Stuck at creating new Civilization, need some good advice

[Black Dr@gon]

Some days ago I decided to try adding a new civilization to the game.
Problem is I've got zero experience in modding and even though Kael's guide has proven extremely useful I've faced countless difficulties especially while working with GIMP or Photoshop. Now I've reached the point where the mod is at an advanced state (the Civ is fully playable and complete with bonuses and special units, icons and DOM screen are done) but I'm completely stuck and I have got no idea how to finish the last aspects that are still missing.
The major problems are:
- I'm trying to make a reskin for my Civ special unit but Nexus doesn't seem to work and the tutorials I found seem to no longer be up-to-date. I think I've managed to create a copy of an existing unit with the modified textures but I don't know how to implement the .gr2 file within the game (I think animations are missing too btw).
- I'm missing information about the image size of the map located in the lower right corner of the civ selection menu
- I don't know how to create the diplomatic screen background for my new leader
That's it, as I said I've already done a lot of work so it would be a shame to give up my project at this point but I fear that without help I'll be forced to.
Thanks

Moderator Action: Moved to the main forum.
Because the tutorials subforum is only for tutorials, not for questions .

 

[trystero49]

Map Size: 360 x 412, if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Tomatekh]

Maps are 360x412
Dawn of Man screens are 1024x768
Leader Screens are 1600x900

Make an XML file that reads ONLY:

<LeaderScene FallbackImage="Whatever.dds">
</LeaderScene>

Then set that XML File VFS to true
Then use the name of the XML file for the leader artdefine tag

<ArtDefineTag>Whatever.xml</ArtDefineTag>

That will give you a custom 2D leader screen.

 

[Craig_Sutter]

If I have texture problems with DDS, I usually size my original image and then copy visible and paste into an image from one of the scenarios, and then save that image. Make certain you don't mistakenly save into the game file though... better to copy it to your desktop first.

 

[Tomatekh]

If I have texture problems with DDS, I usually size my original image and then copy visible and paste into an image from one of the scenarios, and then save that image. Make certain you don't mistakenly save into the game file though... better to copy it to your desktop first.

On that note, the main problem is usually that the custom dds file doesn't have an alpha channel and you need to add one.

 

[Black Dr@gon]

Thanks guys, that's good advice indeed.