Server Help :: View topic - graphics, sound....etc

Server Help

LVZ/LVL Questions - graphics, sound....etc

Anonymous - Mon Aug 04, 2003 4:59 pm
Post subject: graphics, sound....etc

I would like to use different grpahics and sounds on my zone...how can i put them up there (easiest explanation if possible, remeber i am a newb

) i have the lvz thingy....but i have no idea how to use it...

SuSE - Mon Aug 04, 2003 6:50 pm
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if you just want to replace graphics and sounds that the game already uses... (instead of adding extra ones)

it's not so hard

basically, the game uses all the images (graphics) from your Continuum\graphics folder (eg C:\program files\continuum\graphics) and all the audio (sounds) from your Continuum\sound folder (eg C:\program files\continuum\sound)

so those are the files that you can replace

[with the exception of radarh.bm2 and radarv.bm2 which are no longer used]

ie - the files in those two folders are, essentially, your list of files you can replace

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you say you have lvztoolkit.zip, great

you need to unzip it (I know

duh) - a convenient place is Continuum\lvztoolkit (heh)

then what you want to do is pop open notepad or wordpad

now, for any of the files in either of the aforementioned folders, you just type into notepad/wordpad something like this...

Quote:

outfile=whatever.lvz

file=filename.xxx

after you type this in, save it as whatever.ini

that is it

you can add just about as many "file=" entries as you like
for example...

Quote:

outfile=whatever.lvz

file=prizes.bmp
file=bong26.wav
file=ships.bmp

now, obviously you need to be aware of some other things

first off, you can change "whatever" to whatever you want - it is a good idea to use what you put for outfile= as the name of the .ini, though, for organization's sake

you can replace "filename.xxx" with the name and extension of any file found in the two aforementioned folders (examples -> prizes.bm2, bong26.wa2)

now...everything says .bm2 instead of just .bmp and .wa2 instead of just .wav (.bmp being the image format 'bitmap' and .wav being the sound format 'wave') BUT...the "2" is entirely unnecessary, trust me

just use .wav for the sound files and .bmp for the image files OR you can save space and use .jpg, .gif or .png for image files - it makes no difference

fyi - you cannot just change a .bmp (or .bm2) to .jpg, .gif or .png, you must open it in an appropriate imaging editor (adobe photoshop, mspaint, photo suite) and SAVE the image in the format

[if you do not see file extensions (ie you just see "prizes" instead of "prizes.bm2") then post again and it will be explained how you can)]

important - all your files (.bmp's, .wav's, .gif's, .jpg's, .png's) need to end up in the same directory as the .ini file you created

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to change the files of course you just open them up in an imaging editor, change them and save them to the directory of the .ini file

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once all that's done, run buildlevel.exe - when it opens up a browse dialog, find and select your .ini

this should create a .lvz file of the name specified in outfile= in the same directory [if it doesn't, something is amiss - post about it]

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so, now you have a .lvz file, but you still need to get it up in your zone

you first need to upload it - use one of the following methods:

[1] you have access to the server (either by ftp or the server itself is on a computer you have access to) - just put the .lvz file into the "server" folder (the folder with the subgame2.exe and subbill.exe)

[2] you are a sysop, but do not have access to the server directory - you can either:

(a) use "*getfile name.cfg" - open .cfg in notepad/wordpad - alter (or add) the setting "misc:levelfiles=" (that's "levelfiles=" in the [misc] section) so that it says "misc:levelfiles=whatever.lvz" (with your name in place of "whatever", of course) - save your changes and then use "*putfile name.cfg" to get the .cfg back up on the server

** note ** "server.cfg" is used for public arenas - often subarenas use .cfg's named after them (ie - the arena "shwing" would use the .cfg "shwing.cfg") - but this is not always the case - change "arenamode=" to "arenamode=5" in your server.ini (section [Custom] to ensure this (some arenas may still be using odd filenames, though, always check)

(b) you are sysop - go into the arena you'd like the new images/audio to be used in, hit "ESC", then "C" - the settings will open - find "misc:levelfiles=" and add the name as instructed in option (a) - if you cannot find it, you MUST use option (a)

[3] you are not a sysop - get a sysop to do it for you using options [2](a) or [2](b)

-------

that's it - once you enter (or re-enter) the arena whose .cfg file (settings) you've been messing with, you should download and then see/hear your file replacements

-------

with the lvztoolkit.zip, you can also ADD custom images/audio (that is, audio and images with filenames that the game does not already have/use/recognize) in different ways - post again if you would like to learn the specifics on how to do this

SuSE - Mon Aug 04, 2003 9:17 pm
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additional things...

