod
 5.b) NPC Reconstruction Project for FF7PC 0.6 mod  by Borde + ice_cold513 + Stormmedia
 6. New Spell Patch  by zero88
 7. Advent Avatars mod  by Wuz
 8.1 ff7music v1.51  by ficedula  (100% working as it is)
 8.2 ff7_lessdebug  by Aali  (usable with ff7music)
  9. SceneRedux v1.0  by Salk    (taken down for repairs...more)   :wink:



 Briefly:

 TrueMotion codec - codec used to play ingame cutscenes (follow recommendation.txt to solve your problems with movies)
 Upside-down FMV cutscenes patch - may solve problem with movies playing upside-down (see warning!)
 Laptop Keypad patch - patches the game to be playable without numpad (good for laptops)
 1. enables to pass 8-bit palette textures test in config thus allowing to choose Direct3D hardware rendering of video
 2. enables 1280x960 ingame resolution;possibility of antialiasing without graphical issues;integrated Jedwin's Chocobo racing patch which solves crashing on 2k/XP systems
 3. - MiniGamesPatch - This program will enable a frame limiter for the Bike, Snowboarding and Rollercoaster Minigames and for battleswirl effect. It allows minigames to run at normal, manageable speeds on mid-to-high-end systems.
     It ALSO helps to solve crashing issues that some people may experience with the snowboarding game.
     This ALSO has integrated BattleSwirlFix which fixes an issue with FF7 crashing randomly when entering battles (mostly after Alt+Tabbing out of game and then returning)
   - TransparentDialogBoxesPatch - Will make the big blue dialog boxes transparent.
   - NoDialogBoxesPatch - Will make the dialog boxes vanish and only text appear (will overwrite the TransparentDialogBoxesPatch).
   - 9999LimitBreakingPatch - Removes the 9999 limit for HP/MP/Damage in your FF7 allowing to go above this number. See screenshot and 9999LimitBreaking.txt.
   - GyptInstant - Allows you to skip FMVs when playing FF7 by pressing a hotkey. Very useful when experiencing freezes and crashes during FMV sequences. See GyptInstant.txt.
   - LuckyTifa - Tifa will always get "Yeah!" in her limit break. (cheat)
   - LuckyCaitSith - Allows you to manipulate CaitSith's The Slots Limit Break. (cheat)
 4. The better-looking Cloud model from the final battle replaces your normal battle Cloud. see samples
 5. a) This adds normal hands to ingame characters. No more lego blocks. ))
     b) This awesome mod completely replaces most of all childish lego characters for normal ones like in battlefields or in FF8
 6. edits the spell names, giving them these: Fire - Fire, Fira, Firaga (originally Fire1, Fire2, Fire3), Ice - Blizzard, Blizzara, Blizzaga (originally Ice1, Ice2, Ice3) etc.
 7. replaces the menu character icons with Advent Children Style (taken from the movie)
 8.1 allows you to put any music in your game replacing the midi music. In other words you can use Playstation files to play with original PS music or ANY MP3 you wish!!! Nice if you own OST of FF7 or FF7 Reunion tracks or FF7 Advent Children.
 8.2 tries to fix music delays at switching scenes while using ff7music - prevents ff7music to flood its console with undesired debug info thus saving some cpu.
 9. makes almost all enemies morphable into items, improves steal rate, prevents stealing and winning the same item at the same time and makes more different items stealable.




notes before installing:
  • you have to choose maximum installation of the game if you are about to apply mods
  • don't install DirectX and Directshow components that the installation program offers (use latest DirectX)
  • beware and avoid unofficial so-known Animevamp 1.4 XP patch which screws your system files.. for more details read this or this
  • follow this order of patching to avoid mutual incompatibility
  • there are altogether cca 15 separate and individual patches so if you don't like certain modifications you can skip them and have the others
  • Jedwin's Chocobo racing patch which solves crashing on 2k/XP systems is integrated in "2. The SaiNt's High Res FF7PC Patch v1.00" so if you want it separately look for it e.g. at EmperorSteele's website
  • if you own non-english version of the game you have to follow TazDef's guide in patch #2 to apply 1280x960 patch and others maybe (not tested)
  • download and install the latest drivers for your graphic card to avoid unexpectable problems
  • game's FMV sequences are handled by TrueMotion codec and there are many infamous problems if you don't have it correctly installed (blank screen, upside down, cosmo canyon freeze or Junon cannon FMVs). Therefore I strongly recommend you clean up your codec mess (see TrueMotion codec step)
  • It's recommended to copy your FMVs to hard drive to avoid slowdowns, freezes and issues while reading movies from hard-to-read CDs. To do so copy "movies" directory from ff7 discs (some files repeat so overwrite) anywhere on your harddrive then regedit Windows registry and search for HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Square Soft, Inc.\Final Fantasy VII\ - there change "MoviePath" to where you put the movies. If you are lame use this guide by EmperorSteele
  • some of the projects are still under development so check them all at the topic hyperlink stated under the name of each patch
  • some patches have their own readme file with more detailed information
  • if you have any problems getting some of these to work or experiencing strange issues try searching for the answer at the related topic that is shown under the name of every patch
  • I take no responsibility for any unfortunate accident you may experience after using anything this compilation offers



Step-By-Step Instructions (common FF7 problems covered too!)
Code: [Select]
TrueMotion codec

Recommended setup to clean your codec mess and make FF7 use this filter:
0. Have latest DirectX and latest drivers for your graphic adapter installed
1. Download and install the latest K-lite codec pack (google yourself)
- the installation program will prompt you to remove all installed codecs or corrupted entries...answer yes to do it automatically.
- it's recommended to install default profile of the codec pack
2. Install duck.exe (TrueMotion codec)
3. Now run ffdshow video decoder configuration via Start->Programs->K-lite codec pack->Configuration->ffdshow->video decoder configuration and disable TrueMotion handling as shown on Image1.jpg

This should solve all codec problems you may come across with FF7.




