Qhimm.com Forums
Miscellaneous Forums => Archive => Topic started by: Sightless_Seer on 2009-07-03 21:42:38
-
Okay. I wish to extend a warm hello, to all of you, who have decided to enter this thread.
And secondly, I wish to thank the bulk of this community, for over the years you have supplied the gaming world, with much appreciated mods.
So, Thank you.
Now, to my main point.
Since, everyone seems so keen on modding Final Fantasy VII, I thought I would take a crack at Final Fantasy VIII.
But, sadly, at this given moment, I cannot seem to find any tools, or mods previously made.
I wish to ask for this modding communities assistance.
Where can I find Final Fantasy VIII modding tools?
Are there any mods made, other than the one that amplifies the resolution, and boosts your stats.
I already have griever, but, that hardly qualifies as a modding tool.
Haha.
Well, any assistance will be appreciated.
Thank you,
Sightless_Seer
*Edit*
I already have, Eight, and Ifrit.
But, I cannot seem to get Garden to work.
I installed all the .dll's it asked for.
And now, it is asking for one i already installed.. -.-
like it can't find the link from the source... or something like that.
aw well...
-
Hopefully you can mod FF8, poor game is neglected :|
-
Quite a lot of work has been done on FFVIII, much of it by Colly; I suggest you have a look at some of his threads, especially this (http://forums.qhimm.com/index.php?topic=8461) and this (http://forums.qhimm.com/index.php?topic=8264).
-
Thank you.
I got many needed tools.
:D
-
accually one of the reasons i was so busy is someone asked for models for ff8 i made a squall to test this out but untill they post the mod i am not allowed to show you pictures.
-
I am slowly... trying to find my CDs again...
sad i know..
hahahahha.
I had the ISO files *ahem*
because i couldn't find my legit version...
but, that was years ago... and that PC died..
So, instead of doing the dishonest thing,
time for a little spring cleaning.
Er... summer.
What ever.
But, does anyone have links to all the FF8 wikis
I couldn't find them
O.o
i don't know why.
Maybe i am inept.
Or maybe it is do to the fact of no sleep for the last 48 hours...
-.-
Well anyways... i am to tired to sleep... so i am going to go get those disks
and is it spelled disc? Or Disk?
O.o...
well yeah.
Thank you,
Sightless_Seer
-
But, does anyone have links to all the FF8 wikis
I couldn't find them
O.o
Wikis in general, or wikis hosted by Qhimm?
Because I don't think that there are any of the latter.
Well anyways... i am to tired to sleep... so i am going to go get those disks
and is it spelled disc? Or Disk?
Usually disc for optical media and disk for magnetic media. :-)
EDIT: owait, I R WRONG. There is a FF8 wiki hosted by Qhimm: http://wiki.qhimm.com/FF8
Not that there would be much content, but there is one.
-
(http://i575.photobucket.com/albums/ss200/Sightless_Seer/ff8help.jpg)
Thanks for the wiki.
But, I am having a little problem...
I made ISOs on my big PC...
and brought them to the one i work at all day... via flash drive..
it installed perfectly on my big PC....
Maybe the files got corrupted in the transfer....
It works perfectly on my Vista...
but the PC i work with all day is An XP service Pack 2..
-
When I saw this thread I instantly thought of the musical Spring Awakening and I got excited. I would LOVE to help, but last time I tried to install FF8 it failed, I'll try to install it again, if it works i'll gladly help. =D.
-
Yeah.
I would love any help I could get.
Just at the moment, i understand the bulk of FF7 files....
I have learn everything from anew...
FF8, seems a tad more complex than FF7....
*edit*
(http://i575.photobucket.com/albums/ss200/Sightless_Seer/menu.jpg)
i don't get it... i am using that mod that lets you amplify the resolution...
http://forums.qhimm.com/index.php?topic=7248.0 (this is the mod i am using)
I haven't actually tested it without it.
But. it worked fine a month ago... but then i uninstalled FF8....
I reinstalled yesterday.
Now all the menus are like this...
-.-
*edit 2*
the game works fine when i don't amp up the resolution....
But, it doesn't look as good.. aw well..
It doesn't really matter.. the game is fine as it is.. as long as long i have that midi fix by that samuel guy.. i am good to go.
Okay, I just want to mod FF8... but are there any tools such as kimera??
I have the garden working...
And how would I go about... making all the menus looking like there PSX version... all smooth like.
haha.
I also want to make better avatars... some how...
:|
I saw this one guy do it...
But.. he didn't release the mod.
*edit 3*
and JordieBo
did the actual installation fail... or you just couldn't get the game to work?
Cause if the game wouldn't work...
you have to run in compatibility mode for windows 2000
and if you are using vista in administrator...
And if you have the ISOs you have to set the data path with regedit..
-
well maybe ill help with this as well just need to find my iso of ff8 so we will see.
-
:)
Thank you Viashino.
Any and all help is welcome.
My only intent is to make the gaming world better...
There of making FF8 more enjoyable...
mostly to the eyes...
lmao.
-
gimme a call when you figure out how one could replace character models :P
-
gimme a call when you figure out how one could replace character models :P
if that would ever happen in ff8, i'd go crazy :-P
-
Okay.
I have gotten Final Fantasy VIII to work perfectly on my PC..
High Resolution, good music, the works.
Now...
I want to start with something simple. To actually learn the files of Final Fantasy VIII,
I was thinking along the lines of an avatar mod.
