.bif file

[Lord Zimoa of Flanders]

I use readbif v23c to insert .bmp files and create .bif files.The problem is that when i import a .bmp file it always goes into the upper right corner of the new .bif file frame by default and i see no way of changing the coordinates.Any suggestion how i can manipulate the exact place where the .bmp file will come within the .bif frame?
Would appreciate some help,i use IrfanView,Paint shop Pro 8 and Ultimate Paint for my pictures.


CZoF http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-computer.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-confused.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-wall.gif

[flip]

Zimoa, first

You cant lead with coordinates once a bif is open.
Bifs units have two files for each unit:

Low resolution- 256 x 256 pixels
High resolution- 512 x 512 pixels
12 frames per unit bif

Others bif files change in dimensions, unit icons, info pics, parchments. You can't mix different frames resolutions in one bif.

In a graphic editor, as Paint shop pro, give the same resolution for the frames. Next, open a previous bif file, the one you want to change, and load the bmp (8 bits)in the correspondent frame number. Or just create the 12(if it's a unit bif) and load all frames into.

Another way is, create new bif in File Menu, and give the dimensions and number of frames in prompt. Load the bmps.

Don't forget to save bif, with new name.

[Aymar de Bois Mauri]

There is something that has always bugged me:

How do you import .bmp (a shield image created in Photoshop) without the image inside BifReader gets corrupted with all the wrong colours and black areas everywhere??? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-help.gif

I just don't get it http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-speechless.gif

[Lord Zimoa of Flanders]

Man i know what you mean i'me painting my ass of here before it is ok... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wacko.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif

CZoF

[Eastside Character]

Quote[/b] (Aymar de Bois Mauri @ Feb. 16 2004,12:53)]There is something that has always bugged me:

How do you import .bmp (a shield image created in Photoshop) without the image inside BifReader gets corrupted with all the wrong colours and black areas everywhere??? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-help.gif

I just don't get it http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-speechless.gif
If the color are screwed up means that you have wrong palette. You can adjust BIF's palettes to suit your new shields/weapons. I do it this way:
step 1 - extract all the frames of a.BIF
step 2 - edit one of the frames in painting program saving its original palette
step 3 - check how many colors you can add to the palette
step 4 - change unused colors for the colors you need
step 5 - add shield(s) and/or weapon(s)
step 6 - save altered palette if you're satisfied with the results
step 7 - change palettes for all the other frames
step 8 - add the things you wanted (so those weapons/shields etc.) to all the other frames
step 9 - create new BIF file using the frames made before
step 10 - rename your new BIF either with a name of original BIF file you were applying changes to
(you have to backup the original somewhere, not just replace it) or as a custom(0-9) type of file.

Done.

Regards,
EC

[Lord Zimoa of Flanders]

Thank you EC,nice tip http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif
CZoF

[Aymar de Bois Mauri]

Quote[/b] ]If the color are screwed up means that you have wrong palette. You can adjust BIF's palettes to suit your new shields/weapons. I do it this way:
step 1 - extract all the frames of a.BIF
step 2 - edit one of the frames in painting program saving its original palette
step 3 - check how many colors you can add to the palette
step 4 - change unused colors for the colors you need
step 5 - add shield(s) and/or weapon(s)
step 6 - save altered palette if you're satisfied with the results
step 7 - change palettes for all the other frames
step 8 - add the things you wanted (so those weapons/shields etc.) to all the other frames
step 9 - create new BIF file using the frames made before
step 10 - rename your new BIF either with a name of original BIF file you were applying changes to
(you have to backup the original somewhere, not just replace it) or as a custom(0-9) type of file.

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-stunned.gif What a complicated process http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-dizzy2.gif

How do you import and save the pallete?

[Eastside Character]

Quote[/b] (Aymar de Bois Mauri @ Feb. 17 2004,14:46)]http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-stunned.gif What a complicated process http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-dizzy2.gif

How do you import and save the pallete?
Its not so complicated, come on, you have it step by step my lord.

When editing an extracted frame of a.BIF you can save its palette (i use Paint Shop Pro 7) as a name.pal type of file. First its always good to save an original palette, then you can change it by editing its colors.

If the painting program you use doesnt have that option, you can change the colors using bifreader, but remember to make a backup file of the thing you're playing with.

I wouldnt recommend increasing number of colors and then reducing it to 256 again, because even though it makes things easy, it would screw up the palette completely.

I'd suggest adding new colors (as there are never all 256 used in original files) rather than editing existing ones.


Regards,
EC

[Lord Zimoa of Flanders]

Works fine,really time saving http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-2thumbsup.gif

CZoF

[Aymar de Bois Mauri]

Quote[/b] ]Its not so complicated, come on, you have it step by step my lord.
You have explained it very well. I just never worked with a prog (bifreader) that needed indexed colors.




Quote[/b] ]When editing an extracted frame of a.BIF you can save its palette (i use Paint Shop Pro 7) as a name.pal type of file. First its always good to save an original palette, then you can change it by editing its colors.
So, first we save the palette from the original bif, then we perform the alterations in the paint program. After the changes are right, we save the palette from this image and then we import the bmp to bifreader.

Can we import the paint prog palette to bif reader?




Quote[/b] ]I wouldnt recommend increasing number of colors and then reducing it to 256 again, because even though it makes things easy, it would screw up the palette completely.

I did that previously... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-embarassed.gif




Quote[/b] ]I'd suggest adding new colors (as there are never all 256 used in original files) rather than editing existing ones.
Thank you so very much. I'll try my best and get back to you after some experimentation. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-2thumbsup.gif