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[UTILITY] Half-Life Launch Pad Created 16 years ago2008-07-07 11:22:59 UTC by The Mad Carrot The Mad Carrot

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Created 16 years ago2008-07-07 11:22:59 UTC by The Mad Carrot The Mad Carrot

The Mad Carrot
The Mad Carrot
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-07 11:33:08 UTC Post #252185
Half-Life Launch Pad
Development thread

---------------------------------------

What is Half-Life Launch Pad?

Half-Life Launch Pad is an application to ease the process of loading mods and maps for Source and GoldSource. Supported games are:

WON Half-Life and mods
Steam Half-Life and mods
Source Games
Source Mods
(Stand alone games like Counter-Strike, Day of Defeat and Team Fortress Classic are not (yet) supported)

---------------------------------------

What are its features?
  • WON Half-Life, Steam Half-Life, Source and SourceMods support
  • Filter support
  • Launch a map in DeathMatch mode by checking the DeathMatch mode checkbox (WON & Steam HL only)
  • Launches any mod/map installed on your system (note: does not read from PAK/GCF files!)
  • Launch a mod/map by simply doublecliking the mapname in the list
  • Can be send to the system tray. From there you can launch a mod/map by richtclicking on the tray icon and select a map from the contextmenu
  • From the system tray, you also launch the game/mod without a map. This will bring you to the main menu of the game/mod
  • Monitors paths and updates the list on the fly when it detects a change in directoryname or filename or when a directory of file is created or deleted
  • Check for updates
  • No longer uses the Windows Registry to store application settings (Except for the Start With Windows option)
  • Start with Windows
---------------------------------------

Current Version

The current version is 1.0.0.51, Released July 24, 2012.

---------------------------------------

Screenshots
User posted image
User posted image
User posted image
User posted image
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Downloads

Half-Life Launch Pad 1.0.0.51

IMPORTANT! You need to have the .NET Framework 2.0 installed before you can run it. HLLP won't run without it. Get the Framework 2.0 package here.
The two dll files that come with the download are required by the application. Without them, the application won't run.

---------------------------------------

Known issues and bugs in the current version

Launching a map from a Source mod does not seem to work, it'll only bring you to the menu screen of the mod.

---------------------------------------

Final notes

I'd like to thank Archie for his launch button and Captain Terror for his excessive testing of my software. Thanks to him, tons of bugs and glitches have been eliminated. Thanks man!
We all know that bug-free software doesn't exist, so if you still find any bugs, please post them in this thread, or e-mail me. This is very important to me.
If you just want to tell me what you think of my application, please do so, it's greatly appreciated!

I hope you find my software useful. :combine:
The Mad Carrot The Mad Carrot
Captain Terror
Captain Terror
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-07 11:34:37 UTC Post #252186
Downloading! I've used the beta version of your launchpad just about every day since you released. It's a faster way of locating and running your maps and mods, and saves repetitively pulling up the console and typing the filename.

Thanks Muzz!

)

Captain Terror Captain Terrorwhen a man loves a woman
The Mad Carrot
The Mad Carrot
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-07 11:38:40 UTC Post #252187
Well, you can delete that beta version as this version has a whole lot more to offer. Check the readme.txt file or click the Help button in the app for more information and to find more features.

You can use my Registry Cleaner tool to clean up the Registry keys that the beta version of my Half-Life launcher created (if you can't do it manually).
The Mad Carrot The Mad Carrot
pepper
pepper
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-07 12:43:33 UTC Post #252189
Yah! Downloading, i'll give it a go tonight!

EDIT: Works perfectly, saves me the boring console work!

