Graphics Enhancement Mod (GEM) v2.4. Updated: December 22, 2012

Graphics Enhancement Mod (GEM) v2.4. Updated: December 22, 2012 (Full Version)

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Martian -> Graphics Enhancement Mod (GEM) v2.4. Updated: December 22, 2012 (11/10/2012 3:14:08 PM)
[img]http://www.mediafire.com/conv/9ddaff04bedd6e7da88dec8f9d2281a0c0c0f62fca5ad1f22e6636df25d491a36g.jpg[/img] Current version: 2.4 Updated: December 22, 2012 Quick overview of GEM features: - New icons & pictograms for game's interface - New cursors set - Restyled ship graphics - Improved planet & star graphics - New landscapes - New ruins - New galaxy backdrop - FEATURES - NEW ICONS & PICTOGRAMS 53 new redesigned and refined icons & pictograms for game's interface. [img]http://www.mediafire.com/conv/575f1eb3062218ef0ae313c4fe4585101bd948fe548f918d4dcfa8add8d81cc56g.jpg[/img] Resized to perfectly fit interface's elements so there is no need for the game to resize them to fit in buttons and frames. As a result all new pictograms look very sharp and clear in the game (except those which are used in more than one place and with various scale). Here are some examples: [img]http://www.mediafire.com/conv/101286b96f6e2b17320d333a9ab0c0f4c5d3d532b2a5ee4c17fb7513d590e4826g.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.mediafire.com/conv/59e9e23b99f9f4ffcaedfe3ebd9fa824608641359a10341870807fae2ebd63126g.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.mediafire.com/conv/b8aa526510d789a39c35048f935d157d0e4d1b975aac1080fae903c75d7d70cb6g.jpg[/img] Unfortunately most of other interface elements are not available for modding. There are some of interface's resources present in "images\ui\chrome" folder which are not used by game (Or at least not where it was expected). Another issue is that the game sometimes uses same resourcses for different elements of interface (for example "firepower.png" is used both for military ships and crash research icons). This fact limits design choices for the interface improvement. So looking forward to modding improvements in DW's future releases. NEW CURSORS SET 14 all new "pixelart" cursors. [img]http://www.mediafire.com/conv/b6589dc47a483603c5da31cf570c58984f96a328b10f963e3648e98c58b036a16g.jpg[/img] RESTYLED SHIP GRAPHICS The ship restyling has several purposes in mind: 1. Make ships look clearer and distinctive on various bright and dark backgrounds during gameplay. 2. Quick identification of all controllable state ships. 3. Quick identification of military ship types. 4. More eye candy look.[;)] I know that game already has good ship type identification signs such as triangles for military ships, rectangles for construction ships and so on, but I believe average human eye is much more responsive to colours than to shapes. So I decided to use different colour outlines to make it even easier to quickly identify ships during a gameplay. All controllable ships have various colour outlines: Red - Military ships Green - Construction ships Cyan - Exploration ships Blue - Colony ships Military ships have following distinctive insignia painted on them: One stripe - Escort Two stripes - Frigate Three stripes - Destroyer Four stripes - Cruiser Five stripes - Capitalship Small circle inside a bigger one - Carrier Small diamond inside a bigger one - Troop transport Here are few examples: [img]http://www.mediafire.com/conv/70d81e8a64d7e67b107870d447b4a3b7b49e92ecbced33f69c4c4051cc7ee5f66g.