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==General information==
{|border="0" width="100%" style="border: 0px; border-spacing:0px"
|width="500px" valign="top" style="padding-left:10px; padding-right:10px"|
'''[[FAQs]]'''


===What is TA Spring?===
Frequently asked questions for the following:
TA Spring is a project to create the best RTS ever (no joke). There are three principle goals which we hope to achieve.
* [[FAQ:general|General FAQ]]
* [[FAQ:technical|Technical FAQ]]
* [[FAQ:player|Playing ingame FAQ]]
* [[FAQ:trouble|Troubleshooting FAQ]]


# Reach a stage where TA Spring can flawlessly execute most of Total Annihilation's original gameplay, with its original units in their original format.
# Add new features as we see fit, fix bugs, and release new versions when we feel it is appropriate to do so.
# Support the mod community as we see fit.


===When will TA Spring be ready?===
'''[[Read_Me_First|Read Me]]'''
Now! You can get the latest beta from the download page.


===Will TA Spring be free?===
How to start your first game.
The core game is released under GPL License. However, some parts of the game are still under copyright by their owners. Therefore, today, you need to own the original TA game if you want to play. However the community is working hard in order to offer completely free alternatives.


===Why can I edit this page?===
This page, and several others, are located in the TA Spring [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiki Wiki]. The link gives a full explanation of what it is, but in short it is a way of letting anyone who wants to contribute to the page content. This can of course be abused, but even while it is easy for someone to vandalise the page, it is just as easy for someone to restore it, since the wiki saves all previous versions of a page.


===I want to help, what can I do?===
'''[[Keyboard]]'''
Please look at the Messageboard. There are lots of things you can do according to your skills. Particularly important is to create viable and pleasing free alternatives to copyrighted material, mainly sounds and units.


===I want to donate.===
Default Keyboard Layout in the Engine.
People have made clear their desire to donate to the project, and so far, we have been fairly reluctant about accepting donations. Our main concern? While we certainly hope to have something on the level of a commercial release in the near future, there is no guarantee that it will ever happen. Unforeseen events arise, and it would be most unfortunate if everyone who donated felt swindled because the project did not turn out as they had hoped.


We do not plan to be more or less productive solely based upon the quantity and frequency of donations received. The TA Spring project is here only because we view this as an enjoyable hobby.
'''[[Games]]'''


===I read all that and I still want to donate.===
Games that use the Spring engine.
Very well then! You can find the required details [http://taspring.clan-sy.com/donate.php here]. It will be much appreciated. :)


----


==Technical==
'''[[Maps]]'''


===What port numbers does TA Spring use?===
All about maps for the Spring engine and where to get them.
The lobby room uses 4897 TCP to communicate with the server. Then when you create a battleroom you can choose what ports it should use. 8452 is the default. The battleroom itself will use TCP on this port while the game will use UDP on this port. Be sure to do this, else you may not be able to join or host a game if you are behind a firewall or a router.


===What APIs does TA Spring use?===
The Windows version of the program (which one might call the official version, or at this point, simply the working version :) ) uses: OpenGL for rendering, DirectSound for sound, and Winsock for networking.


The Linux port (more info below) will use SDL/OpenGL for rendering, OpenAL for sound (which will connect to DirectSound on Windows and OSS or ALSA on Linux), BSD  sockets for networking.
'''[[Lua Widgets]]'''


===What language is TA Spring written in?===
All about installing and using LuaUI widgets...
C and C++.


===Is TA Spring open source?===
Yes, it is. Go to the downloads section of the site to download the source code.


===Will there be a Linux port?===
'''[[AI:Skirmish|AIs]]'''
There is an effort being made by some in the community to create a port. For more information see the separate wiki [https://opensvn.csie.org/traccgi/taspring_linux/trac.cgi/ here] and see the Messageboard, where most discussion is focused in this [http://taspring.clan-sy.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=743&highlight= thread].


----
Skirmish AIs, Lua AIs...


