20-04-2001 17:36									#1
	Sprites Sprites Sprites Support Apolyton or Terrorists Win

Well I've been benefitting from the discussions here a long time, but never really participated much. But I'm here now anyways.
What I'd truly like to know, from anyone source at all really is.....Is there a sprite VIEWER out there somewhere...not a spritemaker...or a spritetool...a SPRITE VIEWER.
The sprite editor for creatures2 supports the *.spr format and the codes are similar even, but it's not got the capacity to view ctp sprites. There's some other 8 bit *.spr editors and viewers out there, but nothing that will support ctp *.spr viewing, that I can find anyways. Seriously driving me nuts!!!!
I've edited nearly everything else I care to really, and I'm almost done with my scenario I think. But if I could find a useable interface in regards to the sprite viewing and creation it would change my whole world I suck at sprite creation, and I'm lost in the coding, as I have no complete comparisons to go by.
But if anyone out there can help in any way at all, it would be greatly appreciated.
Also, I owe all contributors to past editing topics much thanks, especially Nordicus, who's cleared up many a grey area for me.
Cheers.

------------------
Fuzz

	21-04-2001 09:25									#2
	Support Apolyton

quote: Originally posted by Fuzzball on 04-20-2001 08:36 AMWhat I'd truly like to know, from anyone source at all really is.....Is there a sprite VIEWER out there somewhere...not a spritemaker...or a spritetool...a SPRITE VIEWER.

Is far as I've heard, on these forums and the CTP2 forums - No.
I expect that Activision deliberately used a different format so that no-one could steal their graphics. Nasty corporate corporation .

Where can we get the other *.spr viewers? Maybe someone here could adapt them?

As for coding, you've probably seen this, but its the example text file from the help file.

code:

 ##################################################
############
# This is a Unit Sprite script. 
 ##################################################
############


0 # Required 0

UNIT_SPRITE
{
	UNIT_SPRITE_MOVE	1
    {
        # This is the sprite action definition block.  All sprite
        # actions require this block if the sprite action is defined.
        #
        SPRITE_NUM_FRAMES     1    # number of frames of animation
        SPRITE_FIRST_FRAME    0    # the index of the first frame
        SPRITE_WIDTH         96    # the width of each sprite image
        SPRITE_HEIGHT        72    # the height of each sprite image
        SPRITE_HOT_POINTS          # the hot points (center points) of
                                   # the sprite for each of the 5 facings
            49 54     # facing 1
            49 54     # facing 2
            49 54     # facing 3
            49 54     # facing 4
            49 54     # facing 5
    }
	ANIM	1
	{
		ANIM_TYPE		1
		ANIM_NUM_FRAMES		1
		ANIM_PLAYBACK_TIME	1000
		ANIM_DELAY		10000
		ANIM_FRAME_DATA
			0

		ANIM_MOVE_DELTAS	0
		ANIM_TRANSPARENCIES	0
	}

	UNIT_SPRITE_ATTACK	0

	UNIT_SPRITE_IDLE	0

	UNIT_SPRITE_VICTORY		0

	UNIT_SPRITE_WORK		0

	UNIT_SPRITE_FIREPOINTS		0

	UNIT_SPRITE_FIREPOINTS_WORK	0

	UNIT_SPRITE_MOVEOFFSETS		0

    UNIT_SPRITE_SHIELDPOINTS    1
    {    
        UNIT_SPRITE_SHIELDPOINTS_MOVE
            72 9
            72 9
            72 9
            72 9
            72 9
        UNIT_SPRITE_SHIELDPOINTS_ATTACK
            48 36
            48 36
            48 36
            48 36
            48 36
        UNIT_SPRITE_SHIELDPOINTS_IDLE
            48 36
            48 36
            48 36
            48 36
            48 36
        UNIT_SPRITE_SHIELDPOINTS_VICTORY
            82 9
            48 36
            48 36
            48 36
            48 36
        UNIT_SPRITE_SHIELDPOINTS_WORK
            48 36
            48 36
            48 36
            48 36
            48 36
    }
}

	21-04-2001 02:25									#3
	Got spare money?

