How to have multiple versions at the same time (answer to gnowwongs question without spamming the beta release thread)
Here are the detailed instructions for having multiple versions of DLV and/or other submods installed:
- first make a copy of the DLV shortcut on your desktop, you will need this as the DLV installation creates this shortcut automatically wherever you will install it to and will overwrite the existing one, put this shortcut aside for later use
- install DLV version 6.0 to any foler, for example to a new folder on your desktop, inside this folder you will see the DLV_ext folder that would otherwise be created in your MTW2/mods folder. Now you have the "clean" install Repman is referring to, while the original DLV_ext still exists unharmed in your mod folder
- if you have enough drive space keep that extracted DLV 6.0 in a seperate location, so you save yourself the time of another installation later
- now take the submod or DLV version you want to install and do the same as above, install it to a new folder on your desktop, you will again see the DLV_ext folder that would be the default installation path
- now go into your MTW2/mods folder and create a new folder and call it like you like, for example call it DLV63. This name is the same level as the DLV_ext folder in the default installation would be.
- Now you copy the contents of the DLV6.0 you installed in step two there. Afterwards you copy the contents of the mod or the version over that and say yes to overwrite files. Now you have the files that you need, but you still need the reference.
- for this go into the modfolder you created and edit two files, namely DLV_ext.cfg and Launch_DLV_ext.bat. Both files can be edited with the notepad. Within these two files you will see a reference to the name of the modfolder, which again by default would be DLV_ext. In the DLV_ext.cfg this reference is under [features] on the top. The line is called "mod = mods/DLV_ext". Now put the name of the modfolder you created here instead, in my case it's "mod = mods/DLV63". While you are at it you might aswell add the line "disable_file_cache = true" under [io], this supposedly removes the interference of shared files between mods, according to this post http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=326815.
- Now edit Launch_DLV_ext.bat and put the name of the correct modfolder here too. In my example it's kingdoms.exe @mods\DLV63\DLV_ext.cfg instead of kingdoms.exe @mods\DLV_ext\DLV_ext.cfg.
- You are almost done, all you need to do now is fix the shortcut on your desktop. I suggest you delete the one that was created during your installation as it will refer to the desktop (where you originally installed the files). Instead take the copy you made at the start and again make a copy of it. If you click on it with the right mouse button it will open the "properties" window and there are two things you need to edit to make it work. Define the "target" and define the "execute in". The easiest way is to look what is written there now, which refers to the DLV_ext and again put the correct folder there (the ones you created and named). In my example it would be target: D:\MTW2\mods\DLV63\Launch_DLV_ext.bat and execute in: D:\MTW2\mods\DLV63. Last but not least you can give this shortcut a different symbol than the original DLV one, so you will not accidentally click the wrong version, and of course rename it in a way that makes it clear to you which version or minimod it refers to.
- before you start playing delete the map.rwm that came with the installation (in /data/worlds/map/base), also delete the bin files (in /data/text). These files will be automatically recreated when you start your game and this will make sure you have the correct ones for your installation.
In the 6.3 installation there is a folder created on the MTW2 level, outside the modfolder (/data/ui) which contains files that were neccesary in an earlier version to fix a bug. These files are no longer needed for 6.3 so you don't need to copy this folder into the MTW2 root directory again. These files are there anyway from the 6.2 installation you already have on your PC and won't hurt anybody. For the purpose of having multiple versions installed at the same time just ignore them. Unless the minimod you install at the same time uses different files there, which can be for example seen by the filesize, you will have no problem.
I hope this does not sound too complicated, it really is not, I just wanted to make sure there is no room for misunderstandings.
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