A note for Hawaii_Five, as well as any other modders who this might apply to.

from Stardock Forums

Hey again, Bill. :) Well, the GalCiv Writer is working great, and I see that my mods finally reached the library, but I remember reading from some other posts in the forum that some pictures were turning out messed up in-game, due to some 8-bit or 16-bit picture problem, and I noticed that was happening with my pictures.

Now, I know there is some program on the internet that can be downloaded to solve this problem, but for some reason the website is denying me permission to download it, and it says it costs $20 to buy that program. I don't think spending $20 to tweak some free mods is all too justified.

I DO have, however, Jasc Paint Shop Pro 7 on my computer, and it allows me to crop and resize photos, as well as switch to .jps, .gifs, and .psx (I think that's what it is, I know it's the one that the GalCiv Writer and the GalCiv game use for pics) from whatever the picture currently is, or was.

I'm assuming there is a way to solve the 8-bit/16-bit problem using Paint Shop Pro, since it's a $70 program, compared to the downloadable $20 program.

I was wondering if you knew anything about using Paint Shop Pro to switch between the 8-bit jpgs and pcxs to the 16-bit jpgs and pcxs, and if you'd be able to e-mail or call me regarding this?

My email again is, [email protected] or [email protected] .

I believe you already know my cell phone number. :D

Cell phones on!

I'll be back at my grandma's on Sunday, July 13th, so if I can get the picture problem solved by then, I'll update my mods and re-submit them to the library.

Thanks again for your help. It's much appreciated. :)

--Ryan (Schrademan)
1,931 views 8 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Oh, and as a p.s. note, until I can get the pictures corrected in my mods, I'll just use one of the pictures that came with the GalCiv game in my mods.

I'll still be looking for and collecting pictures for my mods, they just won't be included until they can be changed to the correct bit mode.

OR, if anyone out there would like to help out, you can also send me a correct .jpg and .pcx picture for my mods and I'll include it in a readme in my updated mods, or if it's a new picture for a mod I haven't made or finished yet, I'll include it in a readme in my first finished version of that mod before I submit it for the first time.

Thanks again for any help anyone is willing to offer me, in advance. :)
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
Try here and see if it helps. If not post there. There are dozens of modders there that would love to help you.
http://www.cdgroup.org/forums/tbs/gc/viewtopic.php?t=210
Sins of a Solar Empire II
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
It can be any picuture, but then you must change it to 640x360 and change the file to .pcx 8-bit (256 colors).
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
Unfortunately, I don't have any experience with Paint Shop Pro, so I don't know how much help I can be.

When you load the pcx up, is there a file menu option for Save As?

If so, are one of your choices 8 Bit color (AKA 256 Colors, AKA Palette)?

Perhaps there's an Options button, or an Advanced button that might hide these settings?

I'm just throwing ideas out, sorry I can't be of more help.

~SDC~
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
http://www.radgametools.com/bnkdown.htm

i just went to rad game tools and the download worked ok for me. (click on the The RAD Video Tools)

is this the one you tried to dl?
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
To transform an image into a 256 colors pcx with the latest version of JASC :

Image->Decrease Color Depth->256 colors (8 bit)

Now you just save it as a pcx and it should work.
Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top
Thanks for all the help everyone! I'll jot this stuff down and give it all a go.

On a side note, I now have ten mods ready to be tweaked and submitted come July 13. :)

Here's what you all can expect:

1. Controversial Books
2. Famine
3. General Washburn
4. Historical Site
5. Mafia
6. Legendary Mercenary
7. Open Revolt
8. Drengin Holy War
9. Workers' Strike
10. Smog

Hope you all enjoyed the other five I submitted on June 11th!
Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top
I'm guessing Dark Rain's instructions will do the trick, but just in case it doesn't, in responce to russel's reply, I think that is the one I tried dling.

I'll try it again though to make sure.