Autolauncher and Gem Cut Calculator

[Carl]

I guess it will work for some and others will be unable to use it for now. I am just happy that it either works or doesn't, depending on your computer, but shouldn't mess anything up. Some people will see a lot of use out of it.

[AdnaanA]

I am not sure the autolauncher and the Gem Cut Calculator is allowed for dynasties.

[Carl]

Neither should matter. The Autolauncher isn't against the rules as all it does is open the game for you, and the calculator does simple math you could do with microsoft's own calculator, it just does it all at once.

[Pam]

I am not sure the autolauncher and the Gem Cut Calculator is allowed for dynasties.

They are fine for dynasties.

I guess it will work for some and others will be unable to use it for now. I am just happy that it either works or doesn't, depending on your computer, but shouldn't mess anything up. Some people will see a lot of use out of it.

I would have loved it if I could get it to work right.  Hopefully my situation won't be the the norm.

[AdnaanA]

@Pam try reinstalling it

[Pam]

@Pam try reinstalling it

I have, more than once.  I'll just live without it.

[Jagid]

For those having problems telling the Autolauncher where The Sims is located, go to your documents folder and find "Jagid's Sims 3 Autolauncher.ini." If it does not exist, feel free to create one manually.

The first thing the launcher does is look for its settings saved during the most recent setup session. You can avoid running setup by typing the values into the file manually. Here's a copy/paste of my file:

----------

[Launcher Play Button]
Mouse X Coordinate=115
Mouse Y Coordinate=260
[Load Game Play Button]
Mouse X Coordinate=833
Mouse Y Coordinate=916
Pixel Color=0x441B00
[Launcher File]
Path=D:\Games\Origin\The Sims 3\Game\Bin\Sims3Launcher.exe
[Pause Border]
Pixel X=2
Pixel Y=454
Pixel Color=0x9C0E0E

----------

You can see all the data is stored there. Feel free to edit it directly if setup isn't working for you.

Also, the app is using your windows environment variables to find your documents folder, even if you've customized it (mine is on my data drive, "D:" in a common folder where I store all the user data that I regularly back up). So when it looks for the INI file, it will always be looking in whatever folder you have designated as your root documents folder.

I have no idea what would happen on a mac, so I can't speak to that.

Also, depending on Windows version and security settings, it's possible you may need to run the Autolauncher as an admin. I seriously doubt it, though. It only accesses your documents folder and it clicks stuff for you. The system shouldn't really see it as a threat.

On the other hand, some Autohotkey scripts and compilers have had false positives on various virus scanners I've used over the years. You may want to check your virus scanner as well.

Also, I am told you can have Showtime remember your login data, so please do so.

If there is a consensus that the app clicks launch too quickly or does other weird things that I could fix, I'll edit the timing. I can even alter the script to allow custom timing per user to account for faster and slower machines. Just let me know.

Hope that helps!

[Jagid]

A side note: I originally wrote the launcher so that it read the registry key:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\Sims3Launcher.exe\shell\Open\Command

It ran the launcher from whatever file name it found there.

I am not familiar with newer versions of Windows since XP (I left the PC repair field a few years ago and haven't bothered to upgrade) and I was concerned about accessing the registry in an app that I was going to offer to more people than just myself.

Can anyone tell me if WinVista, Win7, etc, block registry access to non-signed apps? Also, the ability to manually edit an INI file that resides in MyDocs seems to be an advantage for the technophiles among us. Editing registry entries can be scary.

What does everyone think?

[Jagid]

Upgraded the Autolauncher and emailed my Skydrive link to Carl last night.

I simplified the way you designate the location of your launcher. I also streamlined the script for anyone out there that's looking to make a custom version for themselves.

There are a couple other upgrades. The new version ends in "v1.1."

Send me a message if you have any other ideas about tweaks and upgrades.

[Carl]

Thanks, Jagid. I updated the version on the guide so download away.

[Jagid]

I just upgraded my computer and I can see the issues some people have had using the autolauncher.

I upgraded it to version 1.2 and it should be more widely compatible now. I sent it to Carl a few minutes ago.

It now works on my new core i5, Windows 7, DirectX 11, etc etc... so I hope more people will be able to autolaunch now! 

Let me know if it acts weirdly or anything.

[Carl]

Thank you for continuing to support it! I'll be sure to offer the new version on the guide tomorrow.

[JonMom2009]

Have a question about the gem calculator: Was wondering why you take the original value out of the cut value plus the cut cost to get the profit.

If it cost you nothing to get a uncut gem your profit should only be the result of taking out the cost of the cut.

If someone could explain so I understand.

[LifeJunkie]

I just downloaded the autolauncher, but it's not working properly. When I hover over the play button in the starting program and hit F12, I get a message next to my cursor saying "Launching The Sims 3 Launcher...". At that point nothing else happens and the message stays attached to my cursor. It's on there now too. I'd really love to use it. What could be the issue?

[alex51299]

Sorry for resurrecting an old topic, but I was wondering if anyone has the link to the autolauncher so that I can download it. I can't seem to find it.