Map Preview Extractor
About:
The Map Preview Extractor lets you extract the 256x256 Map Preview Image stored in maps made by Petroglyph's Forces of Corruption Map Editor and save it as a TGA file.
This tool will make it possible to create fully functional Base Layouts in Galactic Conquest maps in Empire at War: Forces of Corruption. By removing the preview image from the map, the markers are enabled on the Base Layout screen in the game.
Note that the extracted preview image can be used as background for the Base Layout: resize the extracted image to 512x512 and save it in the Textures directory as a DX3 DDS file, with the same filename as the map.
Alternatively, you can use the Map Preview Creator which helps you generate Preview Picturues for EaW Maps, but this won't enable the Base Layouts (scrool down).
Download:
Map Preview Extractor 1.0
for 32-bit Windows XP/Vista (35 kB)
Languages: English, German
Installation:
To run, just unzip the archive to a location of your choice and start MapPreviewExtractor.exe.
Usage:
Use the "Browse" button to select a Map file where you want to extract the preview from. You can also drag a map file onto the application window or executable. Then hit "Extract Preview" and select a location to save the TGA file to.
Important: After extracting, the preview image is REMOVED from the original map file.
Changelog:
Version | Changed Content | Date |
1.0: | Initial release. | (2008/07/12) |
Alterantive: Map Preview Creator
About:
EAW Map Preview Generator allows you to create previews of your custom made maps by taking a screenshot of them in the editor. They will then appear on the loading screen of your map. Some of EAW MPG's features are:
- automated window detection and control
- dedicated image processing algorithms
- shortcuts to all your EAW/FOC games/editors
- quick image conversion from .bmp to .dds
Download:
Map Preview Generator 1.0
for 32-bit Windows XP/Vista/7 (675 kB)
Languages: English
Installation:
Extract eaw_mpg_by_soong101.zip in any directory you like to. You can use your EAW installation directory, but you don´t have to.
Before starting eawmpg.exe the first time, install
Nvidia DDS Utilities
- in any preferred directory. As with EAW MPG, there are no restrictions.
On first startup, EAW MPG will scan your disk for available installations. Please check the "Paths" panel to make sure EAW MPG has found all installation. If not, you can manually set the paths. Do that by selecting the installation´s .exe file in the file browser that pops up (e.g. sweaw.exe for the main game). You won´t have to do this on every start since EAW MPG saves your settings persistently.
If you install an editor or DDS Utilities after the initial start, you can always update EAW MPG by using Tools > Scan for installations or by manually entering them on the "Paths" panel.
Usage:
Capture image from editor
1. Check your settings
Before starting the capturing process, please check the following settings:
-Fix perspective:
Select this if you want the image to be transformed in order to make it look "top-down". Since the camera cannot be placed perpendicular to the ground, EAW MPG includes a dedicated transformation algorithm that fixes that issue.
Uncheck that option if you don´t want the perspective to be changed. That can be suited for space maps, where objects are the only "perspective affected" things and may look awkward when strechted.
-Delay (ms)
Since EAW MPG needs to switch to the editor before the capturing frame can be attached to it, the editor window has to be "reactivated" first (actually it´s drawn to the screen). Depending on current CPU/RAM load, this may take a while - we´re talking about milliseconds in normal cases (if your editor needs several seconds before it´s redrawn to the screen, close some applications to decrease CPU and RAM load). A value of ca. 300 ms suits in most cases; increase it if EAW MPG is too fast and triggers too early.
Values between 50 and 3000 are accepted.
2. Hit it!
Now that you have made your settings, hit "Start". The editor window will be brought to the front and EAW MPG attaches to it, drawing a lime colored frame around an area of the editor view frame.
You still have the choice if you want to have perspective fixed or not. Depending thereon, the lime frame will include a dashed trapezoid - that is the area you will see on the quadratic preview later - or not.
Press [CTRL]+[D] to position the camera in "map overview" mode. If you want to, press [CTRL]+[H] to hide objects. Most of the original map previews don´t show objects either. Plus, it will decrease CPU load.
Now place the map´s playable are — i.e. the yellow frame — inside the lime colored frame (or the dashed trapezoid, if the perspective is to be fixed). Do that by zooming and scrolling — do NOT change the perspective. In most cases, centering it horizontally and vertically is best, but actually there are no restrictions. What is inside the lime colored frame (or the dashed trapezoid...) will be captured. Note that a quadratic map fits exactly inside the dashed trapezoid — for natural reasons.
Tip: After positioning the camera (or before), switch to object mode (button 'Objects'). That will hide the magenta circle around the cursor which only appears in texture mode.
Tip: If your map contains wide, flat, equally textured areas cloud shadows may look disturbing. By changing the cloud texture under Nature > Cloud texture to "w_clouds01" they look a bit less flashy.
3. Hit it! (again)
If you´re done, press "Capture" to finish the process. EAW MPG will automatically capture, process, and save the preview for you.
Load image from file
1. Check your settings
Before starting the capturing process, please check the following settings:
- Select mode
Since EAW MPG cannot tell from a BMP file whether the map is for EAW or FOC, you need to specify that by selecting either EAW or FOC. Depending on the available installations, one option can be grayed out (i.e. unselectable).
2. Hit it!
Click "Start" if you´re ready. You will be prompted for a BMP file. Note that only 256x256 Pixel images are accepted. Make sure you have named the file exactly like your .ted file (e.g. myfirsttry.ted => myfirsttry.bmp). Also, there is no option to edit the picture in any way. If you press "Open", the file will be loaded, converted and stored.