Tafferpatcher: unofficial complete patch for Thief 2

[DJ Riff]

I'm developing an installation and patch manager for Thief-2. It will incorporate many patches and fixes to help fellow taffers to install and play the game.

Key features are:
- Installs the game from original discs bypassing original installer (no more taffing around with -lgntforce and compatibility settings);
- Patch to version 1.18, checking dark.gam and gen.osm versions (there are releases that claim to be 1.18 but still contain some old files);
- Install/remove any fixes included in any combination;
- Multiple installations of the game with different combination of fixes are supported.

Current version 0.6.2 @ 27.02.2010.
Click here to download.



Currently included patches:

- DDFix modification (Vista fog) by SiO2
- Widescreen Mod by Weak-Ling
- Dual-Core Fix (same modifacations to .exe that imagecfg does)
- Texture memory error fix
- Free space error fix
- Dromed 1.18 with TGA texture support
- Sheriff Guard Model Fix by R Soul
- Ferns Model Fix by Winter Cat
- Gas Arrow Model Fix by R Soul
- Gas Lamp Model Fix by Winter Cat
- Vine Arrow Model Fix by Winter Cat
- Fog Fix in LoTP by Winter Cat
- Dialog Fix in Shipping by Winter Cat
- Dialog Fix in Masks by Nameless Voice


Requirements
For installation: Original English version (on original CDs or copied from CDs or already installed copy)
For Patch 1.18: Original English version
For other patches: Any installed full 1.18 version (with proper dark.gam and gen.osm files).

Known issues
- The page with list of patches doesn't reflect currently installed patches. It's not a bug, It's a feature. Feature of having multiple installations of Thief-2 with different set of patches, which is not supported by Inno setup out of the box. That's why there are separate list of installed patches and "uninstall / do not uninstall unchecked components" dialog. Some day I'll rewrite that page from scratch.

- When installing Thief-2 on WINE from CD, the installer may not check off "read-only" attribute from copied files. Please check access rights after it finished copying files and then proceed with installation of any patches.

- A program may freeze without any CPU/HDD activity. If that happens then search in the Process Manager for "7za.exe" and kill the process — the installation should continue. After that please check that you have full access rights to the folder where Thief-2 is installed.

- TafferPatcher does not install any codecs into your system, does not disable ffdshow for Indeo, etc. The only thing it can fix about them is re-register the Indeo codec which often gets unregistered by third-party software. So if you experience problems with video briefings or game crash because of being unable to play the Intro movie, please search the Thief FAQ and tech threads for codec issues.


TESTING NEEDED
— Patcher and patched game functioning under Win64 (Vista / 7).
— Patcher functioning under Linux / WINE.
— Patcher functioning under Win98. There should be no issues, except of too long paths but just in case.

HELP NEEDED
I'm still looking for a DLL with a simple interface which can be used in Pascal application to work with Zip archives. By "simple interface" I mean that I should specify a destination dir, an archive name and a list of files to be processed, and then receive some boolean or integer value if operation succeeded. Without storing any temporary data in RAM or HDD, organizing some stream buffer to be processed, etc. I found one for 7z files but still can't find one for ZIP. Currently I'm using a console 7za application that can work with both zip and 7z archives, but in some cases it doesn't work properly.

[theBlackman]

Sounds like a winner. I'll be looking for it and I know a lot of first time taffers will bless you for it.

[clearing]

[Yandros]

This is a fantastic idea! I have a couple of suggestions:

The name "Complex Patch" may actually scare some people off. Since "complex" often means "complicated" or "difficult", some may interpret it as meaning the patch itself is difficult or complicated to install, whereas you of course meant that it allows the user to bypass a number of complex steps by doing it for them automatically. "Complete Patch" might be a less confusing name. Just a suggestion.

Are you going to include the EP or NTEX packs? It might be helpful since some people have trouble installing them correctly.

- Multiple installations of the game with different combination of fixes are supported.

I hope if this means multiple install folders that you plan to adjust darkinst.cfg in secondary folders to use the \RES and \MOVIES folders from the initial folder, so that copying those large files over and over won't be necessary.

[Nameless Voice]

You should include the fix for the "Benny's Last Stand" conversation in Masks, as it doesn't play in the original .mis file.

[Bikerdude]

Now this is a smashing idea, this will cut the frequently asked questions we get in the legacy and tech supp. forums substantially. If you need a hand beta testing this, I am more than happy to help.

Can I humbly suggest the following -

enable support for T1 as well,
include all the standard scripts (NV, galesaver, convict etc)
include all known fixes for OM missions (fog etc)
a better name, eg. (TafferPatcher: The patch project)

And lastly its Si02 that's working on DDfix now with Timeslip's blessing, so I would drop him a PM - but I don't imagine he will have an issue with it.

[Nameless Voice]

I'd suggest Thief 2 unofficial patch".

Including custom scripts isn't such a good idea. They are updated too frequently, plus any FM that uses them should include them anyway.

[Tannar]

Outstanding! Nice work, DJ RIff! And good suggestions, guys.

[Brian The Dog]

This is a good idea, thanks for putting it together! One thing you will need to consider with DDFix is that there are seperate versions of it for x32 and x64 bit OS's, and so you'll need to include both and use a Windows Version check to see which one to apply.

[infinity]

Something like this is desperately needed. I had a snowball of Thief2 playing issues, which finally resulted in an inability to uninstall the game, and an inability to play it. Let us know when this comes out.

