Difference between revisions of "HowTo:Make Splash Screens"

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{{attention}}
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==Where can the splash screens be found?==
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= Making Your Splash Screen =
 
−
The following information explains how to make the splash screens that appear while Vega Strike is loading.  These screens are also used occasionally within the base backgrounds.
 
  
−
== Create the Necessary Files ==
+
In Linux :
−
You will need to create the following files for your splash screen:
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/usr/share/games/vegastrike/animations/
  
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=== Picture ===
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In Windows :
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Create your picture in any image editor.  The only requirements are:
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C:\Program Files\Vega Strike\animations
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* Picture Size - 1024 x 1024 pixels (or larger, but always power of 2);
 
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* Format - .jpg or .png;
 
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* Name - splash_(name).jpg/.png.
 
  
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=== Animation File ===
 
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Using a text editor, create an .ani file (name format is <code>splash_(name).ani</code>) with the following entries:
 
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.3 .3
 
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1 1000
 
−
(picture name)
 
  
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=== Animation Directory ===
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In that directory, 2 subfolders can be found : load_screen.ani and load_splash.ani.
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* Under the ..\animations subdirectory of Vega Strike create a new subdirectory;
 
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* Name the new subdirectory using the same name as the animation file above <code>splash_(name).ani</code>;
 
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* Place the .ani file and picture file(s) created earlier into the directory.
 
  
−
See your ..\animations\ subdirectory for examples.
+
A random picture from load_splash.ani is shown during Vega Strike loading.<br/>
 +
Three random pictures from load_screen.ani are shown during new or saved games loading.
 +
 
 +
==Files format==
 +
 
 +
Vega Strike splash screens are named  "*.image".
 +
 
 +
These are DirectDrawSurface (or '''DDS''') files. Most softwares can't directly read this format.
 +
 
 +
Fortunately, The Gimp has an extension to read and create DDS pictures : '''gimp-dds'''.<br/>
 +
 
 +
In ''Ubuntu'', this plugin can be found in official repositories. You can install it with package managers, like synaptic or the software center.
 +
 
 +
''Other linux distros'' : {{FIXME}}
 +
 
 +
A DDS plugin for ''MAC OSX'' may exist (http://gimp.lisanet.de/Website/Photo_editing.html). But I couldn't find it.
 +
 
 +
In ''Windows'', install files can be downloaded here :
 +
http://code.google.com/p/gimp-dds/#Downloads
 +
 
 +
==How are they used in Vega Strike?==
 +
 
 +
A file named "load_screen.ani" is located in the folder with the same name. Ditto for "load_splash.ani".<br/>
 +
You can open these animation files with a text editor.<br/>
 +
They provide several configuration parameters, ans a list of pictures to be used.
 +
 
 +
Theses files are referenced in vegastrike.config, in the "splash" section:<br/>
 +
<code><var name="loading_sprite" value="load_screen.ani" /> (ligne 458)</code>
 +
 
 +
and in the "graphics" section :<br/>
 +
<code><var name="splash-screen" value="load_splash.ani"/> (ligne 527)</code>
 +
 
 +
==Animation files structure :==
 +
 
 +
* The first line is not used any more, but can't be omitted (ex :" .3 .3").
 +
* 2nd line (ex :21 30.0 startRandom,video) :
 +
**The first parameter shows the number of pictures to display during loading.
 +
**The second parameter shows display time for each picture. {{FIXME}} (in seconds???)
 +
**The third parameter "startRandom" : if present, the first picture to display is randomly selected.
 +
**The fourth parameter "video" : ???
 +
* The following lines list images to display. (first parameter of the second line should be adjusted to this list size, in order to view all pictures at one time oor another).
 +
 
 +
See : [[HowTo:Make Animated Textures]] for more informations on "*.ani" files.
 +
 
 +
==Making your splash screens==
 +
===Create your picture.===
 +
* Picture Size - 1024 x 1024 pixels (or larger, but always power of 2)<br/>
 +
To avoid picture stretching, take a picture at screen dimensions, then shrink it to square dimensions.
 +
* Format - DDS<br/>
 +
In The gimp, save the resized image in DDS format.<br/>
 +
Options : choose BC1/DXT1 compression and check "Generate mipmaps".
 +
* Location :<br/>
 +
Copy/paste it in the right folder (example : /usr/share/games/vegastrike/animations/load_screen.ani/).<br/>
 +
Attention : in Linux, you must act as super user to copy pictures in these folders, or to modify the animation files.
 +
 
 +
===Modify the animation file===
 +
Open "load_screen.ani" or "load_splash.ani" (according to the folder where are your pictures).<br/>
 +
Add the new picture's name in the list.<br/>
 +
Add "1" to the first parameter of the second line.<br/>
 +
Save your modifications.
 +
 
 +
===Launch Vega Strike===
 +
and load a new or saved game, to admire your work in the game.<br/>
 +
(attention : images being randomly selected, you may have to load Vega Strike several times in order to see your new picture).
 +
 
 +
==Create your splash screens folder==
  
−
== Edit <code>vegastrike.config</code> ==
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* Create a subfolder in the "animation" folder, named "load_xxx.ani" (where xxx represents any string chosen by you).
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Edit your <code>vegastrike.config</code> file in any text editor.
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* Create inside a text file with the same name : "load_xxx.ani"
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* Search for the <code><graphics></code> section;
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* Paste your own pictures in the subfolder, and adjust the *.ani" file, as seen above.
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* Find the line <code><var name="splash_screen" value="</code> {{Fixme}} ''Maybe the default value would be good to inlude here.''
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* In vegastrike.config, replace the default  "*.ani" file name (please see above) by yours.
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* Insert the name of your new splash directory into the list already there.
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** Search for the <code><graphics></code> section;
 +
** Find the line <code><var name="splash_screen" value="</code>
 +
** Replace the existing folder name by yours.
  
