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Image Editing Tutorial[message #9894] Wed, 24 November 2004 11:21 Go to next message
Kaerar is currently offline Kaerar

 
Messages:2022
Registered:January 2003
Location: Australia :D
Would people like me to write an image editing tutorial which covers:

Guns
Items
On the ground guns and items
Faces

If there is demand for this then I will write and release a tutorial with pics for everyone.

If there are any other things you would like to add to that list that come under the static pictures list (NOT tilesets or animations as I have no idea how to do them!) then feel free to suggest it.

Kaerar

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Lieutenant

Re: Image Editing Tutorial[message #9895] Wed, 24 November 2004 15:12 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Reonaldo is currently offline Reonaldo

 
Messages:11
Registered:October 2003
Location: belgium
That would be a great idea Kaerar, because i have no idea how and where to begin/start with such a project.. although it sounds fun enough
( i know, i know i can search the forum Wink , but i'm allways kind of drawning in all the info provided )
btw keep those 'red dwarf' quotes coming, i just love the serie Smile

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Private
Re: Image Editing Tutorial[message #9896] Thu, 25 November 2004 08:46 Go to previous messageGo to next message
neo9077 is currently offline neo9077

 
Messages:13
Registered:October 2004
Location: Ontario, Canada
Sounds like a good idea Kaerar. Although I already know how to make new gun and item pics for the game, it would help out new modders. Too bad you can't write about JSD's and Animations because that's what I'm having difficulties with at the moment.

neo9077

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Private
Re: Image Editing Tutorial[message #9897] Thu, 25 November 2004 10:28 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Kaerar is currently offline Kaerar

 
Messages:2022
Registered:January 2003
Location: Australia :D
I may expand to animations at a later date, but JSD's are still very much a mystery to me!!!

If a few more people reply then this'll be a definate project!

Thanx for the support

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Lieutenant

Re: Image Editing Tutorial[message #9898] Thu, 25 November 2004 13:51 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Headshot is currently offline Headshot

 
Messages:176
Registered:May 2002
Location: Los Angeles ( Hollywood )...

Sounds good to me I dont do much image work but I would like to give it a try. I have PhotoShop but seldom ever use it or know much about it.

Headshot

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Staff Sergeant
Re: Image Editing Tutorial[message #9899] Tue, 30 November 2004 13:49 Go to previous messageGo to next message
rowie is currently offline rowie
Messages:4
Registered:November 2004
Location: Australia
That would be a great idea. It could also be extended into modding in general, so have chapter on pics, animations, changing characters, text, maps, intro on going about your own mods etc. even go into a little on programming if ppl will write on it.
i myself have just started modding and although some of these things are straight forward (text for example) thanks to those who made editors there is still some confusion. grab some info on the lotb website and write it up nice, test the instructions out on dumb dumbs like me make them clearer if needed and package it with all the modding tools needed!
i'd be in on that

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Civilian
Re: Image Editing Tutorial[message #9900] Tue, 30 November 2004 16:16 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Kaerar is currently offline Kaerar

 
Messages:2022
Registered:January 2003
Location: Australia :D
Sounds like a good idea to add all the modding tools but that means I'll have to make it 2 downloads.

Download 1 = Tutorial
Download 2 = Programs

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Lieutenant

Re: Image Editing Tutorial[message #9901] Tue, 30 November 2004 17:15 Go to previous messageGo to next message
rowie is currently offline rowie
Messages:4
Registered:November 2004
Location: Australia
that would be alright. depending on size i could put it on the server i use. you get webspace with the ISP. i'd be happy to help. at the moment i can do a write up on the map editors and converters. (it will need some finishing with the placement of cows! and npc movements)
but i am happy to have a crack at following instructions you come up with.

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Civilian
Re: Image Editing Tutorial[message #9902] Wed, 01 December 2004 01:07 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Kaerar is currently offline Kaerar

 
Messages:2022
Registered:January 2003
Location: Australia :D
ok, when I have re-installed windows I will be able to get to work on it (have it schedueld for next day or so) as I can't use photoshop atm!!!

I'll post again when I have the basic weapon section done.

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Lieutenant

Re: Image Editing Tutorial[message #9903] Wed, 01 December 2004 19:53 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Wodan is currently offline Wodan

 
Messages:538
Registered:December 2001
Location: Antwerp, Belgium
I did post a kind of face-sti creation tutorial.
I'll *bump* it for ya.
Feel free to do with it what you like.