[ape drape]

Sounds like a winner. Is there a no cd fix you can throw in there? Mine are getting pretty ratty.

[Nameless Voice]

The game doesn't need the CD once DDFix or the widescreen mod are installed.

[ape drape]

The game doesn't need the CD once DDFix or the widescreen mod are installed.

Ah sweet.

I haven't been able to play any thief 1, 2 or 3 since meh last upgrade.

[DJ Riff]

I hope if this means multiple install folders that you plan to adjust darkinst.cfg in secondary folders to use the \RES and \MOVIES folders from the initial folder, so that copying those large files over and over won't be necessary.

Good idea. This can be done by doing a full install into one folder and then doing a partial install using first one as source. I'll consider adding this option. Is there a 255 chars limitation for resname_base string? Cause with absolute paths it could be easily exceeded.

Are you going to include the EP or NTEX packs? It might be helpful since some people have trouble installing them correctly.

This would greatly increase the package size (it's already about 50 Mb). Are these packs compatible with each other? Won't they cause problems in FM's? (increasing polygon and palette count to a number that was not expected by FM author).

You should include the fix for the "Benny's Last Stand" conversation in Masks, as it doesn't play in the original .mis file.

Is there a fixed version or a patch for the mission? Could you provide a link please?

enable support for T1 as well

The application for T1 would have more different code and data than common, so I'll make a separate application for T1.

And lastly its Si02 that's working on DDfix now with Timeslip's blessing, so I would drop him a PM - but I don't imagine he will have an issue with it.

Already done, permission granted.

This is a good idea, thanks for putting it together! One thing you will need to consider with DDFix is that there are seperate versions of it for x32 and x64 bit OS's, and so you'll need to include both and use a Windows Version check to see which one to apply.

AFAIR, it's not DDFix itself, It's configuration GUI that needs to be different. I'll use my own GUI, so it won't be necessary.

Sounds like a winner. Is there a no cd fix you can throw in there? Mine are getting pretty ratty.

For copyright reasons, it'll be up to you to coment out the cd_path string youknowwhere.

[Nameless Voice]

Is there a fixed version or a patch for the mission? Could you provide a link please?

Not to my knowledge.

[ZylonBane]

There's a bug in Shipping... and Receiving where after a conversation between a merchant and a Hammerite they're supposed to walk indoors, but they don't. If memory serves, this bug was actually introduced by one of LGS's patches.

I'd also lobby for the inclusion of Jermi's Proper Stars patch, as it really does make the night sky look much nicer (and despite the hubbub in the linked thread, the patcher can be configured to match the original T2 starfield).

[Digital Nightfall]

There's a whole host of gamesys and schema fixes detailed in a certain thread in the TEG forum, which really ough to be included as well.

http://www.ttlg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=98522

Someone may already have a gamesys with all of these fixes in it.

[Nameless Voice]

Is there a fixed version or a patch for the mission? Could you provide a link please?

Not to my knowledge.

So I made one: http://www.ttlg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=131121

[Malleus]

This all-in-one patch is a great idea!

Key features are:
- Installs the game from original discs bypassing original installer (no more taffing around with -lgntforce and compatibility settings);
- Patch to version 1.18, checking dark.gam and gen.osm versions (there are releases that claim to be 1.18 but still contain some old files);
- Install/remove any fixes included in any combination;

So this (the patching too) will work on an existing installation, right?

Also you should add the option to manually designate where to install Thief 2 from (or include support for the DVD re-release too).

[jtr7]

I always hoped something like this was not only possible (of course) but not too complicated to keep someone from bothering (never been done 'til now?). I applaud this endeavor. \o/

[Albert]

I'm gonna call it the TaffPatch, because TafferPatcher sounds too much like Fluffernutter.

[Albert]

Also, DJ, don't forget to include this t2fogskies patch.

It was made in response to the work Si02 has been doing, so that one doesn't need to set the LOTP fog fix on or off when playing the OMs.

(I apoligize for double-posting, I'm tired... G'night)

[DJ Riff]

So this (the patching too) will work on an existing installation, right?

Also you should add the option to manually designate where to install Thief 2 from (or include support for the DVD re-release too).

1. Of course.
2. Any source that resembles the original disc structure (folder\*.* + folder\RES\*.crf) is supported. If a DVD release contains CAB-packed files it's better to run its own installer since there's no problems in running these on WinNT/Win64 OS.

I'm gonna call it the TaffPatch, because TafferPatcher sounds too much like Fluffernutter.

You probably can't imagine how much code needs to be rewritten to rename it. Good idea for an esater egg though

Also, DJ, don't forget to include this t2fogskies patch.

It was made in response to the work Si02 has been doing, so that one doesn't need to set the LOTP fog fix on or off when playing the OMs.

Does this patch work only with Si02's ddfix version or it can be installed independently wihout any side-effects?

[Nameless Voice]

You probably can't imagine how much code needs to be rewritten to rename it.

Don't you have search and replace in whatever editor you're using?

I don't really think either is a good name, you should pick something more serious / less silly.

[DJ Riff]

Don't you have search and replace in whatever editor you're using?

I don't really think either is a good name, you should pick something more serious / less silly.

Of course I have. But it's not always text, sometimes it's a mad combination of chars, hex and decimal symbols, that seems the only way to prevent Inno setup compiler from crash during compiling. It's like you have already reached max polygon and light source count and suddenly decided to change all torches' models.