==Requirements==


===What platforms will TA Spring run on?===
'''[[Hosting Spring]]'''
At the moment, it only runs on Windows.
Members of the community are working on porting the game on Linux platform (please refer to the Messageboard).
If someone wants to port it to another platform, please contact us once we have an initial release ready. We will not, however, port it ourselves at any time (in the foreseeable future). There is simply no compelling reason for us to do so. Additionally, we would like to focus on getting it working well on just one platform.


===What sort of a system will I need to run TA Spring?===
Autohosting and related topics.
You will most certainly need a 3D graphics card to run TA Spring, which will probably require at least a GeForce3 (note that a GeForce4 MX is not better than a GeForce3) and the latest driver supported. Minimum CPU requirements are a little more complex. A more powerful CPU will have the capability to support larger maps and a greater maximum unit limit. A 1 GHz CPU should be able to support an estimated 500 units. The needed memory will also vary with unit count and map size, but 512 MB should be enough.


===Spring says I need the GL_ARB_texture_env_combine extension, what can I do?===
If you encounter the error "Needed extension GL_ARB_texture_env_combine not found", this means that your video card driver does not support GL_ARB_texture_env_combine. You can try downloading a new video driver from the manufacturers website ([www.ati.com], [www.nvidia.com], ...) If this doesn't solve the problem then your video hardware is too old to support the extension. Buy a new video card.


EDIT: I am also having this problem with the geoforce 6800 ultra and I have the latest drivers.
'''[[Spring:CategoryStructure]]'''


----
Check here to get an overview of the website.


==Content==
|valign="top" style="padding:0px"|
===Do TA Spring maps need a "ground"?===
TA Spring maps do require a ground. We have had many requests to have space maps, however, a "true" (ala Homeworld) space setting is not likely. It would have to wait until a much later stage. This does not mean that TA's style of "space" maps won't be possible, (see the Final Frontier TC for examples of this).


===You stated that TA Spring uses the TA unit format.===
== Quick Links ==
TA Spring does use the Total Annihilation unit format. However, we do plan to make TA Spring compatible with a custom unit format of our own design.


===How powerful will TA Spring's custom format be?===
{|width="100%" class=""
Total Annihilation's unit format was extremely limited. Most of these limitations will either be expanded or non-existent in TA Spring's custom unit format. One of the most exciting improvements is the introduction of an entirely new method of scripting, with nearly complete control over every aspect of a unit's actions and behaviors.
! '''[http://springrts.com/phpbb/viewforum.php?f=11 Help/Bug forums]'''
|-
| Look at the help forums for more help with technical issues and crashes
|}


===Does TA Spring have a limited number of weapons?===
No. Unlike Total Annihilation, TA Spring's weapon IDs will be unlimited. Meaning it will be possible to add as many third-party units as you want.


===Does TA Spring have a limited number of unique units?===
{|width="100%" class=""
No. Unit IDs, like weapon IDs, will be unlimited.
! '''[http://springrts.com/mantis/ Report Bugs/Submit a Patch]'''
|-
| Submit patches and bug reports here
|}


===Will units have a maximum of 3 unique weapons?===
Total Annihilation had a limitation that permitted a maximum of 3 unique weapons per unit. This limit will exist in TA Spring only if a unit is made in the original Total Annihilation format. To bypass this limit, a unit would have to be created entirely within the limits of our own format.


===I'm curious as to the per-unit polygon limit.===
{|width="100%" class=""
The engine itself does not have a polygon count limit. The limit is that of the processing power of today's computers. Since TA Spring requires a 3D card, the maximum polygon count per unit will be several times higher than Total Annihilation's. No real numbers yet though. We're gonna leave it up to the mod community to figure that one out.
! '''[[Strategy and Tactics]]'''
|-
| Basic ideas how to stand your ground.
|}


===Will units be able to perform basic terraforming?===
Total Annihilation units probably won't have any terrain editable functionality. Future units may be endowed with such functionality, but it's more of a gameplay issue and has not been decided upon yet. However construction units can restore ground.


