Request for help in replacing graphics :)

[Nobbynob Littlun]

Sorry, I tried figuring it out myself but there is so much info to figure out ^^;

I've created graphics to replace a number of the spell icons, i.e. Mind-Numbing Poison (http://i7.thottbot.com/Interface/Icons/Spell_Nature_NullifyDisease.jpg) becomes this (http://movies.phank.com/nonMovieUploads/rogue-mindnumbingpoison-big.bmp), or Backstab (http://i11.thottbot.com/Interface/Icons/Ability_BackStab.jpg) becomes a kinda-cute-actually Backstab (http://movies.phank.com/nonMovieUploads/rogue-backstab-big.bmp).

I'm guessing that WoW by default pulls all of these graphics from an MPQ somewhere, and then resizes it to fit into whatever space if necessary (i.e. the icons are at half-size on the hotkey bars).

If anyone knows of a way I could tell WoW "don't use those, use this icon here, and that icon there" I would greatly appreciate it :)

[sarf]

Basically, you need to figure out what the name and path of the ability-icons is, then create that path and put the files there.

You could check out this text:
http://www.fukt.bth.se/~k/wow/stuff/howto-extract-interface-files.txt

But instead of extracting normal interface "code" files, you check out Interface\Icons

Backstab should be easy, mind-numbing poison might not be.

Oh, and I think WoW only reads BLP (it's own format) or TGA files when it comes to pictures.

Sarf
---
ABSENTEE, n. A person with an income who has had the forethought to remove himself from the sphere of exaction. - from The Devil's Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce

[Nobbynob Littlun]

Wow. That's, straightforward. Though I'll have to wait a few days for release before I can see whether it works, you have my thanks!

[sarf]

You're welcome. :)

Sarf
---
I'm prepared for all emergencies. But I'm totally unprepared for everyday life.

[Nobbynob Littlun]

Hmm stuck again, alas.

Download WinMPQ, the two BLP2 <-> TGA converters, and BLP viewer.

Attempted to create c:\...\World of Warcraft\Interface\Icons\ directory, in which I placed appropriately sized/formatted/named TGAs, but unfortunately WoW doesn't seem to look for that :)

Then I attempted to replace them within the MPQ itself, using the TGA->BLP2 converter followed my WinMPQ, but within the game itself, and using the BLP viewer, the image appears corrupted. I saved the TGAs to the photoshop default: 24-bit uncompressed. It rejects anything in 32-bit.

The BLP also appears corrupted if I view it before it has been inserted. All I can figure is that the converter does not work right. Alas!

[sarf]

Hmm...

I think it works like this:

Request for Texture -> WoW looks for BLP picture -> if not found, looks for TGA picture

While it prefers files that are not in MPQs, I think it first checks for BLP pictures, THEN for TGA pictures.

If the BLP pix aren't correct, it ignores them and goes for the ones in the MPQ.

Sarf
---
How can you be in two places at once when you're not anywhere at all?

[DJ Tenchi]

Wish it was that easy but really it's not.

When refrenceing outside files it only looks for the same name and format thats been refrenced by the game.

So say we want to change a texture for the Raptor. Extract the blp file and convert it to tga. Change whats needed then place the tga in the place the game asks for it and nothing happens. Now convert it back to blp and put it in the refrenced folder and the game detects it, only problem is it doesn't detect it right as the converted blp is missing vital information so the game reads it all funny.

Try it yourself. I think the encoded files are actully in DDS and we really need a DDS converter for them.

[sarf]

Well... that sort of tallies with what I tried to say, even though I made a hash out of it.

Sarf
---
Do not call up that which you cannot put on hold.

[Beltic]

The links to the new graphics dont work.

My question - if you change (somehow) the graphics used in game, only you would see them, so, as an example - the raptor skin would only be seen by you, so... whats the point?

[sarf]

Because people want to use their own skinned UI? :)

The real reason?
Because we can. :D

Sarf
---
I don't suffer from insanity. I enjoy every minute of it.

[Nobbynob Littlun]

When refrenceing outside files it only looks for the same name and format thats been refrenced by the game.

The new images need not be placed in data\interface.mpq?

[DJ Tenchi]

No, you don't replace ANY files in the MPQ's.

Just put the file in the correct folders.

[psador]

I'm having the same problems, when i start my client, and select the modified texture, it crashes!!
I'm using Technetium tools BLP2 to TGA and TGA to BLP2 both released in january
Any suggestions?