User talk:CLA

links to tileset/graphic set repos

TODO:add category for graphics; add graphics, tileset, graphic set, color scheme, the repositories, ttf? Although commonly referred to as text or "ASCII"-graphics, DF uses a bitmap tileset with charactes from CP437, displayed in 16 colors. (exception ->Linux terminal text modelink to init file setting ). Both, colors and tileset can be changed (see below). In addition, interface text can be displayed with a TrueType font (bug link) and creatures (which normally are displayed as letters) can be assigned to separate sprite sheets (tilesets?)

[image of default tileset]

Installation

Tileset

add to data/art, change lines in init files

Creature Graphics

Set GRAPHICS to YES drop in raw/graphics and/or data/save/<your region>/raw/graphics

Color Scheme

replaces colors.txt

True Type Font

replace font.txt

Repositories

*TODO: add links to repos, dffd, forum threads create ttf repository?

Creating your own

Creating your own Tileset

• add some info from tileset page
• deciding on size: dimension stuff (tile size: subdivisions - 16 is divisible by 2/4/8, 18 by 3/6/9, 20 by 5/10, etc; center - uneven sizes have a center tile, even don't; screen resolution - see tile page; popularity - ties in with screen resolution and available creature graphics, some tile sizes are more popular than others)
• start by editing existing tileset and replacing tiles piece by piece. Decide on "base tileset"
• basic editing tutorial
  • basic photoshop stuff: masks, layers, alpha channel transparency, some tools (pen, eraser, selection tools) (get someone to add GIMP equivalents)
  • good practices: non-destructive editing, using separate layers, organizing in groups and naming layers, grid (plus subgrid, pixel grid), debug layers, save often.
  • walkthrough of making a new tileset
    • preparation download fresh DF install, put into separate test directory, make world, start fortress, ideally with a typical fortress and all objects visible somehow
    • open base tileset of your choice (square vanilla in this case?), set grid to right size, make visible
    • bmp or png, magenta/alpha transparency
      • use png, and alpha transparency, if you start with bmp, make layer from background, select magenta with wand, press del. save as psd
      • first debug/auxiliary layer : black background; new layer, move to back, [d], alt+del. Give it a nice name and color in layers menu
    • change bed, give dwarf beard:
      • non-destructive editing: select dwarf & bed tile, layer with copy.
      • select base layer again, invert selection, press mask button, lock layer, save as psd
      • select new layer, draw beard on with pen
      • erase bed, draw new bed
    • save as psd again
    • test out your creation
      • make debug layers invisible
      • save for web & devices: png-24, alpha transparency in data/art.
      • open data/init/init.txt, point to your new tileset
      • load up DF, marvel at your artistic genius.
    • Not good enough yet? Kill DF (strg+shift+esc), change in PS, overwrite tileset, start DF again.

advanced stuff/raw changes

• init & raw changes, link to tileset lists
• most commonly used tiles with multiple meanings: u-d-stairs/bins/cursor/archery, male/female
• note on unused tiles
• compatibility, dependency, conflicts, maintainance across versions (file changes.txt, etc)

tricks and magic

• how df blends colors/background/foreground
• transparency, partial transparency (including opaque background tiles), engraving, INVERTED, animated tiles

advanced photoshop stuff

actions: automating common steps. for example export: select debug layers, make invisible, save for web and devices

TODO: copypasta.txt includes some old tutorials I wrote, check it.

stuff to change on tileset page once everything's in place

• clarify graphic set, character set, tileset in first part
• move/change graphic set stuff to graphic set page, add link?
• main creature tiles section: add something like "for a list with raw names see {here|link to graphic set#table}"
• still necessary/useful with graphic set page in place? remove it altogether? Discuss with King Mir
• others should definitely stay, they can't be changed with graphic sets.

Creature Graphics

this page

• conflicts, reminder to delete example files or better, overwrite with empty file
• link to list of creatures by tile, add names grabbed from raws with wiki template;
• testing (link to utilities#raw explorer)
• suggestions about grouping

new page 'graphic set' (listed here for drafting)

• different tiles for kids and adults, different tiles for jobs (civ/military), but not for gender (unless you do some caste modding ^[Verify]). no VERMIN either.
• add explanation of syntax, must be same size as tileset (http://dwarffortresswiki.org/index.php/40d_Talk:Graphics_set_repository#Questions:_making_your_own_set)
• table automatically grabbing creature names, [CREATURE NAME], default letter, (what else is useful?) from raws. TODO: ->ask lethosor for bot/template? akin to Template:Creature row
• template in text form you can copy into text editor and only need to insert bitmap name, coordinates (assign coordinates automatically instead?). should be read from raws, too. TODO: how to group? By biome? phylogenetic? ha! I wish; include vermin? useless, but who doesn't love to draw bugs
• list of inconsistently named creatures to beware TODO: necessary considering grabbing names from raws?

TrueType Font

• bug, commonly missing symbols in existing TTF, fontforge

Colors

• add short intro
• be aware of contrasting colors, best to test how every color looks withe every other color

add it all together

• releasing your own stuff
• dffd, other file hosts
• updating to a new version, resolving conflicts: change log, file changes.txt, diff