Creating Maps and Challenges in the "PBCE Planetbase Challenge (Mission) Editor"

Program Description "PBCE Planetbase Challenge (Mission) Editor"[www.nexusmods.com]
The ability to create missions and maps in a few clicks of the mouse!
The fastest and easiest way!
Without programming, editing files and reading documentation.

Space Experience

Join us if you also really like space games:

• Group in Steam: Group: "Space Experience"
  This group contains the largest and most structured list of games and programs about space.
  Here you will find everything that exists to feel like in space, see space through VR, build a space colony, feel the harsh conditions for survival, control a rocket and repair it, arrange a battle in space, see 3D maps of planets and universes,
  and much, much other...
  https://steamcommunity.com/groups/SpaceExperience
  
  
• Curator of games about space in Steam: Curator "Space Experience"
  Reviews on all space games. A huge number of lists and categories. The most complete information both among those games that have already been released and among the new products that are only planned for release.
  https://store.steampowered.com/curator/37277628-Space-Experience/

"PBCE PlanetBase Challenge (Mission) Editor"

The figure shows the interface view of program version 1.0
This is an approximate view of the interface.
Download the latest version[www.nexusmods.com] of the program to see the updated interface.

What the PBCE does

- creates new missions for the game Planetbase in a few clicks of the mouse!
- This is the fastest and easiest way.
- without programming, editing files or reading documentation.
- creates a terrain landscape (maps) according to given wishes. (height of mountains, area of ​​lakes, flat plains, etc.).
- creates conditions on the planet according to wishes (storms, solar flares, etc.).
- The color characteristics of everything in the game are edited here, like never before, clearly and conveniently.
- sets mission goals and descriptions and textual information about the mission are written in a convenient interface.
- sets all possible initial conditions in the game.
- sets all possible conditions for the mission in the game.

- It is possible to create your mission entirely in one program in just a few minutes! And then see your new mission in the Planetbase game menu.

- just run the program file anywhere and on any system. In the program interface, specify the desired number of desired parameters for your new mission.

How PBCE works

Just run the program file anywhere and on any system.

In the program interface, specify the desired number of desired parameters for your new mission.

Everything is very simple and convenient. Use the mouse to select the item you want to edit and use the numbers to set the desired value.
No editing text files or programming.

VIDEO about PBCE

Video List:

1) [Eng] "Planetbase in 2020", Author: gearldc717
https://youtu.be/wqa8d7eLIZ4

2) [Rus] "What's New in 2020? OWN CARDS AND MISSIONS!", Author: "Cabalos Channel"
https://youtu.be/3XNzHrC3USw

PBCE Development Phase

- The "PBCE Planetbase Challenge (Mission) Editor" program was created at the end of 2019. In 2020, active testing takes place and user feedback is collected for the subsequent improvement of the program.
- Now (for 2020) the program is actively improving. The author quickly answers and works with the wishes of users.

Language support

By default, the program has an interface with English.
The author is ready to add support for other languages ​​if someone needs it.
From my point of view, in the program everything is intuitively clear, a minimum of text. But if someone wants to, then just let the author know.
Or, if you are good at programming, help improve the program[github.com]!

P.S.: Stay tuned for program updates[www.nexusmods.com]. Perhaps your language has already been added to the program.

Internet resources PBCE

Resources of the program "PBCE PlanetBase Challenge (Mission) Editor":

a.1) Web page on NexusMods, download - https://www.nexusmods.com/planetbase/mods/37

a.2) Web page on NexusMods, discussions and suggestions - https://www.nexusmods.com/planetbase/mods/37?tab=posts

b) Page on Steam - https://steamcommunity.com/workshop/discussions/18446744073709551615/1660068911654157428/?appid=403190

GitHub

c.1) GitHub page - source code: https://github.com/provector/jPBCE

c.2) download directly from GitHub -
https://github.com/provector/jPBCE/raw/master/Release

c.3) Report problems / wishes on GitHub - https://github.com/provector/jPBCE/issues (If you find errors / problems, do not hesitate to send them directly to this editor repository).

Support program development

If you are good at programming, it will be great if you help a little to improve the "PBCE Planetbase Challenge (Mission) Editor" program.

