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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]]''' |
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| ===What is Spring?===
| | Frequently asked questions for the following: |
| 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]] |
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| # Reach a stage where TA Spring can flawlessly execute most of Total Annihilation's original gameplay, with its original units in their original format.
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| # Add new features as we see fit, fix bugs, and release new versions when we feel it is appropriate to do so.
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| # Support the mod community as we see fit.
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| # Improving the already fine original TA Interface in a way that the Players will have more tactical Options, more Control, more Comfort and still don`t get lost, as long as they are willing to learn.
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| The goals might need an update.. -- Tim Blokdijk
| | '''[[Read_Me_First|Read Me]]''' |
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| ===Is Spring free?===
| | How to start your first game. |
| The core game is released under GPL License. Fortunately as of now, there are also two mods which have been released under the GNU/GPL, and several more which do not have clear licence terms (owned by their modder).
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| However, there are also several mods for which some parts are still under copyright of Atari. For these you need to own the original TA game if you want to play.
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| ===Why can I edit this page?===
| | '''[[Keyboard]]''' |
| This page, and several others, are located in the 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.
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| ===Why can't I edit this page?===
| | Default Keyboard Layout in the Engine. |
| You need to be [[Special:Userlogin|logged in]] to edit our wiki because people were vandalizing and/or being morons too much, so they had to lock it down.
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| ===I want to help, what can I do?===
| | '''[[Games]]''' |
| 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.
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| ===I want to donate.===
| | Games that use the Spring 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.
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| We do not plan to be more or less productive solely based upon the quantity and frequency of donations received. The Spring project is here only because we view this as an enjoyable hobby.
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| ===I read all that and I still want to donate.===
| | '''[[Maps]]''' |
| Very well then! You can find the required details [http://taspring.clan-sy.com/donate.php here]. It will be much appreciated. :)
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| ----
| | All about maps for the Spring engine and where to get them. |
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| ==Technical==
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| ===What port numbers does Spring use?===
| | '''[[Lua Widgets]]''' |
| Game uses port 8452 UDP by default, which can be changed in the lobby. If you are behind a router, and are having problems hosting, try forwarding the correct port and also make sure the firewall is not blocking it.
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| ===What APIs does Spring use?===
| | All about installing and using LuaUI widgets... |
| The Windows version of the program (Which is the Binary that can be downloaded from this site) uses: OpenGL for rendering, DirectSound for sound, and Winsock for networking.
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| The Linux port, see [[MultiplatformSpring]] with more info below, uses SDL/OpenGL for rendering, OpenAL for sound (which will connect to DirectSound on Windows and OSS or ALSA on Linux), BSD sockets for networking.
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| ===I am having really bad framerates (fps) on my dual core! What am i doing wrong?===
| | '''[[AI:Skirmish|AIs]]''' |
| Currently spring does not like dual/quad cores, you will get really bad framerates. To solve this, you have to restrict it to run on one core. Download the file from http://www.robpol86.com/Pages/imagecfg.php follow the instructions, and make all of the spring exe files (spring.exe, TASClient.exe, all others) run on one core. It will run much faster.
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| ===What language is Spring written in?===
| | Skirmish AIs, Lua AIs... |
| The spring game engine is written in C and C . The Windows lobby client is written in Delphi, the lobby server is java. Another portable lobby is being made in Python.
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| ===Is Spring open source?===
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| Yes, it is. Go to the [http://taspring.clan-sy.com/download.php downloads] section of the site to download the source code.
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| ===Is there any documentation for the source code?===
| | '''[[Hosting Spring]]''' |
| Yes, doxygen is used to automatically generate the [http://taspring.clan-sy.com/doxygen/ documentation]
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| ===Is Spring a Portable Application?===
| | Autohosting and related topics. |
| Can someone answer this question here? By portable I mean that it can be played off of a flash drive or other removable storage. See [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portable_application].
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| ==Requirements==
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| ===What platforms will Spring run on?===
| | '''[[Spring:CategoryStructure]]''' |
| At the moment, it runs on Windows, Linux and basicly on [[Spring_on_MacOSX |Mac OS X.]]
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| ===What sort of a system do I need to run Spring?===
| | Check here to get an overview of the website. |
| You need a 3D graphics card to run Spring, which will probably require at least a a GeForce4 MX 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, and Spring has been known to have worked with 256 MB of Ram (albeit with lowest detail levels).
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| For further details and tested Systems check the [[Requirements]] page.
