So, I have an idea for a future project I may work on. I was wondering if it would be possible to replace the unit portraits with the SC: Remastered unit portraits? SC:R portraits looks very good, and it would be sweet to have it in my project.
So, if its possible, what would be the difficulty 1-10? (Easy - Impossible)
I would be a complete beginner, so can it be explained to me like I'm 5 y/o?
Hey man I saw your post on reddit! Let me also welcome you to mapster.
Maybe you could also share a little more about what you're trying to do in your project? Like make a custom campaign or something along those lines?
As far as giving you a number of difficulty, I would put it at about a 9. I've been making maps/campaigns for about 4 years, I'm definitely no super programming badass but this is over my head. You'd have to not only learn the map editor (which itself has a learning curve that scares almost everyone off) but also some 3D editing software (like 3DS MAX I'd guess, I don't know much about it but work with people who do) and re-render/transfer the art into a new file format and size in order to make it work. So you'd probably also have to be a pretty decent 3D artist and have good knowledge of how different 3D softwares work to make any sort of progress. Also note that the portraits in remastered are different dimensions than SC2, so there's even more tinkering on your part.
So you're looking at learning at least 2-3 different pieces of 3D design software (probably about $200 each if bought) and that's before you even start learning about making portraits work in game. And this is really more of a "polish" than a true game idea; if you did this, I would bet a huge number of your players wouldn't even notice. The Sc2 portraits really aren't bad, and in many cases are pretty similar to the SC:R portraits to begin with.
But don't let us scare you off, if you're really enthused about this I love it. The only reason any of us are here is that we are unhealthily passionate about using the clunky old editor. Shoot me a PM and I can connect you with some of my artist friends.
Thank you for the all the information fellas, I do appreciate it.
Bilxor, I want to edit the SC Mass Recall campaign game play portraits only.
It looks like A LOT of work for the 3d Models, but what if I were to just add the 2D Still Images? There's an option in SC2 to only show a 2d Image instead of 3d .
With that said, is all that work still required, or can we skip a few steps? Still a 9 difficulty rating?
If you just wanna use static unanimated portraits that changes everything. I belirve there is a data field just for that. That difficulty is about a 2. Hardest part will be making the portraits look good because of the size difference. Sc:r portraits are much more square so will look pretty wonky or cutoff unless you're decent at Photoshop.
I would be happy with static portraits. I have photoshop, so I think I could make them look decent, but what about the SC:R portraits from the briefing room? Those look fairly large. Do all units come in that size or is it just enlarged from the original source?
Go into the Data editor and look at the Models type. Search "portrait" and every unit portrait in the game should come up. Now within each entry is the "(Basic) Art: Image" field that points to a .dds file type image. Just replace each of these with your custom art and you're set.
There's also the matter of forcing the portraits to be static instead of 3D models as a player option. I know it does that automatically on some graphical presets but don't know off the top of my head how to force it on. Maybe someone else can chime in but that's a start :)
Which of the mod files would I need to edit to replace the portraits? Is it the SCMRmod, local, or core? I'm using the retro mod of SC mass recall, so would it be "mod" that I edit? Finally, is there any way to easily disable pop up portrait on the top left side?
Bilxor - I tried your method; unfortunately not all portraits seem to show up, but rather I see portriats for like mercs or special units. but its not showing me a complete list of all the portraits.
I tried to replace one of these merc images, but how do I select my custom art? When I choose replace value, it just gives me a directory that can't be found in explorer.
So, I have an idea for a future project I may work on. I was wondering if it would be possible to replace the unit portraits with the SC: Remastered unit portraits? SC:R portraits looks very good, and it would be sweet to have it in my project.
So, if its possible, what would be the difficulty 1-10? (Easy - Impossible)
I would be a complete beginner, so can it be explained to me like I'm 5 y/o?
1st thing 1st.
Welcome to sc2mapster!.
Let me see if I understand it correctly.
You want to replace the units portrait of Mass Recall with the portraits from Remastered?.
