The
Lasertank Utility Suite
by
Harvey Solomon
has
been updated
Donald
P.S. A new utility has been added :
"LTListHS.EXE"
==============================================================================
Welcome to the LaserTank High Scores and Levels Utilities Suite, Version 1.20
(Freeware)
==============================================================================
Welcome to the LaserTank High Scores and Levels Utilities Suite, Version 1.20
(Freeware)
==============================================================================
Distributed
Files
-----------------
The LT-HSLUS.ZIP file contains the following files;
-----------------
The LT-HSLUS.ZIP file contains the following files;
LTCopyHS.EXE - The
LaserTank Copy High Scores Utility program.
LTDelHS.EXE - The LaserTank Delete High Scores Utility program.
LTDupL.EXE - LaserTank Duplicate Levels Utility program.
LTLCStat.EXE - The LaserTank Levels Completion Statistics Utility
program.
LTListHS.EXE - LaserTank List High Scores Utility program.
LTMatchL.EXE - The LaserTank Match Levels Utility program.
ReadMe.TXT - This file.
WBDCC34I.DLL - Required DLL (from Wilson WindowWare, Inc. Ref.,
www.windowware.com.)
LTDelHS.EXE - The LaserTank Delete High Scores Utility program.
LTDupL.EXE - LaserTank Duplicate Levels Utility program.
LTLCStat.EXE - The LaserTank Levels Completion Statistics Utility
program.
LTListHS.EXE - LaserTank List High Scores Utility program.
LTMatchL.EXE - The LaserTank Match Levels Utility program.
ReadMe.TXT - This file.
WBDCC34I.DLL - Required DLL (from Wilson WindowWare, Inc. Ref.,
www.windowware.com.)
See
below for installation instructions.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
**********************************************************************
*** Descriptions of the LaserTank High Scores / Levels Utilities ***
**********************************************************************
*** Descriptions of the LaserTank High Scores / Levels Utilities ***
**********************************************************************
---------------------------------------------
LaserTank Copy High Scores Utility (LTCopyHS)
---------------------------------------------
This program copies the "better" High Scores (see below) of a user selected
input LaserTank Levels file, e.g., InFile.lvl, to a user selected output
LaserTank Levels file, e.g., OutFile.lvl. The High Scores data for these
files are in the InFile.hs and OutFile.hs files, respectively. The InFile.hs
file must exist in the same folder as the InFile.lvl file. If the OutFile.hs
file doesn't exist in the folder containing the OutFile.lvl file, it will be
created (if necessary).
LaserTank Copy High Scores Utility (LTCopyHS)
---------------------------------------------
This program copies the "better" High Scores (see below) of a user selected
input LaserTank Levels file, e.g., InFile.lvl, to a user selected output
LaserTank Levels file, e.g., OutFile.lvl. The High Scores data for these
files are in the InFile.hs and OutFile.hs files, respectively. The InFile.hs
file must exist in the same folder as the InFile.lvl file. If the OutFile.hs
file doesn't exist in the folder containing the OutFile.lvl file, it will be
created (if necessary).
For
InFile.lvl and OutFile.lvl levels with matching "playfield"
definitions, the InFile.lvl High Score is "better" (and optionally copied to
OutFile.hs) if it has fewer moves, or, if the moves are equal, it has fewer
shots. The InFile.lvl High Score is always "better" than a matching
OutFile.lvl level that is not completed (i.e, its number of moves is 0).
definitions, the InFile.lvl High Score is "better" (and optionally copied to
OutFile.hs) if it has fewer moves, or, if the moves are equal, it has fewer
shots. The InFile.lvl High Score is always "better" than a matching
OutFile.lvl level that is not completed (i.e, its number of moves is 0).
This
program has two modes of operation;
(1) Copy the "better"
High Scores of user selected levels in InFile.lvl.
You
can specify;
(a) A single level number.
(b) A comma-delimited sequence of level numbers in any order,
3,6,27,11,874,59.
(c) A dash-separated range of level numbers, e.g., 11-22 or 455-98.
(d) Any combination of the above, e.g., 27,11-22,874,455-98.
Multiple matches are considered in this mode.
can specify;
(a) A single level number.
(b) A comma-delimited sequence of level numbers in any order,
3,6,27,11,874,59.
(c) A dash-separated range of level numbers, e.g., 11-22 or 455-98.
(d) Any combination of the above, e.g., 27,11-22,874,455-98.
Multiple matches are considered in this mode.
(2) Copy the High
Scores of all of the "better" levels from InFile.lvl to
OutFile.lvl. In this mode you can choose to only consider the first (lowest
numbered) match of multiple matching levels, or search for all (including
multiple) matching levels.
