Fixing Unit Pictures

[Simon Darkshade]

In the course of my scenario building endeavours, one continually hits a brick wall when trying to copy new pics onto the Units.gif.
Have tested it with a variety of different units, but the game always crashes big time (doesn't even start, indecipherable error messages).
I am pretty sure that this is because of the little blue dots not lining up on the top and left of the unit pictures.
Some of the units have dots in different patterns. Does this mean anything?
I know they have to line up, but can anyone give me advice on how to do this, as, even when it looks perfect, it still buggers up.
Once posted something similar to this in October, and was given directions to the Scenario League Art Design Tips, but this link, and any to the SL are dead at the moment.
So, if anyone can throw simple advice at me on this matter(How to ensure dots in correct position, and thus successfully copy units), I would be most appreciative.

 

[Eyn]

units.gif format must be Gif 87a no-interlaced

 

[Jimmywax]

Originally posted by Simon Darkshade
I am pretty sure that this is because of the little blue dots not lining up on the top and left of the unit pictures.
Some of the units have dots in different patterns. Does this mean anything?
I know they have to line up, but can anyone give me advice on how to do this, as, even when it looks perfect, it still buggers up.

The blue dots are only there to determine where the unit shields will be.

In making units you need to be able to draw or convert your units to a bitmap or GIF format. this is probably where you are going astray. I am thinking that they also need to be in 8-bit and 256 color format. (someone please correct these if wrong) A good place to start is seeing what graphic editor you are using. I personally have never been able to get Windows paintbrush to work. I personally use a combo of Adobe Photoshop 4.0 and JASC Paint Shop Pro 7. You also have to remember to to save the graphics in non-interlaced format. I hope this helps you some. it is all I can think of right now. Here is an example of some of my work in Nemo Isometric style. This is just to show that I am not talking out of my ass.:crazyeyes

 

[Simon Darkshade]

My problem is more basic than that, and one has no idea what non-interlaced means. Even if I copy and paste an existing unit onto one of the extra units spaces (FW2.78), it causes some error in Civ2.exe, according to the message. The rules.txt is fine and corresponds, so the error is in the copying process. Am using Microsoft Photo Editor 3.0.
I highlight the border, copy and paste the unit, and move it to a slot.
Even if I only do one like this, it crashes Civ2, and has to be reinstalled.

I am not yet at the stage of making my own graphics, but am trying to use other units from various scenarios and image collections.
Yet even this simple process does not work.
If I could find out what to do, in this basic process, then I would be fairly much satiated. It will be a while before I attempt my own pictures.

I am not extremely computer literate, and have no idea what non-interlaced means. I am looking for simple beginner instructions for what seems for everyone else to be a simple process

The units are .gifs, and in the same format of the original units.gif. Indeed, in some experiments, they are from it.
Help!!!!

 

[Morten Blaabjerg]

What image processor do you use? If you use MSPaint (the program that come with windows), try save as a bmp-file and see if that helps.

I really recommend you to use Paintshop Pro, which I think you can get a shareware version of around the internet. With this program, you have an excellent hands-on control on all the things you need for civ2 graphics, and I've never had any trouble saving gif's.

 

[kobayashi]

Do not save in any other format than 256 colour bmp and use MS paint for starters. Then what ever program you use to make the units, paste them into MS Paint and save in bmp format. You can't go wrong if you do this.

Very seldom see you venture into this part of the woods.

 

[Simon Darkshade]

I will try the various tips that have been given to me here by some of the experienced denizens. Thanks muchly
Am only just starting out on the scen making process, as have a bit of time spare and the urge, so will continue my endeavours.
Will try to start making own units, but as I say my problems emerge even when copying in other units.
Would this be the correct steps to take?
1.)Highlight unit
2.) Copy
3.) Paste
4.) Save as BMP

So far I have just been saving over the original Units.gif, and then getting module error messages when trying to run the game.
I assume that this happens due to the dots not lining up.

