Callbacks Tutorial

NFO Tutorial

• Preliminaries
• NFO foundations
• The first vehicle
• Selective GRF loading
• Variable vehicle ID
• Callbacks tutorial
• General strategy
• Sample NFO file
• Powered wagons

Unfinished tutorials

• TestingChanges
• SettingSpeedEtc
• NamingYourVehicle
• EnsuringCompatibility
• ShowingLoadingStates
• DifferentCargoTypes
• WagonOverride
• LiveryChanges
• RandomLivery
• SpecialEffects

NFO Specification

Callbacks in Graphics Files

Since TTDPatch 2.0.1 alpha 11, it is possible to use callbacks, in which the graphics files can influence how TTDPatch features work. This is a lot more sophisticated than simply using action 0 to choose various settings, in that callbacks can use the full capabilities of variational and random action 2 entries.

How it works

When the patch wants to use the value of certain properties, it can ask the graphics file what value to use, instead of simply looking it up in the table set by action 0. It does this if the corresponding callback bit has been set in the vehicle's action 0 properties. Then, the following happens:

• The patch sets the current callback ID, variable 0C, according to what callback it is
• Then, the patch starts at the vehicle's action 3 entry and finds the initial action 2 number to use
• The patch then follows the chain of variational/random action 2 entries
• The set-id of the final action 2 is used as result for the callback

Because callbacks are different from regular vehicle graphics, the last action 2 in the chain must have a set-id with bit 15 set (e.g. XX 80 to return XX), which is invalid for regular graphics. Therefore, at least one action 2 in the chain must check the variable 0C, to decide whether this is a callback or the determination of graphics.

How to define callbacks

There are several things you have to do to get callbacks to work.

1. If necessary, enable the callback. For vehicles, set the callback bit in the action 0 property for the vehicle which should use callbacks (props 1E, 17, 12 or 14 depending on vehicle type)
2. Set a default for the value that the callback modifies, e.g. set prop 07 when using the load amount callback
3. Define an action 3 for the vehicle if it doesn't have one already
4. Add a variational action 2 that checks the callback variable 0C for the value of the callback. See the description of a variational action 2 to find what values those are.
5. Variable 0C should be accessed as a word. Even when the callbacks IDs you want to test are below 0xFF.
6. This variational action 2 has to return a callback result (set-id with bit 15 set) when in a callback, or a regular set-id when not in a callback
7. Make sure that the "default" of the var. 0C check (corresponding to unknown callbacks) points to a regular action 2 instead of one that returns callback results, ideally using the same action 2 as in the non-callback case. This way, unknown callbacks will fail instead of returning valid, but wrong, results.

As explained above, a callback result is something like 06 80 (with 06 being used as value of the callback), instead of a regular set-id that would be for example 04 00.

Examples

Be aware that following examples don't result into 100% complete newgrfs, but instead concentrate on the most important code features. E.g., in the given action0s you'd have to add even more properties to get a well-working newgrf, or, in case an example describes only one vehicle in detail, references to other vehicles, e.g. a locomotive, are given in a symbolic form ("xx", "nn") rather than implementing it in detail and giving correct veh-IDs or c-IDs.

Example1: using Callback 33 (new sounds)

The first example is a simple application. It will set new sounds for a locomotive by using callback 33. The new sounds will be supplied by two .wav files using action 11. Newly defined sounds will start from slot 73 (49h), numbers 0 - 48h being original TTD sounds. The type of event (under which circumstances a particular sound should be played) is read from variable 10.