OutFile.lvl. In this mode you can choose to only consider the first (lowest
numbered) match of multiple matching levels, or search for all (including
multiple) matching levels.
For input and/or
output LaserTank Levels files with a lot of levels, this
program will run much faster if Mode 1 is selected, and a relatively small
number of input file levels is specified. It may run somewhat faster if the
"Only consider the first (lowest numbered) match of multiple matching levels"
processing option is selected in Mode 2.
program will run much faster if Mode 1 is selected, and a relatively small
number of input file levels is specified. It may run somewhat faster if the
"Only consider the first (lowest numbered) match of multiple matching levels"
processing option is selected in Mode 2.
CAUTION 1: This program assumes that files with .hs and .lvl extensions are
valid LaserTank High Scores and Levels files, respectively.
valid LaserTank High Scores and Levels files, respectively.
CAUTION 2: To be completely safe, backup the output High Scores file
(e.g., OutFile.hs) when prompted to do so, or before running this program.
(e.g., OutFile.hs) when prompted to do so, or before running this program.
==============================================================================
----------------------------------------------
LaserTank Delete High Scores Utility (LTDelHS)
----------------------------------------------
This program deletes High Scores from a user selected LaserTank High Scores
file, e.g., InFile.hs. It has two modes of operation;
LaserTank Delete High Scores Utility (LTDelHS)
----------------------------------------------
This program deletes High Scores from a user selected LaserTank High Scores
file, e.g., InFile.hs. It has two modes of operation;
(1) Delete the High
Scores of user selected levels in InFile.hs. You
can
specify;
(a) A single level number.
(b) A comma-delimited sequence of level numbers in any order, e.g.,
3,6,27,11,874,59.
(c) A dash-separated range of level numbers, e.g., 11-22 or 455-98.
(d) Any combination of the above, e.g., 27,11-22,874,455-98.
specify;
(a) A single level number.
(b) A comma-delimited sequence of level numbers in any order, e.g.,
3,6,27,11,874,59.
(c) A dash-separated range of level numbers, e.g., 11-22 or 455-98.
(d) Any combination of the above, e.g., 27,11-22,874,455-98.
(2) Delete the High
Scores of all of the Deleted levels in InFile.hs.
For
this mode, the LaserTank Levels file corresponding to InFile.hs,
InFile.lvl, must exist in the same folder as InFile.hs.
this mode, the LaserTank Levels file corresponding to InFile.hs,
InFile.lvl, must exist in the same folder as InFile.hs.
CAUTION 1: This program assumes that files with .hs and .lvl
extensions
are valid LaserTank High Scores and Levels files, respectively.
are valid LaserTank High Scores and Levels files, respectively.
CAUTION 2: To be completely safe, backup the input High Scores file
(InFile.hs) when prompted to do so, or before running this program.
(InFile.hs) when prompted to do so, or before running this program.
CAUTION 3: In Mode 2, this program recognizes a 'Deleted' level if,
and
only if; it is Not Rated, and its name is "Deleted Level <n>" (without the
quotes, but case sensitive), where <n> is the level's number. This 'standard'
has been used for the last several updates of the Temp.lvl file (and Donald
Drouin assured me that he will use this standard from now on). Earlyer
Temp.lvl files, that use different ways to denote Deleted levels, will not
recognize these levels as Deleted. Note, the Temp.lvl file was changed to
Challenge.lvl in November 2001.
only if; it is Not Rated, and its name is "Deleted Level <n>" (without the
quotes, but case sensitive), where <n> is the level's number. This 'standard'
has been used for the last several updates of the Temp.lvl file (and Donald
Drouin assured me that he will use this standard from now on). Earlyer
Temp.lvl files, that use different ways to denote Deleted levels, will not
recognize these levels as Deleted. Note, the Temp.lvl file was changed to
Challenge.lvl in November 2001.
==============================================================================
-------------------------------------------
LaserTank Duplicate Levels Utility (LTDupL)
-------------------------------------------
This program finds the duplicate levels in a user selected LaserTank Levels
(.lvl) file. Levels with identical Playfields (regardless of their Names),
and/or identical Names (but different Playfields) are identified. The user is
presented with options to;
LaserTank Duplicate Levels Utility (LTDupL)
-------------------------------------------
This program finds the duplicate levels in a user selected LaserTank Levels
(.lvl) file. Levels with identical Playfields (regardless of their Names),
and/or identical Names (but different Playfields) are identified. The user is
presented with options to;
(1) Display each
duplicate pair on the screen,
(2) Copy (or append)
all of the duplicate pairs to the LTDLOut.TXT file in
the
same folder as the Levels file. This file is created if it doesn't exist.
same folder as the Levels file. This file is created if it doesn't exist.
