Rome GFX modding questions

[unmerged(42723)]

I'm trying to get into modding Rome's gfx, but since until now I only knew the 2d line of P'dox games (EU2, DD, CK etc) it seems quite a challenge.

So far I got a DDS tool that allows me to convert the DDS files back and forth into easier editable image formats and from there into .dds again. This seems to be pretty much all I need to mod those gfx which only consist of DDS.

However, then there are 3d gfx, like units. Their textures are DDS too, but what are the 3d objects? I read EU III uses directX .X-files, and my 3d software can output them (though I never tested it, and so dunno if it works) but under "EU Rome\gfx\anims" files I see ending with .XSM or .XAC. Is this just a variant of the .X Format, and does anybody know how to create them?

Also, unit's skins come in DDS, but in three different files, for example those:


The "diffuse" one seems just a pic converted into DDS, but how exactly does one get to the others, I mean I need to understand what they are for, and how to get the same effects.

Then I don't know what exactly is possible to mod. For example, can I make a special skin only for Macedon units by copying the greek gfx, renaming them, and edit the skins? How would I implement those changes in the game, so that Macedonia uses those new gfx instead the standard Greek ones?

Are there maybe tutorials about gfx modding from the EU III guys? I saw a poster called Merlin did a lot with unit gfx, but I can't post in the EU III mod area, since I don't own the game and so can't register....

In short, any help and info about modding gfx would be much appreciated here....

 

[Sute]{h]

I'm afraid I not to much help when it comes to gfx modding, but I really hope you crack this thing. I could sure use units with different gfx for my exalted mod.

 

[unmerged(42723)]

My what a nightmare, tried out lots of things, and nearly nothing worked. The only gfx which are pretty easy to mod are pure DDS or TGA gfx, which are mostly used for interface elements like menus, buttons or loading screens, and for other stuff like flags etc. So far modding in completely new unit skins or even the 3d objects themselves seems out of reach.

I tried to define another culture (Macedonian, separate from Hellenic) using its own GFX style, but what I did just caused the game to crash. So either I just did it the wrong way or it simply doesn't work at all. Would be nice if someone from P'dox could tell us what exactly is moddable and what not.

 

[Sute]{h]

First of don't try this in a moddir. Not all files load correctly from the moddir (map textures doesn't).

Secondly adding new culture groups can crash the game, if you don't add the correct localisation details. My advice would be to backup one of the existing cultures and start with trying to substitute it with your files. That way you only have one thing that could cause the problem. Adjusting a lot of different things at once makes error pinpointing a hell.

Finally:

 

[Hardradi]

I am pretty sure I successfully modded the "diffuse" file some time ago. I modded the carthaginian shield so that the carthaginian symbol diappeared, I dont think the 3D bump even showed through.

When the game was first released I am pretty sure someone was modding the Celts figures but the thread has now dropped out, no longer to be seen.

 

[unmerged(42723)]

Yes, modding the diffusemaps as such is ok, and shows up in game, quick test:


But it shows also the current limitations - I can change existing units, but (so far) not add more variety. When I change the GFX for the Gallic warrior, everyone in Gaul gets those changes, like in the pic above, since they all use the same GFX style. I'd like to find a way where I can mod in more different looks for specific countries, like I could (theoretically) give any nation in EU (II I mean, dunno about EU III) or HOI own sprites...

Sute]{h: Yeah you're right, I was just a little frustrated. I'll look into it again at the weekend, hopefully finding out more....

 

[Sute]{h]

I have a thought on why it crashes. If you make new culture gfx you properly have to make sure that EVERY file related to those gfx exist. That means character protrait gfx, city gfx and so on have to be in place, though you could simply copy and rename one of the existing gfx set.

Also you have to add the gfx set to the graphicalculturetypes.txt in the common folder.

 

[unmerged(42723)]

Yeah, I discovered a lot of references to cultures, culturetypes and gfxstyle in other files I missed to include when I did my first modding steps. That is probably the reason for the crashs, so I'll try it again. I didn't make much progress in modding the gfx themselves so far, except I did some flags, but that is rather easy.

Still, here's a preview, if anyone wants them I can upload them once I'm done with them:

 

[Descartes]

Looks good, I really like the one with the red horse

 

[unmerged(42723)]

Thx

The one with the red horsehead is for Carthage, since they had horseheads a lot on coins etc.

