Alpha Centauri 2

Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri & Alien Crossfire => Modding => Topic started by: DeepWoodsSaint on July 21, 2019, 04:54:05 AM

Title: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: DeepWoodsSaint on July 21, 2019, 04:54:05 AM

Hey there!

I'm sure this is a thread that has cropped up a few times, but I've been unable to troubleshoot the issue myself.
I'm trying to do a pretty simple custom faction; all the text works properly, but I'm unable to use the mildly customized graphics I've made(only a leader image), as whenever I try, it reverts to Deidre.
I've checked the file names, locations, and it all seems to be in order according to other posts I've seen mentioning the issue, but still, Deidre.

What can I do? I'm using the GOG version, with SMAC and SMAX.
I've attached the relevant files; the faction is called Foundation, and is written as FOUNDATION.

Thanks! Any help is appreciated.

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: bvanevery on July 21, 2019, 05:36:51 AM

You wouldn't happen to be on a Mac?  I seem to recall that the GOG Galaxy version has to be used for modding to be successful.  Something weird about the file system stuff.

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: DeepWoodsSaint on July 21, 2019, 05:41:43 AM

I'm running Windows 10  :(

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: bvanevery on July 21, 2019, 03:02:55 PM

I've never actually tried to mod the graphics of a faction.  What if you delete all those various .tmp files that get generated?  In particular GAIANS.tmp and GAIANSvals.tmp?

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 21, 2019, 03:14:50 PM

The Gaians graphic is the default, so it's probably in the .txt files.

I can't find any real irregularities in yours, so time to nitpick for the sort of hopelessly trivial thing that borks people up - there's two spaces in/between "FOUNDATION,  FOUNDATION" under "#CUSTOMFACTIONS" in your alphax.txt.  It shouldn't be that, 'cause the official factions get away with it in the two categories above, but that is literally all I can find...

The "#FOUNDATION:" line in FOUNDATION.txt looks exactly right -you even kept the case consistent for extra good measure- and that's where people usually trip up...

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: DeepWoodsSaint on July 21, 2019, 11:33:43 PM

I'll try fiddling with the text file again; deleting .tmp files didn't do much, sadly.

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: DeepWoodsSaint on July 21, 2019, 11:55:27 PM

No such luck. Two spaces or one, all lower case or all upper case, uninstalling and reinstalling doesn't seem to have done anything.

Could it be an issue with the imagepack?

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 22, 2019, 12:02:49 AM

Dunno why it would be - if you screwed up the color palette horribly, the game would just show it looking bad.  This is almost certainly some filename/addressing issue, to give you the default graphics.  Is the .pcx in the same folder with the .txts?  That would give you Deirdre, even though it was formatted right, if it wasn't where the game was looking...

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: DeepWoodsSaint on July 22, 2019, 12:45:31 AM

That would probably be it! I've got the .pcx file in the Alpha Centauri folder alongside the .txt. Where should it go instead? All the standard faction .pcx files are in that same folder, as well.

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 22, 2019, 01:59:35 AM

That is where it goes - the root AC directory, same as the .txts.

This is a real stumper.  That Deirdre graphics problem is common for beginning faction modders, but it's always a problem with precise formatting of the name.  -Maybe try changing the name(s) -faction filenames, and the listing in both .txt- and see what happens?

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: DeepWoodsSaint on July 22, 2019, 02:00:51 AM

Hm. Then it is a mystery I suppose.

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 22, 2019, 02:03:27 AM

See my edit suggestion…

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: DeepWoodsSaint on July 22, 2019, 02:07:41 AM

No dice, I'm afraid! Text and the faction load fine, but still nothing but  ;deidre;

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 22, 2019, 02:47:19 AM

I'm stumped.

Maybe tomorrow, my subconscious will have made a sensible suggestion.  Maybe someone else will figure it out...

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: DeepWoodsSaint on July 22, 2019, 02:49:13 AM

I appreciate the effort!

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: Trench Dog on July 22, 2019, 03:03:46 AM

When I was making my own custom factions, it all relies on the PCX files specifically. I did use Face Edit solely for loading in the appropriate faction tileset mind you, while I did most of the actual faction bonuses and all that via text document. Maybe try using Face Edit solely for that?

Otherwise you gotta make sure you got the image files as pcx, and make sure to be using the correct image perimeters and format. After I'm done some work today and tomorrow, I can probably sit down, make a custom faction just to trigger my memory more specifically and then I'll make a step by step process.

