Making new components.bmp

[Azatol]

I've been looking at the components.bmp for imagemod because I'm working on a fantasy themed mod thats just started where I'm using all new component images.

I thought in stock, without imagemod that the components.bmp was 10 wide, but I see its 24 wide in imagemod and also has those numbers on the side. What rules are there on the size and content of that bmp.

I've currently got 17 components and I'm trying to get SE4 to run my mod so I can get a few things tested.

Also how important is background on components? Does it need to be black or something else?

[Captain Kwok]

It's 24 columns, but can have an "unlimited" number of rows. Absolute black (0,0,0) is considered transparent for most items in the game, but I don't think that matters for components like it does for ships etc.

[Fyron]

Extra info past the 24th column is ignored, which allowed the image mod files to have the numbering added in.

What sort of fantasy mod are you making? "Spaceship" based, or making systems into "planets" and having the ships represent individual creatures (or small groups)?

[Azatol]

I'm making one where the combatants are components, rather than making swords, armor and so on components. Also horses and other transportation are components.

I'm using mounts to distinguish between the calibur of warriors, such as regular, heroic, legendary and a fourth very hard to unlock mount. They will increase to-hit and defense and damage, but vastly increase cost reflecting the rarity and specialness of heroic warriors.

I've got fixed ship sizes instead of the many different vehicles in Fantasy Empires Mod. I'm also keeping almost all my warrior components the same size (with a few exceptions: Orcs 20kt, Elves 40kt so far)

I've worked on Human and Orc racial sets so far, which is mostly melee and non magical stuff, but Elves are next.

* Human
Swordsman
Spearman
Priest
Archer
Knight
Gunman

* Orc
Brute
Elephant
Archer
Shaman
Berserker

is what I have so far in addition to horses, packs and facilities (with a two-in-one mana/research facility being one of the bigger changes.)

[Azatol]

Now I've got a weird bug I've found in testing. I've got an alpha version with the components showing up (and a little problem with the facilities, but no biggie.)

However, testing in the simulator and in real movement, no matter how much movement and supply I have in the design window my ships will only move at speed 1. I've given them plenty of supply and movement but they still move at 1.

[Ed Kolis]

What abilities are you using for movement? Some of the abilities (such as the one used by stock Solar Sails and the reactors in CBmod - I think it's called Bonus Movement) require at least 1 move point's worth of regular engines in order to work.

[Azatol]

My problem was forgetting to have any bridge type of component. I made a bridge/life support/crew component just to save hassles and called it mission and now things are working again. (still lots of bugs but its a start.)

[Ed Kolis]

Heh, cool... so now you've implemented Morale in SE4... should a unit's Mission be lost, so is its will to fight! (Well, not really, as it can still fight, just not as effectively, as it can't dodge enemy attacks! )

[Suicide Junkie]

That should be a leader or general, or somesuch.

[Azatol]

Actually I think a flag or standard would be best for now. I want it to be something small so my ship sizes still work out as I want them to.

Small Questband -- 3 warriors plus equipment (horses,packs...)
Questband -- 5 warriors
Large Questband -- 8 warriors
Small Crusade -- 15 warriors
Large Crusade -- 30 warriors

These won't be exact of course, you can stuff in more if you use less equipment or play orcs (they have smaller kt warriors), or less with elves or lots of equipment but thats the standard.