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Magpius -> Started (11/20/2016 11:24:20 AM)

I've started to pull apart a unit .png file for a counter mod.


[image]local://upfiles/26546/F03AA7777E624DDDB93B441D7405BED0.jpg[/image]

...could someone please post up a pic of the SC1 counter set.



Magpius -> RE: Started (11/22/2016 7:20:22 AM)

Infantry units slowly filling up.
Also finished a 'historic flag mod'

[image]local://upfiles/26546/757B5E459A71451C989F1D8D1CD2A60D.jpg[/image]
NB: army corp graphic not complete.



Kharkov -> RE: Started (11/22/2016 12:46:59 PM)

Nice work so far :)

Can the counter silhouettes be country specific? For example, a level 3 medium tank for the Germans could be a Panzer Mk 4 while for the US it could be a Sherman?



Hairog -> RE: Started (11/22/2016 2:11:00 PM)

Like the shadow effect!



FF_1079 -> RE: Started (11/22/2016 2:53:01 PM)

Looking forward to it - I don't like some of the standard NATO designation counters, but I don't want to use the 3d at all.



Skeleton -> RE: Started (11/23/2016 12:29:55 AM)

Love these counters, can't wait to see them finished.



Magpius -> RE: Started (11/24/2016 1:07:06 AM)

Thanks for the feedback.
With the initial release, the counters will be somewhat 'generic'.
While I agree it would be better if the unit silhouettes were country and level specific, the time that would take, would mean I would be modding more than playing. I don't have a library of all the relevant units, (any volunteers?)
I'd end up with a unit list like MWIF.

1st goal is to create a higher contrast unit set, I find the vanilla units and map rather 'muddy'.

Then to work on the map to make it more 'cartographic'.

I already have a functioning 'historic' map mod, that I'm happy to post up.

A




[image]local://upfiles/26546/5D73E604847A42C0B654C9480C9A07F4.jpg[/image]



Skeleton -> RE: Started (11/24/2016 1:43:19 AM)

I'd love to see what you have done. All of the mods you've created for other games have been outstanding. I agree, the counters and map just have a blah feel about them. Great game that needs a bit of graphical polish.



Magpius -> RE: Started (11/24/2016 5:01:27 AM)

Thanks for that, will share as soon as ready.
I just have to finish off some of the German info screens and victory conditions. The unit, and map flags have been changed.
The graphic files are in 3 differing folders, and it took a while to track them all down.

Appreciate the reply on my earlier mod efforts, only really started heavily with the W.I games, as they all had a similar folder structure. Once I have a standard (Gimp) file, unit graphic tweaks should be easier.
Then it will be on to the map.

Quite honestly, if the developers wanted to seed a thriving mod community, they should ship a graphics file with non-flattened layers, as a lot of time is just taken up unpacking the file, and then locating elements in folders.



Magpius -> example (11/24/2016 6:15:50 AM)

before:

[image]local://upfiles/26546/385D99CF61144628A7A8EA33201E33E3.jpg[/image]



Magpius -> RE: example (11/24/2016 6:16:24 AM)

after:


[image]local://upfiles/26546/F8B8D4A1E5D042F5B0D110A64C1C4CEB.jpg[/image]



Wolfe1759 -> RE: example (11/24/2016 5:46:36 PM)

Looking good.

Any chance of you releasing the "historical flags" bit of your mod separately to mod just that bit of the stock game?



FF_1079 -> RE: example (11/25/2016 1:48:59 AM)

I really like the look of your updated messages, a very nice touch.



Magpius -> RE: example (11/25/2016 4:59:51 AM)

Will post up what I have done when home from work...




MrClock -> RE: example (11/25/2016 3:05:29 PM)

Historical flags mod would be very welcome[:D]



Skeleton -> RE: example (11/25/2016 9:17:56 PM)

I really have to applaud you on what appears to be another outstanding effort. I played SC3 daily during the beta and now cannot bring myself to start a game until your mod is up and ready. Thank you!!!



Magpius -> Historic flag mod (11/27/2016 8:32:20 AM)

Apologies for the delay, went bushwalking this weekend. Just got back.
I post these up, the dialog boxes are not yet complete, but this will mod the game units.
You will need to replace like for like.
If you know what you are doing it is straightforward...

I will post up detailed instructions when the full mod is complete.

I hope this flag mod does not offend anyone, that was never my intent.



MrClock -> RE: Historic flag mod (11/27/2016 9:29:16 AM)

Thank you!!!



