EHM The Blue Line

Good day!!

I am a 37 year old hockey nut form Pointe Claire Quebec (Suburb of Montreal) I have played and modded the freeware EHM for over a year now, having a lot of fun with it.

I have been reading about 2007 for a long time now but only last night Dled the demo.

WOW.

Did I mention WOW!?


Now this site is very impressive itself. Although my day job is in an unrelated field, as a sideline I do graphics and websites, so I’m not just being polite. As a resource this site is extremely good.

Now I know 2007 is only 35$, and really… I don’t see why I wont buy the full blown version. My Christmas bonus is due any day.. so Ill buy it then. (No laughing its only 35$ but Im married.. VERY married! Lol!!)

But Id like to know a few things first about the game, specific to modding.

First of all, If I make some mod to the demo, can I import what I cahnge into the full version when/if I buy it? Basically if I can mod it the way Id like to, Ill buy the game 100%, if I can start modding the game on the demo and continue the same work into full version.. it’s a bonus!!!

I saw an incredible 1979-80 mod available so obviously data can be edited. I tried opening the files in 2007 but they were in a bad format. With the freeware I simply opened and saved the file without having to reformat. How do you edit the data files in 2007? Is there a tool for it? I couldn’t find one in the DL area!

Can you change the team names for ALL of the MANY leagues in 2007? So if I want to do something like change the German League to my local minor hockey association I can? (Just a bad example! Lol!)

Is there an erase the all time records? (You could in the freeware) Why you may ask? I want to have a mo0d where a ‘new’ league with new records are established. Things like Stanley Cup championships were easy to edit off the freeware!!

I noticed for player graphics the extension is something like .ehp (Im at work right now, game is on home pc.. so I don’t recall exactly what it was!) I changed extension to .jpg and saw the graphic clear as day, so that’s cool. I was wondering if anyone has make a program so if I make say 200 new players faces it can automatically change the extension to the proper format?

Sbufkle wrote:Good day!!

I am a 37 year old hockey nut form Pointe Claire Quebec (Suburb of Montreal) I have played and modded the freeware EHM for over a year now, having a lot of fun with it.

I have been reading about 2007 for a long time now but only last night Dled the demo.

WOW.

Did I mention WOW!?


Now this site is very impressive itself. Although my day job is in an unrelated field, as a sideline I do graphics and websites, so I’m not just being polite. As a resource this site is extremely good.

Thanks, kind words always welcome.

And welcome to the site, sir.

First of all, If I make some mod to the demo, can I import what I cahnge into the full version when/if I buy it? Basically if I can mod it the way Id like to, Ill buy the game 100%, if I can start modding the game on the demo and continue the same work into full version.. it’s a bonus!!!

I'm pretty sure you can start modding on the demo, because it has infact all the same files as the full game has, with only limited game time. It will lock itself up at six months played on the first season.

I saw an incredible 1979-80 mod available so obviously data can be edited. I tried opening the files in 2007 but they were in a bad format. With the freeware I simply opened and saved the file without having to reformat. How do you edit the data files in 2007? Is there a tool for it? I couldn’t find one in the DL area!

You can get it thru here: http://www.eastside-uk.co.uk/downloads. ... &version=3

Can you change the team names for ALL of the MANY leagues in 2007? So if I want to do something like change the German League to my local minor hockey association I can? (Just a bad example! Lol!)

You can edit all league names and the basic attributes having effect on the teams, which are playing in that particular league (league reputation, age limits, such), but you cannot change the amount of teams that play in that particular league. NHL will always have 30 teams, AHL 27 and so on. You may also edit teams names, conference, their fan support, player budget, affiliations, etc., but if you want to add a team to league, another one must be removed. You may also not edit team schedules, they are hardcoded.

Is there an erase the all time records? (You could in the freeware) Why you may ask? I want to have a mo0d where a ‘new’ league with new records are established. Things like Stanley Cup championships were easy to edit off the freeware!!

I'd imagine this can be done with the editor.

I noticed for player graphics the extension is something like .ehp (Im at work right now, game is on home pc.. so I don’t recall exactly what it was!) I changed extension to .jpg and saw the graphic clear as day, so that’s cool. I was wondering if anyone has make a program so if I make say 200 new players faces it can automatically change the extension to the proper format?

