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[ENG] Modding Tool Collection
14 Oct 2015 01:43 #75613
by Locutus
About:
To open the textures that are used in the game you need a special program.
You can either use plugins (scroll down) or a completely independet program which is introduced here.
DXTBmp is a very small and simple-to-use program that enables you to open, view and edit TGA and DDS files.
Features:
- Program building on the knowledge gained with Bmp2000 and specialised for the 16 bit versions of the Extended Bitmap.
- Supports 565, 555-1, 444-4 and DXT (CFS2/FS2002) formats for loading and saving.
- Now also supports DDS (CFS3). Images can be passed to any Paint program for editing in 24 bit and then re-imported and saved in any of the 16/24/32 bit formats.
- Transparency (Alpha) channel of textures can be viewed and edited separately from the main image
Alternatively you can use plugins for other graphic editing programs, scroll down to view them.
Download:
DXTBmp 4.00.96 for 32-bit Windows XP/Vista/7/8 (984 kB)
Languages: English
Installation:
Run the installer and you're done.
Changelog:
Plugins:
Thumbnail Plugins:
- These plugins allow you view DDS and TGA images directly in the Windows Explorer: Download
Program Plugins:
- NVidia DDS Plugin for Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro (also allows normal map creation): Download (32 bit) | Download (64 bit)
- DDS plugin for Gimp: Download
Using the NVidia DDS Plugin:
It is actually quite easy to save your images in the DDS format, despite the overwhelming number of options in the Save dialog. Lets open up an image that we want to save as a DDS. Open your own, or use the image Lord of Gifts has provided . To cover everything in this one tutorial, this image also uses an alpha channel, represented by red in the right image.
Note that the length and width are both powers of two. Your image must also have these dimensions as well, or you cannot save in the DDS format.
Save your image. (File -> Save As...) Name your image and select DDS (*.DDS) from the Format: dropdown list. Click Save and you will be taken to the NVIDIA dds format dialog. If you recieve a 'Unsupported input format' error, Flatten the image and try again. (Layer -> Flatten Image) I'll go over what you need to change in this dialog.
Save Format:
Select Explicit Alpha (DXT 3) if your image uses alpha channels. Otherwise, you want to select No Alpha (DXT 1).
MIP maps:
MIP maps aren't neccesary, but I would recommend selecting Generate MIP maps. If you are editing an image that already has MIP maps, select Use Existing MIP maps. If you are creating a decal or icon of some sort, select No MIP maps.
Other:
If it isn't already selected be sure that 2D Texture is selected. You can't save if it isn't.
Click the save button and thats it.
Replied by Locutus on topic [ENG] Modding Tool Collection
DDS/TGA Editor
About:
To open the textures that are used in the game you need a special program.
You can either use plugins (scroll down) or a completely independet program which is introduced here.
DXTBmp is a very small and simple-to-use program that enables you to open, view and edit TGA and DDS files.
Features:
- Program building on the knowledge gained with Bmp2000 and specialised for the 16 bit versions of the Extended Bitmap.
- Supports 565, 555-1, 444-4 and DXT (CFS2/FS2002) formats for loading and saving.
- Now also supports DDS (CFS3). Images can be passed to any Paint program for editing in 24 bit and then re-imported and saved in any of the 16/24/32 bit formats.
- Transparency (Alpha) channel of textures can be viewed and edited separately from the main image
Alternatively you can use plugins for other graphic editing programs, scroll down to view them.
Download:
DXTBmp 4.00.96 for 32-bit Windows XP/Vista/7/8 (984 kB)
Languages: English
Installation:
Run the installer and you're done.