Wolfe1759 -> RE: Historic flag mod (11/27/2016 9:45:42 AM)

Much appreciated, thanks Agent S.



Skeleton -> RE: Historic flag mod (11/27/2016 12:24:18 PM)

Looks outstanding! I really cannot wait until you have completed the counters. Please post those when you feel they are ready. Great work and thank you Agent S!



Templer_12 -> RE: example (11/27/2016 1:32:10 PM)

I do not necessarily need the Swastika, but the fonts on the message please me very well. I would like to have them.



Capitaine -> RE: example (11/27/2016 2:14:29 PM)

Thank you for this flag mod. I absolutely hate the use of fantasy German flags in historical wargames. When national flags are used to depict nations at war, it is the height of foolishness to use a phony emblem for Germany as some paean to political correctness. The coverup won't change the subject matter of the conflict being modelled, it just fosters ignorance.



Magpius -> a few more (11/28/2016 3:00:23 AM)

engineers & cavalry

[image]local://upfiles/26546/AFD300D36EF04FFAA508C6CE3A9949F4.jpg[/image]



maitrebongo -> RE: a few more (11/28/2016 9:40:01 AM)

Good job Agent S,
Keep on going like that ;)



HimAgain -> RE: a few more (11/28/2016 7:16:01 PM)

Really excellent work Agent S!

With all respect to the developers, I find that I'm having all sorts of problems getting into playing the game at all because of the current unit appearances. The 3D icons are just lost on the map for me and the current Nato icons are uninspiring.

I think that the silhouettes as you are doing is the way to go and look forward to seeing the finished product.
The Pop-up messages are also very good. Their more authentic appearance will only improve the experience.

I'm working on a parallel Hybrid icon project modelled after the old Clash of Steel game.
I'm planning to keep the Nato symbols for infantry except for the HQs, Paras and Special Forces. All other units will be silhouettes, unit badges or Portraits.

What tools are you using to edit the icons? I'm trying out Gimp because the stock Windows 7 Paint won't work properly with the PNG files.
Are you using Vector sourced images or bitmaps and resizing them?

I don't normally do any computer graphic work except for the SC series and you strike me as a Pro.
[&o]

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Angus



Magpius -> RE: a few more (11/28/2016 8:04:52 PM)

I use gimp.
Not a pro user.
(My work software is more building design focused).
I scale down my bitmaps, so it's more about cleaning pixels and contrast and brightness changes, and organising layers with some opacity changes.



Magpius -> RE: a few more (11/28/2016 8:08:50 PM)

I look forward to seeing your mod. The more the better. Time of fury had a great range of unit and map mods, from a variety of people. Also waiting to heat what Welk is working on.



Magpius -> RE: a few more (11/28/2016 8:13:12 PM)

I also agree with the vanilla appearance, but as I get older the eyes blur when staring at a monitor. A high contrast counter option is critical for me. As I said earlier, I think Devs should release layered graphics files with the game to support modders.



Magpius -> RE: a few more (11/28/2016 8:15:33 PM)

Start a thread, post some pics and will be pleased to offer advice, help and suggestions.



HimAgain -> RE: a few more (11/29/2016 12:32:45 PM)

Hi Agent S,

For me, next to the AI, the visual aspect and appearance of the game is most important. It should compliment the playablilty and allow for a quick assessment of the situation on any given front with just a glance at the map. My use of high contrast units will be limited to the more expensive/powerful units. (Armored Units, HQs, Planes etc.)

So far my biggest challenge is learning how to use Gimp and to setup some sort of template.
I only got the game on Friday so I'm still trying to get a handle on where everything is stored.

There will be unit silhouette progression as you improve the Tech levels of the Tanks and Planes.
I was also able to replace the 3D icons in SC2 with 2D icons in order to introduce greater variations depending on the theater, or weather. Leveraging the Desert and Winter Cammo variations you could show the LRDG or SAS unit badges for the British Special Forces as an example or Rommel's portrait in the Desert, Manstein in Winter or Guderian in Summer in Europe. I'm all for introducing more accurate unit representations to give the game more relevance, just like your Flags and message/choice Mods above.

I'm hoping to find some similar flexibility with the SC3 icons. I see several slots for the HQ units icons and I'm hoping they can be utilized. At first glance, the unit icons appear to be hard-coded in the Editor and not something you can specify.
May be the Developers can weigh in on this?

Thanks for confirming that Gimp is a good choice to edit with and I'll post some samples when I put something together.
It will be a lot of work. Winter is coming for us in the North, so I expect to find some time soon.

Cheers,

Angus



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