Well, I think it's about time I got around to finishing up and releasing these tools, isn't it?
Converting StylesTo convert a style, you need the
NeoLemmix Graphic Set Tool. (NOTE: if you're planning to convert the style at the same time as levels that use that style, see the section on converting levels - the tool for that can convert styles as well while it's converting the levels. This section is primarily for if you want to convert the style so you can use it for creating new levels, and thus don't have any levels you're wanting to convert alongside it.)
Here are the steps to convert a Cheapo style to a NeoLemmix one:
- Run the graphic set tool, and on the menu bar choose Import -> Cheapo
- In the file selection window that pops up, select the style file
- On the menu bar, choose File -> Save
- For the filename, it is recommended you use the same name as the graphic set had in Cheapo format; though if it is longer than 16 characters, name it with only the first 16 (eg: "BlahBlahLongStyleName.sty" should be saved as "BlahBlahLongStyl.dat")
- You can now use these output files with NeoLemmix and its editor
Please note that converted Cheapo styles are
NOT compatible with traditional Lemmix, they are ONLY compatible with NeoLemmix. If you use Export -> GROUND/VGAGR, the output will more-or-less work fine
graphically with regular Lemmix, but will almost certianly not work
functionally. They won't work at all with DOS Lemmings. Also note that any object types that aren't supported by NeoLemmix
will be converted, but they will come out as objects with no effect. As of V1.30n, the only object types not supported are the gravity changers; though do be aware that objects do not nessecerially function exactly the same way.
To use these with NeoLemmix Editor, I'm going to assume you have V1.29n or higher. In this case, all you have to do is copy/paste both output files into your "styles/NeoLemmix" or "styles/Cheapo" subfolder (in the editor folder) - which one you put them in doesn't matter functionally, it's just a preference thing for which header they appear under in the style selection menu. You may want to add a section to the styles.ini file (in the NeoLemmix or Cheapo folder) to give them a tidier name in the editor, but this is completely optional and they
will function fine even without doing this; it's purely a cosmetic thing. If you do, the section to add (using "orig-dirt" as an example, and of course you can give it a different name if you want); this can be anywhere in the file as long as you don't insert it in the middle of another section:
[orig-dirt]
Name=Dirt (Cheapo)To use these with NeoCustLemmix, just place them in the same folder as it, and they'll work. Likewise, for Flexi, handle them the same way as you would any other graphic set. Note that when playtesting levels from the editor, you don't need to put a seperate second copy of the styles in the main folder (in addition to the NeoLemmix styles folder); the editor can tell NeoCustLemmix where to find the files.
Converting LevelsFor converting levels or level packs, you'll need
CheapoCon. These instructions relate to the GUI-based version of CheapoCon; if you have the old (text-based) version I would highly recommend getting the newer version as it works with NeoLemmix-format graphic sets (as well as being able to convert Cheapo graphic sets during the conversion, if you don't already have NeoLemmix-format conversions) and uses the latest level format, as well as producing smaller output files.
Here are the steps for converting a level or level pack:
- Put copies of all graphic sets used by the levels you are converting, into the same folder as the levels. These may be in either Cheapo or NeoLemmix format; in the case of the former, be sure to also put copies of any other graphic sets they refer to (most often Default.sty, but in some cases there may be others too).
- Run CheapoCon, and select the SET (or LEV) file for the source file.
- By default, the Output file and VGASPEC root will be set based on the input filename; if you'd like to change these, do so. Note that you don't have to put an absolute path for the output file; you can just put a filename.
- Click "Convert". CheapoCon will convert all of the levels in the source file; the output will be a single DAT file (based on the Output path) containing all the levels, plus one VGASPEC file for each level with the filename "X_<vgaspec root><level number>.dat". If any of the provided graphic sets were in Cheapo format, CheapoCon will also output NeoLemmix conversions of them.
The new GUI-based version of CheapoCon does not have a terrain-recognition algorithm like the command line one had; this is because even with the terrain-recognition algorithm being taken into account, the output files are still smaller with the new tool than they were with the old text-based one. Also, the output, while smaller in size, would generally be too messy for level-editing purposes, thus making it rather useless for any purpose other than reducing filesize.
Note that NeoLemmix V1.33n or newer must be used with GUI-based CheapoCon's output, due to it using the new variable-sized level format.