[C3C] Adding Custom Graphics in Conquests via a Scenario (.biq)

[BristonXII]

Hi everyone,


I’m trying to add a set of custom graphics to Civilization III Complete (Conquests expansion) without overwriting the original files, by using a scenario (.biq).


In Play the World, there are scenarios like Europe Terrain and Winter Terrain, located in the Extras folder, which work together with a .bix file in the Scenarios folder. These allow generating maps with different tilesets while keeping the original Civ3 rules. I’d like to do something similar with my own graphics.


I have my graphic files perfectly organized in their folders (I know they work because I’ve tested them by replacing the original files). I know how to create and edit graphics, index and reorder color palettes for transparency. Years ago I even made the Steampunk Interface for Civ3 mod, but I’m quite rusty now.


In theory, I understand that I have to place my folder with the graphics inside Scenarios\ within Conquests, together with a .biq file. I open Civ3QEdit, try to point to the folder from Scenario Properties to generate the .biq, and although I manage to create the file, when I select it in the game nothing changes. The graphics don’t change in the editor either, which already made me suspect something was missing.


Could someone explain what I’m missing or the correct procedure for making a scenario load custom graphics in Conquests without touching the originals?


¡Gracias de antemano a cualquiera que pueda ayudar!

Edit: I’m starting to think the method I used to create the .biq file, based on the AI’s instructions, wasn’t the right approach.
At this point, I’m still stuck figuring out how to make a .biq file that correctly links to my custom terrain graphics.

Moderator Action: Welcome to CFC. Moved to Civ3 C&C. leif

 

[Civinator]

Briston XII, welcome back at CFC.

First: Your post is in the wrong Civ 3 forum at CFC. Questions about modding should be posted in the Civ 3 Creation and Customization forum: https://forums.civfanatics.com/forums/civ3-creation-customization.46/

Second: How to deal with your problem:

1. Go into the C3C\scenarios folder

2. Create in the C3C scenarios folder a folder containing your terrain modifications and name it (may be) Terrain1

The structure of folders inside that Terrain1 folder is: Art\Terrain (remember all of these are folders)
Inside that Terrain folder you can paste your modifications.

3. Create a biq inside the C3C scenarios folder and name that biq (may be) Terrain1.

4. Inside the scenario properties of that biq in the scenario search folders write the name of the folder that holds your modifications, per example Terrain1.

Here is, as an example, a screenshot of a biq that leads to the scenario folder CCM3:

 

[BristonXII]

Hey, thanks for the warm welcome and for replying so quickly!


Apologies for posting in the wrong section earlier. Later on, while browsing the forum to see if I could stumble upon a solution or find more info, I realized there was a dedicated modding section.


As for my issue — the method you suggested actually solved it. Thanks again! It turned out to be quite straightforward.


What I did was expand the Europe and Winter Terrain sets to make them compatible with Conquests. They were missing graphics for volcanoes, marshes, and a few other details I can’t quite recall. For example, Europe replaces the cow resource with an auroch — I restored that, along with the new Conquests resources.


The default terrain has always felt a bit too bright and saturated to me, with turquoise water that looks unrealistic and overly vibrant.


Here’s a preview of how it looks now. I believe it’s a noticeable improvement that still respects Firaxis’ original artistic style:

 

[Civinator]

Briston XII, you should post your graphics in the Civ 3 Creation and Customization forum in the Graphics Modpacks section: https://forums.civfanatics.com/forums/civ3-graphics-modpacks.61/