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.mediafire.com/conv/6fe26a97907af22f036362e03a82b2cc966599c6c89e7c4f0a48ebc07a0e78206g.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.mediafire.com/conv/1ad61e57cfc1144ab77de5c251fe282dafaf14962898e61f9ede89299d957be86g.jpg[/img] Additionally, there is an alternative shipset for those who prefer ships with black outlines only: [img]http://www.mediafire.com/conv/b82aa54745d6ceaf4d18e3349d7f0515d9b8c4587f11050d8e6edb6fb317394d6g.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.mediafire.com/conv/74d687702ecce5577186c9fe3feaf0c15b45cbecc93bbfcc2091b89dc862ce446g.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.mediafire.com/conv/8d757bfac580def4710b2a5ee6fe686b363790c993f3b5a1981df38832eb7f8d6g.jpg[/img] IMPROVED PLANET GRAPHICS Continental planets [img]http://www.mediafire.com/conv/8fe646fe33c40f417782315c69274ac3253e81f7d15241152be495373a49687f6g.jpg[/img] Desert planets [img]http://www.mediafire.com/conv/3ea1a470fc6c73fd49cd1e98a02f7139c9ced370bbdbde70fdc2518cfaec17006g.jpg[/img] Ice planets [img]http://www.mediafire.com/conv/8d480f3d1bfd87b2a3272438353a3436c77173e398ec3c95802e4b3677c570b26g.jpg[/img] Marshyswamp planets [img]http://www.mediafire.com/conv/3f437c91787fd1ffc0665a62e96bd483881c4f7b75f113159219493400fe43d36g.jpg[/img] Oceanic planets [img]http://www.mediafire.com/conv/4c0c76017b5be1a8b1488e562cb74e81423624ae27e0e681e53249dba0349d976g.jpg[/img] Volcanic planets [img]http://www.mediafire.com/conv/0840a157c0a1da8f03e260a7126325006fea8658ead1724bdfb27a879637c6a46g.jpg[/img] Barrenrock planets [img]http://www.mediafire.com/conv/d82b5bf9a805f6251225e209d25dca41375857f7e943db7cf68347270f4421676g.jpg[/img] IMPROVED STAR GRAPHICS Main sequence star [img]http://i.minus.com/ibtL6vd20ZjZmd.gif[/img] Red Giant [img]http://i.minus.com/iQLItvKMJ7y1k.gif[/img] Super Giant [img]http://i.minus.com/ibxIG8hIe8pYmF.gif[/img] White Dwarf [img]http://i.minus.com/icghSUKmSmXMG.gif[/img] Neutron Star [img]http://i.minus.com/ibetIzQqtWwACU.gif[/img] NEW LANDSCAPES Original artworks were not created by me but were searched and taken from the net, mostly from Terragen's gallery. I just resized, framed and colour graded them. So all kudos and credits go to their creators. Landscapes are resized and adjusted to perfectly fit game's interface. Unfortunately, at the present moment DW has a hard-coded limit to use only few first images. So it uses only 4 images for continental planets (+1 from forest folder), 3 for desert, marshyswamp and ice planets, 2 for volcanic and oceanic planets. Hopefully this will be fixed in "Shadows" release, but for now most of these landscapes wouldn't appear in the game. If you want some particular landscapes to be present in the game, please rename them to use first few numbers. For example, use names from "landscape_0" up to "landscape_3" for continental