(3) Both - Display
each duplicate pair on the screen and Copy (or append)
all
duplicate pairs to this LTDLOut.TXT file (see Item 2 above).
duplicate pairs to this LTDLOut.TXT file (see Item 2 above).
CAUTION: This program assumes that a file with .lvl extension is a
valid
LaserTank Levels file.
LaserTank Levels file.
==============================================================================
---------------------------------------------------------
LaserTank Levels Completion Statistics Utility (LTLCStat)
---------------------------------------------------------
This program computes the Levels completion statistics of a user selected
LaserTank Levels file, e.g., InFile.lvl. Its corresponding High Scores file,
InFile.hs, must exist in the same folder. The output of this program is a
table containing; the number of levels, the number of levels completed, the
number of levels not completed; and the percent of levels completed, for; All
of the (not deleted) levels, and each difficulty category of levels (i.e.,
Kids, Easy, Medium, Hard, Deadly and NR). This output is displayed on the
screen, and the user is presented with options to either; copy it to the
Windows Clipboard (replacing its contents), or copy (or append) it to the
LTLCSOut.TXT file in the same folder as the InFile.lvl file. This file is
created if it doesn't exist.
LaserTank Levels Completion Statistics Utility (LTLCStat)
---------------------------------------------------------
This program computes the Levels completion statistics of a user selected
LaserTank Levels file, e.g., InFile.lvl. Its corresponding High Scores file,
InFile.hs, must exist in the same folder. The output of this program is a
table containing; the number of levels, the number of levels completed, the
number of levels not completed; and the percent of levels completed, for; All
of the (not deleted) levels, and each difficulty category of levels (i.e.,
Kids, Easy, Medium, Hard, Deadly and NR). This output is displayed on the
screen, and the user is presented with options to either; copy it to the
Windows Clipboard (replacing its contents), or copy (or append) it to the
LTLCSOut.TXT file in the same folder as the InFile.lvl file. This file is
created if it doesn't exist.
CAUTION 1: This program assumes that files with .hs and .lvl extensions
are
valid LaserTank High Scores and Levels files, respectively.
valid LaserTank High Scores and Levels files, respectively.
CAUTION 2: This program recognizes a 'Deleted' level if, and only if; it
is
Not Rated, and its name is "Deleted Level <n>" (without the quotes, but case
sensitive), where <n> is the level's number. This 'standard' has been used
for the last several updates of the Temp.lvl file (and Donald Drouin assured
me that he will use this standard from now on). Earlyer Temp.lvl files, that
use different ways to denote Deleted levels, will treat them as Not Rated.
Not Rated, and its name is "Deleted Level <n>" (without the quotes, but case
sensitive), where <n> is the level's number. This 'standard' has been used
for the last several updates of the Temp.lvl file (and Donald Drouin assured
me that he will use this standard from now on). Earlyer Temp.lvl files, that
use different ways to denote Deleted levels, will treat them as Not Rated.
==============================================================================
-----------------------------------------------
LaserTank List High Scores Utility (LTListHS)
-----------------------------------------------
This program lists, and compares, the Global and Local High Scores of a
user selected LaserTank Levels file, e.g., InFile.lvl. The Global High Scores
file, InFile.ghs, or the Local High Scores file, InFile.hs, (or both) must
exist in the same folder as InFile.lvl. The output of this program is a table
similar to the one obtained by selecting the "Games | Global High Score List"
menu item in LaserTank 4.0.x.
LaserTank List High Scores Utility (LTListHS)
-----------------------------------------------
This program lists, and compares, the Global and Local High Scores of a
user selected LaserTank Levels file, e.g., InFile.lvl. The Global High Scores
file, InFile.ghs, or the Local High Scores file, InFile.hs, (or both) must
exist in the same folder as InFile.lvl. The output of this program is a table
similar to the one obtained by selecting the "Games | Global High Score List"
menu item in LaserTank 4.0.x.
The
following two types of output tables are (optionally) produced;
(1) Text separated by
spaces - for viewing/printing.
(2) Tab delimited text
- for importing into a spreadsheet program.
These outputs can be
copied (or appended) to the LTLHSOut.TXT and LTLHSTab.TXT
files, respectively, in the same folder as the InFile.lvl file. These .TXT
files are created if they don't exist. In addition, either one (but not both)
of these outputs can be copied to the Clipboard (replacing its contents).
files, respectively, in the same folder as the InFile.lvl file. These .TXT
files are created if they don't exist. In addition, either one (but not both)
of these outputs can be copied to the Clipboard (replacing its contents).