Upside-down FMV cutscenes patch

Warning:
This patch may interfere with some other codecs and cause some errors.
Please try to solve your problem by following the steps described in TrueMotion codec FIRST. If that won't help (what I don't believe) go for this.




Laptop Keypad patch

Patches the game to be playable without numpad (good for laptops).

To use this patch:
Just put it in your ff7 directory, and hit "yes" when windows asks if you want to overwrite.  It should work =)




1. ff7 v1.02 official patch
"The Great FF7 FAQ (read before posting for FF7 support!)" <http://forums.qhimm.com/index.php?topic=2670.0>

This is the latest and only official patch from Eidos. You definitely want this to pass graphical test in configuration to play with Direct3d rendering on high-end machines. In other words playing in software rendering sucks and we have to avoid this. The patch also fixes some other minor bugs and you won't be able to apply next patch without this and altogether go for it no matter what!

Installation:
Simply replace ff7.exe and ff7config.exe files with those patched

Usage:
In ff7config on graphical tab tick nVidia and TNT to use hardware renderer (even ATI users) :P

Known problems:
- I have a non-English version of the game. Now what?
SOLUTION: There are zipped patches of different languages but note that you won't be able to apply at least The SaiNt's High Res FF7PC Patch v1.00 so I highly recommend you use US patch 1.02 and then follow the guide in next patch
- Upon running I hear Eidos logo theme but the screen is black. After that it freezes.
SOLUTION: You probably have the latest ffdshow [rev. 571]. Step 3 in TrueMotion codec above solves this.
- nVidia users - I have the latest drivers for my GeForce and I am able to choose hardware rendering without checking the nVidia box
SOLUTION: So what's your problem? :D Be glad.
- background images are covered in colorful squares or grids making it look like a puzzle.
SOLUTION: Use next patch OR turn off any antialiasing you have set on your graphic card via RIVATUNER (nVidia users) resp. ATI TRAY TOOLS (ATI users) or such
- nVidia users - the game crashes on startup when using hardware renderer.
SOLUTION: Try to UNCHECK nVidia box in ff7config and maybe you can use hardware rendering without it. If not disable 8-bit Palletized Textures in your graphic card's Direct3D settings using e.g. Rivatuner tool.
- nVidia users - ingame fonts are somewhat screwed.
SOLUTION: enable FSAA (antialiasing) in settings of your graphic card
- nVidia users - HEEY! You tell me to turn off FSAA to fix background but then to turn it back on to fix garbled fonts! WTF?!
SOLUTION: use next patch OR (if you don't want 1280x960) read info on solving this at the topic "The Great FF7 FAQ (read before posting for FF7 support!)" <http://forums.qhimm.com/index.php?topic=2670.0>



2. The SaiNt's High Res FF7PC Patch v1.00
"[BETA RELEASE] Higher Resolution FFVIIPC [v1.00]" <http://forums.qhimm.com/index.php?topic=6005.0>

Puts the game in 1280x960 resolution which looks damn pretty (3D models only) and enables to use antialiasing modes without screwing graphics.
Also has integrated Jedwin's Chocobo racing patch which solves crashing on 2k/XP systems at chocobo race.

As far as I know it modifies only one file - ff7.exe

Installation:
- run [The_SaiNt]_High_Res_FF7PC_Patcher.exe
- select "patch" and search for file ff7.exe which must be the patched one 1.02 from step 1 (unaltered)
- (optional) THEN if you want resolution 1280x1024 (not 1280x960) repeat the same procedure with file [The_SaiNt]_High_Res_FF7PC_1280x1024_Fix_Patcher.exe

Usage:
- you must set 640x480 Full screen, hardware rendering, nVidia ticked and TNT otherwise it won't work

