No-Glare Mini-Map - available now

from GalCiv2 Forums
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The No-Glare mini-map is now available at the link below.
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No Glare mini-map




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If you look at your mini-map there is an artificial glare cast across it. It's an arc that goes over the the top theird of the mini-map.

I'd like to mod that out, as the color shading it creates is simply too drastic for my poor old eyes to see. So... I've looked through all the gfx files but nothing seems relative to this. Anyone find the files? Or is it hardcoded?

modding
24,553 views 34 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I've never seen the glare but if its not in the gfx files its probably hardcoded.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

If you don't like the glare, just download DesktopX (free download) at http://www.desktopx.net and then find the mainUI.dxpack in the screens directory. Select the glare, hit delete and save.

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Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
the only thing i notice about the minimap (in DL) is that there are only about 3 different races visible when you have 9!

since most of the race coulors are indistinguishable on the minimap.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
That's wonderful, thanks Brad!   
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Brad, if you happen back in here. I'm just loading DesktopX for the first time and am having trouble figuring out how to edit the resulting image for the mini-console. Well... I can't find the related image for editing in PSP. I'm guessing it's something simple, but I'm at a loss. Thanks.
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I just tried to do this but I am completely at a loss. I opend the mainwnd.dxpack with DX Builder but i cannot select the glare alone only the whole main console. That is as far as i got even with reading most of the developers guide...
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I just tried to do this but I am completely at a loss. I opend the mainwnd.dxpack with DX Builder but i cannot select the glare alone only the whole main console. That is as far as i got even with reading most of the developers guide...


Me too. At this point I think it needs to be edited with a graphic program, but I can't figure out how to do that yet... since I'm guessing the graphic reference files must be contained within the MainWnd.dxpack itself?
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Actually, the glare is part of the main console image. So you'll need to edit Main_Consule_Back.png within the .dxpack (you can rename it to .zip and just open it with a zip program), and remove the glare in a graphic editing program. Once you're done, just put the new image back into the .zip, and rename it back to .dxpack.
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Sweet! Gonna try that right now. Thanks a TON Kyro!
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Got it. I'll upload it to the library. Yea!!! I can see easier!  

No Glare Mini-Map
Reply #12 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Your welcome
Reply #13 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Hey JP is this mod AND your stars mod compatible with Dread Lords?
Reply #14 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Not really... sorry. But on the bright side, you should definately get Dark Avatar! It is soooooo much better than Dread Lords. Games are so much more fun.   
Reply #15 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Yeah i know unfortunately My parents currently will not get it for me. Oh and are you going to make anymore DL mods?
Reply #16 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Oops sorry for 2x posting. My parents just bought me a Xbox 360 after all.  
Reply #17 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Nice mod!
Reply #18 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Actually, the glare is part of the main console image. So you'll need to edit Main_Consule_Back.png within the .dxpack (you can rename it to .zip and just open it with a zip program), and remove the glare in a graphic editing program. Once you're done, just put the new image back into the .zip, and rename it back to .dxpack.


Thanks for that info Kryo. I don't even like the glare at the top of the console. Now I know how to get rid of it.

And thanks jpinard, I like your version much better.

Reply #19 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Good job and thanks jpinard.

In real life, you wouldn't want glare on your screen or dashboard. I don't understand why they'd decide to add it on the virtual dashboard; the only thing it does is to obscure the interface.

May I make one request: please make another version that removes all glare from the interface (on the map toggle icons, the main info display, the small window and the color-coded bar to the left.)
Reply #20 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Any idea which file adds the glare at the top of the console anyone? I just tried to figure it out but I couldn't. At least I don't have glare on my mini-map anymore in case I can't work it out.
Reply #21 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The console and minimap panel are all one image, so you'd need to reopen the dxpack and edit the same image as jpinard did.
Reply #22 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Well I opened the main window dxpack, but all I saw were little bits and pieces of graphics that I resumed were used as tiles. I didn't see anything that resembled a full blown graphic, except for the buttons. Am I looking in the wrong place? If not, what's the name of the graphic I'm looking for, maybe I missed it?
Reply #23 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
As noted above, Main_Consule_Back.png is the one you want.
Reply #24 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
As noted above, Main_Consule_Back.png is the one you want.


Yes, I missed that one all right. Still, I don't see any indication of glare on their. I guess maybe I'll have to take a closer look in Photoshop. Thanks.

Reply #25 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The glare isn't very visible as it blends with the checkered 'transparent' background. If you put a layer below it and fill it with black it should be a lot easier to see; just don't forget to delete the black layer before you save it.