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= How it Will Work =
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See your ..\animations\ subdirectory for examples.
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Vega Strike will randomly select a splash screen animation from the list in <code>vegastrike.config</code> while loading and display it on your screen until play commences.
 
  
 
== See Also ==
 
== See Also ==
  
−
[http://vegastrike.sourceforge.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=838 Forum Link]
+
[http://forums.vega-strike.org/viewtopic.php?t=838 Forum Link]
  
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[[Category:HowTos]]
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[[Category:HowTos|Make Splash Screens]]
−
[[Category:Artwork]]
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[[Category:Development|Make Splash Screens]]
 +
[[Category:Artwork|Make Splash Screens]]

Latest revision as of 05:28, 1 June 2015

Where can the splash screens be found?

In Linux : /usr/share/games/vegastrike/animations/

In Windows : C:\Program Files\Vega Strike\animations


In that directory, 2 subfolders can be found : load_screen.ani and load_splash.ani.

A random picture from load_splash.ani is shown during Vega Strike loading.
Three random pictures from load_screen.ani are shown during new or saved games loading.

Files format

Vega Strike splash screens are named "*.image".

These are DirectDrawSurface (or DDS) files. Most softwares can't directly read this format.

Fortunately, The Gimp has an extension to read and create DDS pictures : gimp-dds.

In Ubuntu, this plugin can be found in official repositories. You can install it with package managers, like synaptic or the software center.

Other linux distros : FIXME

A DDS plugin for MAC OSX may exist (http://gimp.lisanet.de/Website/Photo_editing.html). But I couldn't find it.

In Windows, install files can be downloaded here : http://code.google.com/p/gimp-dds/#Downloads

How are they used in Vega Strike?

A file named "load_screen.ani" is located in the folder with the same name. Ditto for "load_splash.ani".
You can open these animation files with a text editor.
They provide several configuration parameters, ans a list of pictures to be used.

Theses files are referenced in vegastrike.config, in the "splash" section:
<var name="loading_sprite" value="load_screen.ani" /> (ligne 458)

and in the "graphics" section :
<var name="splash-screen" value="load_splash.ani"/> (ligne 527)

Animation files structure :

  • The first line is not used any more, but can't be omitted (ex :" .3 .3").
  • 2nd line (ex :21 30.0 startRandom,video) :
    • The first parameter shows the number of pictures to display during loading.
    • The second parameter shows display time for each picture. FIXME (in seconds???)
    • The third parameter "startRandom" : if present, the first picture to display is randomly selected.
    • The fourth parameter "video" : ???
  • The following lines list images to display. (first parameter of the second line should be adjusted to this list size, in order to view all pictures at one time oor another).

See : HowTo:Make Animated Textures for more informations on "*.ani" files.

Making your splash screens

Create your picture.

  • Picture Size - 1024 x 1024 pixels (or larger, but always power of 2)

To avoid picture stretching, take a picture at screen dimensions, then shrink it to square dimensions.

  • Format - DDS

In The gimp, save the resized image in DDS format.
Options : choose BC1/DXT1 compression and check "Generate mipmaps".

  • Location :

Copy/paste it in the right folder (example : /usr/share/games/vegastrike/animations/load_screen.ani/).
Attention : in Linux, you must act as super user to copy pictures in these folders, or to modify the animation files.

Modify the animation file

Open "load_screen.ani" or "load_splash.ani" (according to the folder where are your pictures).
Add the new picture's name in the list.
Add "1" to the first parameter of the second line.
Save your modifications.

Launch Vega Strike

and load a new or saved game, to admire your work in the game.
(attention : images being randomly selected, you may have to load Vega Strike several times in order to see your new picture).

Create your splash screens folder

  • Create a subfolder in the "animation" folder, named "load_xxx.ani" (where xxx represents any string chosen by you).
  • Create inside a text file with the same name : "load_xxx.ani"
  • Paste your own pictures in the subfolder, and adjust the *.ani" file, as seen above.
  • In vegastrike.config, replace the default "*.ani" file name (please see above) by yours.
    • Search for the <graphics> section;
    • Find the line <var name="splash_screen" value="
    • Replace the existing folder name by yours.

See your ..\animations\ subdirectory for examples.

See Also

Forum Link

Retrieved from "https://wiki.vega-strike.org/mediawiki/index.php?title=HowTo:Make_Splash_Screens&oldid=19838"