Maby also add a few standard commands like god mode or noclip mode? Or GL_wireframe 2 and r_speeds 1?
pepper pepper
The Mad Carrot
The Mad Carrot
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-07 12:51:03 UTC Post #252190
Maby also add a few standard commands like god mode or noclip mode? Or GL_wireframe 2 and r_speeds 1?
Even better: ill make those commands toggleble. For example: you check the Noclip checkbox and a small textbox is enabled. You type in the letter N in that textbox and N will be your noclip toggle key.
The Mad Carrot The Mad Carrot
Captain Terror
Captain Terror
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-07 12:58:41 UTC Post #252191
I tested it in Steam and Won HL and it works great! Bravo Muzz! = )
Captain Terror Captain Terrorwhen a man loves a woman
The Mad Carrot
The Mad Carrot
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-07 13:05:10 UTC Post #252192
Does the shortcut combo (Ctrl+Shift+S) work when the app is in the sustem tray (Make sure that a map is selected)?
The Mad Carrot The Mad Carrot
Rimrook
Rimrook
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-07 13:10:26 UTC Post #252193
wasn't this originally called MuzzleLoader or something?

either way, its mega handy. thanks!
Rimrook RimrookSince 2003
The Mad Carrot
The Mad Carrot
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-07 13:29:27 UTC Post #252196
The original was simply called Half-Life Launcher.

Im already adding new features. :D
The Mad Carrot The Mad Carrot
Rimrook
Rimrook
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-07 13:32:38 UTC Post #252197
what kind of new features, also is the Compilator done?
Rimrook RimrookSince 2003
The Mad Carrot
The Mad Carrot
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-07 13:59:30 UTC Post #252198
Read Peppers posts. :)

The Compilator is almost done, but i still have a lot of (small) things to do.
The Mad Carrot The Mad Carrot
pepper
pepper
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-07 14:06:41 UTC Post #252199
I like how your programs work fast without any bullshit, i constantly use both the launchpad and compilator!
pepper pepper
The Mad Carrot
The Mad Carrot
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-07 14:09:20 UTC Post #252200
Thanks!

Eventually ill add some of the features of HLLP into The Compilator as well.
The Mad Carrot The Mad Carrot
pepper
pepper
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-07 14:30:43 UTC Post #252201
Jolly good :D Just gotta watch out i dont accidentally press the quikstart combi :P .
pepper pepper
Daubster
Daubster
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-08 12:02:43 UTC Post #252230
Wow, you're really improving! Implementing hotkeys was probably fairly complex. :)

A few suggestions:
  • You could make the window a bit more compact, considering this is a fairly simple tool.
  • A LAUNCH button would be more convenient and self-explanitory than double-clicking the mapname.
  • You should add in a textbox for any more complex commands. The user would type them in manually.
Overall - useful lil' tool. Fix that mod-listbox-not-becoming-active bug, implement all the stuff you've mentioned and you'll have yourself a winner.

EDIT: Heh, this has also removed the multiple shortcuts on my desktop to various mods I use for quick debugging/testing. Kickass. :>
Daubster DaubsterVault Dweller
The Mad Carrot
The Mad Carrot
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-19 10:27:30 UTC Post #252686
Version 1.0.1 released!

Check the first post for updated screenshots and a list of new features!

:D
The Mad Carrot The Mad Carrot
HLGenius
HLGenius
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-19 10:50:23 UTC Post #252687
I like it! You really like the orange backrounds. Very TWHL-ish...but its nice...very nice..dling
HLGenius HLGenius
pepper
pepper
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-19 11:54:12 UTC Post #252688
Yahz! I recognize the map selected :lol: :P :D
pepper pepper
Striker
Striker
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-19 12:49:46 UTC Post #252690
Well I see you are a good programmer . This utility sounds fun :)
Striker StrikerI forgot to check the oil pressure
Tetsu0
Tetsu0
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-19 13:29:44 UTC Post #252692
Hotkeys are piece of cake in VB.
Muzz this is a very nice program. You should make a half-life tools kit and distribute it.
Have the compilator and the launchpad in there. :)
and anything else you've made.
Tetsu0 Tetsu0Positive Chaos
The Mad Carrot
The Mad Carrot
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-19 14:57:27 UTC Post #252696
Yeah well, i need to make some more tools before i make a toolkit.
Eventually, most of the features found in HLLP will be used in The Compilator as well.
The Mad Carrot The Mad Carrot
Captain Terror
Captain Terror
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-19 16:16:22 UTC Post #252697
I agree with Daubsters comments. (LAUNCH button is a MUST if for no other reason than the lulz. A rocket engine sound would be pimp too but that might be a little crazy)

I've been using the launchpad with WON Half-Life everyday since you released it, and with Steam to a limited extent. Works flawlessly... i love it!