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First Sergeant
Re: Image Editing Tutorial[message #9904] Fri, 03 December 2004 15:19 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Reonaldo is currently offline Reonaldo

 
Messages:11
Registered:October 2003
Location: belgium
Aha, let's check that one out allready ;o
thx wodan

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Private
Re: Image Editing Tutorial[message #9905] Sat, 04 December 2004 10:09 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Khor1255 is currently offline Khor1255

 
Messages:1817
Registered:August 2003
Location: Pleasantville, NJ
Yea it actually taught me how to make face stis (and that is a small miracle considering up until a few months ago I didn't know how to cut/paste).

Thanx alot Wodan! You're a real asset.

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Sergeant Major
Re: Image Editing Tutorial[message #9906] Sat, 04 December 2004 20:30 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Kaerar is currently offline Kaerar

 
Messages:2022
Registered:January 2003
Location: Australia :D
thanx Wodan, if you don't mind I'll use some of you face descriptions in the tut.

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Lieutenant

Re: Image Editing Tutorial[message #9907] Wed, 05 January 2005 17:04 Go to previous messageGo to next message
neo9077 is currently offline neo9077

 
Messages:13
Registered:October 2004
Location: Ontario, Canada
Well it's been over a month now. I am curious, have you finished your tutorial, have you put it on hold or given up all together?

neo9077

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Private
Re: Image Editing Tutorial[message #9908] Wed, 05 January 2005 20:56 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Kaerar is currently offline Kaerar

 
Messages:2022
Registered:January 2003
Location: Australia :D
Not yet!!!

My motherboard died and I am awaiting a replacement motherboard before I can finish it.

I will post when I have the first part ready for upload (the Weapon image editing section).

Sorry for the delay

Kaerar

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Lieutenant

Re: Image Editing Tutorial[message #9909] Tue, 11 January 2005 05:10 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Kaerar is currently offline Kaerar

 
Messages:2022
Registered:January 2003
Location: Australia :D
Well, the tut is coming along nicely.

I was wondering if there needs to be any detail on wedit for modifying the attributes in Excel as even though Batman's editor is great it can make the process slower (from personal experience). Also using excel you can modify the Tons of Guns and Normal Guns options very simply!

Anyway feedback on that second bit would be helpful and I will try to get the weapon pic modding section up soon (Probably a simple doc file for short term and a .pdf a bit later).

Laterz

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Lieutenant

Re: Image Editing Tutorial[message #9910] Tue, 11 January 2005 06:54 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Khor1255 is currently offline Khor1255

 
Messages:1817
Registered:August 2003
Location: Pleasantville, NJ
A tutorial on Excel would be a real time saver for me and I'm sure a lot of other folks.
Batman's Desktop is awesome but for some changes (grenades, Rocket Rifles etc.) I keep hearing you have to use Excel. I'll gladly aquire that program but I'm sure a walkthrough would be the next thing on my list.

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Sergeant Major
Re: Image Editing Tutorial[message #9911] Tue, 11 January 2005 09:22 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Abdul is currently offline Abdul

 
Messages:219
Registered:August 2001
Get one of those "Learn MS Excel in 20 days" books. Razz

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Sergeant 1st Class
Re: Image Editing Tutorial[message #9912] Tue, 11 January 2005 13:08 Go to previous messageGo to next message
the scorpion

 
Messages:1834
Registered:September 2004
Location: CH
or use SPSS

can everything that excel can and a shitload more...

But its slightly expensive...

when modding ja2, you will only need excel when using weedit. Weedit has a readme and many people around these ja2 forums know how to use it.
You would figure it out. no problem

but appearantly, kaerar, there is demand for a walkthrough of weedit.

i am still waiting for that image editing tutorial though. I need to create better looking .stis

so pls, go on... with the good work.

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Sergeant Major
Re: Image Editing Tutorial[message #9913] Tue, 11 January 2005 14:00 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Khor1255 is currently offline Khor1255

 
Messages:1817
Registered:August 2003
Location: Pleasantville, NJ
I think I'm okay with Weedit. But there are some things it doesn't do that I've been told can be handled with Excel (or a comparable program).
I've tried several times to change the Stun Grenade to a regular Grenade and it still acts like a stun grenade.
I also want to introduce two different grenade launchers that use incompatable grenades and (if I really get lucky with the first two) convert the rocket rifles into a Bazooka and a Panzerschreck.