===Will tunnel building be possible?===
{|width="100%" class=""
Subterranean areas of any sort is impossible. However, it is possible to heavily deform the ground with explosives.
! '''[[Read Me First]]'''
 
|-
===Will the ground's water retention be editable?===
| Answers to questions often asked - Everyone should read this first.
No. Water will always collect when a piece of land has a height below sea level.
|}
 
|}
===Does TA Spring have a limit on the number of races?===
[[Category:FAQ]]
TA Spring has no limit on the total number of sides/races.
 
===What are the sizes of the biggest and smallest units?===
Static units (buildings, defenses, etc.) have no size limitations in the engine. Technically, neither do mobile units, but units with a footprint larger than 4x4 "squares" (an arbitrary size standard created by Cavedog) might have problems pathfinding.
 
===What is going to be the maximum possible sea depth?===
For all practical purposes, it will be unlimited. The depth values are stored as "float variables", so it is doubtful that maps would ever be made which even come close to approaching the limit.
 
===Will TA Spring support campaigns?===
No such support is planned at the moment but it is possible using the GroupAI interface.
 
===How big will the TA Spring files be?===
TA Spring will be as small as however much content is included with it. The "essential" files (engine files mostly) will only be several megabytes large. Content (such as maps and units) will add considerable size to the TA Spring download. However, it is not known at this point just how much "content" will be included with the first release.
 
===How will TA Spring render sound effects?===
Sound is rendered 3D, meaning that the volume and direction (assuming a multi-speaker setup) vary with the location of the camera from the sound "emitter". What this translates into gameplay terms means that the closer you are to a unit making a sound or motion, the louder the sound will be. Additionally, the sound will be heard differently depending on which way the camera is facing relative to units making sound.
 
===Will TA Spring have ambient sound?===
There is no ambient sound, and we haven't planned on adding it thus far.
 
===Will there be an AI or a "skirmish" mode?===
We have created an interface for AI's, and two are currently under development. In the meantime, the spawn script included in the latest version exists as a text file in the TASpring folder, and can be modified by any text editor such as MS Notepad, for your particular play style, or mod.
 
===Will a "possess" or a FPS option be present?===
Yes, it is possible to fully control a unit from the first person view. It is more of a gimmick, but it still allows for a nice diversion once in a while.
 
----
 
==Getting into a game==
 
===People talk about 'Single Player'. How do I start a single player game?===
Go into your TA Spring folder and find the 'Spring.exe' file. Double click on it and say 'yes' to host.
 
===When I try to make a single player game, it gives me an error.===
Your graphics card probably can't support Spring. If you read the requirements it did say GeForce 3 or better. Go to the settings file in your TA Spring directory and lower some of the options. Sometimes that works.
 
===Does TA Spring support AI Players?===
Not yet. Fortunately for you they are currently working on it :) In the mean time you can use the [[random_enemies]] script, which spawns units out of thin air and sends them to attack you.
 
===When I try to connect to the lobby it gives me an error.===
There could be 3 problems. Either you don't have an account, the server is down, or you have not configured your router/firewall correctly. If you don't have an account, make one. If the server is down, you'll just have to wait (this doesn't happen often, though). If you have a router/firewall read below. Have a look at this website's News page and/or the Messageboard, it is likely that you will get some information there in the eventuality that the server is down.
 
===I have a router and I don't seem to be able to get a game===
 
If you are using a router you may have other problems. Explanations of [http://www.portforward.com/routers.htm how to forward ports] has instructions for every router.
 
===Where can I download more maps?===
As for most Spring downloads [http://www.fileuniverse.com/?page=listing&ID=90 FileUniverse] is the place to be! A collection of maps can be downloaded [http://www.fileuniverse.com/?page=listing&ID=91 here].
 
===I used the small installer where can I get the missing maps?===
Unfortunately the maps included in the regular installer (0.51b1) aren't available on File Universe. However, since many of the scripts included in the game rely on map4, this can be downloaded [http://taspring.clan-sy.com/dl/map4.7z here].
 
