Flag "jumping" around / Problem with animation

[Owl]

Hello fellow modders!

Recently I've been working on a modification aside from enjoying the multiplayer, but it seems that I've reached an impasse.

Currently I'm trying to include some graphics, more specifically flags, that I need to change for my mod. I've created the first flag, using the white surrender flag as a template. So far so good. However, in the game, the flag "jerks" (difficult to describe, really) around the pole, creating a very clunky animation that is very unlike the animation of the flags in the stock game. This should however not happen, as I've based it upon a flag that is already included in the game and when I compare the flags by moving the stock flag over my new one as an opaque layer, the flags' shapes match entirely. In fact, by using the surrender flag instead of my own flag by copypasting it into my flag file over my own flag, the jerking motion ceases.

I've tried saving the file in different TGA resolutions, but to no effect. I think I was able to narrow down the problem by editing the number of frames in the animation in gfx.csv one by one until the error stops appearing - going by that method, the issue would be frame number 5.

I've created a small mod out of the problematic flag that overwrites the default US flag, so if you install it you should be able to see the issue right away by starting a sandbox game.

Any help would be much appreciated!

The attachment FlagProblem.zip is no longer available

[Davinci]

It doesn't seem to Me that the flag is the actual problem, I can't tell that it is moving out of sync.

The problem seems to be the design that you placed inside of the flag that is out of alignment.

davinci

[Owl]

Hello Davinci,

thanks for your reply. I made sure to paste the different shapes of the flag over the same source image to ensure that the flag is always aligned in the same way. In the game, the design of the flag isn't moving inside the flag shape either, which makes me believe that I should likely have made no mistake there? Though of course if you meant something different, I would love to hear it so I can maybe resolve the issue.

As said, the issue seems to start appearing with the fifth frame, but it doesn't seem to be different from the other frames I've created, at least to my eyes.

Thanks again for your help.

[RebBugler]

Checked it out, definitely an alignment issue like D said. The flag area is 128x128 if that helps, and if you're off one pixel it will jump...been there done that, good luck. No need to mess with the frame data and such, just fix the alignment graphic.

Welcome aboard, especially as a modder...our favorite folks, helping to improve the game.

[Owl]

Thanks for the comment RebBugler, I think I've figured it out now. My flag is waving properly now and I've also increased the alpha channel, so now it's just the size I wanted it to be!

However, I've now used by own flag animation, which, while certainly waving, obviously feels different from the stock flags that come with the game. Do some of the flag creators perhaps use some sort of template for easier flag creation in the style of the originals which they would be willing to point me to (perhaps they have been posted, but I just couldn't find them)? Or is there perhaps a certain technique to it that people would be willing to share?

And thanks for the nice welcome! I hope that maybe down the line I'll be able to share some modifications that some members of this great game's community will find enjoyable.

[Davinci]

My flag is waving properly now and I've also increased the alpha channel, so now it's just the size I wanted it to be!

Great, glad that you figured out the problem.

RebBugler is the forums Official Flag Maker - this game wouldn't feel the same without his excellent work.

Also, as Reb mentioned above, you should leave the default settings for angles \ frames alone, changing the following columns will not crash the game. Columns G \ M \ P \ Q

The G \ M Columns are use to change the size of the flags whether you use the 128x128 or another size.

Also, Welcome Aboard!

davinci