4 MBs maximum .lvz files size

put a "+" before the name (eg - "misc:levelfiles=+blah.lvz) for it to be an optional download [as configured in View>Options>Other - 'use optional level graphics and sounds'

can have different .lvz's for different types (like one for sound, one for graphics...or even 5 for graphics if you like)

don't want to make .lvz filenames too long

Anonymous - Mon Aug 04, 2003 11:04 pm
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why is it that akai is usually the one helping me...lol...and i will get to work on those things u said, thank you once again akai

FudLe Pucker - Tue Aug 05, 2003 1:00 am
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whats ur zone, shorts?

Anonymous - Tue Aug 05, 2003 12:47 pm
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i choose to not disclose that information until the time is ready.....cause i am still working on map and graphics, ships, sounds...but if u really want to know...e-mail me at Shortguy720@aol.com

ShortyMatt - Wed Aug 06, 2003 12:09 pm
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Akai wrote:

put a "+" before the name (eg - "misc:levelfiles=+blah.lvz) for it to be an optional download [as configured in View>Options>Other - 'use optional level graphics and sounds'

so when u mean "+" that is like an extra sound, etc. that the game does not nesscessairly need...right?

SuSE - Wed Aug 06, 2003 6:00 pm
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without the "+" before the filename in the list, all players (using Continuum, that is) are forced to download those files

WITH the "+" before, they have the option to not download those files IF they have View>Options>Other - 'use optional level graphics and sounds' UNchecked (I think it is UNchecked by default, don't exactly remember)

[VIE clients (ie - Subspace, not Continuum) does not use .lvz, so (if you allow VIE clients in your zone) they do not download .lvz files regardless of "+" or not before]

ShortyMatt - Wed Aug 06, 2003 8:56 pm
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so....if i want people to download those new files...i put a + in front...ok i got it

thx

SuSE - Wed Aug 06, 2003 10:09 pm
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no, if you want them to download the new files, you add them to the misc:levelfiles= list

if you want them to be able to download them, but HAVE A CHOICE on whether or not to download them, use the "+"

ShortyMatt - Thu Aug 07, 2003 5:15 pm
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ShortyMatt - Wed Aug 27, 2003 4:59 pm
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so...this post is born!!! which type of file...jpg...png...saves the most space ? i tink png

SuSE - Wed Aug 27, 2003 8:37 pm
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Mine said png once I think, so probably png

png also is just hip man $

besides, the really low filesize jpg's look like tripe

Anonymous - Wed Aug 27, 2003 9:16 pm
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cloud somone help me on how to make a zone plez

Anonymous - Wed Aug 27, 2003 9:17 pm
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could som one plez help me on how to make a zone plezzzzzzzzzz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cyan~Fire - Wed Aug 27, 2003 10:38 pm
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Please don't tell me that was the same person.
http://www.shanky.com/server/howto-zone/index.html

Make a new post next time.

ShortyMatt - Thu Aug 28, 2003 3:45 pm
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i do hope not...lol...so png it is then...now to get that software to get tings to png...do ya tink paint shop pro 7 could do it...i think it can...i just open it and save as...right?

SuSE - Thu Aug 28, 2003 3:52 pm
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probably

Smong - Thu Aug 28, 2003 3:53 pm
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You can try fiddling with the reduce to 256 colors (8bit) settings to save even more space (in PSP7).

ShortyMatt - Wed Sep 03, 2003 11:02 pm
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now why would i do that? i do not want the newbs to get in that easily lol P

CypherJF - Wed Sep 03, 2003 11:13 pm
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OMG! I agree. Reducing # of colors will help the file size, PNG is prob the best format , MGB had a bunch of links and resources that prooved this...

- cyp

RAYfighter - Thu Sep 04, 2003 7:49 am
Post subject: PNG vs JPG

I guess that JPG is much more advanced format if we talk about picture quality vs filesize, and for example Adobe Photoshop is believed to get the best from JPG capabilities. I doubt that if the Internet abandoned PNG format completely for JPGs, it is the best solution for LVZs.
Certainly there are situations where one could use GIF or PNG - especially for large low-color areas with tiny sharp details (for example animated text banners), but if you think of any rich full-color pictures, I would definetly prefer JPG.

Here I would like to ask some kinda off-topic question: since Cont client runs in 8-bit mode by default (and in its fixed 256-colour palette), does it really make any sense to use 24-bit graphics?
And if I wanna offer true-color eyecandy for player (which GFX man doesn't

, how to instruct visitors of the arena to use 24-bit mode? Can the client run in 24-bit mode other way than just windowed?

SuSE - Thu Sep 04, 2003 10:49 am
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View>Options>Graphics - Color Depth

for older computers (or those with little video support) anything but 8-bit will cause hellish frame lag

if you want people to know that your zone/arena supports 24-bit color, just put it in the greeting message (or periodic message)

eg. "Welcome to (insert zone/arena name)! Enable 24-bit mode (View>Options>Graphics - Color Depth) to experience the best color possible!

