Plumgen (v1.2)

App Features

• Make a detailed & aesthetically pleasing biome mod in as little as 30 seconds.
• IMPORT and merge multiple biome mods.
• Bulk replace OR multiply flora traits (scale, density, etc).
• Auto-rename and auto-add biomes to sub-biomes (for spawning).
• EXPORT directly to PAK, EXML, MBIN, and LUA (AMUMSS optional).
• "LUA-ize" or remix almost any biome mod.
• Save and share individual biomes (JSON files).
• Validates all input and data = stable mods.
• Exhaustive error handling and logging (all done locally).
• Responsive and intuitive interface.
• And more!

Changelog

Update v1.2:

• Reworked the 'Add Biome' button to create more aesthetically pleasing and detailed biomes.
  • Instead of adding 4 completely random props to a biome, now, 9-14 props can be added, all based on a similar biome category.
  • Before, what a biome used to look like:
    • Huge crystal, cactus, toxic plant, lush grass
  • After v1.2:
    • Large fan shroom, huge bounder, large blue shroom, medium boulder02, medium blue shroom, medium bounder01, small boulder, lush grass, small shroom cluster, decorative gravel
  • This basically categorizes each new biome into 1 (or more) of 25 categories (lush, frozen, etc), and only grabs new props from a similar pool.
  • More details:
    • 25% chance of adding 1 distant prop - biggest props & can be a huge eyesore if added to every planet.
    • 2-3 landmark props
    • 3-4 objects
    • 4-6 detail objects
• Changed 'Auto-add Biome Objects to Tiles' menu item to sort more biomes, like biomes with Nevada and Alpine props.
• Removed many huge props with short LODs from several CSVs (Vanilla+Pre NMS & FoundPathAtlas).

Update v1.12:

• New dropdown menu item (File > Bulk Import & Update) for bulk updating many BIOMES folders separately in '_BIOMES Exmls Folder Goes Here' directory.
  • Video demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbyHlvXGZXM
• New export draw distance option for better performance: 'Near'. Can be used for biomes with demanding/high res custom models.
• Added support for new prop attribute: 'Type'. Two values for this attribute: 'Instanced' or 'Single'.
  • Type is an obfuscated attribute which controls e.g. whether props despawn on slopes or if a floating prop has collisions.

Update v1.11.1b: Fix for importing outdated after-NEXT biomes.

Update v1.11.1a:

• Fixed bulk editing certain prop attributes, like "Coverage."
• Support for auto-renaming and auto-adding new 'Worlds Part 1' biomes.
• Fixed issue with making a biome template (.csv) with outdated after-NEXT biomes.
• Misc. bug fixes.

Update v1.11:

• Updated to "Worlds Part 1"
  • Added support for 4 new prop attributes: MaxYRotation, MaxRaise, MaxLower & IsFloatingIsland.
  • Updated each biome .csv ("v2" in filename), added 'Worlds Part 1.csv' biome template - includes newest props.
  • Automatically updates old biome objects files, biome files, and presets.

Update v1.1:

• New Update menu item - Fetches and downloads latest PLUMGEN update. You no longer have to manually download updates.
• Added support for 10 languages - Reworked all text elements, translated each via. DeepL (take these with a grain of salt). ;)
  • These include: Chinese-Simplified, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish
• Fixed issue - Bug preventing bulk editing model paths.
• Readme clarifications.
• Security improvements.
• New prompt asking to download latest MBINCompiler update - You can export offline or continue modding with outdated NMS/MBINCompiler versions.

Full Release v1.0:

• Overhauled exporting. AMUMSS no longer required. You can now export directly to .PAK using PLUMGEN's new efficient export system.

  • 10x faster export time vs. LUA - Exporting 20,000+ biomes now takes ~3 minutes, compared to 30+ minutes via. LUA/AMUMSS. [1]
  • Improved stability - PLUMGEN's new export to PAK system is highly resilient against game updates. [2]
  • Export all files - EXMLs, MBINs, LUAs, and PAKs. Immediately locate and import exported modded biomes/EXMLs.
  • Automatic updates - Exporting fetches latest MBINCompiler and extracts vanilla game files = easily mod vanilla biomes too.
  • Enhanced custom sub-biome support - Replicate modded or even outdated sub-biomes with a new export menu (should the issue arise).
  • LUA now optional - Exporting still generates 2 LUA files, but making use of them (via. AMUMSS) is now optional.
  • Please see updated 'Requirements' and 'Exporting Info' sections below for more info.