.ehg is EHM's default player pic format. The game accepts also the more commonly known formats, like .jpg. If there is a pic of a certain player in both .ehg and .jpg format, the game will automatically use the .ehg picture over the .jpg one. So to use the .jpg one, you have to delete the ehg. pic from the player pics folder first.

I don't know if such a program exists. We tend to have all pics as .jpg here at The Blue line and I personally don't have any of the originals even left - all deleted.

Sbufkle wrote:Okay, I DLed the data editor for 2007 and have taken a look around, looks like it can really help make data editing a lot less tedious than opening individual files and searching for strings ect ect.

However I have a few more questions that Id like to ask the minds that know around here so I can focus on how to do things properly and avoid a crash! (Hey I mod games.. Im used to crashes but HATE them! Lol!)

I know I know.. these have probably all been asked a thousand times before, but I ask for patience and hopefully int he end it will help make a EHM 2007 modder out of me and I can make mateiral to share for everyone!

So although this may seem a long post, Ill ask questions in bold but explain WHY I am asking! It may help!!


First of all, my mod will see some existing NHL teams stay in my new mod. But some will change divisions and some will change names/cities. I noticed that there are defunct teams in the team database, including some I am planning on using, Quebec Nordiques and Cleveland Barons as examples.

Now, there are three categories for the teams in my mod.

1-Teams that stay the same name/city and in the same division
2-Teams that stay the same name/city and move divisions
3-New teams replacing current NHL teams


For #1:

Well they wont need any changes!


For #2:

I was going to simply go into the editor and move the teams into their new divisions. However I realized that the schedule would still be the same so out of whack. EXAMPLE: Let me say I swap Philadelphia and San Jose. I will assume swapping them in the division category will work for a mod. BUT the schedule wont change. So San Jose might be in the Atlantic division, but their schedule will be with western teams and laregely the pacific division. That sucks and defeats the purpose of switching teams in a big way.

No, as the teams swap places, they will also swap schedule templates. Philadelphia will play San Jose's schedule and San Jose will play Philly's.

For #3:

This will be a long one! Lol!

Lets say I want to make a totally new team, replacing Columbus.

QUESTION 2:
Should I simply open the Columbus data and modify it, or should I use the NEW CLUB slot?

IF THE ANSWER IS USE NEW CLUB SLOT: There is only four in the team list, Ill need more than that.

If you no longer have use for Columbus, you may edit the team. But remember to also remove contracts from their players in the Staff screen.

QUESTION 3:
If I can overwrite a team, by changing their details. What are the rules? Example: Does the team Abbreviation has to be unique at the NHL level or even unique to the whole game?

I doubt you need a completely unique abbreviation, just the NHL. I've never done anything like that, so can't be sure.

QUESTION 4:
When I create a new team or change a current teams name, how do the graphics work? Example: I rename the Columbus Blue Jackets the Pierrefonds Lynx. How do I label the new graphics in the logo file: ‘Pierrefonds Lynx.jpg’?

Yes.

QUESTION 5:
When I rename a team, will the players on default contract with that team remain with the renamed team?

I assume the team name in their contract slot will also change, but not sure.

Now lets say I want to bring back the Quebec Nordiques in the Columbus slot.

Do I take the already established Nordiques team in the database and give them the proper details as far as what league and division they are in? Or can I simply rewrite Columbus data with the Quebec Data? Will their be a conflict because already in the database is a Quebec Nordiques team if I choose to overwrite the Columbus data?

If you take the team that already exists, you won't need to edit team colours and such. I'm not sure if there'll be a conflict. There might be an error, might not.

Now here are a few other questions off the top of my head.

I couldn’t seem to edit the following files with the editor. CAN they be changed and if so HOW?!

Team Records: I want to delete all the team records. When my mod starts its like the first year so every team in a new league.

All time Leaders: Understanding what I explained in previous paragraph, I want all records to be ZERO. So whoever scores the most goals after the first season is also the all time leader in goals scored… ect ect.

