Dragon MTW Editor

[Maul]

Hi all,

I wrote my own MTW editing tool: Dragon MTW Editor. If anyone would like to give it a try it can be found here:

Dragon MTW Editor (http://www.dragonbone.neostrada.pl/mtw/DragonMTWEditor.rar) – RAR file
or
Dragon MTW Editor (http://www.dragonbone.neostrada.pl/mtw/dragonmtweditor.zip) – ZIP file

Current version of Dragon MTW Editor is: (Beta) v 1.0.1663.18722


It is beta version so not everything is finished and polished yet. I have few more ideas which wait for implementation, but as far as I can tell completed part works fine.

Features
• Configurable interface
• Unit definition file editing
• Building definition file editing
• Projectile definition file editing
• Description file editing
• Names file editing
• Background editing of DEADPAGE COORDS.TXT file
• Easy way of switching models for given unit
• Fast links between unit records and description/names records
• Easy way of creating new units based on existing ones
• Function to check DEADPAGE COORDS.TXT file for errors
• Function to fix DEADPAGE COORDS.TXT file automatically
• Viewing graphics files (BIF, LBM, TGA and more)
• Converting graphics files



There is document attached to this pack where you can find more info, or if you prefer reading it online here is link:

Dragon MTW Editor description (http://dragonbone.vze.com/dragonmtweditor.html)

If anyone would like to give me some feedback (bug reports, development ideas) you can send me e-mail at:

Maul011@wp.pl



Have fun



Known bugs/issues



v 1.0.1654.25009

* Because native .NET platform character coding (internal coding not default coding of text files) is UNICODE some characters from Descriptions.txt and Names.txt won’t display properly in Dragon MTW Editor. This applies to characters with codes from 128 to 160.


v 1.0.1653.40247

* Extended ASCII characters are converted to UTF-8 encoding counterparts in Descriptions.txt and Names.txt (Fixed in v 1.0.1654.25009)


v 1.0.1651.33397

* Slow menus – sometimes, especially with multi-level menus, when final menu item (providing some function) is clicked menu closes without launching action associated with selected menu item.


v 1.0.1632.13633

* Program throws exception when you try save file/files before loading anything. (Fixed in v 1.0.1635.30143)


v 1.0.1629.22356

* Program throws exception when navigating beyond last record in Names or Details browsers (Fixed in v 1.0.1630.19918)

* Program may reformat header of UNIT_PROD file slightly. Even though modified file is perfectly readable for both MTW game and Editor itself. (Fixed in 1.0.1632.13633)

* Empy strings in The body type column may cause program to throw exception (Fixed in 1.0.1632.13633)


v 1.0.1628.15527

* Program may fail to load moded startpos files (Fixed in v 1.0.1629.22356)


v 1.0.1627.13217

* Problems editing files with broken headers. File loads properly but program may throw out exception when traversing data. (Fixed in 1.0.1628.15527 - Now the program will not throw exception when traversing data but description in Info window can be irrational if header is broken.)

* Program throws exception when trying to load file if MTW Installation Path is not set correctly. (Fixed in 1.0.1628.15527)

* Right after program start Detail windows shows all available interfaces. (Fixed in 1.0.1628.15527)


v 1.0.1626

* Save errors - null string reports. (Fixed in 1.0.1627.12850)



New features:



v 1.0.1663.18722

* Improved BIF support


v 1.0.1657.29830

* Few more options for manipulating multi-frame BIFs added.


v 1.0.1653.40247

* Support for saving LBM graphic files


v 1.0.1651.33397

* Picture viewer – by default it displays graphics associated with currently selected unit/building. Control over picture viewer (i.e. switching between different graphics) can by accessed through popup menu (right-click). Picture viewer can be used independently also (use right-click popup menu). In this case loading/saving is served by functions in File menu


v 1.0.1643.26720

* Interface smoothing and polishing

* Option automatically fixing DEADPAGE COORDS.TXT file. This function moves entries present in DEADPAGE COORDS.TXT but absent in UNIT_PROD file to the end of DEADPAGE COORDS.TXT file. It also adds entries missing in DEADPAGE COORDS.TXT file whenever it can find proper template for missing entry.


v 1.0.1639.29340

* Interface smoothing and polishing


v 1.0.1635.30143

* Function checking DEADPAGE COORDS.TXT file for error. It can be accessed through Edit / Data Set operations menu. At this stage this function checks DEADPAGE COORDS.TXT in conjunction with currently loaded UNIT_PROD file only. Function reports entries missing in DEADPAGE COORDS.TXT file and those which do not have their counterparts in UNIT_PROD file.

