Bif Editor Blues

[Baron von Beer]

Wish I could put this in the dungeon..... (damn my new posting self http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif Hopefully someone with the knowhow will see....

So I d/l Bifedit 2.2a. I export the 12 frames for the longbowman. I sink ~8-10 hours getting comfy with the look im going for, and implementing it. So now I have a rough draft (only needs minor touch ups (a pixel here, a pixel there) of my final product. I open BIF edit 2.2a, open the bif file I extracted from, import them. 12 files imported. I go to save. Click yes to overwrite. But whats this? It did not save a thing.... and now one of the bmps is corrupt (#1 of 12). Ok, I backed them all up. So I try again. Same result. So, I open the original bif, and try saving it to a new location. It works. But, If I export the 12 original frames, and then import them right back in, nothing.... So now I am beyond totaly confused. I kept the same size (512x512, and resized the set for 256x256) Same color depth/pallet (256) even tried exporting the original frame, and reloading that pallete in just in case..... Also, the finished files are the same size as the original exported frames.... so the only thing I can think of, is to sit in the corner, drink a beer, have a smoke, and pout... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

I used Paint Shop Pro 7 to edit. I also reloaded the files into MS Paint (one windows comes with) and saving them after I had no sucess, to see if it helped (when you have nothing to start with, you have nothing to loose.....) Any concievable reason that this would happen? Improper lunar alignment? Global conspiracy to keep my new longbowman out? Utter lack of mental capacity on my behalf (well, beyond the OBVIOUS problems.....) I must say I am quite bummed now, having put so much time in, just to have the game laugh in my face.... If someone holds the holy grail to my quest, I eagerly await, and will be sure to reward you by having another beer in celebration. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Baron von Beer]

Those corrupted BMPs I have, seem to be some sort of Bif file miscarriage.... It is the 1st BMP of each set (#1 of 12 512x512, #1 of 12 256x256) and they are 599kb and 212kb. The normal bmp files were 257kb and 65kb.... so I load one of these mutant BMP files in the BIF reader, and lo and behold... IT is playing the 12 frames... but still will not *SAVE* it anywhere.... it prompts to overwrite, but does not. This is such a let down now, that I see it worked, sort of, even though it didn't... Hopefully someone can piece all this together and tell me I made some stupid little mistake... (like trying to make the first unit set... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif )

[Wellington]

BvB,

We've all had problems with BIF's and there are MANY old threads relating to BIF editing in The Dungeon.

I can't solve your problem, but I can suggest a few pointers -

a) use bifreader 2.2a to extract the BIF frames into bmp's
b) use an editor of your choice to edit the extracted bmp's
c) use bifreader 2.2a to import your amended bif frame(s) back into either -
1) the existing BIF (using the colour palette of that bif)
2) a new BIF (using an entirely different colout palette)

Basically, if you only use bifreader as a tool to import/export frames from BIF to BMP formats (and visa-versa), and use another graphics editor (Windows Paint is fine&#33http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif to amend the BMP's you should experience less problems.

Welly

[Gregoshi]

BvB, you can now post in the Dungeon. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/pat.gif

[Baron von Beer]

Thanks again for taking the time to respond. I realize that trying to answer/solve my problem is like a phone CS rep trying to fix somoenes computer, over the phone, after being told only that The Computer isn't working.. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Oddly enough, I have made some progress, odd as it is. As it stands, Bif reader will *NOT* save a bif file, period. If I open one of the games originals, and attempt to rename it, click save, it does nothing. No file is made. No matter what. However, when I imported my 12 frames, and saved, it did not save, but changed the 1st frames bmp into a ~600kb file. When opening this file in bif read, it is all 12 frames. However, the games default bifs are 800kb. (hi res files) So, I figured I'd take a long shot. I renamed the file to Bowman_H.Bif (in DOS prompt... since changing file extension in windows doesn't work, changes only in name) I put this in the game folder, and it works. Now I am even more confuzzled, as this file is 200kb smaller than the games other Bif files. I didn't see any consequence from the smaller size (the animations ran just fine). The only downside, is in the process of constantly swapping the BMPs, and re importing them, etc, I overwrote my finnished ones, with mid completion.... (put all the colors in, but have to go through and even it all out.. as is, it looks like a Photo recognition file paging through 12 similar (bt slightly different) people...

I just hope that they do in fact run OK in all instances, since they are apparently a different size.

Thanks again for taking the time to respond... I know it seems minute, but everyone has limited time, and it helps encourage others to join into the community. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wacko.gif

[Baron von Beer]

Just saw the post that I've been promoted from Idiot to Idiot First Class Now even more people can wonder in my endless stupidity Just mind your distance, they say it's contagious http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif