Gene Compare V1.0.2
===================

Note: This program is a work in progress as I work out the file
format of Creatures 3 genomes. 

If you are familiar with Sandra Linkletters' D-DNA Analyzer for
Creatures 1 and Creatures 2 then this program will be familiar to
you. It provides similar functionality for Creatures 3 and Creatures
Adventures genomes.

This program allows you to load a C3 .gen file and view a detailed
list of all genes within that genome. This list may be copy and pasted
to other applications for printing if desired.

Additionally, you can compare the current genome against a second
genome and get a list of the differences between the two genomes. This
can be used for viewing the mutations of a child from its parents, or
comparing the differences between creature breeds. Comparing the
Grendel genome and the Norn genome for example.

The gene numbers listed are the same number as appears in my genetics
editor so you can use this listing as an overview of the genome before
editing specific genes in the genetics editor.

Runtime Library
===============

You must have the Functional Developer 2.0 runtime library installed for
this program to run. You can get this from:

http://www.double.co.nz/creatures/programs/fdrund3.exe

Running the setup program for the runtime library will install some
.DLL files onto your computer and add an entry into your path. You may
need to reboot for this path entry to be updated. Once this has been
done you can run this program or any other program written using the
Functional Developer development tools. More details on Functional
Developer can be found at:

http://www.double.co.nz/dylan

Usage
=====

1. Install the Functional Developer runtime library if required.

2. Extract all the files into a directory of your choice.

3. Run gene-compare.exe.

4. Use File/Open First Genome to open any .gen file. A summary of that
   genome will be displayed.

5. Use File/Toggle Details if you want to switch between the summary
   view or the full genome detailed view. Use Ctrl-A while inside the
   listing window to select all the text, follwed by Ctrl+C to copy
   it. You can then paste the text in another application for
   printing or whatever.

6. Use File/Compare With Second Genome to select another .gen file and
   view the differences between the two.

Details Listing Format
======================
I kept the listing format similar to that of the D-DNA Analyzer to
make it easy for people familiar with that tool to use this one. Each
gene is displayed with its header information first:

 442   1   0 Emb B MutDupCut        128   0 

In this example, the '442' is the gene number (which is the same as
the first column of information in the genetics editor). The '1' is
the gene sequence number and the '0' is the duplicate number or
generation number as it is sometimes called. The 'Emb' means the gene
will switch on at Embryo stage. The 'B' means the gene is for both
sexes. This can be 'M' or 'F'  also. 'MutDupCut' indicates the gene is
mutable, can be duplicated and can be cut. An additional one of 'Dor'
can appear for a dormant gene. This will be followed by a number for
any additional flags (which is not supported by the game engine so the
number is often not there - only a mutation would make it appear).

The next number, the '128' is the mutation chance and the remaining
'0' is the C3 Variant number.

Following the header information is data specific for each gene. Most
of the information is self explanatory so I won't go into detail. If
you have any questions feel free to email me.

Legal Stuff 
=========== 

This program is Copyright (c) 1999, Chris Double. All Rights Reserved.

This application and the associated dynamic link libraries may not be
redistributed without my (me being Chris Double) permission.

Troubleshooting
===============

Q. It can't find a DLL needed to run.
A. See run time library information above. You may need to download, 
   install the library and then reboot your machine.

History
=======
V1.0.2 = Re-compiled under Functional Developer 2.0.
V1.0.1 = Fixed problem where child genomes had a slight different
         format to the Genus gene than expected which caused the
         gene listing to stop at the genus gene.
V1.0.0 = Initial Release for Creatures 3 and Creatures Adventures.

Notes
=====
Take things displayed with a grain of salt. I've done my 'best guess'
as to what goes where but hopefully it still proves to be a useful
tool to examine the genome.

And Finally...
==============
Any questions, comments or suggestions can be addressed to the Author:

Chris Double
http://www.double.co.nz/creatures
chris@double.co.nz
--
21 May 2000
Chris Double