* Detail window behaviors have been upgraded. Now buttons Prev and Next can be pressed only in case when selected cell holds more than one list of values.


v 1.0.1632.13633

* Two new edit options for Building browser:
- Fast link to corresponding entry in DESCRIPTIONS.TXT file
- Fast link to corresponding entries in NAMES.TXT file

* Proper indexing added for Names/Descriptions files

* Insert/Delete line options added for Names/Descriptions files


v 1.0.1628.20311

* New set of functions which enable loading/saving rather separate files than whole sets of files have been added. Use them with caution when using together with standard load/save functions since it is easy to accidentally and unwillingly overwrite original files.




Cheers
Maul

[KukriKhan]

Welcome to the .Org Maul. You sure know how to make an entrance

Many thanks for your contribution. I'm sure the Mod-mob will be deeply interested.

[Lord Zimoa of Flanders]

Thank you Maulhttp://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/medievalcheers.gif


Moderators

Could this go to the Alchemist Lab

CZoF

[Goofball]

Hello all. I'm mod-challenged myself. Can someone tell me if this new tool will do things that the Gnome editor can't?

[bighairyman]

Quote[/b] ]I wrote my own MTW editing tool. If anyone would like to give it a try it can be found here:

Dragon MTW Editor


All i see was chinese words in it. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

[Lord Zimoa of Flanders]

Dragon MTW Editor requires Microsoft .NET 1.1 environment. You can get it here:

http://search.microsoft.com/search....qu=.net (http://search.microsoft.com/search/results.aspx?st=b&na=88&View=en-us&qu=.net)

CZoF

[Kaatar]

I couldn't get it to work either. Is this what I have to download to make it work?

Microsoft .NET Framework Redistributable
http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloa....b6c7eb3 (http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloadget.php?id=3559&file=9&evp=7be9eb8d79ee9d8511c168c84b6c7eb3)

Currently downloading it and wondering if I'm wasting my time.

The tool sounds great http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/ceasaryes.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/bigthumb.gif

[Monk]

Welcome to the Org Maul http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif

I can't comment on the tool as i'm downloading now, but i will be sure to tell you what i think once i try it out.

Thanks http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[barocca]

the rar file does indeed display in IE as gibberish text,

right click and save as,
put it in its own folder

THEN open the folder,
select tools/folder options/view
then unclick hide file extensions
then rename the file to
DragonMTWEditor.rar

then you can open it with any rar capable extractor.


REMEMBER this is a beta - it may not function 100% just yet,
we are asked to bug report and make suggestions,
email the author and dont be mean,

if it does not work as you expect outline clearly what went wrong and what error message you receieved.

B.

[Maul]

There are reports concerning problems with RAR downloads so I added ZIP version. Here it is:

dragonmtweditor.zip (http://dragonbone.vze.com/mtw/dragonmtweditor.zip)

I hope it helps.

BTW Is there any way I can edit my own posts? It would be more convenient to update initial post on top of the thread than add new.

[ntw15]

I've installed the DragonEditor and I have .net 1.1, but I get an error when I try to load a file. Here's the error report:
-----------------------

See the end of this message for details on invoking
just-in-time (JIT) debugging instead of this dialog box.

************** Exception Text **************
System.IO.DirectoryNotFoundException: Could not find a part of the path I:\Program Files\Total War\Napoleonic - Total War\campmap\startpos.
at System.IO.b77a5c561934e089/system.windows.forms.dll
----------------------------------------
System
Assembly Version: 1.0.5000.0
Win32 Version: 1.1.4322.573
CodeBase: file:///c:/windows/assembly/gac/system/1.0.5000.0b03f5f7f11d50a3a/system.drawing.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Data
Assembly Version: 1.0.5000.0
Win32 Version: 1.1.4322.573
CodeBase: file:///c:/windows/assembly/gac/system.data/1.0.5000.0b77a5c561934e089/system.###.dll
----------------------------------------
WeifenLuo.WinFormsUI
Assembly Version: 0.9.2.3
Win32 Version: 0.9.2.3
CodeBase: file:///C:/Program%20Files/Total%20War/NTW%20extras/Supplementary%20Stuff/DragonEditor/WeifenLuo.WinFormsUI.DLL
----------------------------------------
MagicLibrary
Assembly Version: 1.7.4.0
Win32 Version: 1.7.4.0
CodeBase: file:///C:/Program%20Files/Total%20War/NTW%20extras/Supplementary%20Stuff/DragonEditor/MagicLibrary.DLL
----------------------------------------

************** JIT Debugging **************
To enable just in time (JIT) debugging, the config file for this
application or machine (machine.config) must have the
jitDebugging value set in the system.windows.forms section.
The application must also be compiled with debugging
enabled.

