Tutorial: Making a units_32 pic
- Thread starter zulu9812
- Start date
Here is the same Unit with the Altered Palette I made that will help you see accurately where the CIV Specific Colors are. Note the Green areas...these are where the CIV Specific Colors are in the Unit. By using the Procedure, Palettes and a little thoughtful effort, Your .pcx Files can all be Corrected. Either created New or Old ones simply corrected in your units_32.pcx Game file.
The Zip with the Palettes and Procedure is on the Previous page.
The Zip with the Palettes and Procedure is on the Previous page.
zulu9812
The Newbie Nightmare
Certainly can, it's called GIMP 
.
zulu9812
The Newbie Nightmare
Smaller? The program's already small! - http://www.gimp.org/downloads/
Saturn6
Emperor Caesar
Would Imaging for Windows work? If not, is there any other way to get a unit picture in the 32' file?
disturbed bacon
Chieftain
how do you make more empty boxes for adding more units? I need more units, but there are no more empty boxes left to put them in. what do i do?
thanks for the help!!! 
thanks for the help!!!
disturbed bacon ... simply duplicate the "empty Boxes" with a graphics program by copy and paste technique or download Zulu's units_32.pcx, which has many more frames for adding units. Either way, you need a usable graphics program to be able to simply copy and paste additional frames or units to the units_32.pcx file.
There's a low tech way to make units 32 pcxs.
Play with the unit in the game, take a screenshot, and cut a more or less 32x32 slice of the screenshot, resize to exactly 32x32, then paste it into the units32.
I use something I downloaded for free called "Image Forge" (I found it doing an internet search for "pcx") to do screenshots and cut and paste and resize. I just hit the print screen button during the game, close the game, open Image Forge, select Edit, then Paste, then As New Selection, and there it is, the screenshot as a new pcx file. From there I can cut out a rectangular part of it, and paste as New Selection again to make a small file, then I can select Resize and put the size I want it. Then, depending on what I'm doing, I use Gimp (which was recommended by a post somewhere, and is also free, but is fancier than ImageForge and kind of hard to figure out how to download and install) to open and close it which gets the save format right since imageforge can mess it up so Civ won't use it, especially for Terrain and like Tech Icons, but I think its OK for Unit32s.
And if you aren't about to download a free graphics program and learn how to use it, you can just substitute a units32 from some mod that used a huge one with almost everything, then reset all your icon selections in the editor to use something that's kinda close to what you want. Sometimes, inexplicably, units32s from mods don't work in other mods, though.
Play with the unit in the game, take a screenshot, and cut a more or less 32x32 slice of the screenshot, resize to exactly 32x32, then paste it into the units32.
I use something I downloaded for free called "Image Forge" (I found it doing an internet search for "pcx") to do screenshots and cut and paste and resize. I just hit the print screen button during the game, close the game, open Image Forge, select Edit, then Paste, then As New Selection, and there it is, the screenshot as a new pcx file. From there I can cut out a rectangular part of it, and paste as New Selection again to make a small file, then I can select Resize and put the size I want it. Then, depending on what I'm doing, I use Gimp (which was recommended by a post somewhere, and is also free, but is fancier than ImageForge and kind of hard to figure out how to download and install) to open and close it which gets the save format right since imageforge can mess it up so Civ won't use it, especially for Terrain and like Tech Icons, but I think its OK for Unit32s.
And if you aren't about to download a free graphics program and learn how to use it, you can just substitute a units32 from some mod that used a huge one with almost everything, then reset all your icon selections in the editor to use something that's kinda close to what you want. Sometimes, inexplicably, units32s from mods don't work in other mods, though.
Tholish, you are merely resizing game shots of units with that technique and it will not be correct. Number one, in order to have a Civ Specific units_32.pcx, you would have to play as the Romans to have the Red Civ Specific Color on the Unit...and that is IF it would work but it will not. The units_32.pcx palette is different from a screenshot of units in the Game so merely resizing a screenshot of a unit to fit the units_32.pcx sheet will not work concerning the correct colors etc... The Background from a screenshot would also exist in the file, unless you edit it out. Much easier to make a .pcx file that will be correct. I suppose if you are only trying to get any sort of picture of a unit on the units_32 sheet, that "technique" could be used but don't expect it to have correct colors or look good in the game. IF you do not have a Good Graphics Editing Program like Paint Shop Pro, zulu9812 has posted a Hugh number of units on his units_32.pcx sheet here at the site. If you have the ability to copy and paste, you can even select from it...if not, use it as it is. Good Luck with your efforts.
Morfos
Warlord
I have a problem, I cannot "Past as new selection" I can only "paste" Is it because my program is incapable of doing so?
Morfos...To even try to answer that Question, you would need to state what Program you are using. IF it is Paint Shop Pro, Click Edit then Paste then select how you want to paste. Otherwise, Try Copy=Ctrl+C then Paste=Ctrl+V or paste as new Selection=Ctrl+E.
Morfos
Warlord
Im using Star Office. Its the only program I have that can open the file. 
Morfos, I am not Familiar with the Star Office program but finding it in an Online search, it is not specifically for Editing Graphics so you will have to find out what it will and will not do. Zulu has recommended GIMP...you might give it a try if you have no success with Star Office and cannot buy a good Graphics Editing Program. here is a link you can try:
DO it TODAY because you cann click ORDER and get the Delux GIMP and 3 other CDs FREE........ http://www.manay.com/image_studio.htm
DO it TODAY because you cann click ORDER and get the Delux GIMP and 3 other CDs FREE........ http://www.manay.com/image_studio.htm
MikeLynch
Just a Baker Street Muse
I have edited my units_32 image and every time I load it in the scenario, the game crashes right after I create the first city. When I rename it to units_32-screwed-up.pcx, no problems occur, but I'm getting the original game's icons.
Why is this happening? Are there "forbidden colors" in units_32?
Why is this happening? Are there "forbidden colors" in units_32?
MikeLynch, Keep the units_32.pcx File Name The same. You add unit pictures to the same sheet (copy and Paste) and each entry will have a number when you select it in the Editor. Add more blank squares so you can add more units. Back Up your Original units_32.pcx file and save it. IF your Game Crashes, it will be due to something else.
