FAQ: HEK Errors For New Users

Discuss HaloCE modding with the HEK tools here. For help, go to the Help Desk forum above.
User avatar
Excal




Socialist Pyre

Posts: 1779
Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2004 9:55 am
Location: Bronx, NY

FAQ: HEK Errors For New Users

Post by Excal »

Have an error? Don't know how to fix it? Well, here's the topic you want to visit before you post a question. Here you can find various questions and answers about errors that have to do with all three of the HEK tools: Sapien, Guerilla, and tool. The list will be divided into sections. They will be:
  • -Tool
    -Guerilla
    -Sapien
First off, if you have anything to add, just post it and if it hasn't already been mentioned, I will update the post with the information. Here we go...

Tool

#1:

Q-Where is Tool and how do I open it? When I try to open it, it pops up for a second and then it disappears. What do I do?

A-Well, first off, Tool (or Tool.exe for you file extension enthusiasts out there) is located in your Halo Custom Edition Root Folder. To get there, simply go to X:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Halo Custom Edition (that's the most common installation path; X: stands for your Drive name). To use it, you can't just double click it. There are a variety of ways you can open Tool. The most commonly used one is by navigating to it in the Command Prompt. To do this, go to your Start menu > All Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt (refer to Figure 1). Another alternative is by going to your Start Menu > Run (refer to Figure 2). After clicking on the Run Button, a small box in the bottom left hand corner should appear. When it does, type cmd (refer to Figure 3). A black window should pop up after both of these procedures (refer to Figure 4).

Figure 1: "To do this, go to your Start menu > All Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt"

Image

Figure 2: "Another alternative is by going to your Start Menu > Run"

Image

Figure 3: "After clicking on the Run Button, a small box in the..."

Image

Figure 4: "A black window should pop up after both of these procedures"

Image

Although some people are comfortable with using the Command Prompt, some are not. That's why one of HaloMods and Gearbox's 1337est members decided to take up the task of creating an easy-to-use program called Tool++. It's tool, with a cool User Interface (see Figure 5). A bit easier to use for those who don't prefer the command prompt.

Figure 5: "It's tool, with a cool User Interface"

Image

Here's the download link:

Tool++ by Kornman00 (another_hobo).

#2:

Q-When I try to compile, I get a bunch of errors that say something like:

Code: Select all

### ERROR edge #458 is open <red>.
### ERROR edge #356 is open <red>.
### ERROR edge #714 is open <red>.
(refer to Figure 6)

I get something like that and it doesn't make my scenerio. What is this and how can I fix it?

A-Well, that's an open edge (obviously) and it is a location in your level where the Sealed World Rules aren't satisfied. Everything in your map MUST BE SEALED or you will get errors like this. Along the way, you might see other errors that might say "couldn't update edge" or "degenerate triangle" and the color in the arrrows (<>) could even be purple, blue. or cyan. These are all errors that don't allow the level to compile and they can all be fixed using the same method. First, you want to open 3ds max (Gmax doesn't support this procedure) and open your level model. Then go to the modifier tab (refer to 1 in Figure 7) and select the Modifier List drop-down menu (refer to 2 in Figure 7). Then go and select "STL Check". Now here's where you have some freedom. To check for Open Edges, select the Open Edges button in the Errors Box. Then select "Check" so it can check for Open Edges or whatever you selected. If you check the "Change Mat-ID XX" button, then the open edges will have the Material ID specified. Then you can to the Editable Mesh Modifier and select the material ID of 2 when in Edge Selection Mode. Then you can delete them and make new faces in Polygon or Face Selection Mode. There is only one drawback to this method. STL Check checks for some things tool does and does not. So what STL Check might see as an error might not be an error in tool, and vice-versa. That's why the next method is a little better even though it's a bit harder.

When you get errors, a WRL File is created in your Halo Custom Edition Root Folder with the name of your exported JMS. To use this, go into 3ds max and open your level. Then go to File > Import... . Then select "VRML (*.WRL,*.WRZ)" as the Files Type. After that, navigate to your Halo CE Root Folder and select the WRL file named after your map. When you hit enter or click Import, a pop up will appear (refer to Figure 8). Uncheck all three boxes and click "OK". Now press F3 to go into Wireframe Mode (refer to Figure 9) and move around in your Perspective Viewport. You will see some red, cyan, green lines. Each color represents the error color you see in tool. Now you can see which edges to delete and re-create.

NOTE :: You can view a video version of this Q & A by Kirks4. I'll post a link to it as soon as the Files Forum goes back online.

NOTE :: This method works in Gmax as long as your using Chimp 1.4 (or higher). Here's a screenshot of how it looks (a download link is just below it):

Image

Chimp 1.4 Download

Figure 6: "When I try to compile, I get a bunch of errors..."

Image

Figure 7: "go to the modifier tab..., select the Modifier List drop-down menu..."

Image

Figure 8: "When you hit enter or click Import,..."

Image

Figure 9: "Now press F3 to go into Wireframe Mode..."

Image

Sapien

#1:

Q-When I open Sapien, I can't see anything. How do I see my level in Sapien so I can edit it?

