Regarding the Alpha Channel Removal...

[alexjack]

Just made a first attempt at modding some sprites.I downloaded the XNView program and followed the instructions in posts I found here and I believe I am doing what was recommended but I cannot get rid of the Alpha Channel and hence that black box around the modded sprites. I'd appreciate any help.

[Davinci]

I cannot get rid of the Alpha Channel and hence that black box around the modded sprites. I'd appreciate any help.

The Alpha-Channel is required, that is what eliminates the black-box that you are seeing.

Open up one of the default units that you are editing, the file that has the white -image on the black background is the Alpha-Channel .

Not, that I'm trying to discourage you, but if you plan on editing the units by hand, you are in for a very, very, very, long exhausting choir!

Nobody does it like that, other than Zeke if memory serves me correctly!

davinci

[Davinci]

alexjack - OK, I'm probably not telling you anything that you don't already know, but here goes.....

If you are adding a different color to the horses, you would only edit the example1 file, while leaving the example2 alone.

The reason behind that is that you are not adding anything new to the file, so everything in the Alpha-Channel is already in-place .

I would guess that the Program that you are using is not saving the Alpha-Channel .

You will need one of the following programs to get this to work.....Photoshop or Gimp or Gimp2, but there might be other programs that will work, I'm just not sure about them.

I think that Reb use a program called paint.net or something similar, but he can probably advise you on that.

Example1 :

The attachment example1_2013-04-06.jpg is no longer available

Example2 :

The attachment example2_2013-04-06.jpg is no longer available

davinci

[alexjack]

Davinci. Thanks for taking the the time to go through all of that. It's a great help.
Regards

[RebBugler]

Paint.net (.pdn) works seamlessly for altering sprites. When you open a .dds file in .pdn the alpha layer is a non factor because when you save it back after adding layers or whatever, and flatten (unite layers), the alpha layer is retained in it's original state.

Only problem with opening, editing, and then saving back .dds files, they lose some quality...so, save your file in layers, or flattened, in .pdn for future editing so you just lose quality once in your editing procedures.

[alexjack]

After downloading two programs, one to change dds files to Bitmaps and the other to change them back,the XnView program and a dds Plugin for Photoshop followed by a couple of days of frustration all I needed was Paint.net.As you said RebBugler with Paint the alpha layer is a non factor.I decided to start at the bottom so as a sort of trial I merely desaturated the Union cavalry and Generals to lose that shiney orangey look to their horses. Of course the blue uniforms go darker as well but I don't mind that. I now have nice brown Union cavalry horses. Many thanks to Davinci and RebBugler for their interest and assistance.

[Davinci]

Paint.net (.pdn) works seamlessly for altering sprites. When you open a .dds file in .pdn the alpha layer is a non factor because when you save it back after adding layers or whatever, and flatten (unite layers), the alpha layer is retained in it's original state.

Thanks, Reb – I knew that you could explain it better than I could, considering that you have been using that program for a while. Also, I think that it was your original mod that inspired this.

Of course the blue uniforms go darker as well but I don't mind that. I now have nice brown Union cavalry horses.

When changing the saturation on the existing units, always start off by editing the standing units only . Also by writing down the values that you used to de-saturate .

This way, once you start a game, this will be the first stance that you see, so you can tell if it works or not.

If, it works, you can continue to edit the other units using the same values, if not this has saved you quite a bit of time.

davinci

[alexjack]

Good tip. Thanks.