MAPINFO conversion tool

[Ghastly]

So, I gather than in versions that have implemented this MapInfo change, absolutely NOTHING using MapInfo will work, until the MapInfo in question is fixed?

[Enjay]

No no no no! Old MAPINFOs are not broken. Existing mapinfos will work.

There is a new format available which makes it possible for daughter ports to add port specific keywords to their mapinfo definitions and for Zdoom to still start even though it does not recognise the keywords. Obviously such keywords will have no effect, but they won't stop Zdoom running.

The one exception is that there was a temporary situation which allowed you to add a GL_renderer section to a MAPINFO lump. If you have used that at all, it will need to be re-written to the new format. Otherwise, things are fine.

[Ghastly]

Okay. Sorry if that'd been asked, before. I was just making sure.

[Enjay]

Okay. Sorry

'sokay I wasn't trying to shout. I was just trying to make a very obvious statement at the top of the page so that people would see it and, I hope, get the correct information.

[Graf Zahl]

So, I gather than in versions that have implemented this MapInfo change, absolutely NOTHING using MapInfo will work, until the MapInfo in question is fixed?

General advice before getting a panic attack: Investigate the subject matter. And apply a bit of common sense: How smart would it be to break each and every single ZDoom WAD in existence? Right! None at all!

[Ghastly]

General advice before getting a panic attack: Investigate the subject matter.

Hence, my question. I was investigating, before I paniced.

[Graf Zahl]

I consider making a wild assumption panicking...

[Ghastly]

Considering you had to release a conversion tool, not that wild an assumtion.

[Graf Zahl]

Considering you had to release a conversion tool

I didn't have to! I just found it useful.

[Nash]

How smart would it be to break each and every single ZDoom WAD in existence? Right! None at all!

Well, with my experience being a ZDoom user since 2001 - I can tell you that there is some certainty of a feature being broken with each new release... although most of the time, they would be fixed quickly.

I'm saying this to reinforce my worries that old MAPINFOs must be converted to the new format. But it's not an issure anymore since I already have answers. Just saying.

[Enjay]

Semi related to this tool, there was talk some time ago of a tool that could convert old style DECORATE decorations to the newer format. Did such a tool ever get made/ released?

[Graf Zahl]

Not to my knowledge. But unlike MAPINFO old and new definitions can coexist in one DECORATE file so it's far less critical. You will never have to convert an entire set of definitions to make one change.

[Ceeb]

Er, [censored word] question, but how do I use this? I can't find any help files in it.

I opened it up in my hex editor to read the text strings (thinking there might be a clue there), but still no luck. If it's right under my nose, I'm sorry...

[Enjay]

It's right under your nose. Just run it from the command prompt and it will tell you itself:

Code: Select all

Mapinfo converter
Usage: mapinfoconv <infile> <outfile>

[Ceeb]

Damn, and I have a good nose, too.

Thanks, Enjay. You're a lifesaver.