The first thing I want to do, before even trying to make my own units, is to get this simple process to work. It took me a while to work out how to update to FW - Computers and me do not go together easily, at least initially. I just want some really basic, step by step instructions that even a computer illiterate Australian post grad/history teacher like me can follow

 

[kobayashi]

The blue dots have got nothing to do with the crashing.

Before the steps you mentioned, have you created an experimental scenario and copied what you're going to work on into the scenario's folder? (i.e. start a regular game, pull down the scenario menu and toggle the scenario mode on) Whatever you do, don't disturb the default files in the civ2 main folder. If you've already wrecked your units.gif file, there is a spare copy in the library folder.

 

[Simon Darkshade]

Yep, everything I do is on copies, and even when it crashes the game proper, I just do a quick reinstall.
So it isn't the dots.
OK, will go and run through those steps now, and see if I can achieve any different outcomes.

 

[Simon Darkshade]

Sorry for the rapid post in succession, but just achieved a mjor breakthrough, and IT WORKED!!!!!
Was able to cut and paste a unit, and get it in the game, through a scen.
Excellent!!!!
Now my next task is one of cosmetic experiment: To get the flags to show in the correct position, rather than under the unit. That should be a simple process of trial and error, should it not?

And the program to use to create/edit your own units is Paintshop Pro?
Time to get to work.

 

[Xeven the God]

Simon, are you using FW or MPG? If you are using MPG there is a botton in the in-game units editor that lets you position the sheilds.

 

[kobayashi]

You can use the edit the shield placement ingame in either FW or MGE but I usually don't use it as it wipes off all the initials left with the units made by other people.

 

[Xeven the God]

Well, I'd just credit the people who made the units in the Read-Me or the Pedia. I think is much, much easier to do it that way .

Btw, what is your Scn about Simon? WWII? Another part of history? Space? Magic? Star Wars? Star Trek? I'd like to know.

 

[Simon Darkshade]

Am using FW, and scen is a alternate late 20th century/cold war situation.

Hmmm...will try using that shield placement thing for the moment to see if one can actually get the darned thing to work.

 

[Simon Darkshade]

In respect to the shield editing function in the Edit Menu, how does one ensure that the changes made stay that way? Edited 20 units, but then lost the changes... Does one have to save anew as a scenario, or save ordinarily. I would think the first, but am not completely sure.

Also, is the process for editing Terrain, Cities, Icons etc the same as for units?

 

[Xeven the God]

With the sheild changes you must save as a scenario.

And about the editing other stuffs, I just have five words for you: Have you read your manual?

 

[Simon Darkshade]

I have nineteen words in reply: I do not have the manual, having got the game from a mate, and the FW update from here.

So, that is why I am asking so many elementary questions.

 

[kobayashi]

Nine Word...

I will try to answer any question you ask

 

[Evie]

Originally posted by Simon Darkshade
I have nineteen words in reply: I do not have the manual, having got the game from a mate, and the FW update from here.

So, that is why I am asking so many elementary questions.

Almost the same thing as me and ToT, I see. Borrowed it from a friend for a while, gave it back, found out that I could somehow use it still as long as there was any civ II (base of FW) CD in the CD driver, and have been using it since.

Only thing is now I'd really need the macro.txt file that was on that CD. Anyone can find it in their heart to send it over to me?

 

[Simon Darkshade]

Thank you very much, Mr Kobayashi

Currently am struggling with the tech tree, having got the unit pics, including shields, right.
The tech tree I tried to implement, which only had two alterations outside of the extra techs (at this early stage) somehow is causing the scen to crash ("has caused an invalid page fault" etc, etc.).
Although, I think that this may have something to do with some units being on the map board (just put them there while seeing if flags fixed) that the Civ does not have the tech for yet (X2).

Will fiddle about and see what I can do about it, but a lot of the process is like driving with a blindfold on. I have several text files on scenario creation which are a great general help, but they can't help me with some of the nitty gritty stuff, like working aspects of the FW editor, or knowing what is currently the problem...