Known problems:
- The game don't start at all. No message...just a blink.
SOLUTION: Your display probably don't support such high resolution. Buy newer and larger display or skip this patch (you will need to download and install Jedwin's chocobo racing patch separately from this site <http://www.ff7-universe.com/>).
Alternative solution to use it on lower res here <http://forums.qhimm.com/index.php?topic=6379.msg80473#msg80473>.
- nVidia users - I get a “send report” error crash upon running. The game works without this patch and without nVidia ticked in config but I have to have it ticked for this patch.
SOLUTION: disable 8-bit Palletized Textures in your graphic card's Direct3D settings using e.g. Rivatuner.
- After quitting the game program remains intact and has to be terminated via task manager (otherwise it can't be executed again).
SOLUTION: Right-click on ff7.exe and select Properties in context menu and on Compatibility tab TURN OFF any compatibility with older OS (why do you have it on anyway?)
- I have a non-English version of FF7 but this supports only English ff7.exe and I want this badly!
SOLUTION: Follow the next guide taken from http://forums.qhimm.com/
  Quote from: TazDef
>  Here is the tutorial for applying the great HighRes Patch on non-English versions:
>
> 1. Make a fresh FULL install from your original FFVII CD.
> 2. Get the English 1.02 XP Patch.
> 3. Overwrite the original FF7.exe and the FF7Config.exe in your Gamefolder with the patched ones found in the archive.
> 4. Apply Saints great HighRes Patch, just like posted in these thread.
> 5. Replace your language-code from following files:
>
> ..\data\cd\cr_gm.lgp
> ..\data\cd\disc_gm.lgp
> ..\data\menu\menu_gm.lgp
> ..\data\wm\world_gm.lgp
> ..\data\minigame\high-ge.lgp (YES it's "-" in stead of "_")
> ..\data\minigame\snowboard-ge.lgp (YES it's "-" in stead of "_")
>
> -> into filename_us.lgp (ie. ..\data\cd\cr_gm.lgp -> ..\data\cd\cr_us.lgp)
>
> 6. Remove the language-letter form follwing files:
>
> ..\FFVII\data\field\gflevel.lgp
> ..\FFVII\data\minigame\gchocobo.lgp
> ..\FFVII\data\minigame\gcondor.lgp
> ..\FFVII\data\minigame\gsub.lgp
>
> (ie. ..\FFVII\data\field\gflevel.lgp -> ..\FFVII\data\field\flevel.lgp)
>
> These are the german files, if you want to patch another version, just look for the same files ending with your language code (ie. _sp for spanish or _fr for french, _it for italian i guess). The files beginning with g, in my german version, should start with s, f or i, relating to your language.
>
> After doing so, you should be able to play the game in HighRes and in your language. Only the Menu still remains in english, but this should not to be a problem.




3. YAMP - Yet Another Multi-Patcher  by dziugo
"[BETA] Yet Another Multi-Patcher" <http://forums.qhimm.com/index.php?topic=5124.0>

This is a set of very useful patches (also see samples and txt files):
- MiniGamesPatch - This program will enable a frame limiter for the Bike, Snowboarding and Rollercoaster Minigames and for battleswirl effect. It allows minigames to run at normal, manageable speeds on mid-to-high-end systems.
It ALSO helps to solve crashing issues that some people may experience with the snowboarding game.
This ALSO has integrated BattleSwirlFix which fixes an issue with FF7 crashing randomly when entering battles (mostly after Alt+Tabbing out of game and then returning)
- TransparentDialogBoxesPatch - Will make the big blue dialog boxes transparent.
- NoDialogBoxesPatch - Will make the dialog boxes vanish and only text appear (will overwrite the TransparentDialogBoxesPatch).
- 9999LimitBreakingPatch - Removes the 9999 limit for HP/MP/Damage in your FF7 allowing to go above this number. See screenshot and 9999LimitBreaking.txt.
- GyptInstant - Allows you to skip FMVs when playing FF7. Very useful for those who experience freezes or crashes during FMV sequences. See GyptInstant.txt.
- LuckyTifa - Tifa will always get "Yeah!" in her limit break. (cheat)
- LuckyCaitSith - Allows you to manipulate CaitSith's TheSlotsLimitBreak. (cheat)

All of them are used in ff7.exe so other files remain untouched I think.

Installation:
- copy PATCHES dir, install.bat and skerb.ex_ to your main game folder
- delete those patches (in PATCHES\) you do not wish to be installed. I personally delete LuckyTifa and LuckyCaitSith since I consider that cheating. Also pick either TransparentDialogBoxesPatch or NoDialogBoxesPatch but not both.
- I delete these but it's up to you:
CSith.srb, LuckyTifa.srb, NoDialogBoxes.srb
CSith.txt, LuckyTifa.txt, NoDialogBoxes.txt
- now run install.bat from your main game folder (patching process should commence)
- after all's done press any key

Usage:
- all of them are used automatically except for GyptInstant and LuckyCaitSith so see related .txt file to know how to use them

note: you can alter the settings of some patches here but it's not necessary..for more details see !READme.txt




4. Higher quality Cloud mod  by Dreakon

quote from EmperorSteele:
"The better-looking Cloud model from the final battle replaces your normal battle Cloud!  Studs on his armor, detail on his belt, darker uniform, more detailed face, etc.  Looks great!"

...or see the sample.

It modifies only your battle.lgp file.

Installation:
- run cloudquality.exe
- click on "..." and browse to your gamedir\data\battle\
- select ok and patch
- at pop-up question answer no

5. either  a) FF7PC Hand Patch mod v01.6  by Srethron Askvelhtnod
or
b) NPC Reconstruction Project for FF7PC 0.6 mod  by Borde+ice_cold513+Stormmedia

You can't have both of them 'cause they both handle the same files - char.lgp and world_us.lgp. Additionally NPC Reconstruction alters chocobo.lgp.
Choose Hand patch if you prefer more original touch or NPC RP for more perfect look - compare screenshots.
Note that NPC RP is only cca 60% complete and still under development (check NPC Reconstruction Project at this topic <http://forums.qhimm.com/index.php?topic=5105.0>)


a) FF7PC Hand Patch mod v01.6  by Srethron Askvelhtnod

This adds normal hands to ingame characters. No more lego blocks. ))

It modifies char.lpg and world_us.lpg files.

