Question for Duke John

[Malachus]

Hi Duke John, I have a question. I'm trying to create new unit graphics, and I was reading your guide to doing so. In chapter 2, section 1.3, u mentioned using command prompt and entering in a certain command line. Well; I followed all you directions up to that point, but after I enter the command line, what do I do?

[Duke John]

The part about the DOS prompt is about using readbif in a other way than via the standard Windows dialogs/whatever. I don't know if it has been fixed but if you made BIFs with readbif in Windows then it didn't work. Doing it in DOS does work, so that is why.

I always paste the to-be-processed BMPs on E:\ (so no subdirectory). Then I open the DOS prompt and if I have 12 frames I enter:
readbif -i12 e:\BMPnames e:\BIFname

Hit enter wait a few seconds and then you may close the DOS prompt.

Then you will find the newly created BIF in E:\

[VikingHorde]

The part about the DOS prompt is about using readbif in a other way than via the standard Windows dialogs/whatever. I don't know if it has been fixed but if you made BIFs with readbif in Windows then it didn't work. Doing it in DOS does work, so that is why.

I always paste the to-be-processed BMPs on E:\ (so no subdirectory). Then I open the DOS prompt and if I have 12 frames I enter:
readbif -i12 e:\BMPnames e:\BIFname

Hit enter wait a few seconds and then you may close the DOS prompt.

Then you will find the newly created BIF in E:\

Why is the bif file made in dos mode. I have used bif-reader to first extract the 12 pics, then edited the pics (mainly adding shields and weapons). After the editing I reopen bif-reader and make a new bif. Here I set it to 512, 512 and 12 frames. Then I get error, but I only close the new empty bif, chose new bif again (this time no error), import all pics and save the bif. I work fine ingame.

EDIT: I use CoralDREW (9 I think) for editting. It's old, but a good program IMO.

[Duke John]

Using the dos-prompt doesn't take more time, and if you're used to it (like me) then there is little reason not to.

[VikingHorde]

Using the dos-prompt doesn't take more time, and if you're used to it (like me) then there is little reason not to.

Ohh, ok. I just thougt there was some special reason for it.

[Malachus]

Ok, so one more question... these 12 frames... how do I make these?