Suggested update - find and replace function

[supadupa64]

I have an update idea that would be really awesome I think. When you change a quest name in the database, it basically breaks all the places you put the quest already in your dialogues. If it auto updated everywhere that quest was given it would be a big time saver, but more importantly, minimize error or changes made to everything. A find and replace function. Just an idea. Unless this is already possible?

If I had a quest and wanted to change the quest name for game dialogue aesthetics and had used it in many dialogues, you can see the situation. =) I experienced this already which is why I'm suggesting this.

[Tony Li]

I hear you! You're not the only one asking for this feature. I'm going to try to roll out two changes in the next release:

1. Search and replace. And a general search bar, too. Right now there's only a search bar for the Conversations tab while in Outline mode.

2. An optional "Title" field for quests. In this case, the existing "Name" field can be used internally when setting quest states, and the "Title" field will show up in UIs such as the quest tracker HUD. This will let you change the Title field to tweak aesthetics without breaking anything.

In the meantime, you can export your dialogue database to CSV format (or Chat Mapper XML), do a search and replace in a text editor, and then reimport it. Make a backup copy of your database first, in case you make changes in the text editor that you don't want to keep. And if you're not already making regular backups of your entire project, it's a good time to start. Murphy's right around the corner with his Law.

[supadupa64]

Here's another option. If there was a find and replace for each conversation, that would be awesome too. I'm just trying to figure out a way to copy a conversation and replace it with different quests.

Isn't there a way to import an excel file or something? Maybe I could just create a whole conversation in that and then import it?

[Tony Li]

Yes, you can export your dialogue database to CSV (comma-separated values) format, edit it in Excel, and then reimport it back into the Dialogue System. Before you do it:

1. Update to 1.6.1.1, or the 1.6.2b1 version on the Pixel Crushers customer download site. Version 1.6.1.1 has some improvements to the CSV Converter that'll make things easier.

2. Make a backup copy of your dialogue database, just in case Excel does something weird that screws it up.