Replacing Nation Flags

Creed · 12-09-2003, 10:41 AM

I'm not sure if I should have started a new thread for this or not, I did a search and found that the nearest related topic was some time ago and was never really sorted.

Anyway my question is, how do I replace ascending country flags in the multiplayer selection screen? I've tried a few methods and I'm aware it has to be in .pcx format and placed directly in the RA2 folder, but for me the in game flag is either:

- distorted
- reversed and off paletted
- totally black

Any help would be great, thanks.

ziggy78 · 12-09-2003, 10:58 AM

well extract the ones used then the correct palette and then save the new ones as the old ones using the correct palette. they will be slightly off colored because the palette is a little different than that of a usual picture.

Creed · 12-09-2003, 11:21 AM

It's not quite that simple, lets say for instance - I want to replace Russia with China, what you're saying is I extract rusi.shp, make the necessary alterations under .pcx, covert back to .shp, then place in folder, done.

But, because it must be in .pcx format in the directory not .shp it cannot be paletted except by 8 bit paletting in PSP (which I tried).

I'm pretty sure if the process is done correctly there will be no quality loss or reduced colourings though.

DeeZeL · 12-09-2003, 11:47 AM

for some reason, 'edited flags' get skrewed up in the game no matter what you did, just create a pcx with the same dimentions as the flag, cut n' paste your flag, aplly pallete and you're fine

Creed · 12-09-2003, 11:54 AM

I'm not sure if I tested that before or not, but by paletting it do you mean in 8 bit / 256 colours? and if so did it work for you DeeZeL?

DeeZeL · 12-09-2003, 11:58 AM

i had this problem once, so i asked tratos and thats what he told me, yet i postponed editing the flags until some stuff in the mod are done, but it worked for him.

Creed · 12-09-2003, 12:14 PM

Same result, it was meant to be the Chinese flag....

I'm pretty sure the dimensions are 45 x 19. I'm only guessing about the 8 bit paletting though.

But at least I know it has to be in .pcx format.

ComradeJ · 12-09-2003, 03:33 PM

d/l Eagle Red or MooMan's Rules and steal their China flag

.

Creed · 12-09-2003, 03:39 PM

Thought had crossed my mind :lol: but isn't that kinda' thing frowned upon?

Plus I intend to replace a few countrys, and I'd like to learn how anyway, I've already made China and the others loading screens, foolishly thinking the flag altering would be straight forward.

But I still haven't given up yet.

Infraid · 12-09-2003, 07:10 PM

you should try with Photoshop, if you have it...
To tell the truth, I never had prob with palettes, not to say that I never worked with theses !! I don't even know how to work with them in PSP or Photoshop.... (only use with XCC to have a correct view of shps and vxls)
What I did : I extracted the shps files, converted them in PCX (background should be pink/magenta), edit with Photoshop w/o using any palettes (unless it's automatically), save them and done !!
oh btw, you might need to turn to RGB mode in Photoshop to edit the pics....