Can't make custom portraits! What the heck?

Wulfere · 10-08-2002, 06:12 PM

O.K.
I have tried using iPhoto to create the tga files for custom portraits.
They come out great.
But, crash the game. I have found some referance to compressed tga files
causing this problem. Fine. I remade the portraits with Corels
PhotoPaint 9, and no compression. They still crash the game. What am I
doing wrong here? They are the proper size pixel wise. Is there a maximum
size for the file? Memory wise that is. I am at a loss.
I have all these nice Frank Frazetta scans and can't use even one.
Help!

Micah Foehammer · 10-08-2002, 06:46 PM

The custom Portraits should conform to the following sizes:

H - 256 x 400 on a canvas of 256 x 512 (the bottom 112 bits are EMPTY)
L - 128 x 200 on a canvas of 128 x 256
M - 64 x 100 on a canvas of 64 x 128
S - 32 x 50 on a canvas of 32 x 64
T - 16 x 25 on a canvas of 16 x 32

Make sure that the portion of the canvas below the portrait is TOTALLY empty. Edit your portrait to fit the multiples of 16 x 25 and then expand the canvas to the apporpriate multiple of 16 x 32. There should be a thread in this forum where the canvas sizes are available for download.

As you have already discovered, it imperative that the .tga files be uncompressed.

Good Luck. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Wulfere · 10-08-2002, 08:27 PM

The only thing I have done differently is not make the bottom portion blank.
I will give that a shot. Thanks for the snappy info!

Wulfere · 10-09-2002, 07:48 AM

Well, I followed all your advice and they still crash the game.
I used PhotoPaint9 to make the canvas. Made sure the images were the sizes you listed and that the space below the image was empty. Then saved the files
as Unenhanced, Uncompressed Targa. The images started as regular windows bitmaps.
I made sure to combine the images with the backround canvas as well.
Any other ideas?

Micah Foehammer · 10-09-2002, 10:05 PM

Send me the original bmp file that you started with WITHOUT any canvas size alteration and let me play with it. I haven't had any problem making customs for NWN. It might have something to do with the conversion to .tga format on your software. Are you doing a BULK transformation?

Wulfere · 10-10-2002, 06:44 AM

Thank You for the offer Micah. But the unmolested bmp is 15 meg and 1955x2688.
I don't want to cream your mail. I have sent you the cut down bmps for each
size. 380k or so zipped. If you want the larger one let me know. We could
figure something out. ICQ possibly. I could of course resample the image down somewhat, Let me know what you think. Thanks again.

PS: Nope no bulk transformations. Each was made individually. I have contacted
Tech support about this and am waiting to hear back from them.

[ 10-10-2002, 06:46 AM: Message edited by: Wulfere ]

Wulfere · 10-16-2002, 08:37 PM

OK well I give up. Nothing I try works. I have made portraits over and over again.
I have made them to the exact sizes listed. I have checked them and double checked them for size and format. They are 24 bit uncompressed tga files. I have tried to follow exactly everything you have posted and that Micah was kind enought to e-mail. They follow the 8 letter name convention used in the game.
I have been using corel PhotoPaint9.

Do I have to go out and buy Photoshop?
Whats the deal here?
Tech Support sent me this...
---------------------------------------------------
It has to be a 128x200 portrait in a 128x256 canvas. The actual image is in
the middle of the canvas. Format is TGA. It must be placed in the
Portraits folder on the hard drive.

You cannot change the portrait of a character after creation.

File names must be 8 characters long.

- The first two characters define it as female or male.

- m_#####M.tga m_#####H.tga for males.

- f_#####M.tga f_#####H.tga for females.

But you must have a file ending in L , S , and T with the appropriate file
resolutions listed in the FAQ. The game DOES NOT automatically generate the
rest when given the Large Size picture. The rest will all show up White.

Make sure the .tga files are 24-bit uncompressed images or it could cause
the game to crash on save or autosave

Unfortunately beyond that there is little I can suggest, as we recommend
that for the stability of the game you use the included portraits.