Installation:
- copy files handPatchFieldV016.ffpatch and handPatchWorldMapV015.ffpatch to your gamedir\data\
- run lgptools.exe
- in menu go tools-patches-apply patch and find handPatchFieldV016.ffpatch then open
- repeat the same with handPatchWorldMapV015.ffpatch


b) NPC Reconstruction Project for FF7PC 0.6 mod  by Borde+ice_cold513+Stormmedia  (LGPtools by ficedula http://ficedula.co.uk/)
"NPC Reconstruction Project" <http://forums.qhimm.com/index.php?topic=5105.0>
(possible incompatibility with non-english versions of FF7)

This awesome mod completely replaces childish lego characters for normal ones like in battle fields or in FF8. This is expanded mod of the REUNION patch that conversed only main characters with annoying clipping.
This one currently covers cca 60% of ALL ingame characters.
Note that this mod most of all changes the original look of the game. So if you are into nostalgic feeling go for a) FF7PC Hand Patch mod v01.6  by Srethron Askvelhtnod instead.

This mod modifies char.lgp (surprisingly), world_us.lgp and chocobo.lgp files.

Installation:
- IMPORTANT!!! If your Regional Settings in Control Panel aren't US and English set them now! Temporarily. After patching you may revert them back to your nation of course. ;) (for more details about this step see this <http://forums.qhimm.com/index.php?topic=5889.0>)
- run lgptools.exe
- click on icon OPEN and find char.lgp in your gamedir\data\field\ and open it
- you can see all character files loaded..now click on icon EXTR.ALL and browse to your gamedir\data\field\ and there create new folder named "CHAR" (as shown on screenshot.jpg)
- click OK to extract all files in your gamedir\data\field\char\ (that would take a while to complete)
- now run NPC RP v0.6.exe
- follow the installer instructions (point out the DATA dir etc.)
- at the question to overwrite files answer yes
- patching process should take a few minutes to complete so wait (in fact almost all the extracted files in CHAR directory are processed)
- now return to lgptools
- click on icon CREATE (you are going to create new .lgp file from the patched char dir) and browse to your gamedir\data\field\char\ and click OK
- new dialogue window will pop-up asking what would be the name of your new .lgp file so name it char2.lgp. After confirming the name lgptools should look like it freezes but that's ok, just wait a while for the task to complete
- check the filesize of your freshly created char2.lgp - it should be 61 614 106 bytes
- you may backup the original char.lgp by renaming it to char.lgp.bak or whatever but be sure to rename newly created char2.lgp to char.lgp so the game will use this one
- you may now delete the extracted char dir
- congratulations you are ready to go after all (so revert back your regional settings if you changed them)

Known problems:
- Now my game always crashes at the beginning when Cloud is about to jump of train..and on other places too.
SOLUTION: Didn't you overlook the first step marked “IMPORTANT!!!”?
- I get an “unknown version of file” error during patching process.
SOLUTION: If you have English version of FF7 then your extracted char files have been altered somehow. Didn't you try to use BOTH 5.a) and 5.b) as I told you CAN”T? Extracting char.lpg directly from original CD should get you the right files.
If you have non-english version then try to follow TazDef's trick described in patch no. 2.



6. New Spell Patch  by zero88

This patch edits the following spells, giving them these names:
Fire - Fire, Fira, Firaga (originally Fire1, Fire2, Fire3)
Ice - Blizzard, Blizzara, Blizzaga (originally Ice1, Ice2, Ice3) etc.
Lightning - Thunder, Thundara, Thundaga
Earth - Tremor, Quake, Earthquake (Quakera and Quakega didn't sound cool enough)
Restore/Full Cure - Cure, Cura, Curaga, Full Cure
Revive - Life, Full Life
Gravity - Gravity, Gravira, Graviga (derived from Kingdom Hearts)
Poison - Bio, Biora, Bioga (made these ones up...)
Mystify - Confuse, Berserk
Seal - Silence, Sleep
Exit - Exit, Remove (I think Remove is with Exit...)
Barrier - Barrier, Magic Barrier, Reflect, Wall
Comet - Comet, Meteo
Time - Haste, Slow, Stop
Destruct - DeBarrier, Dispel, Death
Contain - Freeze, Break, Tornado, Flare
Shield and Ultima remain the same...

It also changed the description of some of the spells. The description of the Buster Sword was changed and the name of Cloud's Heaven's Cloud was changed to Excalibur :P

Installation:
- just replace kernel2.bin file in you gamedir\data\kernel\ (or simply copy whole data dir into your main game folder)




7. Advent Avatars mod  by Wuz

Very simple mod to replace the menu character icons with Advent Children Style (taken from the movie).
See samples.

It alters menu_us.lgp file.


Installation:
- run Advent_Avatars.exe
- click on "..." and browse to your game dir\data\menu\
- select ok and patch

You can even revert the changes to original portraits by executing Advent_Avatars_Uninstall.exe and repeating the same steps.




8.1 ff7music  by ficedula  (http://ficedula.co.uk/)

This allows you to put any music in your game replacing the midi music. In other words you can use Playstation files to play with original PS music or ANY MP3 you wish!!! Nice if you own OST of FF7 or FF7 Reunion tracks or FF7 Advent Children.
How does it work? You choose a profile in this console that tells the game which file to play instead of midi at which situation then run FF7 via console an viola - your mp3s or whatever you chose are in the game.
See readme.txt for more details.

