Noobie trying to Mod, keep getting Gaians

[Trench Dog]

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.

[Buster's Uncle]

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.

[DeepWoodsSaint]

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

[DeepWoodsSaint]

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  again in-game...

[Buster's Uncle]

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

[DeepWoodsSaint]

Sure thing! Thanks again!

https://ibb.co/q5cQmKC

[bvanevery]

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.

[Trench Dog]

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.

[DeepWoodsSaint]

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

[Trench Dog]

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.

[DeepWoodsSaint]

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

[Trench Dog]

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.

[Trench Dog]

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

[Buster's Uncle]

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.

[Buster's Uncle]

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 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.