3 quick questions

[Askthepizzaguy]

1) I am having trouble with the long road and lands to conquer, I cant get them to function. What is the proper procedure for adding these mods to a completely unmodified version of the game? Is there a patch I need to install first?

2) How do I create animated .gif files of the campaign map portion of the screen so that I can post the results of my campaign without having to post 100+ photos?

3) Can I create movie files of my battles? If so, how? Do I need a different version of the game? And would I have to post the files on youtube?

Detailed answers are much appreciated. The reason why this question is here is because this is the only forum that I really use. If someone feels the need to move it somewhere else, I guess that's ok.

[Lamprey]

I play LtC, how can you possibly be having trouble with it? It comes with an installer that does everything for you :)

Make sure you have patch 1.02 and the latest version of LtC and you should be. The only thing I can think of is that you have the wrong version of LtC that you're trying to install.

[phonicsmonkey]

1) you'll need to patch to 1.2 before installing LTC 2.3 over the top - not sure about the long road but as far as I'm aware most mods are now dependent on the latest patch

2) if you have photoshop you can use the cropping tool to cut the .tgas file down to size, then select the size of the image and save it as a .gif file - otherwise (although I haven't used it) I hear irfanview is also good

3) I believe (although I haven't used it myself) that a feature called "cinematic editor" comes with the patch 1.2 download - I remember seeing a readme for it somewhere in the files...

sorry I can't be more specific, hopefully others can fill in the gaps

[Askthepizzaguy]

Anyone have a link to the 1.02 patch?

[phonicsmonkey]

there used to be a link in the stickies, can't see it now

you're in the US right? try this one:

http://www.strategyinformer.com/pc/medieval2totalwar/patch/13869.html

can't vouch for it as I used a different one (I'm in oz)

[John_Longarrow]

Check down in the mod forums on how to set up your install for mods. I'm not sure if LTC does that for you, but if it doesn't then you would need to set it up first.

[Askthepizzaguy]

I still cannot create my own GIF animations, even with Ifranview.

I'd need more detailed explanations on that one.

Maybe it's just impractical. I would have to eliminate most of the image to isolate the mini map portion for about 89 screenshots. I don't have that kind of patience. Then I'd have to assemble the gif as animation, which I also don't know how to do.

[phonicsmonkey]

sorry pizzaguy, I totally missed the word "animated" in your first post - I see what you mean now and I'm no use to you as I have no idea how it's done

apologies if I wasted your time with irfanview - I'm struggling a little today after a heavy night

[Shahed]

You can do it with Photoshop. I don't have any tutorials but try a google for "photoshop + animations + tutorial".

pizzaguy, keep an eye on Broken Crescent.
I'd love to see one of your great threads on that mod. (http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=103011) Slow load link.

In fact personally I think they should hire you to break the mod, you'd be a great BETA tester.

[phonicsmonkey]

by way of apology, how about this?

http://www.gifninja.com/CreateAGif.aspx

looks pretty simple, once you have the .gifs ready to go (for which you can use irfanview / photoshop etc.)

does sound longwinded though if you're planning to include all 89 turns in your .gif (and maybe not possible on that site, which restricts .gifs to 4 seconds)

maybe you can jump 5 or 10 turns at a time? that way you'd only need 16 or 8 images...

also, I should elaborate on my answer to your first question. To use the latest LTC (which is 3.0, not 2.3) you'll need to 1) dl the patch 2) install it 3) run the unpacker 4) delete the irritating descr_geography files that cause CTD

then you can install LTC over the top, and I believe it installs itself automatically in a mod directory so you can still play vanilla 1.2

[Shahed]

There's also imageready (or so I've heard).

[Askthepizzaguy]

You can do it with Photoshop. I don't have any tutorials but try a google for "photoshop + animations + tutorial".

pizzaguy, keep an eye on Broken Crescent.
I'd love to see one of your great threads on that mod. (http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=103011) Slow load link.

In fact personally I think they should hire you to break the mod, you'd be a great BETA tester.

I am honored that you think so. I'd be very interested in creating a new ultra-aggressive campaign thread. Right now I am fooling around with Milan, but it's not so impressive to me. They have good troops and all but they are too surrounded by Catholics to make blitzing very effective. I have conquered Sicily, Venice, the Moors, Spain, Portugal, and am in the process of destroying France and the HRE (turn 20), and I have another crusade coming up in just a couple turns. But the HRE would have had 60 provinces by now.

I'm having trouble with mods at the moment. Haven't gotten a single one to work yet. I need to patch my game and try again.

If they are willing to pay a salary, I'd be delighted to destroy their BETA games for them.

[Askthepizzaguy]

by way of apology, how about this?

http://www.gifninja.com/CreateAGif.aspx

looks pretty simple, once you have the .gifs ready to go (for which you can use irfanview / photoshop etc.)

does sound longwinded though if you're planning to include all 89 turns in your .gif (and maybe not possible on that site, which restricts .gifs to 4 seconds)

maybe you can jump 5 or 10 turns at a time? that way you'd only need 16 or 8 images...

also, I should elaborate on my answer to your first question. To use the latest LTC (which is 3.0, not 2.3) you'll need to 1) dl the patch 2) install it 3) run the unpacker 4) delete the irritating descr_geography files that cause CTD

then you can install LTC over the top, and I believe it installs itself automatically in a mod directory so you can still play vanilla 1.2

I'll give it a try later. I have to sleep occasionally. :2thumbsup:

[Lusted]

also, I should elaborate on my answer to your first question. To use the latest LTC (which is 3.0, not 2.3) you'll need to 1) dl the patch 2) install it 3) run the unpacker 4) delete the irritating descr_geography files that cause CTD

Step 3 and 4 are completely unnecessary when installing LTC. You just need t have M2Tw patched to 1.2, and then install the mod on top of that. You don't need to do anythign else.

[Askthepizzaguy]

NEW QUESTION:

How can I keep a copy of Vanilla M2TW 1.0 on my computer once I have installed the 1.2 patch?

I was able to make a copy of RTW so I could play vanilla again even after I updated to RTR. But when I try to do a fresh install on my computer, it says I would have to uninstall the patched version first, even after I moved the patched version to a new folder "SEGA 2"

Is there any way I can have both versions installed in seperate folders?

[DVX BELLORVM]

Try this:
1. uninstall your patched M2TW
2. install 1.0
3. create a new folder outside your SEGA folder (or wherever you keep your M2TW)
4. copy the Medieval II Total War folder into newly created folder
5. create a shortcut for medieval2.exe on your desktop
6. patch the original installation with 1.2