planets. Continental planet's landscapes [img]http://www.mediafire.com/conv/3a6b0b8541158218a36bf0138c1219ce0f61df61f7b25add259665a755d0ac526g.jpg[/img] Desert planet's landscapes [img]http://www.mediafire.com/conv/64ff4a7c1e6834df330a7506786ee19b521adb90e246759e829c2405318d2afa6g.jpg[/img] Ice planet's landscapes [img]http://www.mediafire.com/conv/baeeef1bb4f5f5e0fc4e0a54c3044d5bd4d26d2e0f4a3c201a7e2f1efdf1c77f6g.jpg[/img] Marshyswamp planet's landscapes [img]http://www.mediafire.com/conv/cb6c96939faa26139bfb6d540bd802d6f3e0acc9ac2f596938de663b16bb87d46g.jpg[/img] Oceanic planet's landscapes [img]http://www.mediafire.com/conv/a4cc2ea0f3efa47cd7a8c8dfee565af44136b09aa981815d3b8bebbdb20c97c26g.jpg[/img] Volcanic planet's landscapes [img]http://www.mediafire.com/conv/cb4e54a5e68b539bb29b401423ea346ad59945a5d84f9b5e78f0b2040dc2f4236g.jpg[/img] IMPROVED RUINS For the ruins I used amazing and myserious paintings of Polish artist Zdzisław Beksiński. [img]http://www.mediafire.com/conv/e0f40f895aca49fc4a3426776e261a9be9e1410c4f418d7d682bc62ad5d928df6g.jpg[/img] NEW GALAXY BACKDROP [img]http://www.mediafire.com/conv/3077c367ecc0487ea40d0c4d25700718c806d7e6cc6648c8455b636b63bdc7026g.jpg[/img] GEM DOWNLOAD LINKS GEM v2.4 - Complete mod http://www.mediafire.com/?7r0xul9p7fd36a8 Alternatively, if you don't need all of the features, you can choose which individual parts of the mod to download: GEM v2.4 - Galaxy backdrop only http://www.mediafire.com/?ipwww3mbdekwswo GEM v2.4 - Cursors & icons only http://www.mediafire.com/?2odwi8mndekqd30 GEM v2.4 - Landscapes & ruins only http://www.mediafire.com/?8tpm52tgjin0r95 GEM v2.4 - Planets & stars only http://www.mediafire.com/?w3o99fn0j4o7ac0 GEM v2.4 - Shipset only http://www.mediafire.com/?0rrcz3z7s47s712 GEM v2.4 - Alternative shipset only (without colour outlines) http://www.mediafire.com/?v123ydbyja41nhb INSTALLATION: 1. Backup original "Distant Worlds\images" folder 2. Extract archive and overwrite original files in Distant Worlds\images 3. Enjoy! CHANGELOG [+] new content/feature [-] update/fix v1.0 + Upgraded original graphics for all planets except frozen gas giants & gas giants. + Upgraded original graphics for all stars on a system zoom level. + Upgraded original galaxy backdrop. v2.0 + Upgraded original ship graphics. + Integrated updated version of "Surrealistic ruins" mod. + Integrated updated version of "Beautiful landscapes" mod. - Made the atmosphere slightly visible even on a dark side of planets. - Fixed a shadow artifact appeared when a planet overlaps another planet. v2.1 + Added 9 new cursors. v2.2 + Added 5 more new cursors and updated most of previously released cursors. v2.2.1 - Minor design update of bombard, construction and mine cursors. v2.3 + Added 53 new & refined pictograms for game's interface. - Most of the cursors are redesigned or refined. - New version of galaxy backdrop. v2.4 - Improved planet graphics, including new atmospheric effect. - Added an alternative version of shipset without colour outlines. - Updated version of galaxy backdrop. Slightly redesigned and significantly desaturated to improve contrast between backdrop and active objects on the map.