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| ===Spring says I need the GL_ARB_texture_env_combine extension, what can I do?=== | | == Quick Links == |
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| | ! '''[http://springrts.com/phpbb/viewforum.php?f=11 Help/Bug forums]''' |
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| | | Look at the help forums for more help with technical issues and crashes |
| | |} |
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| This error can be caused by various things:
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| '''1:''' Old video Hardware. | | {|width="100%" class="" |
| | ! '''[http://springrts.com/mantis/ Report Bugs/Submit a Patch]''' |
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| | | Submit patches and bug reports here |
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| '''2:''' Old drivers.
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| '''2:''' Bad installed Drivers. | | {|width="100%" class="" |
| | ! '''[[Strategy and Tactics]]''' |
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| | | Basic ideas how to stand your ground. |
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| '''3:''' Bad game settings.
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| If your hardware is old check [http://www.delphi3d.net/hardware/extsupport.php?extension=GL_ARB_texture_env_combine THIS] list, if you cant find your video card then, sorry, you have to buy a new video card.
| | ! '''[[Read Me First]]''' |
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| If your hardware is in the above list or you are sure that your video card support this opengl extension download [http://www.realtech-vr.com/glview/download.html THIS] software. Intall, run, and check if under the ''Report'' tab there is the ''GL_ARB_texture_env_combine'' string.
| | | Answers to questions often asked - Everyone should read this first. |
| If the string is present then the problem resides in your Spring settings, try lower screen resolution and disable all graphics effect.
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| If the string is not present and your hardware is in the list the problem are your video card drivers. To solve this '''UNINSTALL ALL PREVIOUS DRIVERS''' and install last stable drivers for your video card. Usually the problem shows when there are uninstalled old video drivers on the system.
| | |} |
| | | [[Category:FAQ]] |
| '''NOTE:''' ATI drivers for Windows Vista does not support OpenGL right now so Spring will not run on systems with Vista and ATI Cards.
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| '''NOTE:''' Use '''glxinfo''' on a Linux system. You don't need to download any third party application because most if not all systems with x11 should have that program already.
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| ----
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| ==Getting into a game== | |
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| ===People talk about 'Single Player'. How do I start a single player game?===
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| Simply start a game in the lobby, and enter a password, so that nobody can join. Then click ready, and start and away you go !
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| Alternatively, you can get [http://spring.unknown-files.net/file/2012/Spring_Single_Player_Launcher_v0.8/ Spring Single Player], a handy tool that lets you create single player games without cluttering up the lobby, as well as watch replays easily.
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| ===When I try to make a single player game, it gives me an error.===
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| 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 Spring directory and lower some of the options. Sometimes that works.
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| ===Does Spring support AI Players?===
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| Yes, see [[AI]] You can also use the [[random_enemies]] script, which spawns units out of thin air and sends them to attack you.
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| ===How do I join an Internet multiplayer game?===
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| Run the "TA Spring multiplayer battleroom" from the Start menu or the TASClient.exe from your installation folder. In the "Server" tab change the server to "Official Host". Hit "Apply and close". Re-open the TA Spring client. Create an account on the "Account" tab.
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| ===When I try to connect to the lobby it gives me an error.===
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| 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.
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| Also make sure that you don't have any spaces in your username.
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| ===I have a router and I don't seem to be able to get a game===
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| 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.
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| ===Where can I download more maps?===
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| As for most Spring downloads [http://spring.unknown-files.net Unknown Files] is the place to be! The [http://spring.unknown-files.net/category/13/Maps/ map category] has a nice overview.
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| ===How do I install downloaded maps?===
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| 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. There is also now a map browser in the TASClient lobby software, click the more maps button in a battle screen to access it.
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| ===Sometimes when I try to join games it gives me an error.===
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| The host is behind a firewall that has not opened the correct ports for Spring.
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| ===When a multiplayer game starts I never make it past the loading screen.===
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| 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.
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| ===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?===
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| 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.
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| Good Luck
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| ===I got into the game, but some people didn't.===
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| The host may have reached the number of players it has set.
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| 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'. Some people have problem connecting to "hole punching" hosts.
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| ===I got into a game but my name is red, nobody can hear me speak, and eventually I get disconnected===
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| 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.
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| ===What do all those icons mean in the server list?===
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| Server status icons inform you, at a quick glance, what the server is doing at the moment, and what state it's in (password protected, locked, open, full, etc). Read all about the server status icons and what they mean [[Server Status|here]].
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| ----
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| ==Playing==
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| ===What is with this weird right-click mode? I'm 'bout to break my keyboard.===
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| Sorry, you'll just have to get used to it. As of now it can't be changed.
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| ===Why is somebody else also controlling my units?===
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| 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.
