T
Timothyjmcneeley
Deleted Due to Inactivity
Former MSFC Member
Lets open a discussion on what technical terms in our numerous modifications mean. E.X. GUI, SOD, ODF, Sprite, etc.
Hello and welcome to MSFC. We are a small and close knitted community who specialises in modding the game Star Trek Armada 2 and the Fleet Operations modification, however we have an open field for discussing a number of topics including movies, real life events and everything in-between.
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Well odf Is object definition file but what does SOD stand for?
SPR: This is a TGA type image file that the game engine uses to make things like phasers and photons, and even explosions. These usually have Alpha Channels embedded into them to allow the black areas to be transparent.
SPRs are also TGAs, as are most the GUI.
Actually SPRs are notepad files, with the numbers etc which specify how the TGA texture file is used/animated, etc...
Actually SPRs are notepad files, with the numbers etc which specify how the TGA texture file is used/animated, etc...
One can make and save images to these formats using programs like Gimp, Paintshop Pro, and Photoshop. These 3 programs support the TGA format with Alpha channels.
Bitmaps (aka: BMP) and TGA (not 100% sure what the TGA stands for).
I gave up assimilating people years ago. Now I just scheme every night my next plan to try and take over the world!
Any more requests on definitions of technical things related to Armada 2? I will see if I can get the right answers related. It can be challenging to remember all this stuff related to Armada and not other software. But I will gladly do my best.
What is a Poly, and why does it matter if it is to high?
It's a good thing we aren't talking apples and oranges here.
Dan, your doing fine. Keep chipping in. I just have to add in a cent or two myself.
TMC, if you have some basic programming knowledge, then there's no reason you can't learn to code the game. Modding is quite self-rewarding (at least for me it is, that's why I keep going at it even when some in the community have been less than nice toward any projects I'm involved in).
Well, actually, I would recommend getting a copy of Westworld's Big book of modding. It's old, but it covers all the basics and even some of the more advanced techniqs. It's free... I'll have to see if I can find it. I will see about getting you a copy in the near future.
The only program you need to mod ODFs, TTs, SPRs, and the other code files is a simple text editor, such as "notepad".
The expensive programs are 3D modeling and rendering software. But you can get Milkshape (aka: MS3D) for only $20, if your interested in modeling. Then you would need a image creation/editing program that can format an image to TGA. "Gimp" is such a program, and it's free. But be warned, all these require you going through the learning process for each one. One can not just "jump in" and know what to do. The community members are usually most happy to help. I've managed to help a few here and there even.
Well, actually, I would recommend getting a copy of Westworld's Big book of modding. It's old, but it covers all the basics and even some of the more advanced techniqs. It's free... I'll have to see if I can find it. I will see about getting you a copy in the near future.
The only program you need to mod ODFs, TTs, SPRs, and the other code files is a simple text editor, such as "notepad".