Modding Q&A

The image in question is a frame from the unit's default.flc, SE direction. I believe it's the first frame (unit32.pcx is not the source). Vuldacon wrote a tutorial regarding centering the unit in these boxes by means of offset and moving the storyboard. If the unit's offset is way off, it may become invisible in these boxes, but can appear normally in the game (if I remember correctly).

In this thread Vuldacon and tom2050 discusses the issue. I use their procedure - apart from using a hex-editor rather than Flicster to adjust the offset in the flc.
Ah now I understand.
Like most elephant units, it's blown out of proportion, so that must be why it doesnt show up.
Thanks for solving this mystery, I forgot what causes this.
 
Theov... I would like to see the Default Flc and who made it if you can post it.
It's the Early Mughal Elephant by Balam-Agab who makes really great units.


It's beautiful, but like most elephant units they are out of proportion big.

Wotan49 reduced the size of some elephant units to make them fit better, but he didnt reduce this one.

 
This is strange... I tested the "Early Mughal Elephant" default.flc, and it showed up in all three places; On the map it is nicely centered, in the build-queue likewise - although it's size causes the top portion to be clipped. In the Active Unit box (left image) it sits a bit high, but that is not causing any problem (not on my computer, anyway). I attach some screenshots - just to verify that I'm looking at the right unit.

Edit: I tested the original file from the download. Are you maybe using a modified version?
 

Attachments

  • BA's Elephant in Active Unit Box.jpg
    BA's Elephant in Active Unit Box.jpg
    46.8 KB · Views: 38
  • BA's Elephant in Build Queue.jpg
    BA's Elephant in Build Queue.jpg
    44.1 KB · Views: 32
  • BA's Elephant in-game.jpg
    BA's Elephant in-game.jpg
    64.4 KB · Views: 22
Last edited:
Vuldacan

I've attached the unit files which I use.
It's the "Elephant Cavalry"
One is just the FLCs the other is the whole unit.


This is strange... I tested the "Early Mughal Elephant" default.flc, and it showed up in all three places; On the map it is nicely centered, in the build-queue likewise - although it's size causes the top portion to be clipped. In the Active Unit box (left image) it sits a bit high, but that is not causing any problem (not on my computer, anyway). I attach some screenshots - just to verify that I'm looking at the right unit.

Edit: I tested the original file from the download. Are you maybe using a modified version?
Thanks for testing.
No, I didn't change anything about the FLC files. I don't touch those.
Yeah it shows up well for me except on the issue I raised a few posts above in the building box.

Dunno what's different from your game than mine that it doesn't show up in mine... and it's the only unit that has this problem.

I've also attached two other Elephant Units - you can see they are overly big.
Is there any way to downsize these a bit?
 

Attachments

I have usually used Civ3FlcEdit for shrinking units. It is quick and easy, and gives good results. It is also possible to do it by using Gimp (or an other program) to resize the storyboard and then rebuild it as a new flc. This is much more difficult and time-consuming - I would recommend Civ3FlcEdit. I have attached a sample of a (Civ3FlcEdit) resizing from 236x236 to 160x160 of the elephant unit we're discussing.
 

Attachments

I have usually used Civ3FlcEdit for shrinking units. It is quick and easy, and gives good results. It is also possible to do it by using Gimp (or an other program) to resize the storyboard and then rebuild it as a new flc. This is much more difficult and time-consuming - I would recommend Civ3FlcEdit. I have attached a sample of a (Civ3FlcEdit) resizing from 236x236 to 160x160 of the elephant unit we're discussing.

Nice!
As you can see in the screenshot below, the unit looks much more in place.
Of course, when attacking, it goes back to the "original" size.

Is 160x160 a standard size? Wotan49 resized them to 180x180.
If it's just a bit bigger than a horse unit, that would be perfect... what do you think?

It's really too bad Balam-Agab isn't posting anymore. He made such amazing units.
I hope he's ok.

0BdsipG.png

attacking (original) default (resize to 160)

Thanks, I will see if I understand FLCedit
 
Last edited:
Totally agree with you regarding Balam-Agab's units. They are gold.
Regarding the size, I just "picked a number" - I am inclined to agree with you in the comparison with the horse unit, though. It's easy to test different sizes with Civ3FlcEdit's resizing function once you get the hang of it, so just play around to find the size that is perfect for your mod. Just remember that sizing up can give ugly results (pixelated units).

Edit: BTW, is the shrunk version visible in the build queue, or is it still missing?

Happy modding!
Sigurd
 
Totally agree with you regarding Balam-Agab's units. They are gold.
Regarding the size, I just "picked a number" - I am inclined to agree with you in the comparison with the horse unit, though. It's easy to test different sizes with Civ3FlcEdit's resizing function once you get the hang of it, so just play around to find the size that is perfect for your mod. Just remember that sizing up can give ugly results (pixelated units).

Edit: BTW, is the shrunk version visible in the build queue, or is it still missing?

Happy modding!
Sigurd
I have never touched anything FLC...
Uh, it was still invisible in the build box.
 
I have never touched anything FLC...
If you get Civ3FlcEdit to work on your computer, the resizing is really not rocket science. I'm sure there are tutorials somewhere in here.
Just make sure to notice where the storyboard (and finished flc files) are stored by the program. Can be a pain to locate afterwards...

Uh, it was still invisible in the build box.