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| ===Is there a way that I can play music directly through TA-Spring, with alternating tracks for building/attacking like in the original Total Annihilation?===
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| Currently there is no in-game music player. For now, you will have to rely on a seperate program to play music such as Winamp or Windows Media Player.
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| ===Then why would I want to be on the same 'Team' as somebody?===
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| 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.)
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| Most importantly, however, you can split tasks, such as base building, and troops management.
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| ===How do I talk to my allies only?===
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| You must type 'a:' before you speak. Here's an example: a: Now I am talking to my allies only.<br>
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| ===Help! After I'm finished driving a unit, the camera is all insane! This is nuts! How do I fix it?===
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| Whoa now. Calm down. Just press ctrl mouse button 3 to change camera modes. If your unit is destroyed in FPS mode, you will stay in FPS mode until you change camera modes. Also, the camera will stay in "free look" when FPS mode is disengaged, press middle-mouse or J to switch to normal scrolling.
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| ===After I'm finished driving a unit, where what used to be my mouse pointer is now a crosshair. Why?===
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| -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 or 'delete' to revert back to your mouse pointer.
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| ===But I don't have a third mouse button!===
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| 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.
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| ===I´ve managed to get stuck in this weird camera mode and my perspective is all messed up. How do I switch to the overhead (OTA style) camera?===
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| Shift Backspace (or Shift J or Shift MiddleMouseClick) switches between the fps style, total war style and OTA style cameras. Use it to get your camera back to normal in this situation.
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| ===People are cheating! How do I stop it?!===
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| Well currently, you can't.
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| Only the host can "activate" the cheat codes. After that, any player can do almost all cheats.
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| 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.
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| ===Well how do you cheat?===
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| <table border="3" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0">
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| <tr><th>Cheat Command</th><th>Effect</th></tr>
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| <tr>
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| <td>'''.cheat'''</td><td>'''enable cheats - Cheats don't work in multiplayer until the host types this'''</td>
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| </tr>
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| <tr>
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| <td>.nocost</td><td>instabuild (doesn't work on things already under construction, only on new ones)</td>
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| </tr>
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| <tr>
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| <td>.setmaxspeed 50</td><td>Changes the maximum speed multiplier (default is 3.0)</td>
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| </tr>
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| <tr>
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| <td>.setminspeed 0</td><td>Changes the minimum speed multiplier (default is 0.3)</td>
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| </tr>
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| <tr>
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| <td>.spectator</td><td>Allows you to see the entire map... but you lose control of your units</td>
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| </tr>
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| <tr>
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| <td>.team 0, .team 1, etc.</td><td>Change player</td>
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| </tr>
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| <tr>
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| <td>.give ARMCOM, .give 10 CORKROG, etc.</td><td>Place 1 or specified number of specified unit. Valid units are the internal names of units as specified in the unit definition.</td>
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| </tr>
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| </table>
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| You can use auto-completion in the spring console if you don't remember the internal unit name. To do that type:
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| ".give arm" and then press your '''TAB key'''
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| A list of all matching units will be shown.
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| ===In Game Commands===
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| The following ''non-cheating'' commands are also available in game:
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| <table border="3" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0">
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| <tr>
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| <th>Command</th><th>Effect</th>
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| </tr>
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| <tr>
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| <td>.info</td><td>Shows you what colour each player is and their ping delay in the bottom left corner of the screen</td>
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| </tr>
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| <tr>
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| <td>.clock</td><td>Shows you the elapsed game time in minutes and seconds in the bottom left corner of the screen</td>
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| </tr>
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| <tr>
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| <td>.take</td><td>Pulls all allied units, that are owned by players who have lost connection to the server, to your team.</td>
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| </tr>
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| </table>
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| ===How do I ally or unally in game?===
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| I'm pretty sure you can't. Yet.
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| ===How do I give somebody units or metal or energy?===
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| Press the 'H' key. Then select the amount of metal and/or energy to share. Then select the receiving player and press OK.
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| When sharing units, you must first select the units to share, then press 'H' key. Tick share units checkbox and choose a receiving player.
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| ===How do I continually give somebody metal and/or energy after a certain point (i.e. Original TA commands setshare..., shareall)?===
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| 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.
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| ===This game is different than TA, the units HP and damage are not the same===
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| There were several third party "balance" mods for the original TA game.
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| One of those mods were xTA, and was developed by the same clan (SY) that has brought life back to TA, making Spring.
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| This balance mod is what is bundled by default with the spring engine, and is the mod that was ready to play when spring was released.
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| Now are several mods available, install the mod of your choice.
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| [http://www.fileuniverse.com/?p=listing | |