Thanx Wombat. I pretty much found out about Activision's trickery with the .spr format the hard way I guess. I thoroughly searched at least 500 to 600 sites in regards to viewing and editing .spr formats and got led a merry chase through several different forms of programming and coding on many different o/s.
Anyone tried to contact the activision ctp builder? Any time I've ever tried the mail always gets returned, yet they don't update the contact link. Same with the Activision contact link itself though. Some days if you're in the mood though, check the link to the "Call to Edit". Last time I checked that one it took me to the 000sex homepage. More funny stuff from Activision I guess.
I'll drop the names of the other .spr viewers here some time soon, and provide any who wish the addresses as well. They don't really work, although some of them did actually load the sprite, but just gave me a blank pic, not a real view anyway. But if anyone could modify any of them to fit, it would be a godsend here. I have to chase the viewers up again though, as I deleted them all in a Fuzzy Fit Of Rage at having so little support for sprites in ctp. Damn U Activision!!!!
hehe.
The scenario I've been working on has mainly been a labour of love for some friends of mine I've played ctp online with for the last year or so. It's incorporating many interesting facets from other scenarios, as well as some newer concepts as well. There is currently units from previous ctp1 and 2 mods edited to fit, although custom sounds are giving me a few minor probs. But once I get all the sound files edited properly it should no longer be a prob I hope.
I'm still hopeful of getting somewhere with finding a real Sprite viewer and editor here though.

	22-04-2001 08:14									#5
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

Hey, guys...

Nice to see that the old Creation section hasn't died
But it's a bit slow...
Who's still around?
What's cookin?

Thanks, Fuzzball. I've just gotten back into Call to Power modding--trying to get another world map made...etc.
Haven't done very much with sprites--only, something I've found out is that CtP2 sprites don't work in CtP...

So, what's new around here?
I don't see Gemini's WWII mod anywhere--is he still working on that?

Well, back to surfing...

Thomas.

	22-04-2001 11:25									#6
	Inflate your Upload Space

Maybe the legit ctp2 sprites don't work, but I know the ones from the mods do.ie the amazon units and high tech units etc. I have fully working edited versions saved with all the correct files names and icons etc. I can pass them along if anyone's interested.

	23-04-2001 01:03									#7
	Support Apolyton

Hey Nordicus, long time since I've seen you post here. Most of the mod-makers moved on to CTP2 or left completely, so there's not much going on here anymore.

	23-04-2001 07:45									#8
	Got spare money?

Hey Nordicus, long time, good to see you again......

Yes believe it or not, I'm still working on my scenario. Having troubles getting the americans to attack the nazi's in my scenario so I'm still tinkering with the aidata files but damn, it's taking a long time man.

How's everything with you??



------------------

	23-04-2001 17:54									#9
	Get a bigger avatar today!

Ctp2 sprites apparently use a slightly different coding method which means that CTP cant read them, but CTP2 can read CTP sprites, and because all fan-created sprites use the CTP spritetool, which codes for CTP, CTP2 can use them too. (and breathe...)

Wow, Nordicus is a real person!! I came to CTP too late, and just had time to download the entire database before CTP2 came out. So I'm modding over there.

	24-04-2001 17:11									#10
	Increase Your PM Length

Fuzzball:
Thanks--I'd be very interested in those! (Email is at bottom of post.)
You have these working in CtP1?

Paul:
Hi, man--how's it going? Yeah, I've been gone, but now I'm back
Yes, that's what I presumed would happen--did Locutus call it quits as well? Or is he into CtP2 now?
And what have you been up to?

Gemini:
Hey, buddy, good to see you again as well

Hmmm...if you need any help, see email below.
Oh, that reminds me: I tried emailing you several times (?--can't recall when that was...lonnnnng ago), but it was always returned to me, undelivered
So what *is* your email addy now?

