Graphics Replacement in DSB

[Sophia]

Responding to a question that came up in chat but was too long to explain there...

In DSB, there are actually two ways to replace most graphics:

1. Have a bitmap of the same name as an existing graphic
2. Load something different to its entry in the gfx table.

For example, in this line:

Code: Select all

gfx.alcove_vi_front = dsb_get_bitmap("VI_FRONT")

The Vi alcove's front image can be replaced by placing a new vi_front.bmp (or .png, .pcx, etc.) image in the dungeon's folder. The first method works because DSB searches loose images in the dungeon folder, then that dungeon's graphics.dsb, and only searches the base graphics.dat last. You can also replace images by writing a new line of code to load a different image to gfx.alcove_vi_front, such as:

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gfx.alcove_vi_front = dsb_get_bitmap("NEW_VI_FRONT")

However, there are some images whose names are "Hardcoded" in the engine. They aren't loaded by the Lua code at all because they are drawn by the system. This means they cannot be replaced using the second method, however, they can still be replaced by placing an image of the proper name in the dungeon's folder. These images are the following:

CONTROL_BACKGROUND = the background for the brown GUI boxes (for saving and loading etc.)
CONTROL_LONG = a long GUI button
CONTROL_SHORT = a short GUI button
PTRARROW = the yellow arrow mouse pointer
PTRHAND = the mouse "hand" pointer
OPTION_RES = a 232x146 image offering resurrection (only)
OPTION_REI = a 232x146 image offering reincarnation (only)
OPTION_RES_REI = a 232x146 image offering resurrection and reincarnation
REI_NAMEENTRY = a 240x146 image where you enter the name of your reincarnated champion

EDIT: Formerly hardcoded images that can now be changed by the normal Lua means
BAR_DAMAGE = an 86x42 image, consisting of three 86x14 sections (gfx.damage_bar)
FULL_DAMAGE = an 64x174 image, consisting of three 64x58 sections (gfx.damage_full)
BOX_BOOST = a 36x36 green outline box (gfx.box_boost)
BOX_HURT = a 36x36 red outline box (gfx.box_hurt)
BOX_SEL = a 36x36 cyan outline box (gfx.box_sel)
DAMAGE = a 176x90 jagged cyan explosion showing weapon damage (gfx.monster_damage)
INVENTORY = the inventory background image (gfx.inventory_background)
TOP_HANDS = the 134x58 image for the top of the screen showing the champion's hands (gfx.top_hands)
TOP_PORT = the 134x58 background image where a champion's portrait goes (gfx.top_port)
TOP_DEAD = the 134x58 skull and crossbones image when a champion is dead (gfx.top_dead)

So, for example, to replace the yellow mouse pointer with the Atari ST's cyan pointer, simply place an image of the cyan pointer (with a power pink background) in the dungeon's folder as ptrarrow.bmp (or .png, .pcx, etc.) and DSB will automatically load the image.

All of these images can be extracted by opening graphics.dat in the Allegro grabber, in case anyone is interested.

[Qwerty]

Thank you the answer ,Sophia!!
It is very useful.But I have not understood the usage of Allegro yet.
Therefore, I will get and study the usage of Allegro.

[Sophia]

But I have not understood the usage of Allegro yet.
Therefore, I will get and study the usage of Allegro.

You don't really have to understand Allegro, as such, just the Grabber, which is a program used by (and comes with) Allegro to construct data files in a format Allegro can use. It has a rather ugly interface, but it suffices for most things.

[Qwerty]

I've replaced most of vanila images and sounds by your first way.
However, when I try to compiling,
"segmentation_fault" is sometimes happened.

This is the LOG.TXT.

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INIT: Parsing configuration file
INIT: Using gamedir C:\DSB37b\SNES (base:0)
INIT: Using color depth of 32
INIT: Starting FMOD
INIT: Triple buffering unavailable or disabled.
LUA: Lua initialized
Parsing base/global.lua
Parsing base/graphics.lua
Parsing base/inventory_info.lua
Parsing base/util.lua
Parsing base/triggers.lua
Parsing base/conditions.lua
Parsing base/monster.lua
Parsing base/monster_ai.lua
Parsing base/methods.lua
Parsing base/damage.lua
Parsing base/xp.lua
Parsing base/magic.lua
Parsing base/msg_handlers.lua
Parsing base/hooks.lua
Parsing base/system.lua
Parsing base/render.lua
Parsing base/startup.lua
Parsing C:\DSB37b\SNES/startup.lua
Parsing base/objects.lua
OBJ: 401 system archs
Parsing C:\DSB37b\SNES/objects.lua
OBJ: 403 total archs
DUNGEON: Attempting to compile
Parsing C:\DSB37b\SNES/dungeon.lua
PROGRAM CRASH!
Location: 0 1 3
Reason: Segmentation Fault
Stack Dump:
DSBmain
write_dsbgraphics
compile_dsbgraphics
write_file(PTRHAND)
write_bin

[Sophia]

The crash happens when DSB tries to save your new PTRHAND image into graphics.dsb. I've tested things and I've been able to do that successfully, so now it's a bit mysterious what is wrong.