Smong - Thu Sep 04, 2003 2:35 pm
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I think the fixed palette in 8bit mode may only apply to the tileset, I'm not sure. (Hmm, several different 8bit palettes must mean the screen is at something higher than 256 colours).

Cyan~Fire - Thu Sep 04, 2003 5:06 pm
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Ray: JPG will never replace PNG because they're used for different purposes.

JPG is mainly used for pictures since it's small and pixel-detail isn't needed (usually) for pictures.

PNG is used for computer graphics cause then pixel-detail matters, with good resolution and stuff.

AlphaBoB - Thu Sep 04, 2003 5:26 pm
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By pictures Cyan means like digital photos, by computer gfx he means like things made with MSPaint, PaintShopPro, PhotoShop, etc. and they can't just be "edited," they have to be made completely in those programs to be computer graphics.

Cyan~Fire - Thu Sep 04, 2003 5:50 pm
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Oops yeah sorry should've made that clearer.

RAYfighter - Wed Sep 10, 2003 1:06 pm
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AlphaBoB wrote:

I never distinguished imagery to being "computer gfx" and "photos". Maybe it's because I am creating completely computer generated images which are as realistic as possible. With some of my best architectural visualizations you can really hardly say, if it's computer gfx or just a simple photo. See yourself at pages of my studio at www.caadg.com.

And maybe it's just me, not knowing PNG so well... I understand it like being an alternative to GIF (which means you save space by lowering colors). Photoshop's PNG has almost no options...

Mine GO BOOM - Wed Sep 10, 2003 1:45 pm
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RAYfighter wrote:

And maybe it's just me, not knowing PNG so well... I understand it like being an alternative to GIF (which means you save space by lowering colors). Photoshop's PNG has almost no options...

I made a very nice post explaining PNGs very well, which also includes a link to a good Photoshop Plugin for better PNG options.

So you know: PNG stores each pixel exactly using lossless compression. Its actually better for computer images that other formats, as it lets you use alpha transparency, so you can have your image blend with any background nicely.

SuSE - Wed Sep 10, 2003 1:51 pm
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they're computer gfx

really nice ones, though

are you an architect?

Cyan~Fire - Wed Sep 10, 2003 4:29 pm
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Wow those are nice.
You can just barely tell they're not real cause they're too perfect lol.

:-/ All flash though.

RAYfighter - Thu Sep 11, 2003 5:11 am
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Mine GO BOOM: thanks for that plugin link, now I can extend my possibilities in finding the lowest filesize with best image quality. I'm not going to trash talk about well known things for GFX guys (for few of us maybe) here. I believe that any really decent graphics maker should always try which format from those supported is the best for particular image situation. That's why we got Save for Web window in Photoshop - you can easily switch between GIF (lossless compression) and JPG, or play with different dithering techniques.
Very valid advantage for PNG is that Continuum client kinda likes it, from what you have said at that thread. But you also said that an advantage of PNG over other formats is its support of an alpha channel. How can I use it with LVZ screen objects for example? From what I know, client renders pure black as transparent, and some RGB 28,28,28 (?) as cute semitransparent checker. About 16 or even 32-bit modes I know nothing - still kinda waiting for all players getting modern GFX cards to get decent FPS in these modes. (BTW, I work with alpha from the day I was born I believe, if I could really pass those perfect antialiased alphas from 3ds max to Continuum...YAY

)
Anyhow, thanks again, your da man

Akai: thanks, yes I am proud to have the degree at Slovak Technical University, faculty of architecture

Cyan: *caugh*

Dipl. ing. arch. RAYfighter

SuSE - Thu Sep 11, 2003 12:42 pm
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can't use the alphas with Continuum

solid black rgb(0,0,0) is only transparent across all color depths, if you have say rgb(7,7,7) it will be transparent in 8-bit, but will make a solid color in 16-bit

and yes, the only way to have semi-transparent (that I know of) is to alternate solid black with another color each pixel (checkerboard)

RAYfighter - Sun Sep 21, 2003 5:32 am
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Akai wrote:

Everyone should always open their renderings in Photoshop for very close inspection and color space conversions, before saving them to Continuum folders. So any RGB(7,7,7) becomes pure black in SS palette.

But I meant dark green spot in SS palette, which seems to be rendered as checker by the client.

Anyways, it doesn't help too much, since creating ships (or any other overlaying object) with crispy, yet still clean "antialiased" edges remains a tricky task. From my experience you have 2 options:

one worst of another

SuSE - Sun Sep 21, 2003 12:59 pm
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recommend #1

RAYfighter - Tue Sep 23, 2003 6:33 am
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agreed.
after all, too bright solid areas are not so lucky decision for a background