Changelog:
| Version | Changed Content | Date |
|---|---|---|
| v4.00.96: | Many updates. Now supports reading of RailSimulator TGPCDX textures, Creative Assembly textures (Medieval 2 Total war etc) and Infinity Ward Image (Call of Duty etc). Also supports writing of Creative Assembly textures and Infinity Ward Image (IWI) | (10/03/09) |
| v4.00.95: | Many updates and fixes. Fix for DDS without mips problem in FSX, additional formats. Now fully Vista compatible | (07/08/08) |
| v4.00.79: | Some minor bugfixes | (21/05/04) |
| v4.00.77: | new nVidia code...working. Total reorganisation of layout, drag`n`drop, commandline, loads... | (21/04/04) |
| v4.00.74: | Reversion back to earlier format because of problems found with XP and DDS using the latest nVidia code. | (03/04/04) |
| v4.00.72: | Major enhancements and increased format support. | (23/03/04) |
| v4.00.71: | Catching up after not updating this page for an age. Minor fix to DXT1A unmipped save | (15/03/04) |
| v4.00.60: | Final cure for the DXT1 with Alpha bug | (05/01/03) |
| v4.00.58: | Add new non-nVidia fallback save for DDS DXT1 | (28/12/02) |
| v4.00.55: | Increased DDS support. Added prefs option to choose a different drive for temp files (for users without a C: drive...) | (15/10/02) |
| v4.00.49: | Added option to temporarily switch off the creation of Mipmaps. | (23/05/02) |
| v4.00.46: | Modified "old code" DXT1 Alpha save so Alpha channel used instead of "pure green". Transparency preview | (08/12/01) |
| v4.00.45: | Now loads DXT3 complete with Alpha | (01/12/01) |
| v4.00.44: | Restored the old DXT1 Alpha save code as an option (for images that fall foul of the nVidia Bug) | (28/11/01) |
| v4.00.43: | Updated ACE DXT support | (06/10/01) |
| v4.00.42: | Added new options to Export DDS and ACE (MS Trainsim) images | (21/09/01) |
| v4.00.37: | Added support for 32 bit Extended Textures. Also fixed a bug in Targa32 Save | (21/07/01) |
| v4.00.36: | New codec provides for saving all formats via the nVidia lib (including DXT1a). Install includes mwgfx.dll and mwdds.dll | (20/07/01) |
| v4.00.35: | Preview now views all mips | (01/07/01) |
| v4.00.33: | New Buttons. Preview of save formats. Self Installer. Start menu shortcuts | (23/06/01) |
| v4.00.32: | Bugfix to correct the "Black texture" problem when loading Normal images | (19/06/01) |
| v4.00.31: | Incorporate nVidia codec into support dll so nvDXT is no longer needed | (18/06/01) |
| v4.00.30: | Added Flip option - Requires the latest mwgfx.dll | (17/06/01) |
| v4.00.28: | Interface changes. greater nvDXT integration. Export Targa | (10/06/01) |
| v4.00.25: | nVidia nvDXT integration | (25/05/01) |
| v4.00.24: | Changes, tidyup, updated Help | (19/05/01) |
| v4.00.21: | Slight Bugfix | (27/01/01) |
| v4.00.20 : | Added "Save DXT (Imagetool)" | (23/01/01) |
| v4.00.18: | Added ImageTool Mip Option | (23/12/00) |
| v4.00.17: | BUGFIX for Opaque+Alpha Write | (10/12/00) |
| v4.00.15: | BUGFIX for Opaque+Alpha read | (28/11/00) |
| v4.00.14: | Added Create Alpha Channel | (11/11/00) |
| v4.00.12: | BUGFIX for error in 444-4 save | (09/11/00) |
| v4.00.11: | BUGFIX for error in 565 save | (31/10/00 ) |
Plugins:
Thumbnail Plugins:
- These plugins allow you view DDS and TGA images directly in the Windows Explorer: Download
Program Plugins:
- NVidia DDS Plugin for Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro (also allows normal map creation): Download (32 bit) | Download (64 bit)
- DDS plugin for Gimp: Download
Using the NVidia DDS Plugin:
It is actually quite easy to save your images in the DDS format, despite the overwhelming number of options in the Save dialog. Lets open up an image that we want to save as a DDS. Open your own, or use the image Lord of Gifts has provided . To cover everything in this one tutorial, this image also uses an alpha channel, represented by red in the right image.
Note that the length and width are both powers of two. Your image must also have these dimensions as well, or you cannot save in the DDS format.
Save your image. (File -> Save As...) Name your image and select DDS (*.DDS) from the Format: dropdown list. Click Save and you will be taken to the NVIDIA dds format dialog. If you recieve a 'Unsupported input format' error, Flatten the image and try again. (Layer -> Flatten Image) I'll go over what you need to change in this dialog.
