i have been trying to make a civilisation mod, unfortunately since i tried GIMP for exporting my art files (since the previous app had an annoying watermark) the files simply don't work, i tried changing the export settings, including compression and even not using it and changing file name (by showing file extensions on options) none of these have worked and now i am clueless as to how else i can make this work so i am looking for advice as to how i can make this work, so i ask, how can i make exporting art on GIMP work?
exporting to dds
- Thread starter Spearka
- Start date
Craig_Sutter
Deity
I use Gimp 2.8.
To convert to DDS, I do the following:
File>Export
Select File Type (at the bottom part of the window). Click on the "+" sign for types. Select DDS image. Click on Export at the very bottom of page.
A little window appears... I don't touch anything... leave at defaults, which for me are no compression, default format, no selected layer, no generated minimaps, and no advanced options.
Click okay and should work.
I imagine you are doing all this, though, and the problem is the nature of the file you are saving initially.
I think it is likely an alpha channel thing. Many pictures I have used do not have an alpha layer... you need to add one before you convert to dds, I think.
Do it as follows:
Layer>Transparency>Add alpha channel.
I'm no expert with graphics, but the above works for me. Hope it works for you.
To convert to DDS, I do the following:
File>Export
Select File Type (at the bottom part of the window). Click on the "+" sign for types. Select DDS image. Click on Export at the very bottom of page.
A little window appears... I don't touch anything... leave at defaults, which for me are no compression, default format, no selected layer, no generated minimaps, and no advanced options.
Click okay and should work.
I imagine you are doing all this, though, and the problem is the nature of the file you are saving initially.
I think it is likely an alpha channel thing. Many pictures I have used do not have an alpha layer... you need to add one before you convert to dds, I think.
Do it as follows:
Layer>Transparency>Add alpha channel.
I'm no expert with graphics, but the above works for me. Hope it works for you.
I looked over the art files, unfortunately, all of the files have alpha channels so that doesn't appear to be the problem
i know that that all the art files are VFS imported, since they show up on the built file, they just don't work
whoward69
DLL Minion
Not the same thing. Look in the .modinfo file (it's a plain text xml file, so Notepad will open it) and check that all the .dds <File> entries have the import="1" attribute, if not, in ModBuddy select all the dds files, then in the Properties windo, scroll down to the bottom, and set "Import into VFS" to true
even so, i have made sure the files are vfs imported, but the problem still occurs
whoward69
DLL Minion
Zip the built mod (the one in the MODS sub-directory, not the ModBuddy project) and attach it to a post here - easier for us to look at the actual mod than to keep second guessing what you may or may not have done wrong
turingmachine
Emperor
- Joined
- May 4, 2008
- Messages
- 1,438
When you export the image do you click "use existing mipmaps" or "generate mimaps" instead of "no mipmaps". I'm not sure if it matters, but it's the only thing I haven't seen mentioned in this thread.
I export to dds with GIMP all the time. What I do:
Make sure the image is the right size
Make sure the image is only one layer
Make sure the image has an alpha channel
Export -> dds file format
When doing so click "use existing mimaps"
Check VFS to true for the file in modbuddy
That's all I've ever needed to do.
I export to dds with GIMP all the time. What I do:
Make sure the image is the right size
Make sure the image is only one layer
Make sure the image has an alpha channel
Export -> dds file format
When doing so click "use existing mimaps"
Check VFS to true for the file in modbuddy
That's all I've ever needed to do.
whoward69
DLL Minion
Which images arn't displaying?
all of them....yes, ALL of them
whoward69
DLL Minion
Two of the images aren't imported, there are various database.log errors and one of the icon sheets DOES load (so you must have done something correct and then broken the others somehow)
Looking at the dds files with GIMP, the non-loading icon sheets are not RGBA8 format and the other images are not compressed
Re-saving SPE256.dds as "compression=none and format=RGBA8" and MapSPE512.dds as "compression=BC2/DXT3" makes those two images load (I didn't bother re-saving the others) - see the tutorial here - http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=459392
Code:
<File import="0">Art/MapSPE512.dds</File>
<File import="0">Art/SPEDOM.dds</File>
[2094.032] Invalid Reference on Buildings.IconAtlas - "CIV_COLOR_ATLAS_LEGENDS" does not exist in IconTextureAtlases
[2094.032] Invalid Reference on Buildings.PrereqTech - "TECH_PLASTICS" does not exist in Technologies
[2094.251] Invalid Reference on Civilizations.AlphaIconAtlas - "CIV_COLOR_ATLAS_LEGENDS" does not exist in IconTextureAtlases
[2094.251] Invalid Reference on Civilizations.IconAtlas - "CIV_COLOR_ATLAS_LEGENDS" does not exist in IconTextureAtlases
[2094.703] Invalid Reference on Leaders.IconAtlas - "CIV_COLOR_ATLAS_LEGENDS" does not exist in IconTextureAtlases
[2094.921] Invalid Reference on Units.IconAtlas - "CIV_COLOR_ATLAS_LEGENDS" does not exist in IconTextureAtlases
Art/SPE128.dds - DOES LOADLooking at the dds files with GIMP, the non-loading icon sheets are not RGBA8 format and the other images are not compressed
Re-saving SPE256.dds as "compression=none and format=RGBA8" and MapSPE512.dds as "compression=BC2/DXT3" makes those two images load (I didn't bother re-saving the others) - see the tutorial here - http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=459392
tried all of what you just described, it didn't work, even so, not a single relevant error has appeared on the log
whoward69
DLL Minion
Yes it does
Attachments
Craig_Sutter
Deity
Did you add the file with the change to the plastic techs as an ingameaddin? It should not be VHS set to true but an ingameaddin.
whoward69
DLL Minion
The file with the plastics tech (Buildings.xml) is a new building. It is a GameData XML file, it should neither have VFS=true nor be an InGameUIAddIn (and it has neither) but should have an OnModActivated -> UpdateDatabase entry (which it does) - it requires no changes. So I have no idea what you mean by that post.
All I did to get it working was what I said in my previous post
1) Fix the missing VFS=true for two dds files
2) Open each DDS file with Gimp and re-save it as the correct compression and format
3) Fix the database errors (one typo for TECH_PLASTICS and one missing UpdateDatabase for the icon atlas file)
Craig_Sutter
Deity
I actually meant meant onmodactivated but forgot what to call it.
Of course, you are correct in every respect.
Of course, you are correct in every respect.
no, it didn't, in a way, i took the advice and i managed to get the non-icon art to work, but the icons still won't load despite using RGBA8
whoward69
DLL Minion
"Fix the database errors (one typo for TECH_PLASTICS and one missing UpdateDatabase for the icon atlas file)"
