'Deleted' tech entries in alphax.txt

[Sinapus]

I've been looking over the tech list in the alphax.txt and noticed that there is one 'user' slot opened. I've also noticed that there are some listings here and there that are marked 'deleted'.

Are those slots open for modification? I've found some soundfiles in the tech folder that match where that slot is (I'm assuming the first tech on the list is tech0.mp3) but was wondering if I could put some techs in those slots without breaking the game.

(Since I'll need a few extra slots if I'm going to stick Doctrine:Intelligence and other stuff Shining One placed in SNAC if I really want to try to make a SNACX type mod.)

[Sinapus]

Well, apparently you can. Added some and tested it. They show up fine.

Which leaves three slots open for extra techs.

Beware the faction editor, though. I was editing the Data Angels to use SNAC's Doctrine:Intelligence for their probe teams, and found it didn't show up in the editor. So I manually typed TECH, DocSpy into their file and loaded it into the faction editor to do more editing.

It said they had Industrial Base in place of Doc:Int. Minor panic until I made my changes and then saved the file to look at it in a text editor. It still showed up as TECH, DocSpy so I guess it will work somewhat.

Now, if only I could figure out how to edit graphics so some of my custom factions can have their own leader portrait. (Is PaintShop Pro any good?)

[DaveVegas]

Doing graphics is easy dude!
1)Load up one of the files like gaians.pcx into Paintshop pro.
2)go to menu that allows you to save color pallette. (spelling) save file as smacx.pal, Close file.
3)open your picture file
4)Load color pallette you saved.
5)Load gaian.pcx or whatever file.
Now use the lasso option, looks like a square on left. Use this to outline the graphic. Cut graphic, grab your picture using the lasso. Paste it into .pcx file in the appropiate spot.
6)That should work for you. That is how I do it. Without Paintshop Pro in front of me, this the best I can do. I do not recall the right names. Let me know if you need help!

Originally posted by Sinapus on 11-01-1999 10:20 AM
Well, apparently you can. Added some and tested it. They show up fine.

Which leaves three slots open for extra techs.

Beware the faction editor, though. I was editing the Data Angels to use SNAC's Doctrine:Intelligence for their probe teams, and found it didn't show up in the editor. So I manually typed TECH, DocSpy into their file and loaded it into the faction editor to do more editing.

It said they had Industrial Base in place of Doc:Int. Minor panic until I made my changes and then saved the file to look at it in a text editor. It still showed up as TECH, DocSpy so I guess it will work somewhat.

Now, if only I could figure out how to edit graphics so some of my custom factions can have their own leader portrait. (Is PaintShop Pro any good?)

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[This message has been edited by DaveVegas (edited November 11, 1999).]

[Sinapus]

Thanks. Anyone try PhotoShop with this?

(Also, I noticed a pcx file called "pallette.pcx" that might work better as a pallette.)

Hmm... the new files for every faction *does* have a section at the bottom of the faction1.pcx file that shows flag color. So we *can* change the flag colors if we make a new faction. Which is good since it was getting confusing having two factions with the same color there.