Here is a new version of the program exe. Please use this exe instead of the DSB.exe that was in 0.37b; it may fix the problem. If not, it will at least output more debugging information, so maybe we can figure out what's wrong:
http://www.ojnk.net/dm/dsb/DSBdebug3727.zip

[Qwerty]

I've tested the compile by using "DSBdebug3272".
unfortunately, the same problem has occurred.
I'll report it.

Code: Select all

@@@ DEBUG VERSION 0.37.27
INIT: Parsing configuration file
INIT: Using gamedir C:\DSB37b\SNES (base:0)
INIT: Using color depth of 32
INIT: Starting FMOD
INIT: Triple buffering unavailable or disabled.
LUA: Lua initialized
Parsing base/global.lua
Parsing base/graphics.lua
Parsing base/inventory_info.lua
Parsing base/util.lua
Parsing base/triggers.lua
Parsing base/conditions.lua
Parsing base/monster.lua
Parsing base/monster_ai.lua
Parsing base/methods.lua
Parsing base/damage.lua
Parsing base/xp.lua
Parsing base/magic.lua
Parsing base/msg_handlers.lua
Parsing base/hooks.lua
Parsing base/system.lua
Parsing base/render.lua
Parsing base/startup.lua
Parsing C:\DSB37b\SNES/startup.lua
Parsing base/objects.lua
OBJ: 401 system archs
Parsing C:\DSB37b\SNES/objects.lua
OBJ: 403 total archs
DUNGEON: Attempting to compile
Parsing C:\DSB37b\SNES/dungeon.lua
PROGRAM CRASH!
Location: 0 1 3
Reason: Segmentation Fault
Stack Dump:
DSBmain
write_dsbgraphics
compile_dsbgraphics
write_file(DAMAGE)
write_bin(C:\DSB37b\SNES/DAMAGE.pcx)
write_bin_data(8ffcf20, 5188, 0)

this "segmentation-falut" problem is to be occured by not only my data but also your "test_dungeon" data.
Additionally, This problem is not without fail, and occasionally occured.

I think that it's a very mysterious thing of this.

[Sophia]

When DSB compiles a graphics.dsb, it creates and uses some temporary files. From your debugging information I have been able to figure out that this error is caused by DSB being unable to open the needed temporary files. So, I think the problem may not be with DSB, but something with your computer. I think this especially because the test_dungeon also has problems. So, I wonder, is your hard drive or temporary file folder very full, or do you have a lot of files open, or something else that could be creating this problem? Unfortunately, there isn't much I can do in DSB other than make it fail more gracefully, which I will do...

[Qwerty]

Ooh, I am ashamed though my computer has the cause.
Thank you for your cooperation.

[Adamo]

What is the password to "graphics2.dat"?

[Sophia]

There is no password.
For some reason, the Allegro grabber just has a problem recognizing it.

[Gambit37]

Can I install this Grabber as a standalone tool, or do I need to install Allegro? When can I find it? I found some odd tool called Grabber, but it's dated 2005 and doesn't let you export things all in one go, or even with the right palette. Is this the right tool? Seems highly clunky!

What's in "graphics2.dat"?

[Sophia]

It is highly clunky.
Rather than messing around with extracting the images, just download and use this file.

[Gambit37]

I tried replacing PTRARROW with a 32-bit PNG -- the alpha channel is not respected and instead I get junk drawn around it.

[Sophia]

Oops. I'll fix this.

[Gambit37]

Thanks. OK, some more graphics replacement questions:

1) How can I draw a fullscreen bitmap behind the interface that stays there all the time? IE, a background image.
2) How do I change the health/stamina/mana bars to use bitmaps?
3) Can I override the inventory panel displayed when you put an item in hand or click it on the eye? I'd like for some items to display a special bitmap in that food/water panel area instead of the normal description/icon.
4) How can I make the food/water bars draw parts of a specially designed bitmap instead of just coloured bars?

[Sophia]

How can I draw a fullscreen bitmap behind the interface that stays there all the time? IE, a background image.

At present, you can't, really. This would be a good thing to add!

How do I change the health/stamina/mana bars to use bitmaps?

Another one that at present is not possible. If I'm doing this I probably should just go ahead and include support for an RTC-style player color bitmap, too.

Can I override the inventory panel displayed when you put an item in hand or click it on the eye? I'd like for some items to display a special bitmap in that food/water panel area instead of the normal description/icon.

Yes, you can use a subrenderer. See the wiki for documentation, or check out the examples provided in the test_dungeon, especially the money box. The base code's implementation of chests and scrolls may also help you.