Save Format:
Select Explicit Alpha (DXT 3) if your image uses alpha channels. Otherwise, you want to select No Alpha (DXT 1).
MIP maps:
MIP maps aren't neccesary, but I would recommend selecting Generate MIP maps. If you are editing an image that already has MIP maps, select Use Existing MIP maps. If you are creating a decal or icon of some sort, select No MIP maps.
Other:
If it isn't already selected be sure that 2D Texture is selected. You can't save if it isn't.
Click the save button and thats it.
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14 Oct 2015 01:53 #75616
by Locutus
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:
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.
Replied by Locutus on topic [ENG] Modding Tool Collection
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.
Please Log in to join the conversation.
14 Oct 2015 02:11 #75621
by Locutus
About:
This tool helps you to calculate the plantes positions for Galactic Conquest easily.
It's for EaW only, for FoC you can use a picture as reference (scroll down).
Download:
Planet Position Plotter 1.0 for 32-bit Windows XP/Vista (193 kB)
Languages: English
Installation:
To run, just unzip the archive to a location of your choice and run the exe.
Important Notes:
- Make sure you run higher than 1024x768 resolution. There have been some known issues with resolutions this low.
- There is a bug with the count being off by one.
- This does NOT support FoC at the moment.
Usage:
Ok, this is real simple. Open up PPP.exe and place your mouse cursor in the galaxy. Move the crosshairs to a location you want a planet to be and double click. Your Location will be placed into the X and Y Location boxes on the right.
Now, there a few things to remember. You dont need the decimals so you may drop them. Also the program is a beta so as it is right now the numbers for top and botom are inverted. Meaning that the top is supposed to be + and the bottom is supposed to be negative (-).Its inverted at the moment. I'll work on that for version 2. Left and right are fine. Its just top and bottom. So any Y position that has a (-) should be a postive and vice versa.
Now... when you edit the Planets.xml youll notice 3 sets of numbers for the "Galactic Coordinates" field. These are X,Y,Z. X and Y are all you need. Z by default is 10 and that is the tilt of the planet. You don't need to mess with this.
Planet Placement Tool for FoC:
This image prepared by _237th_SC_Com_Bly can also help you plot your galaxy:
Every line left/right/up/down is 20 starting at -300 and ending at 300
Blue cross is the middle of the galaxy = 00, 00
Green lines are for the down-up coordinates
White lines are for the left-right coordinates
You can download this as a word file here: Download
Replied by Locutus on topic [ENG] Modding Tool Collection
Planet Position Plotter
About:
This tool helps you to calculate the plantes positions for Galactic Conquest easily.
It's for EaW only, for FoC you can use a picture as reference (scroll down).
Download:
Planet Position Plotter 1.0 for 32-bit Windows XP/Vista (193 kB)
Languages: English
Installation:
To run, just unzip the archive to a location of your choice and run the exe.
Important Notes:
- Make sure you run higher than 1024x768 resolution. There have been some known issues with resolutions this low.
- There is a bug with the count being off by one.
- This does NOT support FoC at the moment.
Usage:
Ok, this is real simple. Open up PPP.exe and place your mouse cursor in the galaxy. Move the crosshairs to a location you want a planet to be and double click. Your Location will be placed into the X and Y Location boxes on the right.
Now, there a few things to remember. You dont need the decimals so you may drop them. Also the program is a beta so as it is right now the numbers for top and botom are inverted. Meaning that the top is supposed to be + and the bottom is supposed to be negative (-).Its inverted at the moment. I'll work on that for version 2. Left and right are fine. Its just top and bottom. So any Y position that has a (-) should be a postive and vice versa.
Now... when you edit the Planets.xml youll notice 3 sets of numbers for the "Galactic Coordinates" field. These are X,Y,Z. X and Y are all you need. Z by default is 10 and that is the tilt of the planet. You don't need to mess with this.
Planet Placement Tool for FoC:
This image prepared by _237th_SC_Com_Bly can also help you plot your galaxy:
Every line left/right/up/down is 20 starting at -300 and ending at 300
Blue cross is the middle of the galaxy = 00, 00
Green lines are for the down-up coordinates
White lines are for the left-right coordinates
You can download this as a word file here: Download
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