Unique Graphics

[Nugog]

Will each team have the ability to submit it's own "badge" and team flag for in game purposes?

I believe this has happened in the past, and I think it would be very cool.

Also if we are doing it, then we need to get our "graphics boy" onto it, so we are ready and do not hold up the game.

[proviisori]

Yeah... It was done in Civ4 team DG, but for some reason (I can't remember why) some of the teams didn't get to use the custom flag.

Sarantium is one of them.

I'll find the instructions thread for you.

[proviisori]

Here you go:
http://apolyton.net/forums/showthrea...hreadid=148957

Originally posted by snoopy369
Quick course on how to change the pics here.

First, some pointers to keep this simpler:

• Keep the same filenames that I used. That way you don't have to modify the XML code (though I'll show how to.)
• Use photoshop or gimp to manipulate the pics, and to do all of the sizing adjustments; the DDS tool does a lousy job of size adjustments.
• Use high contrast colors if possible. The flag gets resized to all sorts of sizes (particularly when zooming), and a small picture with high color contrast looks better.

Programs you'll need:

• The C4DG Colors mod, a few posts up. Extract the folder C4DG Colors\ to your \Program Files\Firaxis\Sid Meier's Civilization 4\Mods\ folder (adjust for where you installed Civ4 to, of course, if different.)
• Picture editor, like Photoshop, PaintShopPro, or the free Gimp.
• DDS convesion tool, either as part of your image editor, or seperate. DXTbmp is the tool I use, it works well enough. gimp's converter is apparently not perfect, but you can use that. Must be able to encode alpha channel in DDS-3.
• XML editor, if you want to manipulate the xml files; you COULD use notepad, but ... ew. XMLspy has a free home edition, and is not horrible. Not perfect, but it's free ...
• The alpha channel images in the .rar file attached. Oh yeah, get winRAR to open this file.
• The bracket border, in the mod folder (/art/interfaces/button/civilizations/civ4bracket2rt.jpg) ... needed for the button

1. Making the Flag
   To make the flag, create a 96x128 picture, with the meat of the picture in the middle. That's because the top and bottom get sort of randomly cropped by the flag renderer on units (but not nearly as much in the flag on the HID).
   Then, if possible, resize the picture in your picture creation program to 128x128. That will stretch it some, but that's okay, as the flag will re-shrink it back to original dimensions, later. Save it as a BMP format file, anywhere.
   Next, open the above saved file with DXTBMP (or your favorite DDS converter). In DXTbmp, there is a square that's white by default, on the right hand side of the screen. Under it are four buttons: "Import", "send to editor", "refresh from editor", and "Export". The first one (import) is the one you want. Click it, then navigate to the "black.bmp" file that is in the .rar file attached below. It should replace the white square with a black one.
   Then "save as" the file, choose DDS and then DDS-3, saving the file in the (mod name)/Assets/Art/Interface/TeamColor/ directory, preferably using the same name as the one I installed (otherwise, edit the XML, in a later post).
   That should be all you need to install your flag.
2. Making the Button
   Making the button is nearly identical to the flag, except for individual details.
   First, make a 55x55 image. The button will always be square in game, so start with a square this time. You can use the 128x128, if you don't mind it being stretched.
   Then open up a copy of the civ4bracket2rt.jpg file, and paste the 55x55 file on top of this 64x64 file, centered. That should fit the square borders fairly well.
   Save that image somewhere (not as the bracket file, of course) and open it with DXTbmp. Choose the import button for the alpha channel, and select the "bracket.bmp" file that's in the .rar file. Save that file as a DDS-3 file, in the (mod name)/Assets//Art/Interface/Buttons/Civilizations/ directory, preferably with the same name as the one I left for you.
   That should be all you need to install yoiur button (which is used in the civilopedia entry for your civ, among others).
3. Changing the XML for the file you want
   You need to open the file /Assets/XML/Art/Civ4ArtDefines_Civilization.xml in your xml editor (whether that's Windows' Notepad, or XMLspy, or whatever). Assuming you're working with an already existing civ, find that civ, which is in the following format:
   

   < CivilizationArtInfo>
   	< Type>ART_DEF_CIVILIZATION_FRANCE< /Type>
   	< Button>,Art/Interface/Buttons/Civilizations/France.dds,
        Art/Interface/Buttons/Civics_Civilizations_Religions_Atlas.dds,8,5< /Button>
   	< Path>Art/Interface/TeamColor/FlagDECAL_FleurDeLis.dds
   	< bWhiteFlag>0< /bWhiteFlag>
   < /CivilizationArtInfo>

   The < Button > line is the civilopedia button, for your 64x64 button. Replace that whole line with the path (relative to assets/ ) to your button's .dds file (usually /art/interface/buttons/civilizations/FILENAME.dds). The other stuff isn't needed, it's for the pakked file from the base game.
   
   The < Path > line is for the flag. It's in the same syle, but at art/interface/TeamColor/FLAGFILENAME.dds . Also, change WhiteFlag to 1 (this makes your flag visible, I think).
   
   To add a new one, just copy this from some other civ, give it a new name (you should follow styles, but any name is fine) in the < Type > field; then open Civ4CivilizationInfos.xml, and find your civ; one line is ArtDefineTag, change that entry to your custom entry.

Please feel free to post if you have any questions. I haven't edited this thoroughly, so if I made any mistakes, let me know and i'll correct them.

[Nugog]

Thanks!

[RobWorham]

Would certainly make things a bit more personal.

[Nugog]

Glad you've seen this Rob - make sense to you?

[UnOrthOdOx]

Sarantium didn't get a flag? I thought there was one in the mod...(or at least one of the versions...)

[Beta]

Yep - we were supposed to get one - flag with an eagle on it - but for some reason it didn't take.

I fully understand the desire to do this - I am just not sure it is worth the hassle for the person running the game - or for us having to load a mod. And I don't know how that runs in pitboss. Will everyone who logs into play have to run a mod of some sort - in which case I am definitely against it. If it is just an initial time investment by the administrator/host (Aro - where is he btw???) then it might be OK.

[UnOrthOdOx]

I THINK it would just be the ptbs server running the mod, but alas, I do not KNOW.

[proviisori]

Originally posted by Beta
Yep - we were supposed to get one - flag with an eagle on it - but for some reason it didn't take.

This is the flag I made for Sarantium, but we only got the boring cross flag

[proviisori]

Originally posted by Beta
I fully understand the desire to do this - I am just not sure it is worth the hassle for the person running the game - or for us having to load a mod. And I don't know how that runs in pitboss. Will everyone who logs into play have to run a mod of some sort - in which case I am definitely against it. If it is just an initial time investment by the administrator/host (Aro - where is he btw???) then it might be OK.

I think we need Snoop here to clear this up for us. He is so handy in mod and pitboss stuff.

[snoopy369]

Each game player would have to run the mod as well. I've learned since how to set up a shortcut to include the mod, so it's probably not that much of a pain anymore to run it, and if this will be a DirectIP game you might want a shortcut anyway, but yes, the individual player would need to run the mod.

Some of the flags didn't take because I didn't add them properly and didn't find out until after Aeson and I had created the map... I think it was only Sarantium, actually.

Anyway, it wouldn't happen again

[Zoid]

Originally posted by proviisori


This is the flag I made for Sarantium, but we only got the boring cross flag

Hey! Sweden is not boring!

[proviisori]

well... at least you have a great eastern neighbour

[Zoid]

It was swedish for 600 years, probably why it's so great