This compilation I'm providing will save you hours of time trying to figure out how to make it work and solve most problems including infamous music delays at changing scene!
This comes with all necessary files (excluding OST mp3s of course), configs and plugins that you need and psf files containing music from PlayStation. You should just click and go.
FF7MUSIC.ini of this compilation has fixed some of the mistakes in profile PSF which originally missed and misplaced some tracks (red=121 Red XIII's Theme.minipsf or si=902 unknown.minipsf or missing yume=117 Who Are You.minipsf for example).

Installation & Usage:
- copy whole FICEDULA directory in your main game folder
- run FF7Config.exe and on tab MIDI select Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth as MIDI Driver and uncheck Logarithmic Volume Control
- run FF7.exe and go to configuration of the game...there set volume of midi music to 0 (you can do this later but not to forget)
- run ff7music.exe in your gamedir\ficedula\ (console should pop-up)
- click on "Configure" button
- switch to tab "Files"
- choose the profile you want (psf - playstation music files..they're included in this compilation; mp3 - use if your mp3 files are named exactly as original midi files..not likely; CDtracks - mp3 tracks grabbed from your OST of FF7 in format x-yy.mp3 where x is disc number and yy is track number...see below)
- go to tab "Playback Options" and select Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth as MIDI device
- if you've chosen profile psf you can click on "Save and Exit" and then click on "Run FF7" button (game should run with PlayStation music)
- if you've chosen profile CDtracks you have to follow "Using OST FF7 in the game guide" first

"Using OST FF7 in the game guide" & "Replacing some mp3s by tracks from OST FF7 - Reunion tracks and FF7 - Advent Children" are covered in the rtf document..sorry no space to cover it here.

Possible problems:
- experiencing music delays at switching scenes - it takes some seconds for the music to actually kick in.
SOLUTION: If your cpu isn't strong enough to handle that you can try ff7_lessdebug  by Aali (see next patch)
- the first time I run a new game or load, everything is slowed down and it takes a while for music to start playing...after that everything goes just fine
SOLUTION: If this really annoys you...every time you run FF7 via ff7music console open and then close configuration of ff7music before clicking "run FF7". It works for me.



8.2 ff7_lessdebug  by Aali (use with ff7music)

This little patch tries to fix delays at switching scenes while using ff7music - prevents ff7music to flood its console with undesired debug info thus saving some cpu.

Usage:
- copy all files (without directory) of ff7_lessdebug to your main gamefolder
- in lessdebug_cfg.txt file there are three most flooding messages (or first part of them) that are excluded from debugging...you can add more that you don't wish to display but I think that should suffice...remember to add empty line at the end of file otherwise it may not work! (see readme.txt for more details about this step)
- run ff7_lessdebug.exe in you main game folder (lessdebug_cfg.txt must be there too)



9. SceneRedux v1.0  by Salk

This patch makes almost all enemies morphable into items, It also prevents to steal and win the same item at once a makes the stealing rate more realistic and less frustrating. The Mod also introduces some items that were not carried by any enemy before thus trying to rebalance the underrepresentation and uniformity of the number of stealable items. More info in packed file.

Installation:
Just replace your scene.bin file in gamedir /data/battle with the patched one. It's recommended to make a backup of the original file first by renaming it to scene.bin.bak or such.



that's all folks...



Video samples -xvid-mp3- (patched with all of the above):

 ff7_-Cosmo_Canyon.avi (21.8 MB)
 ff7_-Battle-Omnislash.avi (13.7 MB)
 ff7_Alexander.avi (2.3 MB)
 ff7_Bahamut.avi (1.9 MB)
 ff7_Ifrit.avi (1.4 MB)
 ff7_Kjata.avi (2.8 MB)
 ff7_Leviathan.avi (1.7 MB)
 ff7_Neo_Bahamut.avi (2.4 MB)
 ff7_Odin.avi (1.4 MB)
 ff7_Odin2.avi (1.9 MB)
 ff7_Ramuh.avi (1.9 MB)
 ff7_Shiva.avi (1.2 MB)
 ff7_Titan.avi (1.2 MB)


Screenshot samples (patched with all of the above):


before                                            after (5.a, hand patch)                          after (5.b, NPC RP)
 
 
before (4.)                after (4.)


before                                            after (5.a, hand patch)                           after (5.b, NPC RP)


before                                            after


before                                            after


before                                            after


before                                            after


before                                            after


more samples with 5.b) NPC RP:





For more FF related stuff also see:
http://ficedula.co.uk/
http://www.ffdream.com/
http://www.ff7-universe.com/

« Last Edit: 2007-01-14 20:25:42 by miracle.flame »

Synergy Blades

  • Guest
Discussion about the Patches & Mods-torrent
« Reply #1 on: 2006-11-22 15:01:43 »
MOD EDIT: Split from here. He's switching to content distribution network instead of Torrents, so I decided to split the Torrent discussion from the original topic.

You have, obviously, been curtious and got permission from every author listed to lump them into one patch and put them on a torrent site of dubious legality?

... no?
« Last Edit: 2006-12-07 04:38:25 by Jari »

Jari

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« Reply #2 on: 2006-11-22 15:11:16 »
Not to mention; you are releasing something with multiple links to Qhimm.com on PirateBay?

