How the info-pics are made?

[hellenes]

The info pics for units nad buildings in mtw seem to me being computer generated so i have this question wich is the program that was used(if the info is possible) and if we can generate our own pics with a similar programm(or mod the existing ones)?

[solypsist]

I used photoshop 7 to edit the existing parchment info pics, which can be found in the campmap folder, under infopics. In the attached sample images, I just overlayed a duotone converted STW building pic onto the parchment, then faded the opacity to around 60%, and used the eraser tool (on airbrush setting) to blend it all together. On some transfers a little blurring was needed. Then I flattened the image and saved it as a BMP, to be converted over to BIF later. It took me only three to five minutes each, and I did the whole set of STW buildings in an hour.


Below are two images created for Barocca's fantastic STW expansion for MTW.

Castle
http://solypsist.homestead.com/files/castle.jpg

Golden Palace
http://solypsist.homestead.com/files/goldenpalace.jpg

[barocca]

the blank parchment file is here
medieval\campmap\Info_Pics
it is called blank.tga
:-)

save the file as a bmp,

use ACDC to convert to tga,
(there are four types of TGA, ACDC converts to one that is compatible with the bif/buf utils,

then use purpgrab to convert to bif

purpgrab is part of CA bif/buf utils, a version of which is here

Edit: Tools section- < click link (http://www.mizus.com/Tools/Files)

[hellenes]

What i was thinking about was that the horses in those bifs are or similar categories thus i think that the devs just used some hoses by changing their riders or the direction that they are looking (sipahis of the port cataphracts they use the same armoured horse but looking in diff directions,and the goldhor heacav there are many more examples) wat im saying is that the inserted by us images look blurr and unclear is there any programm that could generate images of similar quality (the original programm would be the best to use but we can only dream http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif )?

[barocca]

this is a set of ashi images,
before we started overlaying images onto the blank parchments,
all are drawn from the SAME source image,
all look quite respectable and easy to distinguish.
http://www.totalwar.org/barocca/mod_images/yashi1.jpg
http://www.totalwar.org/barocca/mod_images/yashi2.jpg - http://www.totalwar.org/barocca/mod_images/yashi3.jpg - http://www.totalwar.org/barocca/mod_images/yashi4.jpg

for the main image design your unit image about 2/3 of the required size,
that will allow scaling up to the parchment BIF,
and scaling down for review panel BIF and unit icon LBM
all images will retain clarity nicely.
B.

[solypsist]

Hmmmm...the Aztec mod has gone the way of the Loch Ness Monster http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif

(ie. there is no aztec mod)

[hellenes]

Ok let me rephrase what i meant was what programm can create images of the same style (black and white) as the current in mtw i mean that style that every info pic has in common (wich is very cool) i dont mean inserting images but creating using the same style as the present info pics do... is out there such a program?

[The Blind King of Bohemia]

Where can I download this Aztec mod??

[barocca]

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif the Aztec mod was an example, not a reality...
BUT an interesting idea
Soly, dont losa that info pic http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
B.


Quote[/b] (The Blind King of Bohemia @ Sep. 27 2003,05:48)]Where can I download this Aztec mod??
DITTO meaning ME TOO

[barocca]

Quote[/b] (hellenes @ Sep. 26 2003,20:18)]Ok let me rephrase what i meant was what programm can create images of the same style (black and white) as the current in mtw i mean that style that every info pic has in common (wich is very cool) i dont mean inserting images but creating using the same style as the present info pics do... is out there such a program?
there is no single program that does that,
the devs used Dpaint (v5 or 7 i think), which was released YEARS ago by Electronic Arts, but withdrawn from sale when they decided to pursue a game making course for their business, rather than a software manufacturer,
then the devs used a combination of proprietory tools, some of which are avaialbe to convert the dpaint images to bif and lbm formats,

so the answer is no,
you have to "make" the files, just like the rest of us, indeed the developers had to "paint" the files in the first place too

sorry their is no "quick maker" program, it&#39;s all work and no play...

[ShadesWolf]

This is quite an interested read guys, do we think this should be PINNED ?

[barocca]

contact one of the mods via Private Message or post a thread in alchemist lab if you want to add to this thread,
thanks,
B.