Backgrounds for Tenets

whoward69

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As per post #81 in this thread, the attached mod can be used as a test harness for the graphics

Enjoy!

 

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  • OrderTenets.jpg
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You could have warned me. I made one too. :(

EDIT: (Of course, yours is better, with opacity settings and such...)

EDIT #2: It's odd, though, that you've made a custom implementation of an atlas-type icon sheet.

EDIT #3: Y'know, it'd also be nice to use the same icon on the right side of the choose tenet popup...
 
EDIT #2: It's odd, though, that you've made a custom implementation of an atlas-type icon sheet.

Six-of-one, half-a-dozen of the other. Icons are square, so all the helper methods assume dX == dY. These don't (naturally) fit that pattern. It's also not particularly "custom" as the same style of code is used by Firaxis in many other places (but usually with hard-coded values)
 
:cool: Hey -- to the both of you, many thanks... for this coding work.

I'll be sure to test it thoroughly and joyfully. If i ever go all the way (to the pot of Gold at the end of a Rainbow!) to a release, you will receive a well deserved credit when Z-TenetsInColors goes on a wild rampage in Steam Workshop and certainly - in CFC D/L.

:goodjob:

PS; I've already made about 20 more images... at nearly random for Order, Autocracy and Freedom on each Levels! Until everything is done! Keep watching Z-UI (and possibly another Concept Thread, once ready) for more news.

Bof - why not another PS; But this one is worth a glimpse into a Zip below. Socialist Realism might even get alternate version -- later. ;)
 

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  • TestingPhase_5OL2-Order.zip
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ok - I won't be able to sleep if i don't share this thought with both of you guys right now.

Once the coding Logic has been fine-tuned (cuz, i've already inspected the LUA-XML combo set) to the skinny tight perfection i hope to reach with your help, here's what **WE** should do.

-- Stick to the actual file release format that Whow has inserted above.
-- Add a prefix (Z-) to it.
-- Give three formal authoring credits in no particular order; Whoward, Nuttzy & Zyxpsilon.
-- Collaboration is a precious skill. Specially when it feels like a god-given gift for creating the mathematics of computer reality. Throw in a splash of Colors as a bonus and we get the *Mod*.

Agreed?
 
Post #1 updated - the zip file is the ModBuddy project, do with this as you want.

The png files the dds images are based on are also in the mod, these should be removed before "going public"

I won't be processing any more images - it's most definitely not where my skills lie - there should be enough info in the files now to add as many (compound) DDS textures as required/desired
 
Thanks for the ModBuddy Template... it definitely will be the essential part of any further development for this project.
Strangely, i was just about to put a mask (for the overlapping edges) on these 124x88 files so that they fit nicely into the buttons... but, since the snapshot above seems to have somehow adapted the display formatting - it will not be necessary.
Your authoring credits are certainly preserved and more.
 
Strangely, i was just about to put a mask (for the overlapping edges) on these 124x88 files so that they fit nicely into the buttons... but, since the snapshot above seems to have somehow adapted the display formatting - it will not be necessary.

Yes it will

I won't be processing any more images ...

I tidied them up to fit, so the screen shot looked better.
 
Give three formal authoring credits in no particular order; Whoward, Nuttzy & Zyxpsilon.
I'm not sure why I enjoy helping people with their mods, but I do. I said it pretty well here:
I think you don't understand the spirit of this community, nor the size of the task you want to set on a group of strangers for the sake of a credit to a pseudonym that few will read or care about.
:lol: The credit I can take or leave, I just don't want to waste my time.

*I* still want IT - to study and admire. :lol:
Suit yourself. ;)
See below. I based it around a separate file for each tenet (which we can argue whether it makes things easier or harder).

EDIT #3: Y'know, it'd also be nice to use the same icon on the right side of the choose tenet popup...
...and here's what that looks like:
 

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  • tenets.png
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  • Ideology Icons (v 1).zip
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I tidied them up to fit, so the screen shot looked better.

After some thorough examination and a swift test i'll most probably won't even need to reproduce the buttons framing. They'll all look a lot more smooth and integrated from a simple trick with masks and tight edges blend.
After all, the objective is to contrast the old blanks with the new concept of cool (IMHO) pictures.
Not going to use txt overlays either... much easier to simply hover and get details via ToolTips anyway.
 