===How do I install downloaded maps?===
Most maps are released as .sdz or .sd7 files. These can be put directly into the "maps" folder inside the Spring folder. If they are compressed into another type of archive you will have to unpack them first. Just unzip them into your spring maps folder. Some map files use newer (smaller) file formats such as .rar or .7z, to unzip these newer formats, you'll need to download 7-Zip [http://www.7-zip.org/ http://www.7-zip.org/] or Zip-genius [http://downloads.zipgenius.it/ http://downloads.zipgenius.it/]. They both handle almost all formats and are totally free.
 
===Sometimes when I try to join games it gives me an error.===
The host is behind a firewall that has not opened the correct ports for Spring.
 
Dixit SJ: "The lobby room uses 4897 tcp to communicate with the server. Then when you create a battleroom you can choose what ports it should use. 8452 is the default. The battleroom itself will use tcp on this port while the game will use udp on this port."
 
===When I make games nobody joins.===
You are probably behind a firewall. See question above.
 
===When a multiplayer game starts I never make it past the loading screen.===
This indicates a problem with your video card. Once again the best way to deal with this situation is to make sure your video card has the latest driver updates and that all Spring video features are on the lowest settings.
 
===When a multiplayer game starts, I make it past the loading screen, but when I get into the game it says, "Waiting for Host", and does a 10 second countdown. It always reaches zero and boots me out, what gives?===
This is a firewall issue. There are three things you can do to fix this. First, make sure your windows firewall is either off, or is not blocking the TA: Spring application. Secondly, if you are behind a router, you can forward the ports that the host is using (especially if you are the host), and it usually fixes the problem. To do this you must go to your router configuration page. You can see what port 'you' are using (as the host), by hosting a multiplayer game in the Spring Lobby. You must make this your trigger port, and make sure that it is open for both TCP and UDP. Thirdly, if none of the aforementioned worked. The easiest thing to do (assuming you are behind a router) is to set the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone). This means your computer will be completely exposed to the internet, which will make you vulnerable to any unknown or unpatched exploits in windows. All you have to do is find the personal IP if the computer you are using and add it to your router's DMZ list. Please only try this last option if you can't get the others to work.
Good Luck
 
===I got into the game, but some people didn't.===
The host may have reached the number of players it has set.
Or the players may be experiencing firewall or video card difficulty. That is not your fault. Please ask them too leave if they are still there when you get into the 'game lobby'.
 
===I got into a game but my name is red, nobody can hear me speak, and eventually I get disconnected===
This is to do with how long it takes the game to start up (the "load time"). If it takes too long you will see this problem. The load time can be reduced by changing the game graphics settings to lower quality. In particular try setting texture quality to lowest.
 
----
 
==Playing==
 
===What is with this weird right-click mode? I'm bout to break my keyboard.===
Sorry, you'll just have to get used to it. As of now it can't be changed.
 
===Why is somebody else also controlling my units?===
In the 'game lobby' there are two sets of teams. There are the 'Teams' and the 'Ally Teams'. If you are on the same 'Team', then you both get the same commander, and can control the same units. If you are on 'Ally Teams', then you both get different commanders and can't control each others units.
 
===Then why would I want to be on the same 'Team' as somebody?===
Because it's fun to just drive around units and not have to worry about commanding. (Assuming that one of the people on the team is commanding.)
 
===How do I talk to my allies only?===
You must type 'a:' before you speak. Here's an example: a: Now I am talking to my allies only.
 
===Help! After I'm finished driving a unit, the camera is all insane! This is nuts! How do I fix it?===
Whoa now. Calm down. Just press ctrl + mouse button 3 to change camera modes.
 
===After I'm finished driving a unit, where what used to be my mouse pointer is now a crosshair. Why?===
-This is a special 'view mode' that allows you to move around the screen much faster. It's good for viewing the battle or getting screenshots. Simply press on your third mouse button to revert back to your mouse pointer.
 
===But I don't have a third mouse button!===
The key 'J' works in the same way as the 'middle mouse button' does. So where you would use ctrl + middle mouse button to change camera modes, ctrl + j does the same thing. Pressing J once will also switch you from 'crosshair mode' to 'pointer mode' and vice versa.
 