KEEP IT UP!

)

Captain Terror Captain Terrorwhen a man loves a woman
The Mad Carrot
The Mad Carrot
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-19 16:28:29 UTC Post #252699
There IS a launch button, Captain Terror. :P
The Mad Carrot The Mad Carrot
Captain Terror
Captain Terror
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-19 16:32:32 UTC Post #252701
lol you just blocked my edit, i just tried the new version and noticed! I like the togglable options to make the launch window smaller too (though i thing the black arrow is quite nondescript, and it would look nicer with better style.

Anyway, sweet. = )
Captain Terror Captain Terrorwhen a man loves a woman
saw1833
saw1833
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-19 23:47:27 UTC Post #252719
Lovin it Muzzy. Works perfectly. No problems with Vista either in case you want to state that.
saw1833 saw1833
Daubster
Daubster
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-20 04:57:14 UTC Post #252729
Been using it for 6-D debugging ever since you released it. Lovely lil' tool - the updates make it even nicer (custom commands for next version pl0x?)

Great stuff! :>
Daubster DaubsterVault Dweller
Penguinboy
Penguinboy
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-20 05:21:26 UTC Post #252731
a toolkit is a great idea, i could pitch in some of my work too. i have a twister update coming and another tool in the works.
Penguinboy PenguinboyHaha, I died again!
pepper
pepper
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-20 05:46:14 UTC Post #252732
That would be pretty cool!

Muzz, could you make it so that it doesnt close down when you launch it? Also, the short-cut doesnt seems to work for me.
pepper pepper
The Mad Carrot
The Mad Carrot
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-20 09:01:54 UTC Post #252734
Pep, the shortcut only works when the application is moved into the system tray. Click the Send to Tray button to send it to the system tray.

Next version will not close itself when you launch a map.

A TWHL toolkit would be awesome!
The Mad Carrot The Mad Carrot
pepper
pepper
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-20 09:29:23 UTC Post #252736
Im afraid it neither works in the tray, the old version did that just fine.
pepper pepper
The Mad Carrot
The Mad Carrot
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-20 09:38:38 UTC Post #252737
Very strange. It works for me. Anyone else having issues with the short cut key combo?
The Mad Carrot The Mad Carrot
saw1833
saw1833
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-20 11:18:41 UTC Post #252739
Yeah I can't get that to work either.
saw1833 saw1833
The Mad Carrot
The Mad Carrot
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-20 13:44:44 UTC Post #252740
Hmm, just tried it myself and noticed that the default shortcut, Ctrl+Shift+S doesn't work. But anything else does. Try a different shortcut key combo, Ctrl+Shift+A for example, or whatever.

Edit: after trying many different combo's, Ctrl+Shift+S now all of a sudden does work.

Weird... Ill look into it.

Edit2: it seems that the shortcut doesn't work as soon as the app is started. It'll work again if you type in a different key.

Im sorry for the inconvenience.

Edit3: Shortcut issues fixed.

Get version 1.0.2 from the first post.

DO NOT USE THE CHECK FOR UPDATES FEATURE IN VERSION 1.0.2!
i've made modifications to the check for updates code in V 1.0.3 which made the check for updates code in V 1.0.2 incompatible. Once V 1.0.4 is out, you can use the check for updates button in V 1.0.3.
The Mad Carrot The Mad Carrot
pepper
pepper
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-20 13:47:18 UTC Post #252741
Excellent! It works perfect now! Great that the program stays open when you launch it from the main screen!