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 22, 2019, 03:06:54 AM

FacEdit is of the Devil.

-Try it, since we're desperate, IF it runs at all for you, but we gotta figure this out so you don't need that buggy pos again.

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: DeepWoodsSaint on July 22, 2019, 03:08:08 AM

Aye, I've heard nothing but ill about it, but as you say, desperate times.

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: DeepWoodsSaint on July 22, 2019, 03:22:43 AM

Hm. Not much more luck with the facedit.exe.

(Link to screenshot because I forgot how to upload images to forums 15 years ago, sorry!): https://ibb.co/9VYyLn4

And then  ;deidre; again in-game...

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 22, 2019, 03:31:59 AM

Post me an original of that portrait, unlined.  I got an idea I want to to try tomorrow when I get caught up...

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: DeepWoodsSaint on July 22, 2019, 03:36:12 AM

Sure thing! Thanks again!

https://ibb.co/q5cQmKC

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: bvanevery on July 22, 2019, 06:47:51 AM

Well I have a hard time believing this is actually difficult, never having done it before, but having edited the *.txt files a zillion times.  So I'm taking a poke at it.  I'd just replace "known good" faction data with new data, rather than trying to do things from scratch.  Maybe that's a big "duh" but sometimes someone naively doing the obvious will shake something loose.   Haven't really done anything yet as it's time to go to bed.

I did notice your FOUNDATION.txt contains a lowercase 'o' with a slash through it.  "Sørenson".  You sure that kind of character is allowed in SMACX?  I'm not, because I don't recall ever seeing anything like that in any of the files.  For instance, Svensgaard doesn't get fancy dots over one of the a's, it's just double aa's.

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: Trench Dog on July 22, 2019, 06:54:42 AM

I figured it out everyone.

The problem is that its the FLC file for the custom faction that gets made, it overrides any custom graphics in the game. Delete that, and make sure your image file is exported as a PCX, and you go through the whole process of selecting it in GIMP and not just typing .pcx in the file name. You need to do both.

I loaded in my graphics in game, will screenshot the method.

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: DeepWoodsSaint on July 22, 2019, 06:57:38 AM

Ah, excellent! Thank you Trench Dog!! Screenshots will definitely help.

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: Trench Dog on July 22, 2019, 07:00:00 AM

(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/200029365755445248/602740956755656705/unknown.png?width=915&height=687)

I'm having a separate graphical glitch of my own where its got this annoying background thing despite the fact that I have the whole thing without any background in GIMP, but the graphics DO load. It shows the leader portrait, the works.

Will screenshot the file you need to delete and other stuff, still working out the bug of this background nonsense though.


Edit: So, just to clarify don't do this to the original factions, but when you make a custom faction, load it up once in face editor, but just once. Save it, add it to the game, leave it.

Then delete the FLC file, and be sure to also re-copy the graphics file into the file folder, over writing the old one.

(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/200029365755445248/602742073036242950/unknown.png)

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: DeepWoodsSaint on July 22, 2019, 07:03:15 AM

Oh, brilliant. I wish I understood how gimp works better so I could help out at all...

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: Trench Dog on July 22, 2019, 07:06:49 AM

I reckon some of the other folks here like BUncle will probably know the tricks behind that.

My method should help fix your problem though. Hopefully you don't suffer a similar issue to me and have that weird background glitch though.

Also still trying to figure out how to implement audio blurbs for the intro, I think it was like a specific mono mp3 file, 22hz but I'll have to experiment. I know regular 44hz is way too much for the game to handle, when it plays it sounds like Satan blowing a big one in your ear.

Edit: Also-

I am using windows 10, GoG version as well. So it should be exactly the same conditions you are facing.

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: Trench Dog on July 22, 2019, 07:23:34 AM

Fixed the problem, just use the PCX file found here: http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;down=65 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;down=65)

(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/200029365755445248/602746858443505674/unknown.png)

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 22, 2019, 07:00:11 PM

Okay, I installed the files, and confirmed Deirdre.  I think it is the .pcx, which, now that I look at it, isn't indexed and a proper .pcx.  Trying something in progress, if my GIMP doesn't keep breaking.

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 22, 2019, 08:07:13 PM

Okay, it took me a while to paste the portrait onto the Angels graphic, because I had to fiddle the colors until they didn't paste into the SMACX palette looking like crap.