  *[1] lxml wraps around C libraries = highly optimized EXML parsing/processing. Plus, I just understand Python better than I do LUA.

  *[2] lxml follows XML standards for syntax, structure, & validation. This improves long-term EXML compatibility with NMS updates.

Requirements

• [Required] Download .NET 6 - Select appropriate download under "Run desktop apps" https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet/6.0/runtime

• [Optional] PLUMGEN generates .LUA scripts too. AMUMSS is needed to make use of these .LUA scripts. AMUMSS Guide: https://www.nexusmods.com/nomanssky/mods/2626

Exporting Details

After exporting, you'll find a folder inside '__Exported Mod Files' containing:

• PAKs - Your mods. How to install mods: https://nomanssky.fandom.com/wiki/Mods#Summary

• EXMLs - Look for any 'BIOMES' (or 'CUSTOMBIOMES') folder -> copy it to PLUMGEN's '_BIOMES Exmls Folder Goes Here' -> import. [1]

• MBINs - Compiled EXMLs.

• LUAs - To be used with AMUMSS (optional). [2]

  *[1] If you have multiple BIOMES or CUSTOMBIOMES: Rename the others, e.g. BIOMES2, BIOMES3, etc. PLUMGEN can auto-merge multiple mods via. this method: https://youtu.be/zzaeyRAobOQ?t=867

  *[2] Spawner LUA may throw errors if you use any custom 'sub-biomes' (PLUMGEN's PAKs are designed to avoid this issue). Watch video^ for more info.

Known Issues

• Using 'Reset Auto-Rename' on a filepath with multiple underscores can erase almost all of the path's name.
• If a link opens a new browser, then you quit PLUMGEN, the app will stay active until you quit the browser.
  • This does not happen when your browser is already open. This issue seems to occur when creating the EXE via. cx_Freeze.

Q&A/Troubleshooting

• When running the app, I encounter a window that says, "Windows protected your PC"

Click "More info" -> "Run anyway." This is a false flag from your antivirus. PLUMGEN is safe to use. You can view the source code on github.

• Is this difficult to learn?

In my (100% unbiased) opinion, no. You do not need any programming or scripting knowledge to use PLUMGEN. Nearly everything is done via. a graphical interface.

• Is this a paid app?

No, although donations are accepted.

• Will my exported biome mod break after game updates?

If it breaks, import your mod and export it again. Note: wait for MBINCompiler update after game updates (check here for updates).

Although rare, if a new game update fundamentally changes game structure/biome files, wait for a PLUMGEN update. Check for updates via the top "Update" menu item.

• The PLUMGEN window looks blurry and parts are cut-off by the edge of the window, like the tooltip.

This shouldn't happen after v1.0. If it does, please let me know.

• I changed the language, and now text elements appear cut off, like the tooltip/info box.

Simply expand the window. This should let you see the rest of the text. Some translations require more space than the English version.

• Some translations are not accurate.

Yeah, I used DeepL and a few other machine learning sources to translate. Consider opening an issue on github with any suggested improvements. :)

Need Help?

• Video Tutorial - FYI this predates v1.0 which added the ability to export directly to PAK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzaeyRAobOQ

• If you encounter issues, please report them on nexus mods or github with full details and the plumgen.log file. Images or videos are always appreciated: https://github.com/SunnySummit/

Credits & Acknowledgements

• PSARC Archive Tool - Decompiles PAK files to MBIN
• MBINCompiler - Decompiles MBIN files to EXML
• lxml - Parses EXML files
• cx_Freeze - Creates executables, high performance, cross-platform

Disclaimer/Notes

• PLUMGEN lets you import and mod almost any biomes. Always seek permission before distributing others' work.
• Note: If a mod author grants you permission to share their work, they cannot later retract it, per Nexus Mods rules.
• Do not restrict permissions on any present or past vanilla game biomes using PLUMGEN (not including changes to prop attributes).

Other

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