Dunno. I'd imagine you could someway. Try asking the developers themselves at eastsideUK, where you downloaded this software. They'll surely know all editor related questions.

Individual Career Stats: Same thing as last 2 questions, is there a universal ‘erase’ tool to get rid of all the players stats at the NHL level? Or do I have to do this one by one for each player using the editor?

You need to clickity-click thru them one player at a time.

Division Names: Can I change the names of the Divisions?

Yes you can.

If you no longer have use for Columbus, you may edit the team. But remember to also remove contracts from their players in the Staff screen.

What If I want to keep the staff and players.. Ill be renaming the players anyhow. Will it crash if I keep them?


Wondering about reneaming divisions.. Do I jus simply put all five teams in saty the Pacific division and in the "Other division" field put say Smythe for all of them from the drop down list???

Maybe Ill take screenshots to show what I mean??

Sbufkle wrote: What If I want to keep the staff and players.. Ill be renaming the players anyhow. Will it crash if I keep them?

Try it first. Change your team name and then go look for the players. If the team they are contracted to has changed to the new team, then I see no problem. If the editor has a problem with it, it'll most likely notify you of an error when you try to save the database. Or atleast you can try starting a game with your new Quebec and see if the players are listed on the team roster.

Wodnering about reneamign divisions.. Do I jus tsimply put all five terams in saty the Pacific division and in the "Oethr division" field put say Symthe for all of them from the drop down list???

Maybe Ill take screenshots to show what I mean??

Eh?

Follow up:


I flipped flopped two teams and changed the name of one of them and all the players were retained as well as staff! So all goes well.

Customizerd a sample player eraseing all carerer stats ect without slightest issue.

I then did basic grphics inport for the new team and it was easy, thatnks to the tools and guides here!

Now... only a cuple thousand more players to go and 100 ish teams and I can pl;ay this mod! lol!


No doubt Ill be back with more questions as the need arises!!

thanks again

Happy modding!

Any way you could let us know what you're planning to accomplish with this mod?

I mod my database all the time, I've brought back extinct franchises, messed around with player names and abilities, all without a hitch - now aside from bringing back the dead, most of it has been in the name of realism...

If you want to erase all player histories you have to add the command "-norealplhist" in the properties of the short cut you start EHM with (excuse my joice of words here... I've never seen an English version of Windows, lol). Simply double click the short cut to start the game, create a new career and all players won't have any histories.
This only works for players, though. There's no such command for the team and league histories as far as I know. They are somehow hardcoded, which is a little sad.

Cool.. let me try typing that in and hopefully I do it right and it works!!


What am I trying to accomplish? Well when i mod a new game I like to see what limits I have. Plus, in this case I would like to have a bunch of the teams feature peopel from the league I have played and play in. Even my daughters ringette team will be included.

After doign a mod liek this, then I can get to a more serious mod once I know what Im doing. I am thinking maybe a mod with each NHL team having an 'All Time' roster. So on Montreal M.Richard woudl play with Robinson, Harvey and Vezina ect ect.

I actually made a team graphics set for the All Time Montreal Maroons of 60 player graphics. Heres a sample.. pretty ugly.. but its just a base template...



I want to make team packs, logos, player shots, arena ice shot ect ect... thats the plan anyhow.

Basically I have a bunch of ideas.. well have to see how they pan depending on my free time!

anyone figure out about renaming the divisions thing... I want to rename the one division from west to mountain if it was possible?

wondering if you can change the numbers of players of the protection list??? pretty sure its somewhere in this forum but i can't find it...

MKoivuFan wrote:anyone figure out about renaming the divisions thing

My understanding is renaming Divisions/Leagues is not possible

King_Louis wrote:wondering if you can change the numbers of players of the protection list???

I'm not sure what you mean by protection list (I'm not sure what league you're playing in), but using the Pre-Game Editor you can edit
- Team Playing For
- Team Contracted To
- Drafted By
- Rights Owned By

Regards

I'm playing the NHL and i mean the list of the 50 players under contracts and the 80 you have the rights on. Can you modify this to make it like 60/100???

I'm pretty sure you can't, unfortunately.

ok thanks i was wondering if it could be changed in the code or something like that.