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Bob Wallace -> (3/18/2001 12:30:00 PM)
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Hi All,
As one who has spent more hours making and modifying SHP files then I would like, I can let you in on a few things...
#1, the editor that Fred Chlanda made is good for editing a few icons one-at-a-time, but if you really want to rock-and-roll, use his MAKSHP and UNSHP programs. These are DOS based, so get ready to see the old ugly Black and White screens ;)
Basically what you do is this:
Place the two programs in the \SHP directory (it is one of the sub directories of the Steel Panthers root directory).
Figure out which SHP file you want to modify and make sure a copy of the STEEL.PAL file is in the same directory).
Type the sequence of commands as per the instructions in UNSHP help file [you can view this by simply typing UNSHP at the DSOS prompt with no additional commands]
Here is an example:
if you wanted to work with the ACTMENU.SHP files you would type in
"UNSHP ACTMENU.SHP ACTMENU STEEL.PAL"
The first filename tells the program what SHP file to work with, the second name is the name each of the BMP files that are generated form the program will be name (ie. ACTMENU001.BMP, ACTMENU002.BMP, etc), and the third file specifies the palette to use for colors.
Now you have a bitmap for each and every SHP icon in the SHP file.
Edit which ever bitmaps (icons) you want and then use MAKSHP to convert all of these bitmaps back to SHP files.
Now when you used the UNSHP, a file named the same as what you specified as the bitmap prefix (ACTMENU for my example) with an .IDX extension would have already been made for you. So, all you have to do to use MAKSHP is this:
MAKSHP ACTMENU.SHP ACTMENU.IDX STEEL.PAL
The first filename indicates what file to create (should be the same name as the file you extracted earlier), the second filename lists the index file (that has a list of each and every bitmap that was created, and the last one specifies thepalette to use (as before)
So, when you have done these steps (it is really quick and easy after you have done it a few times) you will have a SHP file that has all the new icons you made/modified plus the original ones (if you didnt modify anything).
If you want to add to the SHP file with new icons, simply make a bitmap (naming it per the standard convention (ie ACTMENU199.bmp) and simply add another line to your .IDX file so MAKSHP knows to include this in the conversion process.
As far as the Pyramids are concerned, don't hold your breath ;) To simulate a real pyramid would tak a cluster of roughly 4-5 hexes from the center (basically a 37-61 hex building!)... SPWAW only handles 7-hex buildings tops... sorry ;(
Bob
P.S. Feel free to email me if you have questions about making or modifying SHP files. my email is: bobw@matrixgames.com
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