If you still dont have this, then get it right NOW, it really makes a great workflow together with the compilator!
pepper pepper
saw1833
saw1833
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-20 15:03:57 UTC Post #252743
First post still says 1.0.2 and you said it say 1.0.3? im not seeing it
saw1833 saw1833
The Mad Carrot
The Mad Carrot
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-20 15:39:07 UTC Post #252744
What? 1.0.2 is the latest version, released today. In this version, the shortcut key has been fixed.
The Mad Carrot The Mad Carrot
Penguinboy
Penguinboy
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-20 16:02:41 UTC Post #252745
Read your last post again, specifically just after the "Edit3" line. Do you have the version numbers mixed up?
Penguinboy PenguinboyHaha, I died again!
pepper
pepper
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-20 16:33:45 UTC Post #252747
I think it means that he already is working on V1.0.3 and modified a portion of code that 1.0.2. tries to acces.
pepper pepper
The Mad Carrot
The Mad Carrot
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-20 16:34:32 UTC Post #252748
Woops.

Fixed.

Edit: No Pepper, that is not the case.
The Mad Carrot The Mad Carrot
pepper
pepper
Posted 16 years ago2008-07-20 16:35:01 UTC Post #252749
Oh well, it was plausible, i think:).
pepper pepper
The Mad Carrot
The Mad Carrot
Posted 15 years ago2009-07-06 13:16:26 UTC Post #269503
VERSION 1.0.3 RELEASED!
The Mad Carrot The Mad Carrot
Tetsu0
Tetsu0
Posted 15 years ago2009-07-06 14:36:27 UTC Post #269505
Holy crap why don't i have this!?
Must download now. But wait! I'm at work!
Woe is me :(
Tetsu0 Tetsu0Positive Chaos
Notewell
Notewell
Posted 15 years ago2009-07-06 14:45:33 UTC Post #269507
Cool. This may come in handy...
Thanks!
EDIT: Is there a way to make it input console commands at startup? If for instance, I had a MP mod that I wanted to play with bots, could I tell the HLLP to put in the command "addbot" 8 times?
Notewell NotewellGIASFELFEBREHBER
The Mad Carrot
The Mad Carrot
Posted 15 years ago2009-07-06 15:14:26 UTC Post #269509
Type in addbot 8 in the additional parameters textbox. Hopefully that should work.
The Mad Carrot The Mad Carrot
Notewell
Notewell
Posted 15 years ago2009-07-06 16:01:36 UTC Post #269512
Thanks.
But I've also been getting an error;
Unable to launch the game.
Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
Did I install it wrong, is it not supposed to be put in the HL directory? it's set so read from my HL directory, and all my mods are there...
Notewell NotewellGIASFELFEBREHBER
The Mad Carrot
The Mad Carrot
Posted 15 years ago2009-07-06 16:19:38 UTC Post #269514
It doesn't matter where you put it, as long as all the files from the zip (including the dll's) are together.
Finally, try not to run the exe from the zip file, extract all file first.

Do you have use WON HL or Steam HL?
How did you launched it (via the contextmenu or via the UI itself (by doublclicking an item))?
The Mad Carrot The Mad Carrot
Notewell
Notewell
Posted 15 years ago2009-07-06 18:32:52 UTC Post #269520
I am using WON, and I was trying to use the UI.
The files are in my HL directory.
Notewell NotewellGIASFELFEBREHBER
The Mad Carrot
The Mad Carrot
Posted 15 years ago2009-07-07 11:03:44 UTC Post #269595
Any way i can talk to you via instant message?
Are you on Steam, MSN or IRC? It would be much faster for me to figure out the problem.
The Mad Carrot The Mad Carrot
Notewell
Notewell
Posted 15 years ago2009-07-07 16:52:45 UTC Post #269621
:/
I have steam (JeffMOD) but I haven't been able to update so I've been offline for 1-200 something days. X(
I may try reinstalling steam again to see if that helps. I'll let you know if I get it working.
Notewell NotewellGIASFELFEBREHBER
The Mad Carrot
The Mad Carrot
Posted 15 years ago2009-07-08 11:11:59 UTC Post #269681
Please try to hurry up, i want this fixed, this is important to me.
The Mad Carrot The Mad Carrot
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