0 * 4	0F 00 00 00

// add an action 08
1 * 8	08 02 xx xx xx xx 00 00

// set engine (00) to use new sprites, enable for callback 33
2 * 9	00 00 02 01 00 
		12 FD	// use new sprites 
		1E 80	// enable CB 33

// define sound files, first available slot being 49h
3 * 3	11 02 00
4 ** C:\ttdlx\newgrf\sprites\start.wav	// 49: whistle (departure)
5 ** C:\ttdlx\newgrf\sprites\tunnel.wav	// 4A: whistle (in tunnel)

// engine sprites go here
6 * 4	01 00 01 04
[...]	// 4 sprites for engine

// c-ID 0 use above set of sprites
11 * 9	02 00 00 01 01 00 00 00 00	// engine 
	
// sound events are read from var10:
12 * 18	02 00 01 81 10 00 FF 02
		49 80 01 01	// whistle: departure
		4A 80 02 02	// whistle: in tunnel
		00 00		// else CB fail

// switch between callback and graphics branch
13 * 17	02 00 02 85 0C 00 FF FF 01
		01 00 33 00 33 00	// is CB 33, set sound
		00 00			// graphics

14 * 7	03 00 01 00 00 02 00	// engine

Example2: using Callbacks 12, 15, and 19

Suppose you want to build passenger coaches with both first and second class, having different livery and capacity, loading amount, and additional text suffixes. For this to work we'll need callbacks 12 (load amount), 15 (refitted capacity) and 19 (cargo subtype display):

In addition, we'll use the feature "refit to same cargo type" to be able to change livery, loading amount and capacity deliberately, even if coaches carry only one type of cargo, namely "passengers".

In the .nfo, the actual "refitting" is done by referencing variable F2, which holds how many times a vehicle was refitted to the same cargo type. In game, there will be two entries generated in the refit menu containing these text suffixes generated by an action 4. Namely "passengers (1st class)" and "passengers (2nd class)" from which to choose the desired type of coach. Likewise, load amount and capacity are linked to variable F2 as well and will be changed accordingly.

0 * 4	15 00 00 00
	
// add an action 08
1 * 8	08 02 xx xx xx xx 00 00

// define additional text suffixes
2 * 0	04 00 1F 02 00 D0
		" (1st class)" 00	// D000 = "1st class"
               	" (2nd class)" 00	// D001 = "2nd class"

// set coach (1B) to use new sprites, 
// enable for callbacks 12, 15 and 19
3 * 9	00 00 02 01 1B 
		12 FD	// use new sprites 
		1E 2C	// enable CB 12, 15 and 19

// coach sprites go here
4 * 4	01 00 02 04
[...]	// 4 sprites for 1st class coach
[...]	// 4 sprites for 2nd class coach

// c-IDs 0..1 use above set of sprites
13 * 9	02 00 00 01 01 00 00 00 00	// 1st class
14 * 9	02 00 01 01 01 01 00 01 00	// 2nd class

// next 4 pseudo sprites are checking var F2, 
// thus constituting the two refitting possibilities:
// [1st class, 48 passengers, load amount = 6]  and
// [2nd class, 56 passengers, load amount = 8]

// set load amount
15 * 14	02 00 02 81 F2 00 FF 01
		06 80 00 00	// 1st class = 6/tick
		08 80		// 2nd class = 8/tick

// set refitted capacity
16 * 14	02 00 03 81 F2 00 FF 01
		30 80 00 00	// 1st class = 48 pass  
		38 80		// 2nd class = 56 pass 

// set text suffixes
17 * 18	02 00 04 81 F2 00 FF 02
		00 80 00 00	// "1st class"
		01 80 01 01	// "2nd class"
		FF 80

// set livery
18 * 14	02 00 05 81 F2 00 FF 01
		00 00 00 00	// 1st class
		01 00		// 2nd class

// switch between callbacks and graphics branch
19 * 29	02 00 06 85 0C 00 FF FF 03
		02 00 12 00 12 00	// is CB12, set load amount
		03 00 15 00 15 00	// is CB15, set refit capacity
		04 00 19 00 19 00	// is CB19, set text suffix
		05 00			// graphics

20 * 7	03 00 01 1B 00 06 00	// coach

Example3: using callbacks 11 (wagon length) and 16 (articulated engine)

This example will demonstrate how to use callback 16 for designing "articulated vehicles", e.g. locomotives with tenders. We'll set up two locomotives using two different tenders: <engine1> will use a standard short <tender1> and <engine2> will use the even shorter <tender2> by applying callback 11.