For example:





When JIT debugging is enabled, any unhandled exception
will be sent to the JIT debugger registered on the machine
rather than being handled by this dialog.

[barocca]

ntw15
you have accidently used the following as the default pathCode Sample :\Program Files\Total War\Napoleonic - Total War\campmap\startpos[/QUOTE]

you need to run the editor,
click File (top left corner)
then Set MTW Install Path
and browse ONLY AS FAR AS
Code Sample :\Program Files\Total War\Napoleonic - Total War[/QUOTE]

then all will be fine

B. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/medievalcheers.gif

[KukriKhan]

Quote[/b] (Maul @ June 15 2004,11:36)]BTW Is there any way I can edit my own posts? It would be more convenient to update initial post on top of the thread than add new.
That involves issues of national security and requires vetting from no less than 3 independent sources. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

However: in your case, since you come bearing gifts, do this:

Place your left hand on your copy of Medieval TotalWar, raise your right hand and swear

a) that you are not a Greek bearing a wooden horse
b) that you've read the forum rules, and shall abide, and
c) you don't mind saying that Kukri is a fine fellow.

We'll get you editing rights and move this topic to the Dungeon, where it best belongs.

p.s. you can skip the c) bit, just my silly idea of fun.

[Maul]

In Poland we say: “Don’t pretend to be Greek” when someone is trying to fool you especially when someone obviously guilty plays innocent.

So

Quote[/b] ]Place your left hand on your copy of Medieval TotalWar

done


Quote[/b] ]raise your right hand and swear

impossible, since I’m merely human being and I enjoy only two hands I can not rise my right hand while typing this text, with my left hand you know where.


Quote[/b] ]a) that you are not a Greek bearing a wooden horse

If you mean Dragon MTW Editor saying “wooden horse” then I must announce I never heard of such thing. Any attempt to connect me to previous post concerning this topic is just mare mystification and hostile setup. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
But any way I would like to be able to edit my posts so I can keep up to date initial post in this very thread


Quote[/b] ]b) that you've read the forum rules, and shall abide

Yes I did and, yes I will.


Quote[/b] ]c) you don't mind saying that Kukri is a fine fellow.

So much time and effort put into running this sit and this board (I mean TotalWar.Org)… I’m pretty sure you are fine fellow Kukri. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/bigthumb.gif

Cheers
Maul

[Hetman]

Good to see You Maul. Welcome to the ORG

Check 'XVI-XVII mod' in Eng. Guild You might be interested in joining to the team.

I'll dawnload Your editor, very usefull. Congratulations

Regards Cegorach/Hetman
http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-2thumbsup.gif

[Maul]

New version deployed: (Beta) 1.0.1628.20311

Same links as before, just updated packs:

DragonMTWEditor.rar (http://www.dragonbone.neostrada.pl/mtw/DragonMTWEditor.rar)

dragonmtweditor.zip (http://dragonbone.vze.com/mtw/dragonmtweditor.zip)

Changes/bugfixes

v 1.0.1627.13217

Problems editing files with broken headers. File loads properly but program may throw out exception when traversing data. (Fixed in 1.0.1628.15527 - Now the program will not throw exception when traversing data but description in Info window can be irrational if header is broken.)

Program throws exception when trying to load file if MTW Installation Path is not set correctly. (Fixed in 1.0.1628.15527)

Right after program start Detail windows shows all available interfaces. (Fixed in 1.0.1628.15527)



v 1.0.1626

Save errors - null string reports. (Fixed in 1.0.1627.12850)

Cheers
Maul

[Pyrit]

Thanks maul http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/ceasaryes.gif

[octavian]

hey Greg (or Kukri) i think this is worth a promotion eh?? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif *nudge*

[Maul]

There is new option for loading and saving files in v 1.0.1628.20311. It enables loading/saving rather separate files than whole sets of files. I added this feature more for testing and debugging purpose than for any other reason so you should treat those functions as unsupported. They work smoothly when used standalone but may generate unexpected result when used together with standard Load Config Files / Save Config Files functions. (You may very easily accidentally replace some files and edit functions working on whole sets may produce wired results.) So be careful.