The attached .pcx works, and that's using your unaltered faction file - I installed it in alphax.txt myself, to not loose six custom faction installations in place.  Note the error in the faction name display - it's listed right in the custom faction select screen.  That's something minor off in the faction file.  Do track that down, and fix.

---

Now, if you was to go here http://alphacentauri2.info/My%20Custom%20Factions/Custom%20Factions3.html#Bases (http://alphacentauri2.info/My%20Custom%20Factions/Custom%20Factions3.html#Bases) and pick yerself a custom base, you could use the blank.pcx to customize further - which I recommend unless you want to just have the Foundation be the Angels with a new leader and name.  Logos are easy; your leaderquote suggests a little cartoon brain, or a hand on a tiller.  You can probably google something if a simple drawing is too much.

Don't forget to sign your work, in the faction.txt and the .pcx.

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 22, 2019, 11:55:02 PM

Wait - use this .pcx instead.  I got the gray back in his beard looking satisfactory, and the lens colors shows better.

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: DeepWoodsSaint on July 23, 2019, 02:01:29 AM

Perfect! Thank you guys, I'll do some fiddling and spruce 'em up a bit.

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: bvanevery on July 23, 2019, 05:11:00 AM

I think this portrait needs a radical background.

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: Trench Dog on July 23, 2019, 06:50:44 AM

My suggestion is something mechanical or with cool lighting, like an aquarium.

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: DeepWoodsSaint on July 23, 2019, 07:08:41 AM

Okay! I sort of got it to work!

Unfortunately, despite using the proper blankpcx, I'm getting that background glitch.
Elsewise, everything seems to work. Except that. I've got a work in progress file I'll muck with tomorrow. I've uploaded everything here, as well.

I like the idea of the aquarium background! As I was doing the design and thinking of the Sorenson's character more and more I like the trapped underwater aspect; his obsession with ostensibly paternal, 'kindly' control, containment, and his omniscience in society leads to him treating the Foundation/Fundament like his own pet fish.

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: Trench Dog on July 23, 2019, 07:10:49 AM

Mind putting all the faction details in a zip file for me? I'll experiment with it and help fix that irritating bug for you. I can also give you a custom tileset if you'd like.

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: DeepWoodsSaint on July 23, 2019, 07:33:28 AM

I don't mind at all, that sounds fantastic! Thank you!

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 24, 2019, 08:58:49 PM

Okay, this .pcx works.  Tested and all.

You get the blue box when you do anything to the background color in GIMP, including pasting it in.

Everything looks to be in order in this - good base choices, good logo, good placement of everything.  Good work. ;b;

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: Trench Dog on July 24, 2019, 09:04:53 PM

Looks like BU beat me to it.

Fantastic work, it looks really good; the faction definitely gives off a "20 leagues under the sea, I am your father and you are trapped with me" type of vibe.

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: DeepWoodsSaint on July 25, 2019, 01:13:47 AM

Thank you guys so much, I really appreciate it! I was fiddling with the background layers and thought I had posted in without any background, but I must have missed something. It's really come together!

I was also wondering about the colour palette; the file posted can't be opened in GIMP, as noted, and I only have paint.net; is there another option besides ripping it from original faction images, as I did here?

Also: I did some editing to the .pcx, as I realised I had forgotten to make water traces for the bases...which became problematic when I decided to make it an aquatic faction.
I've attached the text file and this new .pcx. Let me know what you think! I'm pretty bad at the mechanics, but I'm trying to go for a high tech, defensive, probe based aquatic civ that surreptitiously steals tech and credits 'for the Greater Good'.
Like a strange, undersea-socialist-bandit-cult/Brotherhood of Steel as run by an autocratic Noah with too many social science degrees.

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: DeepWoodsSaint on July 25, 2019, 03:35:20 AM

Edit: put into previous post to avoid double posting. Sorry!

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: Maximus Thalos on September 01, 2019, 12:25:50 AM

Tested it and works. Looks really good I'm impressed

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: vonbach on September 02, 2019, 11:07:54 PM

Interesting I'll give it a try sometime.

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: DrazharLn on September 03, 2019, 02:12:27 AM

Something is wrong with your PCX file. Replacing it with a renamed copy of HIVE.pcx causes SMAC to use Yang's portrait on the faction select screen.

Perhaps you've saved the image with a palette that's too big or something?

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 03, 2019, 02:15:35 AM

[blinks]

-Lurk MOAR, newb.

;)

Title: Re: Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians
Post by: DrazharLn on September 03, 2019, 02:51:20 AM

Woops ;)