0 * 4	34 00 00 00

// add an action 08
1 * 8	08 02 xx xx xx xx 00 00

// set the generic tender (2D) to use new sprites, 
// enable for callback 11
2 * 13	00 00 04 01 2D 
		06 00	// don't show up in menu
		12 FD	// use new sprites 
		1E 02	// enable CB 11
		21 02	// make shorter by 25%

// tender sprites go here
3 * 4	01 00 02 08
[...]	// 8 sprites for tender1
[...]	// 8 sprites for tender2

// Cargo-ids 0..1 use above set of sprites
20 * 9	02 00 F0 01 01 00 00 00 00	// tender1 (F0)
21 * 9	02 00 00 01 01 01 00 01 00	// tender2

// tender2 (F1) is shorter
22 * 18	02 00 F1 85 0C 00 FF FF 01
		03 80 11 00 11 00	// is CB11: make shorter by 37.5%
		00 00			// graphics

23 * 7	03 00 01 2D 00 F0 00	// standard tender

// set two engines (00 and 01) to use new sprites, 
// enable for callback 16
24 * 11	00 00 02 02 00 
		12 FD FD	// use new sprites 
		1E 10 10	// enable CB 16

// engine sprites go here
25 * 4	01 00 02 08
[...]	// 8 sprites for engine1
[...]	// 8 sprites for engine2

// Cargo-ids 0..1 use above set of sprites
42 * 9	02 00 00 01 01 00 00 00 00	// engine1
43 * 9	02 00 01 01 01 01 00 01 00	// engine2

// <engine1> uses standard <tender1>
// engine is articulated, so show either engine (00) or tender (F0)
44 * 14	02 00 02 81 41 00 01 01
		00 00 00 00	// engine1
		F0 00		// tender1

// set articulated CB
45 * 14	02 00 03 81 10 00 FF 01
		2D 80 01 01	// add tender (2D)
		FF 80		// end of articulated vehicle

// Switch between callback and graphics branch
46 * 17	02 00 04 85 0C 00 FF FF 01
		03 00 16 00 16 00	// is CB16, handle it
		02 00			// graphics

47 * 7	03 00 01 00 00 04 00	// engine1 with tender1

// <engine2> uses shorter <tender2>
// engine is articulated, so show either engine (01) or tender (F1)
48 * 14	02 00 02 81 41 00 01 01
		01 00 00 00	// engine2
		F1 00		// tender2

// switch between callback and graphics branch
49 * 17	02 00 04 85 0C 00 FF FF 01
		03 00 16 00 16 00	// is CB 16, handle it 
						// (same as for <engine1>)
		02 00			// graphics

50 * 7	03 00 01 01 00 04 00	// engine2
51 * 7  03 00 81 2D 00 F1 00    // override with tender2

Example4: using Callbacks 10, 16, 1D and 23

This example explains how to use callbacks 10 (power), 16 (articulated),

1D (engine attach), and 23 (additional text in menu) to construct a four-part EMU.

The EMU is composed from the same building block, an electric rail car (veh-ID = 62). In addition, it should be allowed to link three of these four-part EMUs, i.e. a full consist may contain 12 rail cars in total.

For sake of realism, no "foreign" vehicles should be allowed to be attached to the EMU. This is achieved by checking the veh-ID from variable C6. Appropriate error messages will be generated if there's something wrong, either with number or with type of added vehicles.

Please notice that CBs 1D and 23 do not need a bit set in action0's property 1E.

Furthermore, it is shown how to make an explicit menu entry for such an EMU. For this to work, we need an extra sprite depicting not the single rail car but the complete four-part EMU. Because this sprite will be used only inside the buying menu, the corresponding sprite block needs only this single sprite for the horizontal direction. All other directions are not needed and hence we don't have to include sprites for them.