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Starcraft 1 uses 2D images for all of their portraits, even the HD versions from Remastered are images.
They are not models, therefore you can't just use them in Starcraft II (or the Mass Recall mod for that matter), as all portraits there are 3D models.
Not true. You can. Just make plain 3d model with animated textures + proper camera view. Requires some work and tools, but it's doable.
I believe there already is a camera for 2d portrait actors.
Contribute to the wiki (Wiki button at top of page) Considered easy altering of the unit textures?
https://www.sc2mapster.com/forums/resources/tutorials/179654-data-actor-events-message-texture-select-by-id
https://media.forgecdn.net/attachments/187/40/Screenshot2011-04-17_09_16_21.jpg
In reply to XCraftin4K:
As far as giving you a number of difficulty, I would put it at about a 9. I've been making maps/campaigns for about 4 years, I'm definitely no super programming badass but this is over my head. You'd have to not only learn the map editor (which itself has a learning curve that scares almost everyone off) but also some 3D editing software (like 3DS MAX I'd guess, I don't know much about it but work with people who do) and re-render/transfer the art into a new file format and size in order to make it work. So you'd probably also have to be a pretty decent 3D artist and have good knowledge of how different 3D softwares work to make any sort of progress. Also note that the portraits in remastered are different dimensions than SC2, so there's even more tinkering on your part.
So you're looking at learning at least 2-3 different pieces of 3D design software (probably about $200 each if bought) and that's before you even start learning about making portraits work in game. And this is really more of a "polish" than a true game idea; if you did this, I would bet a huge number of your players wouldn't even notice. The Sc2 portraits really aren't bad, and in many cases are pretty similar to the SC:R portraits to begin with.
But don't let us scare you off, if you're really enthused about this I love it. The only reason any of us are here is that we are unhealthily passionate about using the clunky old editor. Shoot me a PM and I can connect you with some of my artist friends.
<Click Here> To See My Epic Single Player Campaign (LifeForceCampaign.com)
Thank you for the all the information fellas, I do appreciate it.
Bilxor, I want to edit the SC Mass Recall campaign game play portraits only.
It looks like A LOT of work for the 3d Models, but what if I were to just add the 2D Still Images? There's an option in SC2 to only show a 2d Image instead of 3d .
With that said, is all that work still required, or can we skip a few steps? Still a 9 difficulty rating?
In reply to XCraftin4K:
<Click Here> To See My Epic Single Player Campaign (LifeForceCampaign.com)
Between Blender and Gimp you should have enough art tools for most SC2 purposes.
Contribute to the wiki (Wiki button at top of page) Considered easy altering of the unit textures?
https://www.sc2mapster.com/forums/resources/tutorials/179654-data-actor-events-message-texture-select-by-id
https://media.forgecdn.net/attachments/187/40/Screenshot2011-04-17_09_16_21.jpg
In reply to Bilxor:
I would be happy with static portraits. I have photoshop, so I think I could make them look decent, but what about the SC:R portraits from the briefing room? Those look fairly large. Do all units come in that size or is it just enlarged from the original source?
So, where do I start =)
In reply to XCraftin4K:
There's also the matter of forcing the portraits to be static instead of 3D models as a player option. I know it does that automatically on some graphical presets but don't know off the top of my head how to force it on. Maybe someone else can chime in but that's a start :)
<Click Here> To See My Epic Single Player Campaign (LifeForceCampaign.com)
Which of the mod files would I need to edit to replace the portraits? Is it the SCMRmod, local, or core? I'm using the retro mod of SC mass recall, so would it be "mod" that I edit? Finally, is there any way to easily disable pop up portrait on the top left side?
Bilxor - I tried your method; unfortunately not all portraits seem to show up, but rather I see portriats for like mercs or special units. but its not showing me a complete list of all the portraits.
I tried to replace one of these merc images, but how do I select my custom art? When I choose replace value, it just gives me a directory that can't be found in explorer.
Does anyone know the contact information of the developers of Mass Recall?