I've read a bit on placing arrows in a custom tech tree & decided to give it a go. I took a screen shot of the custom tech tree in game, pasted it into photo shop, and edited from there. I opened the default tech tree and cut & paste the arrows to fit where I needed them according to my screen shot. For some reason, the file won't load in the scenario. I'm thinking it's a palette issue, but I'm merely speculating here. Theoretically both the screen shot & default images are using the same 256-palette, so I wouldn't think this would be it. The file is named correctly & is saved in pcx format, as well as being placed in the appropriate folder. Any ideas?

Anyone know how to upload a palette into Photoshop or to set the image to 256 colors? If it is a palette issue, that would solve it. What I don't understand is that I was able to paste over the old arrows with the marble background, but I can't copy & paste the arrows into new spots by the same method.

I've done this before. I had no problems though. There's no need to change any of the image settings, just cut and paste. Did you try using the brush with a color you chose from the color picker?
I had no problems cuting and pasting arrows. What version do you have?
The only other thing I can say is don't screw with the palletes...

Like Bungus, I've had no problems cutting and pasting arrows in Photoshop and then using the revised tech trees in the game. I haven't had to make any palette adjustments at all and the advisor screens load each and every time without any problems.

I cut & paste arrows from the default pic, and I tried the eye-drop method of selecting an already used color (to be certain it's a usable color off the palette) to manually make arrows. In both cases it won't work. What's strange, as I think I mentioned, is that I can paste marble over the old arrows, but I can't get the copied arrows to show up. Somewhere something is screwed up. I haven't and don't want to mess with the palette, unless it's importing the correct one - so I know it's not that.

It's like this:
I took the default science background and cut a segment of marble off it & continually pasted it over the default arrows. This works great in game for my custom tech tree. Now, using the same process, I try to cut arrows & paste them in the appropriate positions - but it won't show up. It doesn't make sense. Someone must know photoshop well enough to help a brotha' out!

I can't help with the cutting and pasting problem, but one suggestion for why it's not showing up in the game: if this is a tech tree for the third age, you need to call it industrial_new.pcx rather than just industrial.pcx as you might expect. This was a change in Conquests 1.22 and is very annoying if you don't know about it.

It's definately not the 'industrial_new' issue - I'm well aware of that. It's got to be something with Photoshop itself, where the palette is being altered when the file saves, or something. Maybe the arrows' colors are changing when being added to the workable background...is there an 'arrows pack' somewhere in the game or here at CFC where I could cut & paste those?

Hmm, I found a tutorial in here that has some attached arrow segments in GIF format. Apparently that works. I'm thinking that the cut & paste technique is failing because when I paste the arrows over the backdrop, the colors are meshing together, not overlaying. Anyone know how to resolve this in Photoshop? In the meantime, I'll have to play with the GIF arrows, hopefully with success.

Sorry for the untimely response, I forgot about this thread.
You said you used cut+paste arrows from the default.pcx I've always cut and pasted from arrows from the same era tech screen (for instance, I just use the lasso or magic wand tool to select a portion of the arrow from one spot in the document and capy/paste it where I want it). Though I don't know why, maybe there is a pallette issue in the default.pcx arrows? Just speculation...
As for the colors meshing together, when you paste something, make sure on the layers window (usually open in the botom left), the pulldown selection window/box thing is set to "Normal". That is the default, some of the other options like "multiply" can blend a pasted image layer with the backround. Don't know how this would effect a pcx. The brush tool always seems to blend a little no matter what I do, but I've used it before to edit a pcx no problems.
Hope you latest attempt is successful, other-wise post again and I'll take a closer look at what made my method work (luck?).

I've always cut and pasted from arrows from the same era tech screen, maybe there is a pallette issue in the default.pcx arrows? Just speculation...
My last attempt was related to that, in an effort to troubleshoot & hopefully isolate the problem. Unfortunately, the arrows I found here in a tutorial were not complete, so I could not use all of them.
As for the colors meshing together, when you paste something, make sure on the layers window (usually open in the botom left), the pulldown selection window/box thing is set to "Normal". That is the default, some of the other options like "multiply" can blend a pasted image layer with the backround. Don't know how this would effect a pcx. The brush tool always seems to blend a little no matter what I do, but I've used it before to edit a pcx no problems.