===When I start a game, I am stuck in this weird camera mode and my perspective is all messed up. How do I switch to the overhead (OTA style) camera?===
This happens when you start a single player game or when the host uses force start.  Shift+Backspace switches between the fps style, total war style and OTA style cameras. Use it to get your camera back to normal in this situation.
 
===Sometimes my units just get deleted. Why?===
For some reason units get deleted when they go into the wrong places. Like out of the map edge.
 
This is already fixed in recent versions.
 
===People are cheating! How do I stop it?!===
Well currently, you can't.
 
Only the host can "activate" the cheat codes. After that, any player can do almost all cheats.
 
The best thing to do is just not play with the cheaters anymore. But with new spring version cheats are disabled in multiplayer, so that paragraph is hopefully now irrelevant.
 
===Well how do you cheat?===
 
<table border="3" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0">
 
<tr><th>Cheat Command</th><th>Effect</th></tr>
 
<tr>
  <td>'''.cheat'''</td><td>'''enable cheats - Cheats don't work in multiplayer until the host types this'''</td>
</tr>
 
<tr>
  <td>.nocost</td><td>instabuild (doesn't work on things already under construction, only on new ones)</td>
</tr>
 
<tr>
  <td>.setmaxspeed 50</td><td>Changes the maximum speed multiplier (default is 3.0)</td>
</tr>
 
<tr>
  <td>.setminspeed 0</td><td>Changes the minimum speed multiplier (default is 0.3)</td>
</tr>
 
<tr>
  <td>.spectator</td><td>Allows you to see the entire map... but you lose control of your units</td>
</tr>
 
<tr>
  <td>.team 0, .team 1, etc.</td><td>Change player</td>
</tr>
 
</table>
 
===In Game Commands===
The following ''non-cheating'' commands are also available in game:
 
<table border="3" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0">
 
<tr>
  <th>Command</th><th>Effect</th>
</tr>
 
<tr>
  <td>.info</td><td>Shows you what colour each player is and their ping delay in the bottom left corner of the screen</td>
</tr>
 
<tr>
  <td>.clock</td><td>Shows you the elapsed game time in minutes and seconds in the bottom left corner of the screen</td>
</tr>
 
</table>
 
===How do I ally or unally in game?===
I'm pretty sure you can't. Yet.
 
===How do I give somebody units or metal or energy?===
Press the 'H' key. Then select the amount of metal and/or energy to share. Then select the receiving player and press OK.
 
When sharing units, you must first select the units to share, then press 'H' key. Tick share units checkbox and choose a receiving player.
 
===How do I continually give somebody metal and/or energy after a certain point (i.e. Original TA commands +setshare..., +shareall)?===
You'll notice that on your metal and energy bars (top of screen), there are two red bars. You have to put them wherever you want your metal and energy to be shared after.
 
===Man I am soooo sick of XTA. How do I play AA or OTA instead?===
Well. Somebody has made a patch to turn TA Spring into OTA: [http://www.fileuniverse.com/?page=showitem&ID=679 click here]. But really, why would you want to go back to OTA? There are also patches available for various mods other than XTA (which is installed as default): [http://www.fileuniverse.com/?page=listing&ID=92 click here]. A switcher is available which makes it easier to switch between the different mods: [http://www.fileuniverse.com/?page=showitem&ID=805 click here]
 
===XTA? OTA? AA? OMFGLAMO? What those all the abbreviations mean?===
zwzsg maintains a handy dandy FAQ about TA, and the abbreviations that relate to Spring too, of course.
[http://www.tauniverse.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27309 click here]. See also the Spring [[Glossary]], which contains brief explanations for all non-standard words and phrases.
 
===Why am I destroyed so easily by long range assaults?===
This is a realistic feature of TA Spring. Units will automatically attack 'radar blips' (units that they can not actually see, but that are indicated on radar). However, the accuracy is very bad while shooting at radar blips until:
* Your unit kills a lot of units and gets experience
* You get a targeting facility.
 