 

[joriandrake]

But it shows also the current limitations - I can change existing units, but (so far) not add more variety. When I change the GFX for the Gallic warrior, everyone in Gaul gets those changes, like in the pic above, since they all use the same GFX style. I'd like to find a way where I can mod in more different looks for specific countries

you can create gaul1, gaul2, gaul3, ect. gfx-es and then use the ones for specific nations, thus you can have a spartangfx just for sparta


nice work on rome bebro, as usually

 

[unmerged(42723)]

Well, that would be cool. Thanks for that hint

 

[Descartes]

Thx

The one with the red horsehead is for Carthage, since they had horseheads a lot on coins etc.

That's good! Carthage needs an animal of their own when they battle the Roman eagle, not just a geometrical figure.

 

[joriandrake]

Well, that would be cool. Thanks for that hint

btw, look at this one:

http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8448562&postcount=39

Modestus made a great work with that wreath, but it was not finalized, do you think you could create your own variant for the wreath?


And my other problem is to have round shields at the bottom of the screen instead of a flag, similar to this (but round)

http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/showpost.php?p=9244876&postcount=2

so that a flag could actually look something like this:

http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8345730&postcount=4


any chance you might be able to make these?


edit:

currently this here is my Carthagian flag I use atm

The black goes nicely together wit the green nation color

 

[unmerged(42723)]

btw, look at this one:

http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8448562&postcount=39

Modestus made a great work with that wreath, but it was not finalized, do you think you could create your own variant for the wreath?

Well, what do you mean not finalized, IMO it (I mean the Roman flag) looks good as it is? What needs to be done?

And my other problem is to have round shields at the bottom of the screen instead of a flag, similar to this (but round)

http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/showpost.php?p=9244876&postcount=2

Didn't look into changing the shape yet, but could be it can be changed by chaing the "minishield" and minimask" DDS files in gfx/interface? Probably Descartes knows about it. The prob is a round shape will look good on some symbols, but not on all. For example having the Roman banner as a round symbol wouldn't be so great IMO.

As for those shield symbols, I have seen them as well while searching the web for ancient symbols, plus found a couple of other images depicting symbols for a variety of ancient countries, so several of my flags will be looking similar.

 

[joriandrake]

Well, what do you mean not finalized, IMO it (I mean the Roman flag) looks good as it is? What needs to be done?

sorry that I wasn't clear, i meant the capitol wreath

Didn't look into changing the shape yet, but could be it can be changed by chaing the "minishield" and minimask" DDS files in gfx/interface? Probably Descartes knows about it.

I don't mind to add more names to my credits list

As for those shield symbols, I have seen them as well while searching the web for ancient symbols, plus found a couple of other images depicting symbols for a variety of ancient countries, so several of my flags will be looking similar.

yeah, but I suggest to not use a fully "enclosed" symbol if you don't change the "CoA" template, only use two lines vertically or horizontally to enrich the flag (I tel you this because the seleuc flag of yours)

 

[Sute]{h]

Still, here's a preview, if anyone wants them I can upload them once I'm done with them

I love them. Do please upload. Do you take requests on flags? I'm going to need a few for which I don't have any picture to base them on, and my artistic skills suck.

 

[joriandrake]

there is somewhere a thread made by me for costum flags, use that one, atleast it doesn't get lost

 

[unmerged(42723)]

sorry that I wasn't clear, i meant the capitol wreath

Ahh, didn't notice it at all previously...I might give it a try, but it will take a while, next week I'll be busy in RL.

Do please upload. Do you take requests on flags? I'm going to need a few for which I don't have any picture to base them on, and my artistic skills suck.

Well, depends, what kind of request are we speaking about here? Hopefully not full sets with 100s of flags....

 

[Sute]{h]

Well, depends, what kind of request are we speaking about here? Hopefully not full sets with 100s of flags....

Nah... only 99. Seriously though I don't really know how many I'm going to need. But up until now I've either found flags or made simple ones myself for about 2/3 of the countries. But how about I just start by requesting two flags? I don't want to be a major bother.

One is for a germanic tribal nation. It should depict the head of a white bull with gold horns. Perhaps with a sun between the horns, but that isn't a requirement. The revolter flag could feature a black bull with bloodied horns, or perhaps a decapitated bull head.

The other is for a civilized nation. It should be a yellow flag with a red leaved deciduous tree as the main decoration. It could have top and bottom borders with a pattern of scarlet tulip flowers. The revolter flag for this one should simply be in a different background color. The tree and flowers should remain red.