TEXBMP2 is an update of a popular DOS program I did called TEXBMP. All it
does is convert FS5, FS95 or FS98 "texture" files to BMP format and back
after repainting. Version 2.0 is much faster than 1.0 and allows you to view
files as you search. It must be run with Windows 3.1 or higher and requires
VBRUN300.DLL to be in your \WINDOWS\SYSTEM subdirectory/subfolder. To
install, place the two files TEXBMP2.EXE and BMPHDR.DAT together in some
subdirectory. The program will allow you to search for BMP and texture files
on any drive, but these two files must be in the same subdirectory.
USAGE:
The program was meant to be simple and self-explanatory. Upon running
TEXBMP2.EXE, you will be presented with a picture "box," drive, directory and
file boxes, a text box and three "buttons." The picture box will display
texture files or BMP files as they are highlighted in the file box. It will
NOT display ANY texture or BMP. The program only searches for 256 x 256
textures (files 65536 bytes in length) or BMPs made from such textures. It
will not work with different size texture files. The good news, however, is
that most textures are this size. The program works not only with scenery
textures (R8 or other extension) but also with aircraft textures (*.*AF).
When the desired texture file is highlit, you may enter a new BMP file
name in the text box then click the TEX2BMP button. The program will create
a BMP file, with the specified new name, from the texture. BE SURE TO ENTER
THE .BMP EXTENSION IN THE FILE NAME. The process occurs very quickly and,
when it's done, the new file name disappears from the text box and you will
hear a small "beep" sound. The new file is created in the same subdirectory
in which you found the texture. To verify that the new file is there, you
may either re-run TEXBMP2 or change to another directory and change back.
This will cause the program to re-read the directory/subdirectory.
If the highlighted file is a BMP, you may enter a new texture file name in
the text box and click the BMP2TEX button. The process is identical to that
mentioned above for texture to BMP conversion. By using both of the programs
features, you may repaint textures with a BMP editor then convert back.
WARNING: BE CAREFUL WHICH TYPE OF FILE IS HIGHLIT BEFORE CLICKING A BUTTON.
(This comes under the heading of "pay attention to what you're
doing." I know because I've messed it up myself .)
NOTES: Not all paint programs save palettes the same way. This will cause
particular problems if you use fancy painting techniques that involve
changing from 256 color mode to higher modes and back. If you have
palette problems, try saving repainted BMPs with MSpaint.
TEXBMP2 uses the FS5.PAL palette. For most purposes, it should work
just fine. If you really, really need to work with some other
palette, contact me and I can send you alternate BMPHDR.DAT files.
NEW TO VERSION 2.1: If you wish to create a totally new BMP and convert it
to a texture, you may have palette problems. That is, the new
texture will use the FS5 palette and will often cause your colors to
be quite different. The solution is to paste your new BMP into one
which uses the FS5 palette, save it to a new file name, then convert
that new BMP to a texture. To assist with this process, FS5PAL.BMP
has been added to the TEXBMP2 package. This is a simple 256x256 BMP
that uses the FS5 palette. You may paste your new BMPs into this
file before converting. Be careful to keep FS5PAL.BMP unaltered in
order to re-use it.
I would like to express special thanks to John Mooney and Steve Halpern
who inspired me with their program, R8FastView. They taught me how to use
picture boxes and to use string data for faster conversion.
This program is freeware; please feel free to share it. It should not
harm your computer but, if you imagine it has, I accept no liability.
Chuck Dome
72723,734
VERSION HISTORY:
2.0 - Original Windows version
2.1 - Included FS5PAL.BMP
Re-wrote the program to delete all temporary files upon exiting