There is a vision and tasks to make the program even better.
It is planned to introduce additional features.

Discussions on improving the program are conducted mainly here:
a) on NexusMods https://www.nexusmods.com/planetbase/mods/37?tab=posts
b) on GitHub https://github.com/provector/jPBCE/issues

The source code for the "PBCE Planetbase Challenge (Mission) Editor" is located on GitHub[github.com]
You can modify the code with other programmers!

Thank you for your help in developing the game and the Planetbase community!

Contact with the author

Program author: Matthew Piekarski

You can write your questions and suggestions about improving the program here:

1) GitHub https://github.com/provector/jPBCE/issues
(If you find any bugs/issues, feel free to submit it directly to the editor repo).

2) NexusMod https://www.nexusmods.com/planetbase/mods/37?tab=posts
A convenient communication interface in the form of a forum. Planetbase users here discuss the development of various mods for the game and also, of course, this is the "PBCE Planetbase Challenge (Mission) Editor" program.

3) Steam
https://steamcommunity.com/workshop/discussions/18446744073709551615/1660068911654157428/?appid=403190

4) Developer mail: Matthew dot Piekarski at gmail dot com

Interface PBCE

Interface of the program "PBCE Planetbase Challenge (Mission) Editor"
Below are screenshots of the interface of the version "1.Beta.a".
Perhaps now is a newer version.

In-game Challenge interface

What does the created challenge look like inside the Planetbase game?

After you created your challenge (mission) in the "PBCE Planetbase Challenge (Mission) Editor" program, files with your challenge are created in the mission folder which looks something like this:
"C: \ Users \ "NameUser" \ Documents \ Planetbase \ Challenges \"
where "NameUsers" is the name of your operating system account.
(Please note that this is not the folder in which the Planetbase game is installed, but another).

Challenges (missions) created in the "PBCE Planetbase Challenge (Mission) Editor" program inside the game interface will be located in the сhallenge (mission) menu, next to all other Challenges.

Your challenges created in the program will be merged into one company under the name "jPBCE Beta".

The screenshot below shows how the challenge created in the program (mission) can look like. The text of the description of the challenge here is written as an example.

Type of sites with version "1.Beta.a"

Appearance of sites where it is possible to download the program and discuss issues / suggestions with the developer.
Screenshots were taken in February 2020 for the version "1.Beta.a".
Perhaps now is a newer version.

Maps of Planetbase Users

Post your work with challenges and terrain maps created in the program "PBCE Planetbase Challenge (Mission) Editor" to the Steam Workshop or just send links to files with your missions[drive.google.com].

Share screenshots of what terrain maps you created!
Share feedback and your experiences with the PBCE Planetbase Challenge (Mission) Editor.
(In the comments on this guide, write and post links to screenshots).

Thank you for developing the Planetbase community!

WITHOUT STEAM use of Missions

If you are not on Steam, you can also download and upload new missions for the game Planetbase.
The fact is that, in their format, missions are small text files.
You can send these text files to other players without Steam and players can download your missions without using Steam.
To download a custom mission for Planetbase, you just need to place the files with the mission in a special folder for missions located at:
The address where the Planetbase game loads custom missions is: "% HOME% \ Documents \ Planetbase \ Challenges".

An example of how it is possible to upload and download missions without using Steam:
Mission: "Small mountain island":
a) download through Steam Workshop: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2019117460
b) download directly from the link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WrmL0f8OX6pJdn2m0DEX2fZ-D9nXQy6c?usp=sharing

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

A) INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS for the "Planetbase Challenge (Mission) Editor":

A1) detailed instructions https://www.nexusmods.com/planetbase/articles/3

A2) short instruction "ReadMe" https://www.nexusmods.com/planetbase/mods/37?tab=docs

A3) In very short:
1. Unpack the file,
2. Run it
3. Set up game parameters you want
4. Click Save Challenge
5. Run game, your challenge will be on the list under "jPBCE Interstellar"

Every parameter in editor UI should have a tooltip if you hover over it. It was based on the xml creation guid so if you are stuck in what which param means please refer to that: Guide "Creating Challenges".