Cheers
Maul

[Maul]

New version deployed: (Beta) 1.0.1629.22356

Same links as before, just updated packs:

DragonMTWEditor.rar (http://www.dragonbone.neostrada.pl/mtw/DragonMTWEditor.rar)

dragonmtweditor.zip (http://dragonbone.vze.com/mtw/dragonmtweditor.zip)

Known bugs/issues

v 1.0.1628.15527

*Program may fail to load moded startpos files (Fixed in v 1.0.1629.22356)

Cheers
Maul

[KukriKhan]

Quote[/b] (octavian @ June 16 2004,20:14)]hey Greg (or Kukri) i think this is worth a promotion eh?? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif *nudge*
working on it, mate, should happen soon.

[ah_dut]

Quote[/b] (octavian @ June 17 2004,06:14)]hey Greg (or Kukri) i think this is worth a promotion eh?? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif *nudge*
so do i http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-jester.gif

[Steppe Merc]

Right, tried to get this thingy to work on my Fall of Rome mod, clicked on load config, clicked on an era, but got:
An unhandeled execption has occured in your application. If you Continue, the application will ignore this error and attempt to continue, If you click Wuit, this application will shut down immediately. Object referene not set to an instance of an object.
If I click continue, I don't get anything about units. Trying it on another mod now....
Same thing happened with BKB's mod and HTW.

[Maul]

Thanks Steppe Merc for your report

I would appreciate if you could mail me copy of UNIT_PROD file which fail to load. It will let me look into this issue. Copy of info reported by program when throwing exception would be helpful also (text which shows up when you click Detail button).

BTW
I have HTW installed myself and I do not experience difficulties loading its files.

Cheers
Maul

[Steppe Merc]

Check your mail, Maul. Just gimme an email if I didn't do the right thing. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif

[roysparky]

When I try to open the editor it gives me a message saying:

DragonTWEditor.exe-Aplication Error

The aplication failed to initialize properly(0xc0000135). Click OK to terminate the application.

Can someone help please.

[roysparky]

Never min I figured it out. Great job Maul.

[themonkey]

Yeh Maul this should help a lot with ireland Mod
Changing Name Soon
http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/bigthumb.gif
http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/medievalcheers.gif

[Vincenzo Morello]

PLease can u help me i have no idea wht so ever on who to get this editor to work this message keeps popping up. The aplication failed to initialize properly(0xc0000135). Click OK to terminate the application. Please tell me how u get it to work thnxs

[tombom]

I think the application failed to initalise bugs are when .NET 1.1 doesn't install properly as that happened with me.

Also, Super Early units file from BkB's super high mod doesn't work.

Welcome to the forum, Vincenzo Morello (can't ... remember.. name)

[Vincenzo Morello]

please can u tell me how to get this thing to work for the BKB mod please thnx

[Maul]

New version has arrived.

Current version is: (Beta) v 1.0.1632.13633

Same links as before, just updated packs:

DragonMTWEditor.rar (http://www.dragonbone.neostrada.pl/mtw/DragonMTWEditor.rar)

dragonmtweditor.zip (http://dragonbone.vze.com/mtw/dragonmtweditor.zip)



Known bugs/issues

v 1.0.1629.22356

* Program throws exception when navigating beyond last record in Names or Details browsers (Fixed in v 1.0.1630.19918)

* Program may reformat header of UNIT_PROD file slightly. (modified file is perfectly readable for both MTW game and Editor itself) (Fixed in 1.0.1632.13633)

* Empy strings in The body type column may cause program to throw exception (Fixed in 1.0.1632.13633)


New features:

Two new edit options for Building browser:

* Fast link to corresponding entry in DESCRIPTIONS.TXT file

* Fast link to corresponding entries in NAMES.TXT file

Proper indexing added for Names/Descriptions files

Insert/Delete line options added for Names/Descriptions files



Cheers
Maul

[KukriKhan]

This topic has seasoned enough to go to its natural home, the Engineer Guild, in the Dungeon.

[Duke John]

Topic moved and now to the place where it really belongs; the Alchemist Lab http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-nice.gif

Cheers,
Duke John

[Steppe Merc]

YAY It works http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/barrel.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/medievalcheers.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-jester.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-balloon.gif

edit: Hmm.. but still not on Super Early... But it's better than nothing.

