[TUTORIAL] How to Add an Improvement/Wonder to Sid Meier's Civilization III Conquests v01

Pelo McSoy

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Note: When I first made this tutorial, I didn't have GIMP, so the Buildings.pcx images may look blurry. Normally, the green dividing lines are crisp.

/***Step 01 - Setting Up the .biq & Scenario Folder***/

Step 01-01: Make sure you save the .biq (editor file) to the Scenarios Folder, and create a corresponding folder with the same name.



Step 01-02: Open your Scenario Folder, and create the following folders:

Art
Text




/***Step 02 - Saving Building Art***/

Step 02-01: In the Art Folder, create a city screen folder.



Step 02-02: Copy and Paste the original files from the vanilla game:

buildings-large.pcx
buildings-small.pcx

The path to the original file locations is shown below the blue text.



Step 02-03: Review the buildings at a Glance for a quick glimpse of how the building images work.



Note: If you do not plan to add your own custom Building Images, please skip to Step 05-01.


/***Step 03 - Adding New Building Art***/

Step 03-01: Locate last row in buildings-large.pcx image.



Step 03-02: Extend the canvas vertically, then add a new row.



Step 03-03: Add Building Art to row. The maximum dimensions each image can be is 50x42 pixels.

For this example, we will be adding a Leader's Bust. It will be a Single image, and not be affected by Culture or Era.

Save and close the image.




/***Step 04 - Adding New Buildings (Small) Art***/

Step 04-01: Locate last row in buildings-small.pcx image.



Step 04-02: Add a new row.



Step 04-03: Add Building Art to row. The maximum dimensions each image can be is 32x32 pixels.

Save and close the image.




/***Step 05 - Adding Building Icons***/

Step 05-01: In the Art Folder, create a Civilopedia folder.



Step 05-02: In the Civilopedia Folder, create an Icons folder.



Step 05-03: In the Icons Folder, create a Buildings folder.



Step 05-04: Save the Large and Small Icon images that you have chosen or created.

The file name format does not matter, but make sure naming is at least consistent in this folder so you know which file is which.



Note: If you are only creating an Improvement and not a Wonder, skip to step 07-01.


/***Step 06 - Adding Wonder Splash***/

Step 06-01: In the Art Folder, create a Wonder Splash folder.



Step 06-02: Save the Wonder Splash (shows up when a wonder is completed) image that you have chosen or created.

The file name format does not matter, but make sure naming is at least consistent in this folder so you know which file is which.




/***Step 07 - Adding Text Files***/

Step 07-01: Return to your Scenario Folder, and open the Text Folder. Copy and Paste the original files from the vanilla game:

Civilopedia.txt
PediaIcons.txt

The path to the original file locations are highlighted in Blue.



Step 07-02: Open the Civilopedia.txt file in your scenario folder.

Locate the beginning of the City Improvements or Wonder Entries.



Step 07-03: Add your Improvement Entry to Civilopedia.

See the image for full details on syntax, formatting, linking, and other information.

Save and close the Civilopedia.



Step 07-04: Open the PediaIcons in your scenario folder.

Locate the Buildings Icons.



Step 07-05: Add your ICON_BLDG_[name] images.

Please see image for full details on syntax.

Note: If you are using icons from the vanilla game, the ICON_PRTO is smart enough to look in the game's original files. You do not need to copy and paste over every icon from the vanilla game.



Note: If you are only creating an Improvement and not a Wonder, skip to step 08-01.

Step 07-06: Locate the Wonder Splash Art.



Step 07-07: Add WON_SPLASH_BLDG image.

Save and close the PediaIcons.




/***Step 08 - Adding Improvement or Wonder to Editor***/

Step 08-01: Open your .biq file.

Enable Custom Rules.



Step 08-02: Edit Improvements and Wonders...



Step 08-03a: Create your Improvement or Wonder of interest.

Under Civilopedia Entry, select from the drop down box the BLDG name you gave it in the Civilopedia.txt file. The icons will appear in the bottom left.

You cannot create the Civilopedia Entry's name here. You MUST create it in the .txt file first.



Step 08-03b: If you do not have the BLDG name in the Civilopedia.txt, it will not appear here.

 
/***Final Views***/

When you open the game, the Small Icon will look like this!



The Large Icon and Civilopedia Effects entry will be displayed here!



This is what the Civilopedia Description entry will look like!



Selecting the new Building in the City Screen based on the Large (bottom) and Small (menu). Sorry for the poor choice in colors!



This is what the Wonder Splash will look like when you build a Wonder!

 
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