Tool request. Mutliple gamedatas

[GoldForest]

So I've noticed that the 64 bit version doesn't allow you to open a save that has different mods that aren't in the save file. I've tried many times and it seems that only when the mods are exactly the mods that are in the save file that it will load up and not crash, at least for me that is. I don't know how many others have this problem.

Anyway, I was thinking of a way that someone could fix this and I cam up with it.

Multiple gamedatas!

I have two basic ideas that can be applied.

1) On load, the game will ask you which gamedata you will want to have open. You will be able to create custom named gamedatas. So like I might have "Interstellar with B9", "KSO with Fustek", "All Bobcat mods", and "KW, Novapunch, Tiberion shuttle system, Aies, Fasa, Laztek, etc" as my gamedatas. Say I want to play my KSO gamedata. I would choose that one and the gamedata would load as normally. Then I just choose the save file for "KSO with Fustek" and it would open it.

2) The save files have the gamedata folders inside them. The way I see this working is you leave the main gamedata folder clean except for the stock files. It would load the stock files and then when you go into your save, it would load the gamedata inside the save folder.

Broken down:

1)Load KSP

2)Choose save file

3a)KSP returns to the loading screen and loads mods

3b)KSP stays on the transition loading screen until all mods are load

4)You play KSP.

I know it might take some real work, but I'm really hoping someone takes up this request/challenge.

I'll post more details if I come up with any.

[blackheart612]

I think there was a discussion somewhere like this from the Alternis Kerbol back then but I forgot.

[MSD]

Am I correct in thinking that you want to be able to select what mods is used in what save? In that case I agree, should be stock.

There was a mod manager out here that did something like that, but that one just moved folders around

[GoldForest]

Am I correct in thinking that you want to be able to select what mods is used in what save? In that case I agree, should be stock.

There was a mod manager out here that did something like that, but that one just moved folders around

Sort of. I don't want to be able to turn mods off, more have multiple gamedata folders so I don't have to constantly delete mods from the folder each time I want to play a certain save.

[magico13]

I actually wrote a java program several months ago that did this called DataSwitcher. I haven't updated it since February, but I still use it all the time for switching between stock/modded/development GameData folders and saves (since it works for any of the folders in the KSP folder). It should work fine still, I just don't advise using Fallback mode (meaning you may have to run it with administrative privileges). The auto-start KSP function wouldn't work with 64 bit KSP since it just runs the KSP.exe file or launches it through Steam (both would be 32 bit).

[GoldForest]

I actually wrote a java program several months ago that did this called DataSwitcher. I haven't updated it since February, but I still use it all the time for switching between stock/modded/development GameData folders and saves (since it works for any of the folders in the KSP folder). It should work fine still, I just don't advise using Fallback mode (meaning you may have to run it with administrative privileges). The auto-start KSP function wouldn't work with 64 bit KSP since it just runs the KSP.exe file or launches it through Steam (both would be 32 bit).

Does it create multiple nodded folders or just one?

[magico13]

Multiples in a separate directory. It then uses symbolic links to link them into the main KSP folder. It's most useful when you launch through Steam, since that has only one folder you can use. If you aren't using Steam then you can just copy the whole KSP directory and have multiple installs for multiple mod sets (but DataSwitcher will work in that case too).

Operation is pretty simple once you create the instances. Just click on the one you want to run, then press "Activate". Then load KSP like normal and you'll only have those mods. Make sure if you're importing folders that you use CTRL or Shift to select multiples if you need more than just the GameData folder (that will make more sense if you actually use the program)

[GoldForest]

Multiples in a separate directory. It then uses symbolic links to link them into the main KSP folder. It's most useful when you launch through Steam, since that has only one folder you can use. If you aren't using Steam then you can just copy the whole KSP directory and have multiple installs for multiple mod sets (but DataSwitcher will work in that case too).

Operation is pretty simple once you create the instances. Just click on the one you want to run, then press "Activate". Then load KSP like normal and you'll only have those mods. Make sure if you're importing folders that you use CTRL or Shift to select multiples if you need more than just the GameData folder (that will make more sense if you actually use the program)

You said it doesn't work with x64?

[NathanKell]

Unless anyone has a strong objection, I will move this to Tools and Applications, since it is not the sort of thing that can be done by plugin*, and we're currently talking about out-of-game tools.

*You would literally have to reload KSP, even if you could get it to reload assemblies, which you can't really do now. So it's not something that a plugin itself could do, or, if it could, there would not be a point.

[magico13]

You said it doesn't work with x64?

It won't autostart 64 bit KSP, but it will run just fine in a 64 bit operating system with the 64 bit KSP files (since it just deals with the folders, not directly with KSP). There may be other options that fit your needs better, I encourage you to take a stroll through http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/forums/36-Tools-and-Applications. DataSwitcher is on page 4, since it hasn't been updated in a while.

[GoldForest]

It won't autostart 64 bit KSP, but it will run just fine in a 64 bit operating system with the 64 bit KSP files (since it just deals with the folders, not directly with KSP). There may be other options that fit your needs better, I encourage you to take a stroll through http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/forums/36-Tools-and-Applications. DataSwitcher is on page 4, since it hasn't been updated in a while.

So I need to choose the instance then start ksp? But it will work, correct?

[magico13]

So I need to choose the instance then start ksp? But it will work, correct?

It works for me no problem, so it should work for you just fine. Try not to use Fallback mode if you don't have to (definitely don't if you also choose to have saves specific to instances, since you'll lose progress).

After you setup the instances you just choose one, activate it, then start KSP. You don't have to select it again after it's been activated until you want to use a new one (you don't even have to start DataSwitcher).