[Maul]

Steppe Merc, is that what you are referring to: BKB Super Mod (http://www.totalwar.org/cgi-bin/forum/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=27;t=16218;st=0)? If it is, then I wonder if “Super Early” loads into MTW (and what’s more important if you can play it If you know the answer pleas tell me, I have config files bun never tried to install whole mod.)?

There is bug in “EARLY_MODDED_CRUSADERS_UNIT_PROD11.TXT” file. That is why it does not want to load into editor. I can send you corrected file if you wish.


Or if you want to do it yourself just open EARLY_MODDED_CRUSADERS_UNIT_PROD11.TXT in NOTEPAD, hit CTL+H and fill Replace window as follow:
Find what: FN_CROATIAN""
Replace with: FN_CROATIAN"
(There are two quotation marks in Find what input and that is not a mistake I mean it is a mistake but not in this post but in EARLY_MODDED_CRUSADERS_UNIT_PROD11.TXT http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-wall.gif)
Hit OK and save your file. File is good now and should load into editor.

Cheers
Maul

[tombom]

Thanks Maul http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[Steppe Merc]

I'm going to go try it out. It does work in MTW, and yes, I mean BKB's supermod.
edit: And it works. Thanks a bunch Maul http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/medievalcheers.gif

[Maul]

New version available: (Beta) v 1.0.1635.30143

For details look at initial post: Dragon MTW Editor (http://www.totalwar.org/cgi-bin/forum/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=5;t=19592;st=0)

Cheers
Maul

[Maul]

New version available: (Beta) v 1.0.1639.29340

For details look at initial post: Dragon MTW Editor (http://www.totalwar.org/cgi-bin/forum/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=5;t=19592;st=0)

Cheers
Maul

[Maul]

New version available: (Beta) v 1.0.1643.26720

For details look at initial post: Dragon MTW Editor (http://www.totalwar.org/cgi-bin/forum/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=5;t=19592;st=0)


Cheers
Maul

[Maul]

New version available: (Beta) v 1.0.1651.40753

For details look at initial post: Dragon MTW Editor (http://www.totalwar.org/cgi-bin/forum/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=5;t=19592;st=0)

Cheers
Maul

[Steppe Merc]

Hey, sometimes when I'm playing both BKB and HTW, i get a bunch of weird As and stuff instead of 's, in both names and descprtions. Could this be because of this program? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

[Maul]

I will check it out but yes it is possible. .NET environment uses UTF-8 encoding for text file by default, and MTW uses ASCII most probably. So there might be some problems when converting extended ASCII characters (codes above 127).

Cheers
Maul

[Steppe Merc]

Yeah, letter that have accents, etc are messed up sometimes to.

[Maul]

New version available: (Beta) v 1.0.1653.40247

For details look at initial post: Dragon MTW Editor (http://www.totalwar.org/cgi-bin/forum/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=5;t=19592;st=0)

Cheers
Maul

[Steppe Merc]

Does the new one fix fix the weird letters issue?

[Maul]

No, you have to wait a bit.

[Maul]

New version available: (Beta) v 1.0.1654.25009

For details look at initial post: Dragon MTW Editor (http://www.totalwar.org/cgi-bin/forum/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=5;t=19592;st=0)

Fix for weird characters, but please take a look at additional info in section known bugs/issues

Cheers
Maul

[Maul]

If your MTW suffered because of Dragon MTW Editor converting files to UTF-8 here is tool which can help convert Names.txt and Descriptions.txt files (and any other file as well) back to their original form. It is very likely you will have to apply conversion from UTF-8 to ASCII several times before you reach desired result.

Dragon Text Converter (http://www.dragonbone.neostrada.pl/mtw/DragonTextConverter.zip) – ZIP file

Cheers
Maul

[Maul]

New version available: (Beta) v 1.0.1657.29830

For details look at initial post: Dragon MTW Editor (http://www.totalwar.org/cgi-bin/forum/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=5;t=19592;st=0)


Cheers
Maul

[Turbo]

Maul,

The graphic file conversion program alone makes this a worthwhile download. I did notice that when I saved a BIF file that it defaults to transparent. I have to reload the BIF using ReadBIf, save it, and then it has the default "MTW" colors.

I was finally able to convert the FeudalBows.lbm to BIF and it displayed perfectly

I also notice some incompatibility between BIFs saved using the BIF reader and Dragon. Saving it as a BMP however did the trick.