Also, the variable action2 chain for the menu entry need references for callbacks 16 and 23. The latter is used to place the text of additional information into the menu entry, and CB 16 is needed to get the capacity of the four-part EMU to show up correctly in the buying menu.

0 * 4	39 00 00 00

// add an action 08
1 * 8	08 02 xx xx xx xx 00 00

// CB 1D error messages 
2 * 0	04 00 81 02 20 D0
		" (wrong number of cars)" 00	// D020
		" (wrong type of car)" 00	// D021

// CB 23 additional text for menu
3 * 0	04 00 81 01 22 D0
		0d 91 "4-part EMU for commuter service." 
                " (Links max 12 parts)" 00

// set rail car (62) to use new sprites, 
// enable for callbacks 10 and 16
4 * 11	00 00 03 01 62
		12 FD	// use new sprites 
		19 30	// electric traction
		1E 11	// enable CBs 10 and 16

//----------------------------------------------------------
// the "train"
//----------------------------------------------------------

// all rail car sprites go here
5 * 4	01 00 04 08
[...]	// sprites for 1st car
[...]	// sprites for 2nd car
[...]	// sprites for 3rd car
[...]	// sprites for 4th car

// c-IDs 0..3 use above set of sprites
38 * 9	02 00 00 01 01 00 00 00 00	// 1st car
39 * 9	02 00 01 01 01 01 00 01 00	// 2nd car
40 * 9	02 00 02 01 01 02 00 02 00	// 3rd car
41 * 9	02 00 03 01 01 03 00 03 00	// 4th car

// determine which car we are at. AND-ing the number of vehicles
// in consist is more efficient as a "modulo-4" operation would be.
42 * 22	02 00 04 81 40 00 03 03
		03 00 03 03	// 4th car
		02 00 02 02	// 3rd car
		01 00 01 01	// 2nd car
		00 00		// 1st car

// set CB 16 (articulated vehicle)
43 * 14	02 00 05 81 10 00 FF 01
		62 80 01 03	// 3 additional parts of veh-ID 62
		FF 80		// end articulated vehicle		

// set CB 1D (engine attach)
// allow only 3 * EMU (= 12 cars) in total
44 * 14	02 00 06 82 40 10 FF 01
		FE 80 00 09	// allow adding of max 8 cars
		20 80		// error: "wrong number of cars" 

// allow only EMU to attach itself, nothing else
45 * 14	02 00 07 81 C6 00 FF 01
		06 00 62 62	// allow
		21 80		// error: "wrong type of car"

// only car1 and, if exist, 5 and 9 should be sparking 
// we're using a modulo-4 operation -> 80-FF-00-04
46 * 16      02 00 08 81 40 80 FF 00 04 01
		33 80 01 01	// sparks
		40 80		// no sparks

// switch between callback and graphics branch
47 * 29	02 00 09 85 0C 00 FF FF 03
		05 00 16 00 16 00	// is CB16, handle it
		07 00 1D 00 1D 00	// is CB 1D, handle it
		08 00 10 00 10 00	// is CB 10, handle it
		04 00			// graphics

//----------------------------------------------------------
// menu entry
//----------------------------------------------------------

48 * 4	01 00 01 04

49 * 1	00
50 * 1	00
51 C:\ttdlx\newgrf\sprites\emu.pcx 226 120 01 15 91 -27 -11
52 * 1	00

53 * 9	02 00 00 01 01 00 00 00 00

// switch between callback and graphics branch
54 * 23	02 00 01 85 0C 00 FF FF 02
		05 00 16 00 16 00	// CB 16 (for capacity calculation)
		22 80 23 00 23 00	// CB 23, show additional text
		00 00			// graphics

55 * 10	03 00 01 62 01 FF 01 00 09 00