Making ColorRIX Images for Fallout Loading Screens

.Pixote.

Antediluvian as Feck
Modder
This thread is designed to demonstrate how to build ColorRIX images: (ColorRIX Bitmap Graphic), for Fallout splash screens.

The beauty of the ColorRIX images is that there is no need to use the Fallout color palette, therefore the images are cleaner in appearance, but the Fallout color palette can be used to create the “Fallout look”. The only restriction with this version of Image Alchemy is the ColorRIX images can be no larger than 640x480 pixels. The software will accept 8bit, 16bit, and 24bit - BMP’s, GIF’s, JPEG’s, etc. The image that you wish to convert should be placed in the folder you installed Image Alchemy (this is to make the process easier), any ColorRIX images you build will also be saved into the Alchemy folder.

The first thing you need is the software Image Alchemy or here Image Alchemy.

Now the software is ancient so you will need to mess around with the program to become familiar with its interface. The top menu is made up of - FILE – VIEW – RESIZE - PALETTE – COLORS – DITHER – MISC – BASIC PS – ADVANCED PS.

1). Go to FILE and - Select Input Image and locate the image file you wish to convert. A box (Input Image) in the bottom left will indicate the name and type of the file.

2). Go to VIEW and – View Image to check the file. ESC key gets you back to the menu. At this stage you can experiment with the COLORS and DITHER menus, and return to the VIEW to see the results.

3). Go to FILE and – Select Output Type. A red box will pop up – scan through the image formats and find RIX. A box in the bottom right-hand side (Output Type) will now have RIX described.

4). Go to FILE and – Convert! An Output File Name box will pop up. Change the name to SPLASH0 (Fallout SPLASH files are saved as SPLASH0, SPLASH1, etc), and change the .SCX to .RIX, and hit the enter key. The ColorRIX image will be saved to the Alchemy folder.

5). You will need a small program - Titanium Frm Browser to actually view the finished ColorRIX image, but this program can also view Fallout FRM’s. The finished SPLASH screens should be placed in a folder - \Fallout1\data\art\splash…or \Fallout2\data\art\splash.

*It’s important to remember that these images can only be seen in the actual game if the resolution patch has ‘not’ been installed, or the graphic are turned to 8bit.

Here is an example of one I made:

splash0.gif

Enjoy Pixote.

Does anyone have the actual “LOADING” typeface used on the original SPLASH images? If so can you drop me a message? EDIT: Got it...
 
The font should be Gothic 821 Condensed, it's available from the NMA download section ;)
 
Have you found a way to convert/export into RIX 16-bit? I have not; regardless of input files' bits it goes to 8bit when converted.

I ask because the f1_res plugin's 16bit *does* work with Fallout1, and it's nice because it slows down screen fades without messing any movies/palettes/etc, but since the loading screens are 8bit, they don't display :(

EDIT: Seriously, i'd be all over 16bit color in Fallout1 if it didn't stop the loading screens from displaying. The fadein-fadeout effects on my computer literally last about one second. Which isn't very atmospheric yknow.
 
Sduibek said:
Have you found a way to convert/export into RIX 16-bit? I have not; regardless of input files' bits it goes to 8bit when converted.

Nope - I'm hoping Timeslip could adjust SFall to include 32bit images for splash screens.
 
.Pixote. said:
Sduibek said:
Have you found a way to convert/export into RIX 16-bit? I have not; regardless of input files' bits it goes to 8bit when converted.

Nope - I'm hoping Timeslip could adjust SFall to include 32bit images for splash screens.
Which doesn't help for Fallout1 :'(
 
As long as you play the game as 8bit it doesn't matter...remember all of the of artwork is displayed as 8bit (228 colors) regardless of what setting you run the game at...so you might as well leave it at 8bit. But saying that I'm sure how the higher resolutions and Sfall functions are effected by 8bit, it seems some peoples computer just don't like it.
 
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