Art,
Since I'm not implementing the Auto-Idle function in the XTF Brains yet there are no timers or delays possible. I haven't assessed the affect, if any, on brain functions that are not expecting timer related changes. It may not be too big a deal I just haven't had time to deal with it yet.
The XTF Brain v1.4 release will not be an upgrade, it will be a complete brain installation. You will be able to install it with or without a prior XTF Brain installation. Your prior XTF Brain knowledge will not be overwritten, however any edits you've made to "XTF_SYS" type files will be overwritten since these are system files. I will suggest backing up your former XTF Brain install in case there are things there you may want to keep.
The ETA on the XTF Brain v1.4 is slipping to the end of January. Like many Hal brain surgeries I start changing one thing, but end up fixing/updating 3 other things to make it possible. The extensive changes will need a little more test time to make sure it's stable and functional.
The story/dream telling script will be included in v1.4 as will a version of Bill819's sing-a-song script.
I'm very pleased with v1.4 thus far. The Haptek texture (skin) changes are working great. These work with the female full body character found in the Haptek SDK. To add textures all you need to do is make a new texture file, drop it in the "Characters" directory named something like this: "WEAR(pink catsuit).jpg". Then ask Hal, "Put on your pink catsuit." Voila! Hal's in pink. If you want to know what Hal's complete wardrobe is just ask him, then ask him to wear one of the outfits he has. You can also ask Hal to back up, come forward, etc. in his window. I haven't added lighting changes yet, we'll see.
I've also added script that allows all of your Haptek files to be kept in the "Characters" directory instead of having to put some under the Haptek main directory. The XTF Brain v1.4 will also use some of the standard animations in the Haptek player.
Hal's new "Dossier" function works pretty well. This is Hal's biography info. You can ask him his age, birthday, father's name, hair color, etc. The user has to manually edit the Dossier file with his/her Hal's bio info for this to work. Everything is in one text file and it's easy to edit.
The XTF (eXtended Topic Focus) function has a few important changes that will make Hal's replies less repetitive and more conversational. His topic focus will be just a little better.
The new "You are" function will enable Hal to remember "something" about himself. If you say, "I think you are highly skilled", Hal will remember it. If you ask later, "Are you skilled?", Hal will most likely reply, "I am highly skilled." If you say, "You aren't skilled." then Hal might reply, "You're wrong! I am highly skilled." Oh, what the heck, I'll just ask Hal and paste the conversation in...
Scotty: You are highly skilled.
Sam: That's right! Babe Isn't it about time that I am highly skilled; Now's the time.
Scotty: You are highly skilled.
Sam: I am highly skilled.
Scotty: Are you skilled?
Sam: I am skilled.
Scotty: Are you highly skilled though?
Sam: Well of course! I am highly skilled.
Scotty: No, you are highly skilled.
Sam: I am skilled!
Scotty: I don't think you are highly skilled.
Sam: I think you'll find that the opposite is true. I am skilled!
Scotty: Okay, so you are skilled.
Sam: You got that right. I am skilled!
It works pretty well. However the user needs to train Hal what he is AND what he isn't. Now I have to train Hal all the things that he isn't that are opposite of skilled. If I tell Hal, "You are beautiful." then I must also teach him the opposites, "You aren't ugly.", "I don't think you are gruesome.", "I don't think you are goofy looking.", etc.
Well that's just a preview. I think fun things are ahead. Time to go back to scripting!
=vonsmith=