Faction graphics problem: HELP!

[Maniac]

I recently started working on an Earth scenario, but I'm having some problems with the faction graphics. The problem is: normally, when you use purple as background colour for the base graphics and faction icon graphic, that colour doesn't show up in the game. However, with 4 of my 7 factions, it does. A SMAC purple background shows up as blue rectangle behind the graphic in the game. The SMAX purple as something greeny. I really have no clues whatsoever what could cause this. Does somebody know the solution to this problem?

M@ni@c

[Ken Hinds]

M@ni@c,

I haven't done any graphics myself, but I remember that in CIV II several people had problems when they did not use the exact pallete of colors that CIV was expecting. What color depth are you using and how does your graphics program convert to the file types that SMAC(X) is expecting. All .GIF, TIF, BMP, and PCX files are not created equal depending upon the program doing the rendering and conversions.

Ken

[Cybergod]

All of your graphics have to be the original PCX format. Load any original SMAC graphic (unsure how to do this for SMAX graphics but this way it will show up in both games) faction file. Save this palette in your desired folder (call the file SMAC.pal or something). Now, get into the picture that you want for your custom faction, and load the palette onto this image.

This is not a reliable way to do it as you are changing hte whole palette of an image. Preferably load the palette on all the elements you want to place in a blank (or modified) PCX file.

[Maniac]

First of all, thanks for the replies! However...

I think there has been a misunderstanding. I'm not creating new graphics. I have no talent at all for that. I'm just using some base and faction icon graphics from everywhere, and copying them into an existent faction file. For example, for the FTA, the Free Trade Association, I took Miriam's faction file, copied the PK faction emblem over their Cross emblem, and used the base graphics of the brian&sid-faction. So really, I don't see a way how the background colours could not be the same. Still, even the PK emblem with SMAC purple has a blue rectangle behind it in the game, while the believer file also in SMAC purple. So really, I totally don't see a what the problem could be.