Helpful information

Useful information on Planetbase in other manuals on creating challenges:

1) [Eng] "Creating Challenges" - instructions from the creators of the game
(MadrugaWorks) how to create challenges and upload them to the Steam Workshop
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=677895200

2) [Eng] "Blank XML for challenges with instructions"
2.1) https://steamcommunity.com/app/403190/discussions/0/2119355556483427227/
Some parts might be missing but i've got most of it. I omitted some of the components and strucutres as I have not tested them yet. I made this to make designing challenges easy for myself because I enjoy re-inventing the rules of a game. So here's the fruit of my labor. Just move stuff out of the commented areas to turn them on.

2.2) Creating Planetbase challanges, Base Invaders
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1955921323

3) [Eng] Create an island map for challenge
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1987002995

4) [Rus] All About Challenges (Missions)
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1979452591

5) [Rus] How to create a mission with an unusual map?
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1983521727

6) [Rus] Alignment of landscapes with a cheat mod
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1983467709

7) [Eng] Where to find ANSWERS and INFORMATION on Planetbase?
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1997926719

8) [Rus] List of Mods
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1981754832

9) [Rus] ALL VIDEOS on Planetbase. Walkthrough Challenges
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1990024322

10) What would you like to improve in the game?
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1999352524

Ending

Please inform me in the comments to this manual if:

a) any information written in this manual is outdated, is no longer relevant, you know more correct information.
b) you have found typos or inconsistencies.
c) you know how to supplement the manual on this topic.

d) you are good at writing code and can write a new mod, improve the work of the "PBCE Planetbase Challenge (Mission) Editor" program.

e) you create new challenges and create maps for the game Planetbase.

We share experience and useful information with each other and the community!

Thanks to everyone for helping to develop the Planetbase community!
Success in conquering new planets!

Afterword

Share your work with challendes (missions) and maps created in the program "PBCE Planetbase Challenge (Mission) Editor"!

Put it in the Steam Workshop or just share links to the files of your missions[drive.google.com].
For example, as here the mission "Small mountain island - 1" is posted here[drive.google.com].

Share screenshots of what you managed to create!
Share feedback and your experiences with the "PBCE Planetbase Challenge (Mission) Editor".
In the comments to this guide, write and post links to screenshots.

Thank you for developing the Planetbase community!

Manual Translation

This manual is also presented in translation into the languages:

1) Russian
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1983563107

You can translate this manual into other languages.
Links to manuals in other languages under the "PBCE Planetbase Challenge (Mission) Editor" program will be added to this list.

Thank you for helping to develop the community and the Planetbase game!

The situation with the game and the community of players!

Thanks to all active members of the Planetbase gaming community!
Special thanks to those who create mods, challenges and guides.

I remember the times when our community was much more active and had thousands of active players and countless discussions on the prospects for the development of the game and the creation of mods.

Unfortunately, those days are long gone and now the authors of the game really don't like the activity of our community.
The authors of the game are against creating mods and those people who suggest improving the game or creating Planetbase-2 or DLC.
There are cases when the authors of the game not only deleted messages, but blocked the players in the Steam forum without adequate reasons. The players who paid them money for their games. Blocked simply because people expressed their opinion that mods could be useful and they would be happy with improvements in the game or the release of DLC or Planetbase-2.

For example, this is how the authors of the game blocked me on Steam after I asked them about the possibility of releasing paid DLC, supporting mods or releasing game updates.
The authors of the game not only deleted my harmless messages on Steam, but they blocked me forever. And they also banned me permanently on the Steam forum for no reason yet for their second game, "Dawn of Man".

The authors of the game do not answer all questions about this, but only ignore letters or delete messages on the Steam forum.
Perhaps the authors of the game have forever blocked me on all their resources, not only because I asked about the possibility of releasing updates or DLC, but also for my participation in dozens of guides, creating mods, challenges, collections and structuring lists of things that the community offers to improve in the game.

I think, like many worthy members of the community, that the authors of the game acted inadequately, blocking me forever and deleting my messages, in which there were no violations of the rules. And I demand that I unblock, or at least return my money for their games and explain to me and the community members why they, without adequate reason, delete messages and block useful people to the community.