Oh, the move to Van damn near killed me (caught a double pneumonia here and took it back to E-town when I returned to pack up my stuff...got pretty bad, was in the hospital for a month--but the second round of antibiotics did the job ). And it's been hell getting organized with everything (due to that), but it's all cool now, getting better

Anyway--send me an email, damnit!



Later, bro...


Wombat:

Hey...

quote: Ctp2 sprites apparently use a slightly different coding method which means that CTP cant read them, but CTP2 can read CTP sprites, and because all fan-created sprites use the CTP spritetool, which codes for CTP, CTP2 can use them too. (and breathe...)

Yes, it tells me "invalid version" or something, so that's what I gathered...
Grrr...don't have a functional copy of CtP2 (yet), so I'm stuck with CtP1 right now....Good info, tho--about CtP2 reading CtP sprites. I am insanely determined to make an Aip-Specific mod, after so many attempts and so much lost data (I'll play it on a big-ass world map), so all these extra sprites will be ideal in providing a base "first unit" for all 9 AIPs, etc.

quote: Wow, Nordicus is a real person!! I came to CTP too late, and just had time to download the entire database before CTP2 came out. So I'm modding over there.

lol!

Yes, it's 'bout time I cruised over too--as soon as I have a working copy of the game, that is...

Later, guys!

Thomas.

------------------
"Am I drivin' okay, man?"
"I think we're parked, man..."

(email me: nordicus_@excite.com )
[This message has been edited by Nordicus (edited April 24, 2001).]

	24-04-2001 19:44									#11
	Remove this text

Locutus is into CTP2 now, but he has been busy with the university, so he doesn't have much time at the moment. I have been doing some stuff for Wes' Med Mod 2, but I haven't got a lot of time, so I didn't do too much.

	25-04-2001 00:21									#12
	Inflate your Upload Space

Whoops....the files I sent were way too big for your email account.I'll post you the files in a couple of days in .zip format, and if that doesn't work I'll just send them slooowly, hehe.
I'm also setting up a site on the civgaming.net. So after I talk to Blue Orange, hopefullly I'll be able to put the readily modified files for ctp there available for anyone to download. I'll be approaching many past and present game modifiers and scenario creators about allowing me to put some of their ware's and documentation (readme's and faq's and stuff) on the site. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to pull people away from Apolyton. I'm dedicating the site mainly to the original ctp, as well as slowly adding more for ctp2 in the long term. The site won't have a chat room of it's own or anything, just information, links and downloads. I've got most of the layout sorted out already, but there's an incompatibility in the format I've used to create it apparently....So now I have to rewrite the whole thing....well...that's enough rambling for now I think...Sorry people's, it's 5am here and I've been slavin' away at several different projects here for the last 14hrs or so. (With little results Although I won't repeat the same mistakes tomorrow. I'll create new one's instead )

	25-04-2001 03:46									#13
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

Hey, Nordicus, sounds like you've kept busy. Anyway, my e-mail should be working, it's the same address as always, I did have trouble with it a couple of months ago but it's been sorted out now anyway. I'll give you an e-mail in the next couple of days. Nice to talk again man. Cya

------------------

	25-04-2001 19:06									#14
	Remove this text

He Tom! Great to see you're back again Of course I'm still around, you know I'm too addicted to ever be able to give up Just spending most of my time on CtP2 nowadays since SLIC2 is infinitely cooler than SLIC1

We were wondering what had happened to you: didn't hear from you in a long time and all your email adresses were dead, never online on ICQ, we were actually getting a bit worried. And rightly so, as it now turns out. Good to hear you're recovering though.

Didn't Activision sent you a copy of the final game? Anyway, good to hear you're ready for some good-old modmaking again, whatever the game...

I'll email you as well one of these days,

Wouter

	25-04-2001 20:19									#15
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

Danm Nord, it is good to hear from you again. I have been worried about you. This is my first post in quite a while, in either CtP or CtP2. Medically, I took a turn for the worse and don't get online as much as I used to but I did want to say Hi and let you know I have been thinking about you.