That is just weird. Both the original and the resized unit is visible as normal with me. I'm starting to suspect it might be some problems with the setup in your biq - but I can't figure out what it could be. Since the other units is displayed as they should, it isn't anything wrong with the city screen or the boxes connected. The unit works fine for me, so the default.flc should be OK. Had a look at the .ini file you attached, but I cannot see anything wrong there. Have you tried to replace a default.flc (for instance the warrior) in the vanilla game with this trouble-flc to see if it is also missing there? (Remember to avoid overwriting the original default.flc - or make a back-up first).
 
If you get Civ3FlcEdit to work on your computer, the resizing is really not rocket science. I'm sure there are tutorials somewhere in here.
Just make sure to notice where the storyboard (and finished flc files) are stored by the program. Can be a pain to locate afterwards...



That is just weird. Both the original and the resized unit is visible as normal with me. I'm starting to suspect it might be some problems with the setup in your biq - but I can't figure out what it could be. Since the other units is displayed as they should, it isn't anything wrong with the city screen or the boxes connected. The unit works fine for me, so the default.flc should be OK. Had a look at the .ini file you attached, but I cannot see anything wrong there. Have you tried to replace a default.flc (for instance the warrior) in the vanilla game with this trouble-flc to see if it is also missing there? (Remember to avoid overwriting the original default.flc - or make a back-up first).
Honestly, in between all the things I am working on in civ3 and in my daily life, I dont see myself touching flcs anytime soon.

Good idea, Ill try another default flc to see if that solves the problem... of showing anything.
First thing tomorrow.
zzzz
 
There is a method to Change the size of the Frames and keep the Unit the same size provided the Unit will fit in all directions inside the smaller Frames. That allows using Offsets just for the Default Flc that can correct how the Unit shows in the Game Unit Window Box as well as Production Button.

If a Unit is resized... All Flcs have to be done the same or the different Flcs will show different sizes.

Just a note about Resizing a Unit Larger... Get the program FastStone. It is the only program I have used that can be used to enlarge a unit without pixelation. Generally if you try to enlarge a Unit the programs will simply create more pixels of the same color, making Blocks of color and that appears "blocky". FastStone does not do that.
 
Theov... I have tried to open the Elephant Cavalry Flc.rar a couple times and I get the message it is Not a valid RAR file.
That is basically the only file I would like to see. Please check that file.
Try this one.
I've used 7zip now.
 

Attachments

Theov... still problems opening the file. I do not need the User Data file with this. that is a read only file.
Really I could just use the Default flc as that is the file causing the problems.
If you have WinZip that is the easiest to use or simply post the Default Flc.
 
Theov... still problems opening the file. I do not need the User Data file with this. that is a read only file.
Really I could just use the Default flc as that is the file causing the problems.
If you have WinZip that is the easiest to use or simply post the Default Flc.
Try this link.

 
If you get Civ3FlcEdit to work on your computer, the resizing is really not rocket science. I'm sure there are tutorials somewhere in here.
Just make sure to notice where the storyboard (and finished flc files) are stored by the program. Can be a pain to locate afterwards...



That is just weird. Both the original and the resized unit is visible as normal with me. I'm starting to suspect it might be some problems with the setup in your biq - but I can't figure out what it could be. Since the other units is displayed as they should, it isn't anything wrong with the city screen or the boxes connected. The unit works fine for me, so the default.flc should be OK. Had a look at the .ini file you attached, but I cannot see anything wrong there. Have you tried to replace a default.flc (for instance the warrior) in the vanilla game with this trouble-flc to see if it is also missing there? (Remember to avoid overwriting the original default.flc - or make a back-up first).
This is... getting weird.
I replaced the Default.flc with the one of the original warrior and all converted well, except that it still didn't show in the build box.

So, somehow, for this unit, it's not getting the build box image from the .flc file somehow. But for all others it does. No matter the .flc file I actually put there.
 
Hmmmm...:confused: Call a shaman to dispel the curse on your PC?:lol:

Just to add some details on my system:
My PC runs Windows 8.1, and I'm using Civilization III CD-version (with PTW and Conquest expansions v. 1.22 - and No-CD fix). I also have Civ3 Complete installed, but haven't tested the elephant there. I run the "No Pollution" fix, but not Flintlock's fixes (yet), since they so far are incompatible with Civ3 CD-version (as far as I have understood).

Does this invisibility occur late in the game with numerous units present, or is it the same behaviour in the early game also? I ask because I know problems can arise when the total unit count reaches - like 8192 (i think). Disband some units and see if that changes anything (if you have a high unit-count in the game, that is). If you move the default.flc for the elephant to another unit - is it still invisible there?
 
Hmmmm...:confused: Call a shaman to dispel the curse on your PC?:lol:

Just to add some details on my system:
My PC runs Windows 8.1, and I'm using Civilization III CD-version (with PTW and Conquest expansions v. 1.22 - and No-CD fix). I also have Civ3 Complete installed, but haven't tested the elephant there. I run the "No Pollution" fix, but not Flintlock's fixes (yet), since they so far are incompatible with Civ3 CD-version (as far as I have understood).

Does this invisibility occur late in the game with numerous units present, or is it the same behaviour in the early game also? I ask because I know problems can arise when the total unit count reaches - like 8192 (i think). Disband some units and see if that changes anything (if you have a high unit-count in the game, that is). If you move the default.flc for the elephant to another unit - is it still invisible there?
It has been like this since I have made this mod.
I dont think it is the unit amount. There really arent that many units. And its in a small map.
I dont think thats it.
Maybe its my mod that does it somehow. It is just this unit. And its not that the flc is corrupt.
????
 
Back
Top Bottom