===Can I kick people from my 'game lobby' or my game?===
First of all, you have to be the host to kick. In theory, you would right click on someone's name in the 'game lobby' and that would give you the option to kick them. This feature is not currently supported, however, but it will be fixed soon.
 
===When I'm 'driving' my commander, why can't I use my laser?===
The TA: Spring team will most likely add a way for you to use your commander's laser soon.
 
===I hate driving around with the 'arrow keys'. Is there any way I can use the 'W-A-S-D' controls (the controls most First Person Shooters use) anymore?===
Go into your Spring directory and edit the uikeys file. Keep in mind that 'S' is originally a 'hot-key' that will stop your units and that 'D' is a 'hot-key' for your commander's D-Gun. You might want to change those too.
 
===I turned the shadows feature on; I still don't see shadows. What gives?===
Your graphics card can't handle shadows, so Spring automatically turns them off.
 
===I can't go backwards when I am 'driving' a unit. Why not?===
Because TA units were never intended to go backwards. Sorry.
 
===I'm in an Unreal Tournament kind of mood. How do I strafe?===
You can only strafe in 'brawler type' ships, such as the brawler, rapier, and light gunships.
 
===How can I record and watch demos/replays?===
From version 0.62 onwards recordings of all the games you play are easily available for replay via the Replays button in the TASclient.
 
You can use the Speed up/Slow down game keys while watching the replay, along with other in-game commands like .team
 
From version 0.60b1 onwards, demos are automatically recorded in the "demos" folder, underneath your Spring folder (default is C:\Program Files\TASpring\demos), named for the date and map they were played on. If you play multiple games in the same day on the same map, the games will also be numbered to prevent them from overwriting each other.
 
From version 0.62 onwards, to view a demo from the Windows file manager you can just double click the file name.  For versions 0,60 and 0.61, to view a demo start spring.exe as non server and enter the full demo name as server address ("050803-Ashpen-0.60b1.sdf" for example). Note that you don't need to enter the "demos" folder name. Due to the large font, you will find that the name is too big to fit on the screen. If you're confident typing blind from memory, that's OK. Otherwise go into windows explorer, select the demo file you want, press F2, Ctrl-C, and do Ctrl-V to paste it into the server address.
 
For versions prior to 0.60b1, the game was always recorded to test.sdf which is overwritten by each new game, so the name had to be changed by hand if you wanted to save it. You had to use a name other than test.sdf to view a demo.
 
===Sometimes when I play with certain people I get HUGE sync errors that continue throughout the game.===
It used to be because they have a different mod installed than you. If, for example, you had not installed a mod, and somebody was in the game with you that had the OTA mod installed, it would cause the 'sync' error.  However, now those errors should show up as disabled units in the battleroom.
 
Check the list at the right hand in the game battleroom for disabled units.
 
If there are tons of them (not just 1, as this is known bug [naval flakker bug]), some players has a different mod installed.
 
===My aircraft repairing platforms don't work!===
This feature is not implemented yet. I'm afraid you'll have to wait. Note however that in Spring all units (including aircraft) automatically start to repair themselves if they are kept out of combat for long enough.
 
----
 
==Creating Content for Spring==
===How do I create maps===
See this page: [[Create maps]]

Latest revision as of 16:32, 3 June 2015

FAQs

Frequently asked questions for the following:


Read Me

How to start your first game.


Keyboard

Default Keyboard Layout in the Engine.

Games

Games that use the Spring engine.


Maps

All about maps for the Spring engine and where to get them.


Lua Widgets

All about installing and using LuaUI widgets...


AIs

Skirmish AIs, Lua AIs...


Hosting Spring

Autohosting and related topics.


Spring:CategoryStructure

Check here to get an overview of the website.

Quick Links

Help/Bug forums
Look at the help forums for more help with technical issues and crashes


Report Bugs/Submit a Patch
Submit patches and bug reports here


Strategy and Tactics
Basic ideas how to stand your ground.


Read Me First
Answers to questions often asked - Everyone should read this first.