I'll settle for just a few of these changes but having at least three types of hand grenades is almost essential in a WW2 setting. I'd like to be able to do this with Weedit but I've tried numerous times and...


By the way, the scorpion, if you could tell me what specific problem you're having with creating face .stis I think I could help you there.
Care to swap info?

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Sergeant Major
Re: Image Editing Tutorial[message #9914] Tue, 11 January 2005 21:47 Go to previous messageGo to next message
the scorpion

 
Messages:1834
Registered:September 2004
Location: CH
"Panzerschreck" is some sort of ww2 antitank-rifle, isn`t it?

you would need to get rid of the rocket animation and the fingerprint ID. Gunny steve has postet the offsets for the most common ja2 versions where you can move the fingerprint ID to another weapon of your choice.

then, the rocket missile has its own animation different from the LAW animation (i am not really sure, but in the Tilecache folder, "msle_sma.sti" is the anim for the RR while i guess that "msle_smk".sti is the anim for LAW)
so, you can manually disable that animation in Tilecache folder, the fingerprint ID needs hexing.
(off course, you could also get rid of the animation via hexing)

you could also try using monster spit slots.

now stun grenade...

it should work actually. anim type as well as damage values and radius have to be adjustet.

now, using Weedit, you can only have the two existing grenade launchers. But you may assign each of them different grenades


concerning the .sti`s that i made, i just want to enhance graphic quality in general and am therefore waiting for that tutorial.

it`s rather weapons than faces.

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Sergeant Major
Re: Image Editing Tutorial[message #9915] Tue, 11 January 2005 23:25 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Khor1255 is currently offline Khor1255

 
Messages:1817
Registered:August 2003
Location: Pleasantville, NJ
Thanx.
If you've tried t and suceeded in making the stun grenade a regular grenade I'd like to know how. I've tried and even though I assign it's explosion type to regular (normal or whatever it's called) it does no damage and just stuns the opponenet.

As for the rocket rifle animations, I really wish I was that far along where I could concern myself with such finishing touches. I need to remove the fingerprint i.d. first and make it behave like an explosion (the animation is just window dressing). Any help here would be much appreciated.
What would be great is to have a Panzerschreck (German Bazooka copy with improvements) and Bazooka that could be fired from a crouch or even prone position as well as standing, with ammo unique to each weapon, and no fingerprint i.d. at all. This might be too much to ask but any of those things would be an improvement on what I have.
I wonder, if you can move the fingerprint i.d. to another weapon could you maybe move it to one of those two weapon slots that are occupied by items (one looks like a radio headset the other a cannister grenade)? Has anyone tried this? If I knew how to move the i.d. I'd try but I wonder if any of you have already?

I'm out of town and don't have access to my desktop, when I do I'll download that Hexman utility Abdul mentioned and get ahold of Excel. But for now...

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Sergeant Major
Re: Image Editing Tutorial[message #9916] Wed, 12 January 2005 00:38 Go to previous messageGo to next message
the scorpion

 
Messages:1834
Registered:September 2004
Location: CH
well ok.

i am always working with excel/ weedit, so my way of doing this will be via excel weedit

you can move the two I.Ds to any item on a weapon slot 1-69 (maybe even slot 0, don`t know whether this makes sense to do)

you need a hex editor, the offsets were posted in a thread below this one. I moved the IDs to the bloodcat bites and claws, i never use those weapons :axe:

once you have excel, you will be able to change

-the damage an explosive does

-the animation it uses

-the breath damage

and other stuff. So, that should do the job.

as for the panzerschreck and bazooka: do they have to have real explosive damage or would a "rocket rifle-style" explosion be enough?

the latter could be easily achieved. For graphic reasons i would change the graphics of

-miniboom.sti

-msle_sma

and reduce clip size to 1

this may be too cheap for you, but like this, these weapons can be fired in crouch and prone aswell (just like RR and ARR, but with the necesarry graphic changes, better looking)

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Sergeant Major
Re: Image Editing Tutorial[message #9917] Wed, 12 January 2005 00:48 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Khor1255 is currently offline Khor1255

 
Messages:1817
Registered:August 2003
Location: Pleasantville, NJ
Does that mean you can also make up to 69 weapons?
I salivate in anticipation of this answer.

I'm also wondering if you know how to patch you're weaponsmod into the Beta editor to keep it from crashing when you go to the Items tab or try to assign Items to enemies?