EDIT: I tried to add you to my ICQ but it couldn't find you by your ICQ number in your profile here. Send me an ICQ msg so I can get your current UID. My nickname on my PC upstairs by my bed is arZtoKku(92173697) and it is DonB181(89038342) on the PC downstairs by my couch. I will have to auth you.

I will send you an email when I can.
Don

[This message has been edited by skorpion59 (edited April 25, 2001).]

	26-04-2001 18:42									#16
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

Paul:

Good to hear you're still around & keeping busy; ah, don't be modest, you're likely as invaluable as ever

Fuzzball--

Hey, thanks, man. Yeah, I'm sure they'll fit right in to the mod I'm working on. Dunno if I'll make it an actual scenario (still wake up in a cold sweat where just before I was being eaten alive by one of my attempted scenarios *shudder* ...great, all that therapy down the toilet ), but the map is turning out very well, and I guess that's easy enough to convert to a CtP2 map (whenever I get the game... ).

quote: Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to pull people away from Apolyton. I'm dedicating the site mainly to the original ctp, as well as slowly adding more for ctp2 in the long term. The site won't have a chat room of it's own or anything, just information, links and downloads.

Sounds cool


Gemini:

Cool--I'll email ya a little later, man.

Hey, Don, good to see you around here

quote: Danm Nord, it is good to hear from you again. I have been worried about you. This is my first post in quite a while, in either CtP or CtP2. Medically, I took a turn for the worse and don't get online as much as I used to but I did want to say Hi and let you know I have been thinking about you.

Yeah, I have as well--it's been...interesting, tell ya about it sometime but things are getting better...I've hoped things had improve for you....

quote: EDIT: I tried to add you to my ICQ but it couldn't find you by your ICQ number in your profile here. Send me an ICQ msg so I can get your current UID. My nickname on my PC upstairs by my bed is arZtoKku(92173697) and it is DonB181(89038342) on the PC downstairs by my couch. I will have to auth you.

Hmmm. I thought I put the right number in--anyway, I'll check my profile--> my (new) ICQ # is

116 067 011

quote: I will send you an email when I can. Don

Look forward to it--you behave yourself in the meantime


Locutus:

Hey, they still letting you in here?

quote: We were wondering what had happened to you: didn't hear from you in a long time and all your email adresses were dead, never online on ICQ, we were actually getting a bit worried. And rightly so, as it now turns out. Good to hear you're recovering though. Didn't Activision sent you a copy of the final game? Anyway, good to hear you're ready for some good-old modmaking again, whatever the game...

Well, that's half of it...ugh. Anyway, things are great out here man, love it here
Yeah, my sis had my computer for a couple months, messed it up pretty good, so I had to wipe the harddrive, lost my email address book, and I've been Offline for about two months! The horror!

Nope. Maybe there was a screw-up in mailing the thing, I dunno...I asked, never got a reply, so whatever. Disappointing--was eager to get into the new AI dip set-up. Oh well.

Yes, my *real* email isn't up yet, so I'm using excite. So, yeah, gimmee a shout on ICQ too, man.

Later!

Thomas.

------------------
"Man is a thing to be surpassed"
--Nietzsche.

"Am I drivin' okay, man?"
"I think we're parked, man..."

"PROT? sounds like a sound when you ****"
--(can't remember)

new email: nordicus_@excite.com
[This message has been edited by Nordicus (edited April 26, 2001).]

	26-04-2001 19:38									#17
	Browse Apolyton AD-FREE

Check your email please Nordicus. Sorry dude, I think I kinda overfilled it with unit sprtes and pics I had to bust up all the unit folders into tiny zip files so they'd get through. Only one more zip to go I think. Still can't put stuff on the site, apparently they're doin' a "system overhaul" to make things a bit better.

	28-04-2001 01:27									#18
	Tired of ads?

Hmmmm. Odd, I just checked my excite account and there's one email from you, stating that it was the last file.
All I can think is when you have time, try sending them again *shrug*

Talk later.

Thomas.