I am surprised there aren't more raves about this program. You have my vote.

[Maul]

Hi Turbo,

I’m afraid you are making your life much too difficult


Quote[/b] ]I have to reload the BIF using ReadBIf, save it, and then it has the default "MTW" colors.

ReadBiff is known to generate faulty single-frame bifs so I wouldn’t advise converting bifs generated by Dragon MTW Editor with ReadBiff. As for default MTW colors I suppose you refer to green transparent color. If it is so then forget it. It is a myth. There is no such requirement in MTW. Transparent color (palette entry 0) can be set to any color you like (personally I prefer using color RGB: 235, 227, 206). Green transparent is sole feature of ReadBiff because that is how the program renders transparency (for example Photoshop and Fireworks render transparency as checkered background). So you do not have to worry about that. Just select proper color to be saved as transparent and you are ready to use picture in MTW.


BTW
I have prepared new version of my editor. Graphic converter was slightly improved in field of BIFF support. I have improved quantization algorithm and biff palette selection algorithm so now pictures (BIFFs) look flawless in MTW. I will try to deploy new version today.

Cheers
Maul

[Maul]

New version available: (Beta) v 1.0.1663.18722

For details look at initial post: Dragon MTW Editor (http://www.totalwar.org/cgi-bin/forum/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=5;t=19592;st=0)

Cheers
Maul

[Turbo]

Quote[/b] (Maul @ July 21 2004,05:43)]Hi Turbo,

I’m afraid you are making your life much too difficult


Quote[/b] ]I have to reload the BIF using ReadBIf, save it, and then it has the default "MTW" colors.

ReadBiff is known to generate faulty single-frame bifs so I wouldn’t advise converting bifs generated by Dragon MTW Editor with ReadBiff. As for default MTW colors I suppose you refer to green transparent color. If it is so then forget it. It is a myth. There is no such requirement in MTW. Transparent color (palette entry 0) can be set to any color you like (personally I prefer using color RGB: 235, 227, 206). Green transparent is sole feature of ReadBiff because that is how the program renders transparency (for example Photoshop and Fireworks render transparency as checkered background). So you do not have to worry about that. Just select proper color to be saved as transparent and you are ready to use picture in MTW.


BTW
I have prepared new version of my editor. Graphic converter was slightly improved in field of BIFF support. I have improved quantization algorithm and biff palette selection algorithm so now pictures (BIFFs) look flawless in MTW. I will try to deploy new version today.

Cheers
Maul
I have a bunch of BIFs I created using the Bifreader. Dragon loads these BIfs fine but when I save them as LBM, they end up with a green background (if I load from BMP) or black background (if I load directly as a BIF).

How can I save this BIf as an LBM with a transparent color like the default BIFs without the green background?

[Maul]

Turbo,

I’m afraid you can’t, at least at this point. My program just provides conversion utility. It does not allow you to edit picture in any way.

Few words of explanation are required at this point I suppose. It is about LBM file format. Event though LBM has ability to store transparent pictures none of LBM icons used in MTW utilizes this ability. All LBM icons delivered with MTW are non-transparent. They blend nicely into MTW interface because their backgrounds correspond with color of interface region where they are displayed (this magic color is RGB 207:207:199). So Turbo, you have to replace background of your icons.

I can offer one thing. If problem you reported is common one, and there will be more people asking for solution, I may consider adding color table conversion utility to my program.


Cheers
Maul

[Patron]

It says i need mscorwks.dll to work.

[Freelancer]

I have used Dragon Editor quite a lot to duplicate units... All works well, including text files etc. THough you do have to edit the description, which is okay, but if it goes to the length of writing entries, why not add an oportunity to write something fresh, since you still have to go and edit what's written anyway?.

However, it doesn't seem to work with Agents.

Buildings are a total waste of time. No matter what building I duplicate, it ends up a castle!

I suppose I could completely rebuild it from there, but I haven't bothered. I've used Gnome instead for buildings, and changed text files manually.

Still, I think it has great potential.

Freelancer

[Patron]

I downloaded mscorwks.dll, but now it says I need MSVCR71.dll and also that it cannot load mscorwks.dll

Why does it work for everyone else. Does everyone else have these working dll files except me?

[Ciaran]

I always get strange results when I load unit info pictures in the Dragon picture view, they always are transparent in places, why´s that?