Matrix Games Forums

This is the second installment of information for modding certain graphics in FPC. The vehicle and infantry unit silhouettes (sils for short) are seen on the counters, in the Operational Diary showing your forces, in the Subunits Display at the bottom of the game screen and also in the Sub-Unit Inspector.

Standard Image Parameters:
1. Size: 128 pixels wide by 64 pixels tall.
2. Standard Color is gray scale. (Color is possible, see below).
3. The vehicle image should sit 2-3 pixels from the bottom and leave about 10 pixels at the top open to not cover other counter information.
4. Face the vehicle to the right. The game will flip player two direction automatically.
5. Save as BMP format.
6. Upper Left corner pixel is used to set the transparent color. This color will be removed when used. For the standard sils this is white (255,255,255).
7. The light interior color of the NATO Infantry sils is a very light gray (246,246,246).
8. The weapon on the Weapon Team is in a light gray box (246,246,246) that extends 3 pixels around the weapon designation.

Color Images (Support for Modding, not in game)
1. Size: 128 pixels wide by 64 pixels tall.
2. 8 bit RBG color.
3. The vehicle image should sit 2-3 pixels from the bottom and leave about 10 pixels at the top open to not cover other counter information.
4. Face the vehicle to the right. The game will flip player two direction automatically.
5. Save as BMP format.
6. Upper Left corner pixel is used to set the transparent color. This color will be removed when used. We recommend using a gray background of (128,128,128). This will leave a less obvious color edge from the transparency operation.

A look at a color sil in the Unit Inspector. [:D]

Interesting, a little question, game is going to have a standar color mode for units??? i refer that in settings you can select if use grey or color siluettes.

Thanks.

These look easy enough...

For anyone interested in creating their own custom sil's, this website: http://www.juniorgeneral.org/load.php?Period=9
has some nice, 2d images.


http://www.juniorgeneral.org/donated/marvin/m1a2tan.png

@ Hexagon - There is no in-game switch. The game currently uses images found in a folder with all the sils. You can override this location by placing a sil in the particular data folder for a country. I did that to get the color T-72 to show.

I see, a little thing, can you test with these 3 units images??? i am curious to know if is possible use some mods for Tiller Modern Campaigns, maybe the main problem is the image colour... in HPS games is ignored only take the unit image...








PD: the T-72 image where do you find it??? [;)]

@ Hexagon, It should work as long as the size and file type is as stated above. I would change out the pink to a gray to avoid a pink fringe when the transparency effect is done.

A word of caution using mods from games you didn't personally create, if you didn't create them don't export them without the express permission of the mod creator.

Good Hunting

MR

Good point from MR folks. Get permission. Give proper credit to the creators. [8D]

Well, i do many frankenmods for my use... in Tiller games is not rare use mods for a game in other (i use images for one title in other or change one i prefer more like the soviet infantry units with soldiers using helmets) or even a mod for a game serie in other serie (there is a Nap mod for terrain that you can use in EAW serie) and better dont talk what i do with unit icons in Nap titles i edit this file to have other icons hehehe.

I only ask for these images for the image background to know if the pink colour give problems.

PD: i allways ask permission to use other guys mods, i do it with a mod for PzC even the mod guy made for it a pair of unit boxes [&o]

I'm not pointing fingers at anyone. Just saying it's good policy not to use others work without their permission.

This could be an issue going forward with the series.

Good Hunting.

MR

I have a small question ...
will it be possible, not use the graphic counter to use for example a 3D model. as in this screenshot:


The counter is a graphic file or is it hardcoded in the engine?

Nick,

The counter is hard coded. You could use the 3d art as long as it satisfies the above parameters for use.

Any unit graphic mod?

I haven't seen any yet. Of course I need to get the Mod Guides done.

Can we have different images for the sub-unit and the counter graphics. I kind of like the silhouettes on the counters but would like a more detailed image in the sub-unit inspector...especially the information pop-up card.

Thanks!

Jack,

Right now the image in the Sub-Unit Inspector is the same one as used on the counters. We just shrink the art down for the counter version. I like the idea of a different and larger piece of art. The trick is finding non-copyrighted materials to cover the hundreds of platforms.

So does one just replace the .bmp file in the Common directory or does another change need be made elsewhere?

I tried replacing the Challenger sil in the tutorial with a color one to the above specs and I still get the black sil.

Place it in the Brit national folder and it should override the one in the common folder. There is a refresh sils option in the game menus that will update new sils and counter backgrounds for 2.03 (when it releases).

Tried both locations. Even removing it outright. No change.

I can wait till 2.03!