We also know more cases when, due to such actions of the authors of the game, many mod creators were forced to stop working on mods and guides for the Planetbase game. The once huge community of the game has now become very small as a result.

If you think the community should be aware of this behavior by game authors, you can comment or like my review of the game on Steam, where I wrote in detail about the situation in the game and the community: https://steamcommunity.com/id/neoriderr/recommended/403190/

You can also discuss this topic on Reddit or other sites where the authors of the game do not have the ability to delete messages and block users.
For example, here:

• Reddit: The true face of MadrugaWorks company and what they really think of their fans
  
• Reddit: Review from a person who has played 1000+ hours, made mods, challenges and dozens of guides for Planetbase

Once again I thank all active and caring members of the community!
I am sure that history will put everything in its place! And sooner or later we will all find a great game with an adequate developer who respects the players who pay him money.

My other Planetbase guides

Check out my other guides at the link below.
Here is a lot more useful information on Planetbase!

• All my guides: https://steamcommunity.com/id/neoriderr/myworkshopfiles/?section=guides
  
  
• My Planetbase guides: https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198722725046/myworkshopfiles/?appid=403190&section=guides
  
  
• My works and challenges in the Planetbase Workshop: https://steamcommunity.com/id/neoriderr/myworkshopfiles/?appid=403190
  
  
• My collections for the game Planetbase: https://steamcommunity.com/workshop/filedetails/?id=2032667288

Join us if you like space games

Join us if you also really like space games:

• Group in Steam: Group: "Space Experience"
  This group contains the largest and most structured list of games and programs about space.
  Here you will find everything that exists to feel like in space, see space through VR, build a space colony, feel the harsh conditions for survival, control a rocket and repair it, arrange a battle in space, see 3D maps of planets and universes,
  and much, much other...
  https://steamcommunity.com/groups/SpaceExperience
  
  
• Curator of games about space in Steam: Curator "Space Experience"
  Reviews on all space games. A huge number of lists and categories. The most complete information both among those games that have already been released and among the new products that are only planned for release.
  https://store.steampowered.com/curator/37277628-Space-Experience/

[76561198841904686]

@Sensual Astrobiologist, yes, by the author of the game, I meant the publisher and developer.
And the authors of the "PBCE Planetbase Challenge (Mission) Editor" and all mods are fans of the game.
The authors of the game stopped developing the game a long time ago and ignored thousands of requests for development of the game. Some moders offered free help with the development of the game, but the authors of the game did not answer anyone, and even some fans of the game were blocked for no reason.
Therefore, the game is now gradually dying and developing solely due to the attempts of several fans of the game to make new mods and challenges.
But without the support of the authors of the game (which, if desired, they could do very easily), it is extremely difficult to improve the game and create, for example, new buildings and objects.

[Wendigo Rose]

Thanks for the info. Sad to hear that the authors (I assume you mean the Publisher and Developers) of the game have a limited view of the modding and challenge community that's left for this game.

[76561198841904686]

@Sensual Astrobiologist, thanks for the idea. We will consider whether it is possible to do so. At first glance, this looks like a difficult task.

The fact is that the authors of the game abandoned it a long time ago, and the number of players is decreasing and almost no one creates new tests.
Also, the authors of the game banned some fans of the game who tried to improve the game.
In this regard, now investing large resources and time to develop the game against the wishes of its authors is a difficult and thankless task.
Perhaps we will improve the "PBCE Planetbase Challenge (Mission) Editor", but rather it can be something that does not require a huge investment of time and effort.

[Wendigo Rose]

Basically the worldstate overall. A way to show the ground, lighting, etc would be a great way to see what we are working on.

Assuming this is doable. IDK if it is, but if so; it would make the workflow for making maps quicker.

[76561198841904686]

@Sensual Astrobiologist , thanks for the idea. For example, which parameter would you like to visualize?

[Wendigo Rose]

Any plans for a visualizer when editing planet params?

[Base Invaders]

add ability to start off with guards or intruders as well as an ability to import a save file for a challenge to begin with a savegame. Allow to specify more than 1 point for sky,light,ambedient light and horizon colors.