CAUTION: This program assumes that files with .lvl, .ghs and .hs
extensions
are valid LaserTank Levels, Global High Scores and Local High Scores files,
respectively.
are valid LaserTank Levels, Global High Scores and Local High Scores files,
respectively.
==============================================================================
---------------------------------------------
LaserTank Match Levels Utility (LTMatchL.EXE)
---------------------------------------------
This program finds the matching levels of two different, user selected,
LaserTank Levels (.lvl) files. Levels with matching Playfields (regardless of
their Names), and/or matching Names (but different Playfields) are identified.
The user is presented with options to;
LaserTank Match Levels Utility (LTMatchL.EXE)
---------------------------------------------
This program finds the matching levels of two different, user selected,
LaserTank Levels (.lvl) files. Levels with matching Playfields (regardless of
their Names), and/or matching Names (but different Playfields) are identified.
The user is presented with options to;
(1) Display each match
on the screen.
(2) Copy (or append)
all of the matches to the LTMLOut.TXT file in the
same
folder as the first Levels file. This file is created if it doesn't exist.
folder as the first Levels file. This file is created if it doesn't exist.
(3) Both - Display
each match on the screen and Copy (or append) all
matches
to this LTMLOut.TXT file (see Item 2 above).
CAUTION: This program assumes that files with .lvl extensions are valid
LaserTank Levels files.
to this LTMLOut.TXT file (see Item 2 above).
CAUTION: This program assumes that files with .lvl extensions are valid
LaserTank Levels files.
==============================================================================
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Installation, Use and Deletion of the LaserTank High Scores Utilities
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Although these utilities have only been tested on Windows 98 and NT 4.0
systems, they should run on any 32-bit Windows platform.
Installation, Use and Deletion of the LaserTank High Scores Utilities
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Although these utilities have only been tested on Windows 98 and NT 4.0
systems, they should run on any 32-bit Windows platform.
To
install these utilities, just un-Zip the files in the LT-HSLUS.ZIP
file
to any folder on your hard drive. The folder that contains your LaserTank
program, and/or its Levels (.LVL) and High Scores (.HS) files is a good
choice. Note, each program (.EXE file) is a "stand-alone" application - so
you don't need to un-Zip a program if you don't need/want it. The
WBDCC34I.DLL file is required by all of the programs. It must be in same
folder as the program files, or you may copy it to any folder that is in your
Path.
to any folder on your hard drive. The folder that contains your LaserTank
program, and/or its Levels (.LVL) and High Scores (.HS) files is a good
choice. Note, each program (.EXE file) is a "stand-alone" application - so
you don't need to un-Zip a program if you don't need/want it. The
WBDCC34I.DLL file is required by all of the programs. It must be in same
folder as the program files, or you may copy it to any folder that is in your
Path.
The
programs can be run by double-clicking on them in the Windows
Explorer.
Or, you can create shortcuts (e.g., in your Start menu, or on your Desktop) to
them in the usual manner (see your Windows documentation - Ha, Ha, Ha). The
execution of these programs can be terminated at any time by pressing
<Ctrl>+<Break> (simultaneously).
Or, you can create shortcuts (e.g., in your Start menu, or on your Desktop) to
them in the usual manner (see your Windows documentation - Ha, Ha, Ha). The
execution of these programs can be terminated at any time by pressing
<Ctrl>+<Break> (simultaneously).
To
uninstall these utilities, just delete the files that you un-Ziped to
install them.
install them.
==============================================================================
-------------------------
Liability and Legal Stuff
-------------------------
The author of this software will not take any responsibilities for any
damages that may occur with its use. This software is provided "as is" and
without any expressed and implied warranties. The user assumes the entire
risk of using this software. This software may not be distributed as part of
any commercial product without a prior licence agreement with the author.
Liability and Legal Stuff
-------------------------
The author of this software will not take any responsibilities for any
damages that may occur with its use. This software is provided "as is" and
without any expressed and implied warranties. The user assumes the entire
risk of using this software. This software may not be distributed as part of
any commercial product without a prior licence agreement with the author.
==============================================================================
---------------------
Contacting the Author
---------------------
If you have questions, comments or suggestions you can email me at
[email protected], or post a message to the Yahoo! LaserTank group -
www://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaserTank/
(another way to get to this group is to go to the LaserTank web site,
www.jccontrols.net/laser/, and click on "Club House").
Enjoy,
Harvey Solomon (DrWiseKing)
Contacting the Author
---------------------
If you have questions, comments or suggestions you can email me at
[email protected], or post a message to the Yahoo! LaserTank group -
www://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaserTank/
(another way to get to this group is to go to the LaserTank web site,
www.jccontrols.net/laser/, and click on "Club House").
Enjoy,
Harvey Solomon (DrWiseKing)
==============================================================================