MarkL

Infogrames Technical Support
www.ina-support.com
425-951-7106
Please Include ALL previous replies when responding.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Micah Foehammer · 10-17-2002, 07:16 PM

Wulfere,

I'm stumped. The only things I can think of now are that (1) Corel is NOT saving the files in the proper .tga format or (2) that somehow you have stray pixels floating in the bottom of the "blank" canvas. Zip up one of the sets that is not working for you and email it to me. Include the H, L, M, S and T images. Let me look through the all of the files in one entire set and see if I can find something out of the ordinary with them.

I've been using JASC Paint Shop Pro 7 without any trouble. If you are interested, you can probably pick up the latest edition for 70$ (100$ minus a 30$ rebate).

Wulfere · 10-18-2002, 07:35 AM

They are on the way. As far as my machine tells me they are correct.
Thanks for the efforts to help. They are greatly appreciated.

Micah Foehammer · 10-18-2002, 09:28 PM

Wulfere,

The problem appears to be with Corel. As near as I can tell, those images are all properly sized, cropped, formatted and set in the proper canvas size with the right color density. Either Corel is not saving the images as a standard tga format or the canvas resizing is putting something other than NULL data in the lower portion of the image. There is nothing you can do about the former except to use a different type of software. As for the resizing of the canvas, make sure you are using a canvas tool and not just cropping out the lower portion of the image.

JASC Paint Shop Pro has a trial download that is good for 30 days (actually 60 days as their time limit software gives you a "grace" period). Software sells for 100$ with a 30$ rebate. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Sorry the news is not better.

[ 10-18-2002, 09:33 PM: Message edited by: Micah Foehammer ]

10-08-2002, 06:46 PM	#2
Micah Foehammer Ma'at - Goddess of Truth & Justice Join Date: November 15, 2001 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 3,253	The custom Portraits should conform to the following sizes: H - 256 x 400 on a canvas of 256 x 512 (the bottom 112 bits are EMPTY) L - 128 x 200 on a canvas of 128 x 256 M - 64 x 100 on a canvas of 64 x 128 S - 32 x 50 on a canvas of 32 x 64 T - 16 x 25 on a canvas of 16 x 32 Make sure that the portion of the canvas below the portrait is TOTALLY empty. Edit your portrait to fit the multiples of 16 x 25 and then expand the canvas to the apporpriate multiple of 16 x 32. There should be a thread in this forum where the canvas sizes are available for download. As you have already discovered, it imperative that the .tga files be uncompressed. Good Luck. [img]smile.gif[/img] __________________ “Every tavern’s an opportunity, I say.”

10-09-2002, 10:05 PM	#5
Micah Foehammer Ma'at - Goddess of Truth & Justice Join Date: November 15, 2001 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 3,253	Send me the original bmp file that you started with WITHOUT any canvas size alteration and let me play with it. I haven't had any problem making customs for NWN. It might have something to do with the conversion to .tga format on your software. Are you doing a BULK transformation? __________________ “Every tavern’s an opportunity, I say.”

10-17-2002, 07:16 PM	#8
Micah Foehammer Ma'at - Goddess of Truth & Justice Join Date: November 15, 2001 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 3,253	Wulfere, I'm stumped. The only things I can think of now are that (1) Corel is NOT saving the files in the proper .tga format or (2) that somehow you have stray pixels floating in the bottom of the "blank" canvas. Zip up one of the sets that is not working for you and email it to me. Include the H, L, M, S and T images. Let me look through the all of the files in one entire set and see if I can find something out of the ordinary with them. I've been using JASC Paint Shop Pro 7 without any trouble. If you are interested, you can probably pick up the latest edition for 70$ (100$ minus a 30$ rebate). __________________ “Every tavern’s an opportunity, I say.”

10-18-2002, 09:28 PM	#10
Micah Foehammer Ma'at - Goddess of Truth & Justice Join Date: November 15, 2001 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 3,253	Wulfere, The problem appears to be with Corel. As near as I can tell, those images are all properly sized, cropped, formatted and set in the proper canvas size with the right color density. Either Corel is not saving the images as a standard tga format or the canvas resizing is putting something other than NULL data in the lower portion of the image. There is nothing you can do about the former except to use a different type of software. As for the resizing of the canvas, make sure you are using a canvas tool and not just cropping out the lower portion of the image. JASC Paint Shop Pro has a trial download that is good for 30 days (actually 60 days as their time limit software gives you a "grace" period). Software sells for 100$ with a 30$ rebate. [img]smile.gif[/img] Sorry the news is not better. [ 10-18-2002, 09:33 PM: Message edited by: Micah Foehammer ] __________________ “Every tavern’s an opportunity, I say.”

