Installing Skins/Meshes on Steam versions of Freedom Force/FFvs 3rd Reich

[Paxchi]

Potentially stupid question, but is it possible to use Skins and Meshes downloaded from places like Alex's Freedom Fortress for versions of Freedom Force purchased through Steam? I'm new to the Freedom Force gaming experience in general, having just bought the Steam version, and was wondering if I was going to be able to use all of those neat skins/meshes available on-line with my copy.

[Panther_Gunn]

From all accounts (I've not gotten the Steam version) yes, you can.  You just have to find where they're being stored in the directory structure.  There's a thread or two in here that discusses some of the slight differences such as directory locations for the Steam version.  Keep in mind that some meshes and skins only work in particular versions (   or   ).  Most of the older content converts to the newer game with no issues, but there are the odd few that no one seems to have gotten to work.  And meshes made for the new game won't work in the old (much to my sadness).

[Paxchi]

Awesome. Thanks Panther.

I don't suppose anyone could point me in the right direction as far as figuring out where to find the directory and where to put the files? I know virtually nothing of Steam.

[daglob]

FF1 should be

Irrational Games>Freedom Force>data>art>custom_characters

FFV3R should be something like

Irrational Games>Freedom Force vs. The 3rd Reich>custom>art>library>characters

...at least it is in the regular games; I don't know if Steam is set up differently.

[Paxchi]

I haven't been able to find any files under Irrational Games on my computer. I can find the Steam folder just fine, and when I Open File Location the Freedom Force icons in my computer it open to the Steam folder. I apparently either need to find out where to put the files I need in the Steam folder, or figure out where in my Steam account the information goes. The problem is I have no idea how to do either.

[GogglesPizanno]

I dont have the steam version, but I imagine it's like daglob said, only its relative to the install folder. If you have the disk version it installs to an "Irrational Games" folder. With steam, it seems to install to a steam folder.

So I would look to find where steam installed the game and then look for the folders there. So it would be something like:

<FF INSTALL FOLDER>/data/art/custom_characters
and
<FFvTR INSTALL FOLDER>/custom/art/library/characters

[daglob]

Another suggestion: make sure that your computer is set up to show hidden folders. Why the Steam people would make those folders hidden, I don't know, but it never pays to underestimate the excentricities of people.

This seems especially true of whoever designed Windows 7.

[daglob]

You could also search the Irrational Games folder for .tga (FF1) and .dds (FFv3R) files. There should be more than one folder with them in it, but it would at least give you some possibilities.

[B A D]

There is a problem activating some mods to Steam. I've downloaded Fantastic Force, for  instance, and installed it into the correct area.

However, when the mod goes to activate, it still looks for the old IG/freedomforce/exe. folder when none exists.

I have NO idea how to fix that.

Some mods, such as the great hunt and teen titans install fine.  I don't know what dealio is. Im not downloading them any differently.

[GogglesPizanno]

If the mod comes with a shortcut, try checking and make sure the path in the shortcut to the game executable is correct.
That's the only thing i can think of.

[B A D]

They all come with shortcuts.

But how on earth does one alter that?

[Panther_Gunn]

Right-click the icon, click Properties.  Check that the path in the "Target" and "Start in" lines is correct.

[B A D]

That actually worked! I got most of them to  run now.