Retro Graham Texture

[CageyJay]

If you're still up for texture modding, is there any way we could get an Android Graham?

[kindofdoon]

Android, eh? I like the idea very much.

You should expect it within the next 2 days.

[snabbott]

So, what do you do when you modify textures? Do you just edit the texture .jpg? Are those even in the released versions?

[kindofdoon]

I first decompress the entire data package in the program files into its original expanded directory setup. From there, I can view or edit any of the game's simpler resources - sounds, text, textures, etc. For the texture, it's just a matter of digging through system files to find Graham's texture image file. I then edit the texture file in Photoshop and replace the original texture with the modded one. Then, I recompile the decompiled system files an run the game using the modded data package.

It's not too complicated, it's just that the decompressing/recompiling steps take a minute or two, so making even one small change to the game's resources requires a few minute of just sitting and waiting.

Another issue is that the texture image is mapped so that each region wraps around Graham like a cloth, so in plain 2D it looks a bit distorted. This is problematic because I can only edit the texture image in 2D, so a bit of distortion is inevitable. For editing finer details, this usually yields a bit of trial-and-error (which, as aforementioned, is time-consuming).

To illustrate my 2D v. 3D point, here's Graham's texture.

[snabbott]

Does the game not run when decompressed? That's how it is for the testers, but they may have added some code to force it to use the archives.

Anyway, I just tried it out, and now I have Saladin with pink hair!
And yes, the 2-D textures look really bizarre, and sometimes creepy.

[kindofdoon]

You know, I never tested that...If I could run it decompressed it would save me lots of trouble.

Agreed, the textures are a bit scary.

Let's see pink Saladin!

[snabbott]

Sorry - I already deleted him. Here's scary Graham, though. This is way too much fun. Must... get... back... to... work!

[kindofdoon]

Scary indeed! What program are you using to edit the textures?

[snabbott]

Gimp.

[CageyJay]

Android, eh? I like the idea very much.
You should expect it within the next 2 days.

Doon, you are awesome. Thanks for tackling that req. 

[snabbott]

Have you actually decompiled files? You mention removing them. You probably wouldn't have to.

[kindofdoon]

Thanks, Cagey. I like challenges.

Snabbott, I don't know what you mean by "decompiling files". Can you explain?

[brlinton]

Thanks, Cagey. I like challenges.

Snabbott, I don't know what you mean by "decompiling files". Can you explain?

Compiling is turning a plain text program (like C++ or Java) into something only machine readable. Decompiling or reverse engineering is turning the machine program into plain text.

[kindofdoon]

Arg, I fell behind on my "2 day" promise. Hopefully I'll finish it today or tomorrow.

(Posted on: November 02, 2010, 12:40:20 AM)

Another setback: the texture file is set up such that Graham's face is mirrored vertically, so I can't get a half-human, half-robot look.