Transparency install_splash.tga

[datiswous]

Is there a way to decrease the amount of transparency applied to mission install_splash.tga images in the install menu?

The current amount fades the image away, to such extend that it's often not possible to see it correctly.

 

I found that converting these images to grayscale and increasing the contrast helps the visibility somewhat.

Spoiler

Original mission picture:

Tweaked image:

 

 

 

Edited May 1, 2021 by datiswous

[freyk]

Maybe by changing some GUI item properties inside the Gui code for that menu?
(like somewhere in tdm_gui01.pk4\guis\mainmenu_download.gui)
Change the last number of "forecolor" (if there is a property line).

Or Are ask the mapper to add a more transparent screenshot?

 

Edited May 1, 2021 by freyk

[datiswous]

Thanks. The setting is actually in tdm_gui01.pk4 -> guis folder -> mainmenu_newgame.gui

The following code:

windowDef ModToInstallParent
	{
		rect	10, 160, 280, 310

		windowDef ModToInstallParchment
		{
			rect		0, 0, 280, 310
			background	"guis/assets/mainmenu/oldparchment_backdrop5"
			matcolor 	1, 1, 1, 1
			visible		"gui::modToInstallVisible"

			// greebo: The image of the mod, drawn below the texts, so put it before those windowDefs
			windowDef modImage
			{
				rect		20, 45, 245, 230
				//background	"textures/common/nodraw"
				background	"gui::mod_image"
				matcolor	1,1,1,0.2
				visible		1
			}

Change under

matcolor    1,1,1,0.2

0.2 into something else and that changes that image transparency. The file says that you should not do the edits in the file itself, but put a copy in the fm. If I do that though, the changes are only in effect if that mission is installed.

The setting 0.2 for transparency is i.m.o. wrong. The correct transparency setting is 0.3 or 0.4 or something in between.

Spoiler

0.2

0.3

 

Edited May 1, 2021 by datiswous

[datiswous]

Other (related) question:

The code block above says:

background	"guis/assets/mainmenu/oldparchment_backdrop5"

I tried to look for folder guis/assets/mainmenu in file tdm_gui01.pk4 (and other places), but could not find it. Where is it located? Or where are these menu background files located?

 

Edit: Found it already. They sit under the dds folder.

Edited May 1, 2021 by datiswous

[datiswous]

Most people would not be interested in this (I think), but who knows..

I changed the background for the fm introduction text and image. I think it looks somewhat cleaner but maybe a little less blur and still some detail would look better.

Spoiler

Original background:

(this already includes the lesser transparency edit 0.2 to 0.3, posted before)

Blurred background:

(the white text for Install Mission is an accident with creating the screenshot. normally it is only white when hovering over)

 

Edited May 1, 2021 by datiswous

[datiswous]

Btw. What is the purpose of use of dds files for the menu backrgrounds instead of tga or something else? And why have the dds files multiple layers with smaller versions in them?

[datiswous]

Just noticed that although https://wiki.thedarkmod.com/index.php?title=How_to_pack_your_Mission states that the image install_splash.tga should be 256x256, the image is streched to 4:3 in the fm selection in TDM if the image is 1:1. So that wiki info should be changed. Maybe it's just outdated info. Also the image canvas can be much larger px wise, don't know why it should be 256 px.

Edited May 1, 2021 by datiswous