Making an item from scratch

[Hartigan]

Hello. I'm just a newbie modder so please forgive that stupid question.

I don't know how to make a new item from scratch and especially how to add it to the game. It's beyond me!

I've searched the forums for tutorials and guides and also the DAC forum and found only that. Thus I've already:

• made an item's graphic and save it as a .PNG file (8-bit),
• downloaded Fallout Item Changer,
• duplicated a random .PRO file, saved as 00000600.PRO and changed its values in FIC,
• also added those required lines in ITEMS.LST
  and PRO_ITEM.MSG at the end of the file:
  [list:a7b087bb92]{60000}{}{item's name}
  {60001}{}{item's description},

[*] converted .PNG file to .FRM but with a shitty result (odd colors),
[*] extracted ART folder from MASTER.DAT and placed it in FIC directory, also added a new .FRM file to ART/INVEN dir,
[*] added a line in INVEN.LST, set the visual settings (item on the floor, item in inventory) then finished editing.[/list:u:a7b087bb92]And now what? How to make it running in the game? How to convert graphic files correctly (I think it's a palette problem, but where to find a guide)?

Please help!

 

[Sirren67]

To make new items (protos) download the "Making prototypes" tutorial and follow the instructions. Beware: when you read "Create a Fallout2 folder at root level" it means it has to be created outside Program Files/Black isle folders. When you open your HDD you must see Fallout2 folder next to Program Files.
Many people use to create images in bitmap format and then turn them into .FRM. This is only a personal liking, but you can even use MS paint to do frm making (and maybe make the process easier).
Hartigan wrote:

converted .PNG file to .FRM but with a shitty result (odd colors),

Original .FRMs pack some required data which isn't created upon image conversion. Do like this: get an original .FRM and convert it to one of your tools compatible formats. Save it and keep somewhere easy to access. When you make a new image copy paste it in the "original" converted file (they must be in the same format). Choose "save as" and save with a different name. This way you keep the original file and you have a new image containing all the needed data. Convert the image to .FRM, register it and so on.
Good luck and happy modding.

 

[Hartigan]

Thank you very much, that's all I needed to know for now.

This is only a personal liking, but you can even use MS paint to do frm making (and maybe make the process easier).

If you mean .FRM editing, I agree with you completely - Paint isn't bad for pixelating and it's really simple in use. But now I'm working with real photos and some scanned drawings, so that I need more complicated software. I would like to do everything in 3D (like original) but unfortunately I suck at modelling, even simple bullets.

Cheers!

 

[Finesse]

photoshop is of the path...

 

[Hartigan]

photoshop is of the path...

Yes, I'm working in CS2 but there's a small problem, which always appears after resizing a cut layer: I can't get rid of those black or white (depends on background color) outlines. Finesse, you've dealt with it (FWM). Is there any help for?

Example:

 

[Finesse]

I make my frm's from psd file format...

make backround transparent, grab the magic eraser tool and click on the transparent backround and it will feather the edges of the extracted image. Repeat untill all edges are nice

copy extracted pic, make new pic with pure blue backround (255b,0g,0r or whatever order there in) and paste it in... save as psd file

then use bmp2frm to convert the psd file to frm (it can convert psd files)

try that

EDIT: there is a gltch with photoshop cs2, when you save to png files the resulting picture saves darker then the original... you can fix this by adjusting the gamma. Its very annoying considering psp 9 doesnt do this (photoshop > psp)

just FYI if you plan to convert png files to frms, but i recommend you use psd files with the fallout pallete if possible