Building your own PCK,MCD,TAB sets

[luke83]

So what program is everyone using to create there own PCK,MCD,TAB files?

I use to use MCDADD by BombBloke to Copy data from an existing tileset to my new one, then just adjust the graphics and Lofts if required however this doesn't seem to be working correctly on my new windows ( its kind of hit and miss, it works sometimes but then other times does nothing). I assume someone has a new tool that they use since i see so many new maps in use these days.

[davide]

Some modders use Volutar's mcdedit, from previous pinned thread

[Solarius Scorch]

Can you even use anything else? That's the first time I've actually stumbled upon these ancient names.
But even if you can, I can't find a single reason to not use MCDEdit. It does everything. Easily. With interface easier than Paint. It's one of my favourite programs ever, not just X-Com related.

[The Reaver of Darkness]

I use MCDEdit. It's easy to learn and does everything you need. Check out my LIGHTNIA.MCD for a demonstration of what a noob scrub can do with the thing.

[luke83]

ok, so i have MCEDIT, how do i increase my terrain set by the selected models. Isee i can APPEND 2 sets together but i dont want to add a extra set, i just want to add 4 more parts to it, how do i do this in the new MCDEDIT?

[Solarius Scorch]

First add the new graphics, then use "add MCD" to add a new tile.
Not sure if this is what you meant, so ask away.

[luke83]

First add the new graphics, then use "add MCD" to add a new tile.
Not sure if this is what you meant, so ask away.

all good i found a workaround, i Appended 2 tiles sets together, then deleted the MCDs i didnt want.

--- posts merged, PLEASE STOP, it such a bitch to merge them on the phone ---


Is there any MAXIMUM sizes to these files, i updated this file with the new MCDEDIT but it keeps crashing out my mapview, are there limits?

MCDEDIT - gave a warning pop-up saying it was too big for the original game but ok for OXC, as such i assumed it would be ok.

[Solarius Scorch]

Yes, the maximum size for the pck file is 64 kB. Otherwise it won't function properly.
This is why we can't have everything in one tileset...

[kevL]

huh fancy what i seen recently

    /// NOTE: A possible internal reason that a spriteset is invalid is that
    /// if the total length of its compressed PCK-data exceeds 2^16 bits
    /// (roughly). That is, the TAB file tracks the offsets and needs to
    /// know the total length of the PCK file, but UFO's TAB file stores the
    /// offsets in only 2-byte format (2^16 bits) so the arithmetic explodes
    /// with an overflow as soon as an offset for one of the sprites becomes
    /// too large. (Technically, the total PCK data can exceed 2^16 bits;
    /// but the *start offset* for a sprite cannot -- at least that's how it
    /// works in MapView I/II. Other apps like XCOM, OpenXcom, MCDEdit will
    /// use their own routines.)
    /// NOTE: It appears that TFTD's terrain files suffer this limitation
    /// also.

[Stoddard]

Maybe it's time to think about dumping MCD/PCK/TAB and using PNG-spritesheets for graphics and YAML for MCDs?

It'd require rewriting MCDEdit from scratch though .. pity there is no source code.

[Solarius Scorch]

I would say it's not worth the trouble, what we have is good enough... But I don't want to be quoted ironically after 30 years.

[Yankes]

I would say it's not worth the trouble, what we have is good enough... But I don't want to be quoted ironically after 30 years.

This is already 20y old :>

[luke83]

I would say it's not worth the trouble, what we have is good enough... But I don't want to be quoted ironically after 30 years.

+1 i will just have 2 sets, its no issue, i just thought i would ask as MCDEDIT said it would be ok when its not

[kevL]

@luke if all you want to do is add a few sprites, try PckView (in the Mapview directory). it should be a simple right-click -> Add ... operation

source sprites have to be .gif, iirc

ps, Make a backup of your spriteset first (.pck/.tab) -- i don't think PckView has been extensively tested.



and MCDEdit is still one of The apps on the planet ...


edit: am thinking that a spriteset can be opened in MCDEdit w/out its .mcd (ie, w/out complete mcd-records) ... hopefully it assigns default records that could then be edited to fit

edit2: bleh i'll shuddup now

[luke83]

First add the new graphics, then use "add MCD" to add a new tile.
Not sure if this is what you meant, so ask away.

so its not just me right, there is no way to copy the Image over at the same time as the rest of the data when you copy a tile???