Shark7 -> RE: "Gems & Pearls" Mod (11/10/2012 3:45:11 PM)
Wow, you really managed to clear up and improve the graphics there, downloading this one now. [:)]

Martian -> RE: "Gems & Pearls" Mod (11/10/2012 4:44:17 PM)
Thank you, Shark! Yes, it took me some time... The game is very sensitive to errors. Sometimes even one wrong pixel can make things look awful! [:@] [&:] [:D]

w1p -> RE: "Gems & Pearls" Mod (11/10/2012 4:59:02 PM)
I've always been a "gameplay over graphics" type of person, but the lots of little modifications you make sure do make a massive difference, and they have such a polished feel to them. I think Erik should consider getting you to help out with Shadows. No offence to the art team, but Martian's artwork is simply superb. Simply put - Thanks!!

unidterror -> RE: "Gems & Pearls" Mod (11/10/2012 11:47:43 PM)
these are real nice, ill download em and paste them in. this would be the first World mod i actualy try. thank Mars keep up the fabulous work. [sm=00000036.gif]

tjhkkr -> RE: "Gems & Pearls" Mod (11/11/2012 1:00:05 AM)
This is a very nice piece of work. Thank you, very much.

Igard -> RE: "Gems & Pearls" Mod (11/11/2012 2:27:33 AM)
Excellent work, Martian. The stars in particular look amazing!

Martian -> RE: "Gems & Pearls" Mod (11/11/2012 2:42:02 AM)
w1p, unidterror, tjhkkr, Igard Thank you guys!

Martian -> RE: "Gems & Pearls" Mod (11/11/2012 2:46:56 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Igard Excellent work, Martian. The stars in particular look amazing! Yes, planets received most of my love, while all patience was spent for the stars! [:D]

Arcatus -> RE: "Gems & Pearls" Mod (11/12/2012 8:59:08 PM)
Oooooh. Shiny! Very nice stars. Especially that neutron star. Downloading :)

tjhkkr -> RE: "Gems & Pearls" Mod (11/14/2012 6:07:59 PM)
Is that the Great Nebula of Orion for that background? How did you dim it down? My version is very, very bright.

Martian -> RE: "Gems & Pearls" Mod (11/15/2012 5:04:20 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: tjhkkr Is that the Great Nebula of Orion for that background? How did you dim it down? My version is very, very bright. I used original "galaxy_backdrop_OLD2.jpg" file which was located in "Distant Worlds\images\environment\galaxybackdrops" folder. Here it is: [image]local://upfiles/42922/760F8F2E3EDB40BDBB02E15C926122DA.jpg[/image] Then I just resized, slightly blurred (to soften "pixelization" effect when you zoom galaxy map in the game) and colour graded it. Can you show me your version?

tjhkkr -> RE: "Gems & Pearls" Mod (11/15/2012 5:13:21 AM)
I will get it to you soon... [8D]

Kalthaniell -> RE: "Gems & Pearls" Mod (11/15/2012 10:14:11 AM)
The sun looks tenfolds better now[:D]. Thx!

nelsonlee_slith -> RE: "Gems & Pearls" Mod (11/16/2012 7:43:23 AM)
why it donot work if I just modify the num of new pics? form 1001 to 1023 for example

Martian -> RE: "Gems & Pearls" Mod (11/16/2012 5:16:32 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: nelsonlee why it donot work if I just modify the num of new pics? form 1001 to 1023 for example Sorry I don't quite understand your question. Can you be more specific?

nelsonlee_slith -> RE: "Gems & Pearls" Mod (11/19/2012 6:31:43 AM)
for example I change the /planets/continental/Continental-0001.png-->Continental-1001.png donot replace the old pic,then put it in the game dir,but donot displayed in game.....

Martian -> RE: "Gems & Pearls" Mod (11/19/2012 7:10:46 AM)
I guess the problem here is about how game itself reads files. Ether "1001" is too high number for game to "see" it. Or maybe its because of gap between numbers. Just for a test try renaming it to the consequent number after last one already used (0024 for example).

Martian -> RE: "Gems & Pearls" Mod (11/20/2012 8:46:55 PM)
Mod is updated and renamed. See first post... [;)]

Shark7 -> RE: "Gems & Pearls" Mod (11/20/2012 10:02:03 PM)
Good idea on the ship icons, but I have to ask to be sure... You did use a blue other than pure blue (R= 0, G = 0, B= 255) right? Pure blue would just give you a giant moving engine glow. [;)] Landscapes and ruins look great and are about to get downloaded. [:)]

Shark7 -> RE: "Gems & Pearls" Mod (11/20/2012 10:04:57 PM)
Another Suggestion Martian: Can you break this up into 2 or 3 downloads. I have fast broadband and it isn't a problem for me, but for some of our community broadband might not be available and a 120mb DL will take them a long time.

