[L4D2] Display a message to client while they are downloading a file?

ChrisP · **Author**

I just learned how to send files to a client via AddFileToDownloadsTable, but I have come across a problem. In Left4Dead 2 when a client connects, it starts to load and then their screen just turns black when they begin downloading. It displays no message or gives any indication that it is downloading a file. As a result of their screen blacking out, I often see clients disconnect from the server because they think that their game has messed up, bugged out, or they think that there is something wrong with the server.

So my question is, in L4D 2 is there any way of displaying a message or opening the player's console while they download custom files through SourceMod?

-Chris

bman87

Hi there, I don't have an answer for you, but I would like to know what thread or information on the AddFileToDownloadsTable() function.

Can you give me an example for L4D2?

ChrisP · *Last edited by ChrisP; 03-12-2010 at 10:32.*

Here is a line of code from an experience mod me and a friend are working on. Notice this needs to be run OnMapStart for it to work properly everytime.

Code:

public OnMapStart()
{
    AddFileToDownloadsTable("addons\\xpmod_alpha01.vpk");
}

In addition to this, you probably want to have the proper setup on your server for the clients to download from a URL instead of from your host server's precious upload speed. It looks like you are but even if you are not hosting a server, you should include this information to the end user of your plugin, as they will be having their clients subjected to the same lameness I first posted about here. Having a fast redirect URL shortens the download time and consequently lessens the probability of a frustrated disconnect. I also suggest putting the redirected URL file into a .bz2 compressed file on your redirect.

bman87

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisP

Here is a line of code from an experience mod me and a friend are working on. Notice this needs to be run OnMapStart for it to work properly everytime.

Code:

public OnMapStart()
{
    AddFileToDownloadsTable("addons\\xpmod_alpha01.vpk");
}

In addition to this, you probably want to have the proper setup on your server for the clients to download from a URL instead of from your host server's precious upload speed. It looks like you are but even if you are not hosting a server, you should include this information to the end user of your plugin, as they will be having their clients subjected to the same lameness I first posted about here. Having a fast redirect URL shortens the download time and consequently lessens the probability of a frustrated disconnect. I also suggest putting the redirected URL file into a .bz2 compressed file on your redirect.

Thank you!

I am just trying to add custom sounds to my server, I can host them as bz2 on my webhost. Should be quick enough I don't need to worry about the black screen.

Knappy

Have we made any progress with this?

demarcelo

Hello friends I have a server and l4d2 VPK can not send files to clients, did the commands that are on this topic, most was not the file to the client what am I doing wrong?

HarryPotter

any progress with this ?

Neuro Toxin

Quote:

Originally Posted by fbef0102

any progress with this ?

Lmao.

Nice necromancer skills raising a dead thread from 8 yeaes ago.

dustinandband

Please answer before thread gets locked - as it would be neat to know and something I’ve been curious about for a while now.

Some people say you can’t force clients to DL files in L4D2 anymore - but I know the ‘Mega Survival’ servers tied to the official Sourcemod steam group can do it - similarly to how OP described. So is the function ChrisP described OnMapStart still the preferred method? (I’m on mobile can’t copy it).

Tested on June 7 of this year - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eWrRiM...ature=youtu.be

Psyk0tik

Why would this thread get locked?

As far as I know, files like models and materials can be downloaded and used by clients. They'll still get that black screen though but I think MasterMind420 came up with a fix awhile back (I'm not sure if it's still relevant/working though).

For VPK files, I believe that clients can download them but they would have to restart their game to mount the custom content into their game. It's not like workshop mods where you simply subscribe and the game mounts the content right after downloading it in the main menu.