Add new custom planet textures

[SVWGiant]

Hey guys,

in the DWUniverseModdingGuideEBOOK.pdf is an instruction how to import own planet textures (png) for the Map Editor in DWU (but no how to use them). I like to make screenshots of all 8 planets from Celestia and any moons to create a real Sol system scenary and release it as mod.

But when I start the Map Editor, I can only choose between all default given planet images (continental, sandydesert,...) but not the files in the planets/other folder. Have I overlooked something and how it is with you?

Greets

[Darkspire]

ORIGINAL: SVWGiant

Hey guys,

in the DWUniverseModdingGuideEBOOK.pdf is an instruction how to import own planet textures (png) for the Map Editor in DWU (but no how to use them). I like to make screenshots of all 8 planets from Celestia and any moons to create a real Sol system scenary and release it as mod.

But when I start the Map Editor, I can only choose between all default given planet images (continental, sandydesert,...) but not the files in the planets/other folder. Have I overlooked something and how it is with you?

Greets

You will need to download:

Modding Guide for Distant Worlds: Universe

Make a cup of tea and have a good read, a very informative tome. This will give you an idea of what can be done and how to do it.

I imagine you will not want to bother with having to wade through that without a clear, easy defined path so have a read of pages 12-14 which will explain in detail planet images and the file naming conventions. Once you have done that you will also need to read the bottom of page 14 and the top of page 15 which will further your knowledge on the subject of the 'other' folder and in turn how to use it.

As for me, I am fine, thanks for asking.

Darkspire

[Mansen]

One thing to keep in mind - You have to use the same dimensions as vanilla files for your planets, or the game will scale them down and potentially cause issues.

This has changed since earlier expansions where the game would accept larger images and not scale them.

[Darkspire]

ORIGINAL: Mansen

One thing to keep in mind - You have to use the same dimensions as vanilla files for your planets, or the game will scale them down and potentially cause issues.

This has changed since earlier expansions where the game would accept larger images and not scale them.

ORIGINAL: elliotg

Image size for planets should not matter - you can use any size, though don't go too big

In-game the planets and moons will be scaled to the appropriate size when drawn. The shadow overlay is also scaled when added over top of the planets, with a small allowance for a thin atmosphere, i.e. the shadow will be slightly smaller than the planet, the difference is around 0.67% smaller, thus a planet drawn 300 pixels wide will have a shadow overlay 298 pixels wide.

By the way, no changes to this area since probably Legends...

1.9.5.1 did force Windows DPI scaling to be turned off, that's the only thing that could possibly impact this.

Thanks
Elliot

Darkspire

[Mansen]

Or in other words "What I just said" [:'(]

It's important to note if you look at earlier mods like GEM for inspiration and to base your work on which don't conform to the "new" image standards. You need to use the same ratio for all of your planets and overlays to make them fit together. You didn't have to "back in GEM days"

[Darkspire]

ORIGINAL: Mansen

Or in other words "What I just said" [:'(]

It's important to note if you look at earlier mods like GEM for inspiration and to base your work on which don't conform to the "new" image standards. You need to use the same ratio for all of your planets and overlays to make them fit together. You didn't have to "back in GEM days"

Not really.

ORIGINAL: Mansen
One thing to keep in mind - You have to use the same dimensions as vanilla files for your planets, or the game will scale them down and potentially cause issues.

Not true.

ORIGINAL: elliotg
Image size for planets should not matter - you can use any size, though don't go too big

Darkspire

[AstroCat]

Actually there is some kind of bug going on and the game is NOT rendered overlays or planets correctly if they are not the same exact size as the vanilla files.

It used to work but now it doesn't. It's been documented at this point, I fixed the GEM planets and overlays but without resizing and then rescaling them they would not work.

[SVWGiant]

Hello Darkspire and Manson,

U mean the pdf in your 1st post and I´ve already exactly done that before. Now, I´ve unistalled 1.9.5.2 and reinstall 1.9.5.0 and nothing happens. My Images have 256x256 and one of it has 333x333, all transparent png and exactly named as default ones with *-0001.png. It seams, that the "other"-folder not to be loaded but when I put my images into the continental folder f.e.and replace one file, all is good in the Map Editor choice.

I´m asking me why are there limits in the number list. There´s such a big potential, but 21 barrenrock images in a 10x10 square Galaxy...^^

I go too bed now, its dark rainy nite in GER

Greets