Font Problems

[deanej]

I removed corporations from my Star Trek mod, and now I'm having problems with my font files. Some of the text in-game is bold for no reason at all now (was caused before by the font files, but I don't know why). Also, some icons don't show up on the city bar, such as unhappiness/unhealthiness (this has been a problem ever since converting to Final Frontier).

Could someone PLEASE have a look and tell me whats wrong?

[deanej]

Could somebody help?

[woodelf]

Do you need to remove them? Why not leave one and make it unobtainable?

I've never messed with gamefonts so I have no clue.

[deanej]

Removing the files fixes both issues. Now, the bigger question: What did I do wrong?

[micmc]

the font stuff is so touchy, it's like a wet cat, if you try to dry it, it will want to stay wet, and if you don't it will want to get dry....

I'd guess the first tiime the alpha channels got hinked up in accordance to what the code was expecting (kinda like the resource problem I'm running into, there is no reason for the actual font.tga file to be wrong, but it still gets off its nut for some reason) I can't answer the tech. reasons why it happens, the main thing is to try to find a work around (for me at least) and barring that, just keep banging it til it works.

but if the code was expecting A B C in the alpha channel, but then wasn't being fed A B C through the xml, the hardcode still expects things to stay static so throws the alpha channel off kilter and you get the problems you got. sorry not to be more help with anything substative.

[johny smith]

I hope this fixes it. I ran it in Final Frontier and it worked.

[deanej]

Thanks, but it's too close to Final Frontier for what I need - I don't use the delta/omega icons, but I do need the original icons they replaced. I also use the original gold/culture icons (could that be the problem?).

[johny smith]

Don't know did not notice them. I will have to look at it again.

[deanej]

Could someone please finish fixing these? I'm getting the impression that I need some special application for it, as DXTBMP + Photoshop Elements causes problems in the game every time I try.

[johny smith]

I just looked over it again. I am confused what you needed changed when you say delta and omega. Do you mean the actual text? If so yes that can be the problems.

[johny smith]

Nevermind I see you what you mean now.

[johny smith]

Tell me if that works please.

[deanej]

It has the same problems as outlined in this thread.

EDIT: Might I need to make theme changes for icons from the epic game to be used in my mod? Final Frontier doesn't use Great People or Power, so it may not like those icons.

[johny smith]

I have no clue anymore. It worked in Final Frontier for me. So I wonder if something else is the problem.

[deanej]

Well, I guess I can't get a working font file now. It's really too bad, because if it can't be fixed I'll have to scrap my mod.

[deanej]

Does anyone know? I'm pulling my hair out! Should I just start from scratch? When I say I converted to Final Frontier, I mean I slapped Final Frontier on top of my mod, not the other way around. Could this have caused problems? Can they be fixed?

[isau]

Working with fonts has always been a nightmare for me.

I don't know what's broken about your font, but you should realize that when making one you have to keep all the seperator lines 100% magenta, with a cyan dot, and make sure that anywhere the alpha layer crosses over a magenta line, it has to be 100% black.

All of this said, while I find modding Civ IV an enjoyable experience, I absolutely HATE working with the font files.

I recommend starting over with a version of the file you know works. Zoom in very close in your broken file, and copy each character one by one into the working file, making sure your selection area never crosses over the magenta line.

[deanej]

johny smith, are you sure it worked in Final Frontier? It didn't in my copy. I have attached screenshots showing the problems.

First: see how the text looks wrong? No bullets show up and the font is off.

Second: No icons on the city bar.

Third: More font wierdness, this time with buildings.

[johny smith]

That is from DDS files not the gamefont for the symbols I mean. Try to putting the religions in the city and see what the city bar shows. It should be correct. At least for me it was. If not check you main BtS font folder.

Let me look again and try to send some screens.

[deanej]

The religion icons show on the city bar, but none of the other icons that go on the city bar show up (unhappy/unhealthy, power, revolt, etc.). Those are game font as well. I think I managed to make GameFont75.tga work properly (the magenta lines were way off color by the religions), but I have no idea what's wrong with GameFont.tga.