Thank you. So very much.

I guess you will be dealing with every little asspirate that heads this way, after reading that. And yes, before you say anything, we know that the forum has been linked to many times from Torrent-sites. Which is one of the reasons why so many dumbfucks find their way here in the first place.

Could we... you know... talk about these things before you do them?

Alhexx

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« Reply #3 on: 2006-11-22 15:27:35 »
I just wait for one author who says that the has not given permission for this neat package.
This will be reason enough to lock this topic.

 - Alhexx

Jari

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« Reply #4 on: 2006-11-22 15:47:54 »
Actually, little birdies told me that permissions have been asked, at least from some authors.

And as for my own beef with this; it's not that I would mind miracle.flame's effort, I'm just not sure whether it does more good than it does harm.

stormmedia

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« Reply #5 on: 2006-11-22 18:29:57 »
Alhexx: Well... just to let you know he got our permission for the NPC RC... (Borde, ice_cold513 and I)

Jari: Well ... I do agree that it's kinda annoying to have so much newbies asking question that already have been answered before so many times.... but personaly what I do in these forums I'm not just doing it just for myself... if it was the case I wouldn't post anything here I'd just do my work and my patches myself and wouldn't share it with anyone.  But it's not the case.  However I understand your point.

miracle.flame:  Make sure you do not share any copyrighted files in this torrent (I'm talking about any files of the game like "char.lgp" or any files that you don't have the permission) ... if it was the case it could lead this forums to legal issues with Square or annoy any author that didn't have been contacted...
« Last Edit: 2006-11-22 18:37:33 by stormmedia »

Borde

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« Reply #6 on: 2006-11-22 18:48:20 »
Well, as Jari said, I think links to this forum and several of the included patches have been floating around torrent sites more than once. Personally, I think that all the harm this path could do has already been done.
Just my opinion. :mrgreen:

miracle.flame

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« Reply #7 on: 2006-11-22 19:35:28 »
Thanks for your reactions up to now.
Feel free to comment the content as well.

I strongly recommend you to try ficedula's ff7music I've provided. I'm sure that most newbies and less experienced PC user would find this particular version very useful. Have you seen more flexible and user-friendlier version around?  :-P
Don't forget to read the provided instructions in Step-by-step instructions  by miracle.flame.txt.


This torrent is for people..fans... and those patches and mods will be put to use largely this way.. not just for acquainted community.

zero88

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« Reply #8 on: 2006-11-23 04:01:34 »
Hey, just to clarify, I was asked permission beforehand about this and I gave it (for the spell patch).

Discussion about the Patches & Mods-torrent
« Reply #9 on: 2006-11-27 08:19:02 »
I was asked regarding my hand patch. I did not give permission (or refuse it), still deciding what I think about this (honestly under most circumstances I really wouldn't care but have mixed feelings about the way this was done.) Anyway, have continuous must-pass finals for 4 weeks which have to take precedence over this. I won't be on much. If you need to contact me, send a PM and then be *very* patient. I'll ponder this and post any conclusions I reach if I somehow get the time.

Meh.

miracle.flame

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« Reply #10 on: 2006-11-27 09:03:16 »
I'm sorry for my impatience. Considered that http://www.srethron.cjb.net/ is down and [email protected] as well and your rank here is "No Life" that I don't quite understand what means (I'm new here and I never saw you online) I thought there will be no reaction ever...that you have left this business for good.

But I followed your handPatchV016.txt
Quote
MIRRORING/HOSTING
Please do. I only ask that the contents of this .rar/.zip file remain unaltered, that Srethron
Askvelhtnod be listed as the author, and my site http://www.srethron.cjb.net/ be linked to in the same spot.
I just didn't give the link for the reason it is down.

I thought it would be a pity to remove your patch from the compilation so I left it there and hoped that if you by some means come across this you won't be mad at me.

What exactly do you mean by
Quote
(...) have mixed feelings about the way this was done.
?

Jari

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« Reply #11 on: 2006-11-27 12:51:29 »
...and your rank here is "No Life" that I don't quite understand what means...

I think that it was meant to be a joke, hinting that a person posting so much has no time for real life. :)

Everyone with more than 1000 posts should have it as their rank, anyways.

Bane King

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« Reply #12 on: 2006-11-27 13:19:55 »
Kickass download.

If you released something then don't get butthurt if someone wants to add your stuff to a megafile. You're names there regardless. I'd personally feel ecstatic if someone add my work into a megafile so that people can get all their patched in one place.

The torrent idea is alot better anyways. The sites hosting the files should breath a sigh of relief since it saves on their bandwith.

I'm downloading it now and when it's done...I'ma seed it.

Alhexx

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« Reply #13 on: 2006-11-27 17:13:47 »
Quote from: Bane King
If you released something then don't get butthurt if someone wants to add your stuff to a megafile.

Oh, I guess this is called piracy.
(Athough it's freeware in this case)

So, since noone explicitly said that (s)he did refuse to give permission for reuploading files, I see no reason to lock this thread.
As for Srethron, I didn't see and explicit "no" in your post, so therefore, I'm leaving this thread open.
(Btw, it's nice to see you're still around here :) )

 - Alhexx

Jari

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« Reply #14 on: 2006-11-27 19:18:03 »
The torrent idea is alot better anyways. The sites hosting the files should breath a sigh of relief since it saves on their bandwith.

So, it's a better idea to spread the said patches to sites that cater mainly to asspirates? And give them even more links to here? When it has been made abundantly clear that we don't support warez.

Not to mention, I'd dare to say that with the exception of SaiNt's hi-res patch, nobody has had problems with bandwidth. These patches are not that large, or that popular. I'm sure that one of the authors corrects me about this, if they have reason to, I haven't been paying that much attention to this.

Oh, and fix your avatar. There's absolutely no way that that can't be squeezed into less than 10KB.


So, since noone explicitly said that (s)he did refuse to give permission for reuploading files, I see no reason to lock this thread.

Just out of curiosity, what good would closing this do anyway?

It's just a version of 'see no evil'-monkey; it does not take the files off the torrent-sites, it does not take the links off the torrent sites, all it does is to make subject taboo. On the contrary, had someone said no, then I'd say that this thread is really needed.

I mean... the shit is already in the pants, what good will it do the try to hold it in now?

zero88

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« Reply #15 on: 2006-11-27 22:14:05 »
Oh, and fix your avatar. There's absolutely no way that that can't be squeezed into less than 10KB.

Just for kicks, it's 14KB...

Jari

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« Reply #16 on: 2006-11-27 22:32:29 »
I know. And that's exactly why it shouldn't be a problem to put it under 10KB.

Which still is the limit.

Sorry about double negatives there. :P

stormmedia

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« Reply #17 on: 2006-11-28 02:05:15 »
Hey Jari ... why are you so upset... I mean it's not like if the earth is gonna blow... as it has been said before, it's not the first time that a torrent is made about the work that have been done here... and I think that when they said that we don't support warez they were talking about pirated version of the game... Beside, it's not warez. It's a torrent... torrent are more and more used to share big files or a compilation... not only illegal or problematic stuff... at least miracle.flame asked to the authors of the projects before doing so ... it's not like if it would have been done without permission.

Jari

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« Reply #18 on: 2006-11-28 04:49:26 »
Hey Jari ... why are you so upset... I mean it's not like if the earth is gonna blow... as it has been said before, it's not the first time that a torrent is made about the work that have been done here...

It is the first time a torrent has been made by one of our own members.


and I think that when they said that we don't support warez they were talking about pirated version of the game...

Yes. So?

Who do you think will come running when you start spreading readmes with links on Torrent-sites?

People who download pirated versions of the game. ...ooops.


Beside, it's not warez. It's a torrent... torrent are more and more used to share big files or a compilation...

OMG. Are you seriously explaining what a torrent is? Whatever gave you the idea that I wouldn't know?

I have never said that it was warez. I have been trying to say - over and over - that it will post a massive amount of links to this forum, in a place where we least want them. It's been a problem until now, and now it's going to be a huge a problem. Remember, we don't support warez, right?


not only illegal or problematic stuff... at least miracle.flame asked to the authors of the projects before doing so ... it's not like if it would have been done without permission.

It would appear that he didn't have Srethron's permission. So, not very serious about this asking for permissions stuff, if your default mode of action is to post it, unless someone says no. I was kinda under the impression that it should be the other way around.

Does that make my view clear? If not, I'll recap:

  • Links on torrent sites BAD. In case you don't know, owner of this board would like maintain low profile on the radars of Squeenix & Co. What do you think they'll think, when they find out that this place is advertised as support center for people who pirate their software?
  • Posting someone's work without getting permission - even if only one person's work - BAD.
  • Links on torrent sites really BAD.
  • In general, collecting few tiny patches into one torrent... what's the big idea? Only SaiNt's hi-res patch has been causing considerable traffic. But now you'll get a file that will go obsolete as soon as one of the authors update.
  • Links on torrent sites... oh, what the hell. Do you need me to dig up some prime examples of what kind of nice people many of the warez users are? Or will you just trust me, if I tell you that we don't want them here?

Is there still something unclear about why this is a bad idea?

Perhaps you should explain to me why this is a good idea, instead. It's not like something should be done, just because it can be done.

stormmedia

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« Reply #19 on: 2006-11-28 05:45:15 »
Wow calm down Jari... I was just asking myself why you were so upset about it... it wasn't a personnal attack or something...

It would appear that he didn't have Srethron's permission. So, not very serious about this asking for permissions stuff, if your default mode of action is to post it, unless someone says no. I was kinda under the impression that it should be the other way around.

True... but if we believe what he said (and I have no reason not to believe him) he thought that Srethron would never answer because he thought that he left the forums... so if he would have left the forums... how could he get an answer... However I admit that he shouldn't have included the hand patch without his permission.


OMG. Are you seriously explaining what a torrent is? Whatever gave you the idea that I wouldn't know?

Hahah... I wasn't exactly explaining what a torrent is ... i was just saying that it's not only used for piracy.

Perhaps you should explain to me why this is a good idea, instead. It's not like something should be done, just because it can be done.

Well.... I never said it was a "good" idea ... I just said I didn't mind... Although I'm worried too about all the amount of newbies asking around for support for there pirated version....

Jari

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« Reply #20 on: 2006-11-28 08:58:04 »
Wow calm down Jari... I was just asking myself why you were so upset about it... it wasn't a personnal attack or something...
I'm just getting tired of explaining something that ought to be very obvious, if you ask me.

Not to worry, I didn't take it as a personal attack. If I had, I would have been a lot less pleasant. :P


True... but if we believe what he said (and I have no reason not to believe him) he thought that Srethron would never answer because he thought that he left the forums... so if he would have left the forums... how could he get an answer... However I admit that he shouldn't have included the hand patch without his permission.

You said it yourself - he should have left it out. He didn't have qualms about putting lots of links in the readme, so just link to it then. Failure to contact != permission.


Hahah... I wasn't exactly explaining what a torrent is ... i was just saying that it's not only used for piracy.

:) Of course not. Torrents itself are not bad, quite the opposite - for some things they are the best distribution method ever invented. It's just that the sites he picked are bad choice for this, due to their user base. And, IMHO torrents are not really needed for small patches anyway. Now, the hi-res patch is somewhat of an exception, it really does cause some serious traffic.

Just out of curiosity, are there torrent sites and trackers that have only legal content, such as big patches, linux distros, big demos and such? Does anyone know of any?

miracle.flame

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« Reply #21 on: 2006-11-29 14:13:31 »
1.
A fictional example...
I am an artist and some sites mirror my creations because they're for free.
Now I die.
Nobody knows... no one can contact me.
Would that mean that my creations are limited only to past mirrors? That it is forbidden to spread my free creations elsewhere just because the contact failed??
If yes I would turn in my grave.

This possibly excuses my actions that I didn't left hand patch out even when contact failed.

And...
In my culture I am taught that when I give something it is given. And it's not my right anymore to decide what the receiver may or may not do with the gift.


2.
I have the notification enabled for all the threads that are posted in this torrent. So far I didn't note any masses or "asspirates" heading this way. In fact, that doesn't surprise me much.

You know, I've provided this Step-by-step instructions  by miracle.flame.txt with all the common problems and issues covered there with their solutions as well. In addition I made all patches as user-friendly as possible so if everyone follows my steps he should have no problem. And IMHO I think that my version of ff7music will stop massing of many if not all threads and posts questioning about how to run or use this.


3.
I am sorry if someone feels disturbed by this torrent. But on the other hand I'm very pleased that many people who had no idea had found this compilation and are happy to use it. As would myself if I'd found something like this before spending weeks collecting and speculating how to make it all work.

Bane King

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« Reply #22 on: 2006-11-29 14:34:15 »
You know, I've provided this Step-by-step instructions  by miracle.flame.txt with all the common problems and issues covered there with their solutions as well. In addition I made all patches as user-friendly as possible so if everyone follows my steps he should have no problem. And IMHO I think that my version of ff7music will stop massing of many if not all threads and posts questioning about how to run or use this.

And let me be the first to thank you for that!

I say good for you miracle.flame! You took the initiative and made something that most people wish would have happend AND you took the time to write a VERY descriptive readme that some people should have wrote.

There's something wrong when you release a program to the public, leave very little description on how to use it, and bash n00bs  and\or ignore their pleas of help because someone felt too lazy to write an atiquate description. So what happends after that? They are told to weed through months of old threads to find that ONE that briefly(at best) describes on how to use it.

Synergy Blades

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« Reply #23 on: 2006-11-29 15:01:22 »
Quote
In my culture I am taught that when I give something it is given. And it's not my right anymore to decide what the receiver may or may not do with the gift.

I don't care what culture you come from, that's not - universally - your right to decide. It may be the case for some, most, or all of these patches, and that's fine, but you cannot just "assume" that what you hold as true, is the case for everyone creating these things... licenses, GPL, restrictions found in readmes with these programs, etc. all come into play. The best thing to do is ask permission - in my culture, and most I suspect, this is called "common courtesy" - and I am glad that you did that on the whole.

I just suggest that it would be better to assume that you should not redistribute something unless you ask the author (that is, assume it is not for redistribution) - and that way you avoid potentially pissing the authors off. Personally I like to keep a track of interest in my programs and I can't do that if someone uploads them on some other site where I can't garner statistics on the downloads hosted on my server. Either way, your suggestion that everything here is to do with as you please, is a little grating.


[Edit] Here's a thought for you - Qhimm serves up his source code on the front page as "a gift" (your quote) - but with the proviso that you mention him and his website should you use it in your own apps (as he does). You build a program on top of it, and don't bother to say anything about him, and distribute it. Is this fair 'in your culture'? Does Qhimm have a right to say what happens or should he just accept that he doesn't have the 'right to decide anymore'? Well, he should have the right - he is giving a different kind of "gift". The point I'm getting at is that there are different kinds of "giving" and "gifts", and that your blanket assumption that everyone feels the same as you with their code that they have worked hard at, is fundamentally flawed.
« Last Edit: 2006-11-29 15:09:50 by Synergy Blades »

miracle.flame

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« Reply #24 on: 2006-11-29 16:53:28 »
You ripped the context just to serve your purpose.
You cannot compare Qhimm (whixh is a serving institution like a library)
with a patch or mod (which is free duplicable tool)
That is brighter than sun.

The rules are made to serve some purpose. If there are no exceptions in the rules those are not rules but a programme for dead machine. If I know both the purpose and my action well I can make an exception and break the rule if it don't messes with the purpose.
Be human..not machine.

A bit philosophy but to see principles. Why argue? What's REALLY wrong?