...and here's what that looks like:

Makes a bunch of common sense! I guess i'll grab that specific feature too.
Thanks for your code also! ;) Nothing better for the mood.

PS:
The credit I can take or leave, I just don't want to waste my time.

Sooooo am i - time is precious to everyone unless-- ;) :D
 
... See below. I based it around a separate file for each tenet (which we can argue whether it makes things easier or harder).

Well now, i'm in a seriously difficult dilemna!!
Dunno which "solutions" would be best or more efficient. :lol::scan:

WHoward's combines all images in a single addressable DDS file per Ideology type while dispatching everything on call with coordinates. Adding some opacity controls as a bonus.

Nutty's already got all the typing done for proper references to each Tenet Images individually (just delete the Rems --, sooooooo easy!). Supplied a cool Default Icon slot for Ideologies empty boxes. Going straight at the corresponding spots without an XML transit that defines Tables dispatching method(s).

Decision - hard - to - still - take ... says Yoda! ;)
Bof... i'll simply test (and eventually - finalize each to give away to two precious friends) both. And see what comes through after extensive analysis.

Thanks again, guys.
 
Speaking as someone who maintains a mod with a bunch of separate art files, I think an atlas-type approach is probably better, especially where you don't have to worry about the center points of a bunch of circles.
 
I had assumed that there would be three dds files - one for each of the ideologies - with all the level 1 tenets on the first row (y=0), all the level 2 on the second row (y=88) and the level 3 on the last row (y=176), as that way you can see all the art at the same time so they form a cohesive whole. But ultimately as far as the code is concerned it doesn't matter, so just go with whatever is easiest for you to create/manipulate
 
Ultimately, this is the formatting i've decided to use. Each AFO with their respective L11 to L17 (first row) and L21 to L26 (second row) while L31 to L33 go to last 3 spots on far right... Example;

I'll have to provide an extra custom file for Nutty's sweet idea for "Default" backgrounds per Ideology when Tenets aren't yet selected or are still pending as (next) possible choices or even if the main Ideology has not been choosen. I'll keep some empty provisional slot(s) on that specific file also for later.

Reasoning stands more on the "Economical" use of resources.

Not sure which way is actually faster or more efficient, btw. Got to experience it live within gameplay to determine. I just want to hold complete Image sets before compiling both final Mod versions for you guys. I've made about 75% of them... it's a little more complex to decide and structure than expected -- silly perfectionist that i am! ;)

I'll also try to make some smaller and nearly Dark_Greyscale (almost with semi YBR overlays) versions for the selection Popups as seen on Nutty's previous snapshot. I don't want to give away too much before players witness these on the main screen -- In Colors.
Everything started with the Policy category custom background image... i wanted to just replace the default Three-Red-Flags with a Boxset source that had some splendid images of AFO. I think i'm faaar beyond that rather simplistic idea, now.

PS; Noticed Prophet's Blue suit? Order's is Red!! :)
 
Row 1 - 11 .. 17, default, next (9 images)
Row 2 - 21 .. 26, 31 .. 33 (9 images)
 
Strangely... this is **exactly** how i altered the above snapshot_framework to insert what you're refering to. With a total of 18 images per set, i should have all the necessary assets neatly assembled and easily accessible.
Don't want to complicate my (txt_xml editing) life too much. :)
 
Got them all!
All needs to be done now is edit the XML and/or LUA files accordingly... and then, i'm off to the races! :)

-- - --

Another subject if you (both) don't mind. Maybe i'm pressing my Luck Button with the following but it certainly doesn't hurt anyone to simply ask.

When i created some new Eras splashScreens awhile ago... there was this weird attempt at inserting an extra instance for the ANCIENT era.
Mind you i've juggle extensively with these popups and their frameworks... trying to figure out how or where the code required custom editing. Never found anything worthy of Mod compiling time. After multiple failures and crashes - slapped the whole idea in a drawer somewhere reasoning that one day i might return to *IT*.

This day has come - probably.

-- Preferably, the trigger for that popup would need to be either Capital City built or first Tech Discovered.
-- Limit the impact on Core files as much as possible or even somehow prevent any conflict with those.
-- I've got the image (see here; http://forums.civfanatics.com/showpost.php?p=9892241&postcount=7)... all that's missing is THE magic code to use it.

Please? (Again) :D
 
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