I haven't had PhotoShop long enough to know it well, but the Normal/multiply layers option I have run across, as I'm forced to use layers to edit the tree appropriately. That toggle could very well be the culprit. With the holidays here, I may not have time to check soon, but I will take a look at that next opportunity.

I appreciate the help. I have 3 scenarios nearing completion, and all are hanging on final testing &/or the tech tree arrows. I would hate to have to delay them further or actually skip the tech-arrows. Since it used to work at one time, I'm sure I switched a simple option somewhere - so let's hope you're right. :goodjob:

The blending appears to be the issue. Thanks much, Bungus!

Now let's see if I can complete all the trees without any further issues...

I just noticed this thread...
I wrote a tutorial on how to get the transparency correct in photoshop, this will also reduce it to 256 colours, and optimize your palette. :) Link in sig.

The blending layers isn't it, something else is causing it.

mrtn - can you help me diagnose the problem?

Here is what I do, step by step:

Load PhotoShop.

Open current arrowless techtree background (one I made that seems to actually work).

Open Civ to the scenario I am working on & PrintScreen the tech tree.

Paste copy as layer 2 over arrowless techtree background.

Open C3C techtree in separate window.

Cut & Paste arrows from C3C background to custom background on layer 3+.

When finished, I delete layer 2 (the screenshot from in-game).

Save as *.pcx.

My layers are set to normal, but I've never had to play with the palette before. Transparency has always worked too - I modified units without err in the past.

Any ideas? Can I reset potential problem areas to a default setting?

thx

Eh, do you flatten the layers when you're finished? If you follow my tut you should be asked "Do you really want to flatten the layers?" by photoshop. Click yes.
You never say what kind of pcx you're saving to, RGB or 256 colors? (Leading question, I know ;)).
If you .zip one of the trees I can take a quick look. If you do it now I can check it in a minute.

Here is my last attempt (http://www.civfanatics.net/uploads8/TestTree.zip).

I do get prompted twice for saving. I accept the first, and I usually cancel the second (I always figured it would screw up the file, since the first save would output a file). I don't recall either saying anything about compiling the layers. The prompt just asks if I am sure I want to save, and whether I want to replace the existing file (I save over the bad files).

Also, I'm not sure how to toggle between 256 & RGB, but I know I came across it once - so it's possible I changed something on accident. The change would be permanent though, as I don't mess with settings each time I load the program.

Hope this helps.

Hm, that should have worked. The only strange thing I found was that the document size was 72 instead of 768 pixels/inch.
I changed it, try this.
I'll delete the attachment when it has one download...

Your edit didn't work either.

Were the colors set appropriately?

Also, while waiting I noticed that my screenshot paste over the arrowless background causes a distortion to the color. Could this be the problem? It would be relatively hard to notice a slight change in color on just the arrows, but the whole paste reveals the distortion. Granted I delete that layer in the end, but couldn't the arrows also be getting distorted? How could I prevent that? Once again, my layers are set to normal.

One more thing - I downloaded a tutorial in here with some arrows in *.gif format for trial purposes, and it worked. The problem is there wasn't a full set of arrows in all directions & curved. If I save the screenshot as gif or jpg or something, then paste it over - would that work?

Hm, now I'm getting confused, are you saying you don't see any arrows in the game? Just the blank tech tree? You must have buggered up a scenario search path or something, so that the game looks for the wrong pcx.
The actual scenario folder should be first.
And check so that you haven't forgotten to put it in the right place. ;)

edit: I don't understand your edit. :p

I copied an existing tech tree from a C3C scenario, then swapped in the files needed for the scenario. I've checked this about 5-6 times, but the custom units and all work - so I know it's not that.

Again, like I said - when I paste gif arrows, it works - and that I have confirmed in game. I'm playing with saving all files as gif right now, then when finished - I'll save as pcx. Guess what? The first image prompted me with the window you asked about, 256/RGB info. The others didn't but maybe that reset something?

I'll let you know in a couple minutes.

Saving the arrowless background, C3C background with all the arrow parts needed, and the screenshot from in-game - all as GIF files prior to the process I listed a few posts early seems to work. There must be something going on that causes the pcx files to mesh with each other, that doesn't seem to happen when they start in gif format.

Strange...

Thanks for help, I appreciate it. :goodjob: