Custom bilboards

[[-CGZ-]BioRaveN]

I know that the Leave your Mark contest is going on, and I might do my submission, but say mine doesn't make it into the game, does anyone know where to find the files, and what file types I need to use to replace the current in game ones with my own??

I know people were able to replace a bunch of the images in battlefield 2, and the battlefield 2142 engine is pretty simliar to the Battlefield 2 one.

If anyone can tell me which files to edit for which ones, and how to convert them into the file type, I would greatly appreciate it, I can also make you some custom bilboards if you want them.

Thanks

-BioRaveN

[-=NaG=- Heady]

thats kinda cool! Never knew you could change the bilboard pics. Would PB possibly kick you cause of different files? I f someone was hiding on the billboard you had set to pink it wouldn't be hard spotting them. But I don't think you can get on them...

[GIJLowe]

yeah I wanna see the other submissions for that contest when its over

[nutcrackr]

1) You need a graphics program to make .dds images. you can get the nvidia plugin for standard graphics applications. http://developer.nvidia.com/object/nv_texture_tools.html

2) You need to make the .dds images power of 2 in width and height, 128x256, 256x512, 32x64 etc. It's best just to use the size of the images you are replacing so they fit better.

3) Finally you need this program to edit your icontent.cache. I recommend backing it up and also backing up your new ad file.
http://igaeditor.sourceforge.net/
Just import your new dds image over existing ones.

Also check out this thread for more details about the ads (blocking etc.)
http://www.totalbf2142.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8061

Oh and punkbuster doesn't kick if you change them.

[Maj.Damage]

I'm looking forward to seeing the winners, and perhaps runners up. I don't do contests, but if I did obviously I would have won. :D :laugh: :rolleyes:

[*FMJ*Power]

heres some easy instructions that st wrath from tracker put up. just remember to read up on how to block the proper ip addresses or else your nice new custom file will just get written over when you load up the game. heres a thread telling what ip addreses and ports to block

http://www.totalbf2142.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5342&highlight=custom+billboard

i do believe theres another method to do this and i know there was a thread all about it awhile back but this is the method i tried.


First of all you will need these programs:

Gimp (http://www.gimp.org/)
Gimp DDS Plugin (http://registry.gimp.org/plugin?id=4816)
IGA Ad Cache Editor (http://igaeditor.sourceforge.net/index.html#download)

Once you have installed your ready to start.

First of the pics that you see in the billboards are in a file named icontent.cache found in "My Documents\Battlefield 2142" directory, without the double quotes.

To edit this this you use IGA Ad Cache. You can not use jpeg type pics with IGA Ad Cache, you need to use gimp to open you jpeg image and then save it in Direct Draw Surface (DDS) format, when doing this select "Generate Mipmaps" and use DXT1 compression only. Saving to DDS format will result in some quality loss, I recommend you save any original works.

This program has very limited checking of the files, it will not attempt to correct you if the image has the wrong dimensions. It will, however, attempt to correct you if the filesize is wrong, as this will catch the most common import problems.


After you have your pic in DDS format your can now import it into your icontent.cache using IGN Ad Cache Editor. Check the oringnal icontent.cache for the billboard sizes as you MUST keep your pics to the same dimensions for it to work.

Just remeber back-up BEFORE you make any changes!

[[-CGZ-]BioRaveN]

I use photoshop, is there a dds plugin for photoshop, so I can just save it as that, and replace it, i want to make custom ones to give to my clan i run.

[nutcrackr]

Guess you didn't bother reading my post.

[[-CGZ-]BioRaveN]

I did.

I didnt understand it though... about the sizes.. i can scan the internet for a .dds plugin for photoshop...

I can try the upgrade, but just installing gimp and opening my PSD and saving as dds would be a little bit easier.

[Mooияakeя™]

Has anyone got this problem before with the IGA Ad Cache Editor, I can't work it :(

http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/7568/problemjy3.jpg