A-
Last edited by Excal on Wed Jun 15, 2005 1:00 pm, edited 4 times in total.
Image
Drugged Up Squirrel




Articulatist 50

Posts: 53
Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2004 2:57 pm

Post by Drugged Up Squirrel »

<3
Image
User avatar
kornman00




ONI New Age

Posts: 146
Joined: Fri Dec 12, 2003 6:30 pm
Contact:

Post by kornman00 »

Winter Fox





Posts: 109
Joined: Fri May 28, 2004 5:51 pm
Location: In ghostofhalo's bed
Contact:

Post by Winter Fox »

um, whenever I go to compile my map using tool, i gey this message:
Image
what am I supposed to do?
t3heford





Posts: 11
Joined: Wed May 04, 2005 2:40 am

Post by t3heford »

I just downloaded HEK, and 3ds max 7, and according to HEK i have to go into the c:\programfiles\microsoftgames\halocustomedition\blitzkrieg\ and then copy the blitzkrieg.dle file, and paste it into the plugins for 3ds max7, but then, when i start up 3ds, i get an error sayin,"blitzkried.dle failed to initialize, because the specified procedure could not be found. I have tried this many times, and the same thing happens. What am i doin wrong?
User avatar
Excal




Socialist Pyre

Posts: 1779
Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2004 9:55 am
Location: Bronx, NY

Post by Excal »

You need the 3ds max 6 Plugin. Go to Cortana.org for the download.
Image
[users]axem




Wordewatician 250

Posts: 394
Joined: Sun Mar 21, 2004 7:15 am
Location: whatever

Post by [users]axem »

Winter Fox wrote:um, whenever I go to compile my map using tool, i gey this message:
what am I supposed to do?
That means your matirial Id count looks somthing like this:

1 rubber
2 glass
4 dirt
5 grass
3 water

That usually causes that error. (not the names, I just did random use on those) So the Matirieal ID Number order should be numericly right.

1 rubber
2 glass
3 water
4 dirt
5 grass

That is what it should look like in you matirieal list(hit the M key to get to the Material list)
........dont ask for tag converting help........
Knuckx118





Posts: 74
Joined: Fri Apr 22, 2005 8:33 pm

Post by Knuckx118 »

I can't find Tool++, I tried both download links, and still nothing.
User avatar
kornman00




ONI New Age

Posts: 146
Joined: Fri Dec 12, 2003 6:30 pm
Contact:

Post by kornman00 »

Knuckx118





Posts: 74
Joined: Fri Apr 22, 2005 8:33 pm

Post by Knuckx118 »

okay, never mind, I just realized that you can't download files or view pictures unless you're logged in... sorry about that, I found it... Now the only trouble I'm having is getting Gmax to link my level box to the reference frame

You are supposed to put the level box inside the reference frame, right?

EDIT: Never mind... *is watching the HEK Video Tutorials*
User avatar
viperxp





Posts: 25
Joined: Mon May 23, 2005 9:01 pm

Post by viperxp »

ok i got tool++, but there is not tutorial how to use it! I can't even open the aplication.
User avatar
kornman00




ONI New Age

Posts: 146
Joined: Fri Dec 12, 2003 6:30 pm
Contact:

Post by kornman00 »

viperxp wrote:ok i got tool++, but there is not tutorial how to use it! I can't even open the aplication.
errr, do you have .NET? or even Windows >_>?
User avatar
viperxp





Posts: 25
Joined: Mon May 23, 2005 9:01 pm

Post by viperxp »

yea i have windows....
Signature exceeded 500x120 pixels.
Waverunner





Posts: 2161
Joined: Sat Feb 12, 2005 4:34 pm
Location: I am pwn-proof.
Contact:

Post by Waverunner »

What about .net?
User avatar
viperxp





Posts: 25
Joined: Mon May 23, 2005 9:01 pm

Post by viperxp »

what is .net really? i believe i have it...
Signature exceeded 500x120 pixels.
User avatar
Excal




Socialist Pyre

Posts: 1779
Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2004 9:55 am
Location: Bronx, NY

Post by Excal »

Maybe kornman means .NET Framework. Make sure you have the latest one from Microsoft. Google it.
Image
Whiteout





Posts: 41
Joined: Mon May 09, 2005 10:29 am
Location: I have absolutely no idea.

Re: HEK Error F.A.Q. For New Users

Post by Whiteout »

Excalibur wrote: select "VRML (*.WRL,*.WRZ)" as the Files Type. After that, navigate to your Halo CE Root Folder and select the WRL file named after your map. When you hit enter or click Import, a pop up will appear
Yes, but my popup tells me that that the wrl is an

"Improper File Type"

Is that because I'm using Gmax?
If so, is there another way to do this in Gmax?
Signature exceeded 75KB.
boringname





Posts: 23
Joined: Mon Aug 01, 2005 11:32 am
Location: Nashville TN, USA

Post by boringname »

I used the toutorial from Halomods and in the command prompt and tool++ I try to do "tool structure" it gives me: ###ERROR model has wrong version number[/img]
"Some people are like slinkies, not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs"
Patrickssj6




Pi Collaborator

Posts: 5426
Joined: Sat Jul 24, 2004 12:12 pm
Location: I'm a Paranoid
Contact:

Post by Patrickssj6 »

I helped you.Does it still says that?
...left for good
boringname





Posts: 23
Joined: Mon Aug 01, 2005 11:32 am
Location: Nashville TN, USA

Post by boringname »

yes
"Some people are like slinkies, not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs"
Locked