How can I make the food/water bars draw parts of a specially designed bitmap instead of just coloured bars?

You can just override sys_render_mainsub and pass the drawing functions a bitmap instead of a color. See this thread:
http://www.dungeon-master.com/forum/vie ... 53&t=29164

[Gambit37]

Aw, bum, I was hoping to fully port my RTC interface over. I can wait though

Sub-renderers sound fun, I need to check me out some of that wiki goodness

[Mon Ful Ir]

You'll find an example of a custom sub-renderer in my code library too.

[Gambit37]

Oooh, thanks. Where's your code library? Is it in your dungeon with all the monsters in it?

[Mon Ful Ir]

Aye. There's a DM2-style bag in it.

In mfi_dungeon, go to objects.lua and scroll down past all the monsters. Starting at line 2375 there's a list of "things", and the bag's the first one. I'll put the code here for you:-

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obj.bag = clone_arch(obj.chest, {
	name="BAG",
	mass=35,
	icon=gfx.thing_icon_bag_closed,
	alt_icon=gfx.thing_icon_bag_open,
	dungeon=gfx.thing_dungeon_bag,
	inside_gfx=gfx.thing_subrenderer_bag
} )

You have to get the image size right or it doesn't work. I had to work out the correct subrenderer size by trial and error; it seems to be 246 x 146.

Err, Gambit37 will probably be able to follow that, but for anyone who might read this while learning DSB, the sizes are as follows:- THING_DUNGEON_BAG.png is 96 x 54. The two icons must be 32 x 32, and THING_SUBRENDERER_BAG is 246 x 146.

[Gambit37]

Finally getting around to porting my RTC interface over to DSB. A few differences and problems, I think I worked out how to handle most of them, but this one is puzzling:

* GUY_ICONS (party order guys) does not seem overridable? I put a PNG version in the root of my dungeon folder, but nothing changed. I noticed it's not listed above in your hard-coded list? Is it possible to override this? (I got the name of it from the DSB graphics zip you supplied)

[Sophia]

I misnamed it in the zip. It's called HERO_ICONS.
A png should work, but note that it must be a 256 color PNG: color index 0 is used as the mask for coloring the characters. The background should be power pink as normal, and the color index doesn't matter.

[Gambit37]

Hmm, this doesn't seem to work. A PNG (with the correct 8-bit palette you described) displays in the wrong colours or entirely as black. I can however get a PCX to display in the right palette, but it has some junk drawn over the last rotated icon? (IE, the one that points left) Doesn't matter which colour is pointing left, it will have junk over it)

EDIT: I can confirm that the PCX works correctly IF you don't use custom champion colours. When I activate the custom champion colour bitmaps, there is junk drawn over the PCX, see here:

[zoom]

Sidenote:Can DSB display animated gif´s? (or use some other form of animations)
(I read sth. about monster animations for DM2??, but can´t remember too good, really.)

if "yes":

dm2-items ency

-->

there is however this - well.. - ongoing repetition.




DSB could take one animation out of a pool of animations and play it, then pick another one out of the pool
A pool for the green potion could contain three animations:
strong shaking(9 Frames), medium shaking(4 Frames) and almost no shaking (5 frames)
total randomness would break the animation

Effectively alternating the graphics used - on the fly -


some thoughts :
(too much item-animation is disturbing; although animated items is quite cool!
--> maybe slow it down? decrease frequency?)

Probably is one gif with all these alternations incorporated doing enough change? Would bloat up file size, however.
-------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------


super cool would be to have the potions kind of animate while they are fresh,like effervescents and turn to a static picture after time (or if they aren´t put somewhere else.)

else: nevermind

[Gambit37]

DSB can animate anything, super smoothly, at high speed, totally independently of the game clock. You can do whatever you want

[Sophia]

Hmm, this doesn't seem to work. A PNG (with the correct 8-bit palette you described) displays in the wrong colours or entirely as black. I can however get a PCX to display in the right palette, but it has some junk drawn over the last rotated icon? (IE, the one that points left) Doesn't matter which colour is pointing left, it will have junk over it)

I didn't write the code to load PNG images in DSB, so I'm not really sure why it doesn't work.
However, since you found a method that actually works, I'm not going to bother digging into it.

I will, however, fix the glitchiness with the images.

[Gambit37]

Cool, thanks Only the final result is important, so I don't mind too much how I get there

[zoom]

alright, thanks! :O

[Gambit37]

Just started trying out a replacement ICONGRID.PNG using 24-bit + Alpha. The alpha is not respected, all items are drawn with a white background. And when recoloured (such as a weapon in hand shown all black), you just see a black square. This is a pretty major problem for me, can it be fixed?

[Sophia]

That's not what's supposed to happen, obviously.
Please email me your icongrid and I should be able to sort it out.