Re-coloring the TOAW IV Counters

[Curtis Lemay]

[center]Re-coloring the TOAW IV Counters[/center]

Previous versions of TOAW counters were re-colorized by graphically editing the counter graphics files themselves. But the TOAW IV counters are derived from graphics files that are, themselves, without color. Colors are now added after the fact via the TOAW software from instructions contained in the new .col file. So, re-colorizing these new counters must involve editing the .col file.

The first step in editing that file is to obtain a copy of the un-edited version of it. This is acquired by using the “X” key within the Editor while the desired scenario is loaded. This invokes the “Dump Unit Colors” dialog:




Just save the .col file indicated.

[Curtis Lemay]

Now, open the file in XMLPad:



Note the labels:

MainBackground: This is the main color of the counter.
Background: This is the color of the central icon’s background of the counter.
Foreground: This is the color of the central icon’s lines and symbols.
Numbers: This is the color of the strength, deployment, size, and tolerance of the counter.

Also note that Ralph has chosen, in his infinite wisdom, to use decimal notation for the values – instead of hexadecimal. This will require some special handling in the editing process.

Finally, note that the “ID” is the number of the counter color set. It starts with 0 and runs to 109. That is a total of 22 columns of 5 color sets each. To edit the counters, you have to know the correct sets your scenario uses.

[Curtis Lemay]

Here’s how the various counter sets are numbered in the .col file:



(Thanks to Steve Sill for making this display - my attempt was an abortion).

[Curtis Lemay]

Here’s the example I’m starting from. This is my Killer Angels 1863 scenario. The un-edited counter colors just aren’t good enough for me.

[Curtis Lemay]

Here are the target colors. Note that in this case, I have existing color selections from older versions of TOAW. If you are starting from scratch, you’ll have to first refer to earlier counter re-colorizing documents I’ve made to get that, preliminary, step completed.

[Curtis Lemay]

Since I have existing artwork done for this scenario already, I can pick the color values from that. To make the picks, I’m using The Gimp – a free graphics system I’ve used in my previous graphics mod articles.

After running The Gimp, open the existing artwork that you will make the picks from – be sure it is a .bmp file. If you use a .jpg file you will only pick approximations of the colors you want.

From the Tools pulldown, select the Color Picker.

[Curtis Lemay]

Click on the main body of a counter in the artwork. Note the value that is obtained: 223756. Be aware that this is in Hexadecimal. It must be converted to decimal later on.

[Curtis Lemay]

Now pick a spot inside the icon of the counter. Note the pick value is shown as 4660aa. Again, this is hexadecimal.

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Now I’ve opened the CSA artwork and clicked on the body of a counter. Note the value is 777e98.

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Finally, pick a spot within the icon of the CSA counters. The value is shown as ae874e.

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Now we have to convert the hexadecimal values to decimal before we can inject them into the .col file. The built-in Windows Calculator has a “Programmer” mode that will allow this. Make that selection, as shown.

[Curtis Lemay]

Now enter the hexadecimal value that was picked for the Union main background:

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Then, just switch the mode from “Hex” to “Dec”. The value is converted from hexadecimal to decimal.

[Curtis Lemay]

After doing this for all the values picked, I get these conversions:

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Now I go back to XMLPad and edit the file in the appropriate locations:

[Curtis Lemay]

After placing the edited .col file in the scenario folder with the Killer Angels 1863 scenario and saving the scenario, this is the result. As good as in previous versions:



Happy counter re-colorizing!

[Redmarkus5]

Jeez... Thanks for the detailed walk-through, but why couldn't they just leave the unit graphics as they were - graphics we could edit. They look exactly as they used to on the map but I can't envision many people wanting to jump through those hoops just to change light blue to dark blue...

[Curtis Lemay]

ORIGINAL: redmarkus4

Jeez... Thanks for the detailed walk-through, but why couldn't they just leave the unit graphics as they were - graphics we could edit. They look exactly as they used to on the map but I can't envision many people wanting to jump through those hoops just to change light blue to dark blue...

It was easy to mod the .bmp counters - if you didn't mind the crappy results (compare post #5 with post #16). The face of the counter is one color and easy to change. But the edge is a color gradient and very difficult to mod.

The TOAW III .png counters were very hard to mod, since they had a color gradient even across their face. (See the document I wrote on that and the gymnastics required to mod).

Now you just have to change a number. You don't really even have to have a graphics package. The game takes care of any color gradients in the base counter. You automatically get a perfect result.

[Redmarkus5]

OK. It looks intimidating at first glance. I guess you're right, but... Jeez. (LOL)

[Lobster]

Can this be made sticky?