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10-08-2002, 06:12 PM	#1
Wulfere Red Wizard of Thay Join Date: March 20, 2001 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska USA Age: 63 Posts: 893	O.K. I have tried using iPhoto to create the tga files for custom portraits. They come out great. But, crash the game. I have found some referance to compressed tga files causing this problem. Fine. I remade the portraits with Corels PhotoPaint 9, and no compression. They still crash the game. What am I doing wrong here? They are the proper size pixel wise. Is there a maximum size for the file? Memory wise that is. I am at a loss. I have all these nice Frank Frazetta scans and can't use even one. Help!

10-08-2002, 08:27 PM	#3
Wulfere Red Wizard of Thay Join Date: March 20, 2001 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska USA Age: 63 Posts: 893	The only thing I have done differently is not make the bottom portion blank. I will give that a shot. Thanks for the snappy info!

10-09-2002, 07:48 AM	#4
Wulfere Red Wizard of Thay Join Date: March 20, 2001 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska USA Age: 63 Posts: 893	Well, I followed all your advice and they still crash the game. I used PhotoPaint9 to make the canvas. Made sure the images were the sizes you listed and that the space below the image was empty. Then saved the files as Unenhanced, Uncompressed Targa. The images started as regular windows bitmaps. I made sure to combine the images with the backround canvas as well. Any other ideas?

10-10-2002, 06:44 AM	#6
Wulfere Red Wizard of Thay Join Date: March 20, 2001 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska USA Age: 63 Posts: 893	Thank You for the offer Micah. But the unmolested bmp is 15 meg and 1955x2688. I don't want to cream your mail. I have sent you the cut down bmps for each size. 380k or so zipped. If you want the larger one let me know. We could figure something out. ICQ possibly. I could of course resample the image down somewhat, Let me know what you think. Thanks again. PS: Nope no bulk transformations. Each was made individually. I have contacted Tech support about this and am waiting to hear back from them. [ 10-10-2002, 06:46 AM: Message edited by: Wulfere ]

10-16-2002, 08:37 PM	#7
Wulfere Red Wizard of Thay Join Date: March 20, 2001 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska USA Age: 63 Posts: 893	OK well I give up. Nothing I try works. I have made portraits over and over again. I have made them to the exact sizes listed. I have checked them and double checked them for size and format. They are 24 bit uncompressed tga files. I have tried to follow exactly everything you have posted and that Micah was kind enought to e-mail. They follow the 8 letter name convention used in the game. I have been using corel PhotoPaint9. Do I have to go out and buy Photoshop? Whats the deal here? Tech Support sent me this... --------------------------------------------------- It has to be a 128x200 portrait in a 128x256 canvas. The actual image is in the middle of the canvas. Format is TGA. It must be placed in the Portraits folder on the hard drive. You cannot change the portrait of a character after creation. File names must be 8 characters long. - The first two characters define it as female or male. - m_#####M.tga m_#####H.tga for males. - f_#####M.tga f_#####H.tga for females. But you must have a file ending in L , S , and T with the appropriate file resolutions listed in the FAQ. The game DOES NOT automatically generate the rest when given the Large Size picture. The rest will all show up White. Make sure the .tga files are 24-bit uncompressed images or it could cause the game to crash on save or autosave Unfortunately beyond that there is little I can suggest, as we recommend that for the stability of the game you use the included portraits. MarkL Infogrames Technical Support www.ina-support.com 425-951-7106 Please Include ALL previous replies when responding. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

10-18-2002, 07:35 AM	#9
Wulfere Red Wizard of Thay Join Date: March 20, 2001 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska USA Age: 63 Posts: 893	They are on the way. As far as my machine tells me they are correct. Thanks for the efforts to help. They are greatly appreciated.

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