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Sergeant Major
Re: Image Editing Tutorial[message #9918] Wed, 12 January 2005 00:56 Go to previous messageGo to next message
the scorpion

 
Messages:1834
Registered:September 2004
Location: CH
yes, basicly 69 weapons minus

-2 Items for bloodcats (gives problems when changed to firearms, i tried that one)

-Tank cannon (i didn`t change that one, but i guess one could)

also, many slots are limited to certain animations like grenade launchers, law, mortar usw as well as monster spit slots and the flamehtrower`s slot needs an animation too

(but that also allows nice stuff)

*edit*
i forgot that the A.I cannot use firearms on the slot of "a stone" and "another stone" but player can.

well, the second thing i don`t know. My betaeditor doesn`t crash anymore, but i didn`t try patching it, sry

but if Batman stated that it works, it has to work

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Sergeant Major
Re: Image Editing Tutorial[message #9919] Wed, 12 January 2005 01:47 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Khor1255 is currently offline Khor1255

 
Messages:1817
Registered:August 2003
Location: Pleasantville, NJ
Great!
Thanx man!
Now I don't have to leave out so many weapons. It's been like pulling teeth deciding which weapons to leave out. It looks like I have 15 or so more I can use and that's a great thing.

My flamethrower uses an animation that looks pretty apropriate. Eventually I might add a special dying animation for when this weapon does critical damage or at least steal the burned to cinders animation that already exists.
If you'd like to have a look I'd be more than happy to send it to you.

You're beta doesn't crash and you have an altered weaponmod installed?
I wonder, do you still alter it without crashes?
If this is the case perhaps there is something altogether different that is wrong with the mod I'm working on? I've tried a utility called Itemfix that Snap made without any luck. This utility is supposed to make the map editor compatable with a new weaponmod but it hasn't seemed to have affected anything. I have to be doing something wrong.
Also the DoMaps.bat crashes while trying to create radar maps. The error message says something about items.
You probably have no idea how to fix this unless you've experience a similar problem but if you have any ideas I'm all ears.


It's extremely important to have the Bazooka behave like an anti material weapon. If I can't make that happen I'll leave it out altogether. It has to be able to bust a tank, blow through walls, destroy obstacles, etc. As with everything I do, the animation and window dressing will follow the function. If I can't get it to behave - in game - like a Bazooka, the animation is irrelevant.

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Sergeant Major
Re: Image Editing Tutorial[message #9920] Wed, 12 January 2005 02:14 Go to previous messageGo to next message
the scorpion

 
Messages:1834
Registered:September 2004
Location: CH
can you maybe give me a link to that itemfix program?

well, betaeditor itself is very unstable, so atm i am using a different install of ja2beta than where my weaponmod is installed...

but i don`t know what actaully caused my betaeditor to crash.

so sorry, i can`t give an answer.

the utility to create radarmpas works fine with me. Maybe you have custom tilesets and no "t" folders?

maybe a workaround (for the radarmaps)is to have the weaponmod and the maps installed in different installations of ja2. But for weapons it makes no sense...

if you are interested in my work, i have just released the first version of ja2 vengeance Mod (see this thread for links) http://www.ja-galaxy-forum.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=21;t=000501

maps, weapons, changes to exe, Mercs, NPCs Rpcs etc

it is based on ja2 1.02 german (32MB download)

*edit*

well, for the bazooka working just like LAW is beyond my knowledge. I like busting tanks, but often player use LAW against Soldiers. What am i going to make dozens of firearms and Napam grenades if the use LAW?

no, i mean it is beyond my skills to do that. Maybe try asking UC Modmakers or do a lot of hexing in the exe.

btw. got friends working on WW2 Mods too.

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Sergeant Major
Re: Image Editing Tutorial[message #9921] Tue, 18 January 2005 22:33 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Wodan is currently offline Wodan

 
Messages:538
Registered:December 2001
Location: Antwerp, Belgium
I believe you'd be making it hard on yourself if you want to convert the rocket rifle to a bazooka. You probably rather want to change some other gun. Ramfall would know how. Dunno how often he checks in here anymore. I'll see if I can beam him up for ya.

I also believe that Ramfall was working on a way to alter the max amount of weapons. Well, maybe he already did, but it's not up to me to tell you guys. Razz

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First Sergeant
Re: Image Editing Tutorial[message #9922] Tue, 15 February 2005 02:53 Go to previous message
neo9077 is currently offline neo9077

 
Messages:13
Registered:October 2004
Location: Ontario, Canada
February 14, 2005. You done yet Kaerar? :whoknows:

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