Alpha Centauri 2

Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri & Alien Crossfire => Modding => Topic started by: Oddgamer on June 18, 2015, 06:05:59 PM

Title: Custom faction graphics messed up
Post by: Oddgamer on June 18, 2015, 06:05:59 PM

I'm trying to create a new faction, and I've just spent several ages doing the graphics for the thing. ... But when I play the game, the graphics are distorted. Specifically the colors come out all wonky and the parts that should be transparent... aren't. I edited in Photoshop and Paint, saved through Photoshop. I've attached the file. Any ideas what I'm doing wrong?

Title: Re: Custom faction graphics messed up
Post by: Mart on June 18, 2015, 06:29:30 PM

SMACX uses its own palette of colors (256 values). You need to keep it. There are programs, that allow you to keep the original palette from a file, which you intend to modify.

Title: Re: Custom faction graphics messed up
Post by: Oddgamer on June 18, 2015, 07:00:17 PM

That fixed it. Thanks.

Title: Re: Custom faction graphics messed up
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 18, 2015, 07:31:02 PM

!?!  I go AFK for a while, and someone solves a graphics problem for a new member without me?  That's my signature piece!  Huh. ;)  (Keep up the good work, Mart.)

Oddgamer, I had a look at your file, and you've got the basics soundly conquered - that's an nice, attractive faction graphic that should be serviceable in practice.  There's a writeup of how I work-around the pallet problems in GIMP here http://alphacentauri2.info/My%20Custom%20Factions/Custom%20FactionsPage2.htm#Transparent%20Colors,%20the%20AC%20Palette%20Problem%20in%20GIMP%20and%20a%20Transparent%20Layer%20workaround (http://alphacentauri2.info/My%20Custom%20Factions/Custom%20FactionsPage2.htm#Transparent%20Colors,%20the%20AC%20Palette%20Problem%20in%20GIMP%20and%20a%20Transparent%20Layer%20workaround)

-Which I suspect you may have already seen, as you've clearly found some of my art resource files.  Elsewhere on that same page (there's a whole course in the graphics there), I describe how to save a copy of the SMACX palette in PhotoShop, which will save you some aggravation, though using the blank faction .pcx I linked in the article will solve almost all problems, as PS is good about taking care of palette issues under the hood for you, and a simple sampling of unaltered transparent background and doing a fill on the problem areas usually is all that's needed in 'the shoop'.

I notice that you've got no credits in the empty area of the .pcx -although I'm sure that that's only because this is a working copy you're having a problem with, not a finished one- but I always nag everyone about this: take pride in your work and put a name on it if anyone's going to see it.  -Also, due credit for my goodie file contributions. ;)


Please be back in the future to talk about and share your work, Odd.  I love talking shop.

Title: Re: Custom faction graphics messed up
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 18, 2015, 07:56:04 PM

-Also, I just realized the thread wasn't in Modding, where it belongs.  I'm averse to using my housekeeping powers on people, so regrets, but this is the right place. ;nod  (I made that smilie and I do give lessons, incidentally.)

Title: Re: Custom faction graphics messed up
Post by: Metaliturtle on June 26, 2015, 04:49:29 AM

More EC in modding?

Title: Re: Custom faction graphics messed up
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 26, 2015, 04:51:10 AM

[thinks]  No, but more in Planet Tales (double) and AARs (quadruple).

Title: Re: Custom faction graphics messed up
Post by: Metaliturtle on June 27, 2015, 10:45:37 PM

unfortunate

Title: Re: Custom faction graphics messed up
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 27, 2015, 10:57:11 PM

Naw, modding has always been strong, here.  We have me. ;nod

Those other two could use more action...