Martian -> RE: "Gems & Pearls" Mod (11/21/2012 2:29:21 AM)
Thanks Shark! quote: You did use a blue other than pure blue (R= 0, G = 0, B= 255) right? Pure blue would just give you a giant moving engine glow. Everything should look fine. Light's yellow (255,255,0) and Engine's blue (0,0,255) are not used. [8D] I wish the game's engine allowed closer zooming. I wanted to make ships size smaller. IMHO in vanilla their scale is too big compared to planets, spaceport and stations. But if I make them say 2 times smaller it would be difficult to see and identify them clearly with current zooming limit. quote: Can you break this up into 2 or 3 downloads. I have fast broadband and it isn't a problem for me, but for some of our community broadband might not be available and a 120mb DL will take them a long time. Sure, added.

Martian -> RE: "Gems & Pearls" Mod (11/25/2012 2:14:54 PM)
To those who already tried this mod. I would like to know what do you think about ship restyling? Is this a step in right direction? Also what do think about making ships (and maybe stations too) smaller compared to planets? Maybe about 2 times smaller than now?

ASHBERY76 -> RE: "Gems & Pearls" Mod (11/25/2012 2:30:21 PM)
I am not sure the game uses more than 4 pictures for each planet landscape.I have never seen a landscape_4 picture onwards on a planet screen yet.

Martian -> RE: "Gems & Pearls" Mod (11/25/2012 2:39:31 PM)
Hmmmm... Thanks for pointing this out, Ashbery. I didn't pay much attention, but looks like you are right. That explains why there are only 4 images at maximum in original landscapes folders... It's sad. Looks almost like a bug to me. I hope Elliot will remove this limit in Shadows. Otherwise my landscape mod is half in vain.. [:D]

Martian -> RE: "Gems & Pearls" Mod (11/25/2012 3:06:55 PM)
Yes, you were completely right! I've made some testing. I used editor to make 80-100 continental planets. I checked them and for all of them game used only first 4 images from continental landscape folder and only one image from "forest" folder!!! [:(]

Martian -> RE: "Gems & Pearls" Mod (11/25/2012 3:46:44 PM)
I did same testing for all of colonizable type of planets and things are even worse. From my understanding the game uses only original amount of images. So for continental planets it uses 4 images (plus one from forest folder). For ice, marshyswamp and desert planets only 3. But for oceanic and volcanic it's only two images! I really hope this will be improved in Shadows.

Cruis.In -> RE: "Gems & Pearls" Mod (11/25/2012 4:41:42 PM)
id ont like the outlines on the ships no way to turn off?

Martian -> RE: "Gems & Pearls" Mod (11/26/2012 12:24:20 AM)
You don't like all outlines including black ones? Or it's only bright outlines (red, blue cyan and green) which bothers you?

Arcatus -> RE: Graphics Enhancement Mod (GEM) v2.0 (11/26/2012 3:46:12 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Martian NEW RESTYLED SHIP GRAPHICS The ship restyling has several purposes in mind: 1. Make ships look clearer and distinctive on various bright and dark backgrounds during gameplay. 2. Quick identification of all controllable state ships. 3. Quick identification of military ship types. 4. More eye candy look.[;)] All controllable ships have various colour outlines: Red - Military ships Green - Construction ships Cyan - Exploration ships Blue - Colony ships Military ships have following distinctive insignia painted on them: One stripe - Escort Two stripes - Frigate Three stripes - Destroyer Four stripes - Cruiser Five stripes - Capitalship Small circle inside a bigger one - Carrier Small diamond inside a bigger one - Troop transport [&o] Aw, man that is innovative. (damn you for thinking of this before me [;)][:D]) As my shipsets are frankensteined from many sources, this would be a odd one to add, as only some races would use this new outline. But I really like the concept. Especially on the troop transports - being able to identify and target those quickly is something I really, really want to add. So, I'll frankenstein this concept into my shipsets. Thankyou! Edit: And you added even more stuff as I made this post. You, martians are awesome! [&o]

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