I really liked the one I saw, but never got released... I am somewhat lacking in photo shop.
So it might not be the best.
Next I plan to convert the Dissidia Squall (normal and seed uniform).. into the game.
Then I will see where it goes from there.
-
how do you plan to replace the models?
-
how do you plan to replace the models?
I'm also wondering this. I don't think anyone else has ever managed to do it.
-
does ff8 use mesh deformation? aka the armature is rigged to the mesh, not separate objects like ff7. if so, how would you weigh the model to the skeleton?
-
-.-
i am unsure at the moment,
But, i will work at it until i get it.
I promise you that.
I have my friend... AN "expert" for just about anything to do with computer's take a look at the file format...
he says he may be able to make a tool that extracts the character files..... make it so you can import your own..
and viola. re-compile..and done..
But, he doesn't know if he can or not.
But, he says it should be simple.
-
Before you waste your time, the field models can already be exported with RINOA. Unsure about importing though
-
The (internal) format is exactly the same as FF7 (.p files) but I haven't looked at the loader or the actual data so I can't say if it's all the same.
-
-.-;;
alright...
I am going to work on my menu mod first tho...
i need to learn photoshop.
so i can replace all the menu's and text boxes with there more "shiny" PSX counterparts
*grins*
*edit*
sorry for my long absence... not that any one really cares any way *smiles*
-.-;; my GF (girl friend.. not guardian forces.. just to get that straight.)
okay lame joking aside.
My GF and I had a little spat... she got mad at me for paying more attention to the computer than to her.
xD
SO to prove my love to her i gave up the PC life for a while..
then she told me i was smothering her...
-.-
I can't win.
But i am back...
for now.
-
Sorry For the double post.
And the necromancy.
But, I have run into a problem
I attempted to use Eight...
It can extract but, it cannot compress.
Also all the avatar's are on one texture...
how do I alter that?
-.-
*sighs*
My photo shop skills are lacking.
I am somewhat okay at 3D.
I want to add these images as the new avatars.... I couldn't really find anything better.
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/Irvine1.jpg)
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/Laguna.jpg)
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/Rinoa.jpg)
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/Zell1.jpg)
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/quistis3.jpg)
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/seifer1.jpg)
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/selphie1.jpg)
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/squall.jpg)
-
http://forums.qhimm.com/index.php?topic=7619.msg92303#msg92303 :-D
PS When i came home i can give file or tell how to do it)
-
That sounds great.
Not to sound pushy...
But, could you possibly do both, please?
:D
That would be absolutely amazing if you could.
Thank you,
Sightless_Seer
*edit*
I am at a loss.
Haha. I am unsure as of what to do next.
I was messing with omega.... converting the extracted TEX file to a bmp.
i am thinking if i can change the character avatars that way... i just don't know how to insert them back into the game.
-
There was a tool Fidecula made a while back....
I am not sure if its still in use...
but it was able to decompress and the compress files...
i don't know if its useful.... um give me a sec i will find the link...
*Edit*
the tools name is F i c e L Z S
here is the link to the site
http://www.sylphds.net/f2k3/index.html
not sure if its useful, but it can compress FF8 files....
Is there a more up to date version of this?
-
I am at a loss.
Haha. I am unsure as of what to do next.
I was messing with omega.... converting the extracted TEX file to a bmp.
i am thinking if i can change the character avatars that way... i just don't know how to insert them back into the game.
It's simple. By Omega you can convert BMP to TEX as well, and after it you'll have to run FF8AC.exe and compile file into the menu archive :)
-
I am starting to fiddle with it... and I tried to alter the avatars
(me and sightless are working on this together)....
But the texture for the avatars is like this...
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/face1.jpg)
How do i replace the avatars? XD.
FF8AC is like Fidecula's tools of FF7... with this you don't really need Eight...
or am I wrong?
*edit*
is this the kingdom hearts squall???
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/squallo.jpg)
this squall is okay... my favorite is the dissidia tho..
its just this one is missing the gun blade texture.. and.. i don't like the hair.
-
I am at a loss.
Haha. I am unsure as of what to do next.
I was messing with omega.... converting the extracted TEX file to a bmp.
i am thinking if i can change the character avatars that way... i just don't know how to insert them back into the game.
It's simple. By Omega you can convert BMP to TEX as well, and after it you'll have to run FF8AC.exe and compile file into the menu archive :)
Yeah! thanks.... now i need to figure out what Rinoa just asked.. xD
Now that you mention it... how do you replace avatars on a texture like that?
I have to agree that squall looks somewhat off to me...
And I think it is in fact the Kingdom hearts squall
-
well this is......
Wtf.....
Why did he leave?
O.o
-
Guess there goes my hopes of FF8 being modded. Guess i stick with FF8 on the PSX then
-
NOT AT ALL
I am not giving up....
just cause my supposed partner did...
-
Over 9000 hours in MSPaint went into censoring this image.
(http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/3594/jeeznotagaian.jpg)
-
I have started work on modeling my own gun-blade....
Don't expect much tho.. for this is my first 3d model ever made...
I have two boxes so Far WOOT!
-
But the texture for the avatars is like this...
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/face1.jpg)
How do i replace the avatars? XD.
FF8AC is like Fidecula's tools of FF7... with this you don't really need Eight...
or am I wrong?
If you have this texture in BMP format, you just have to edit it in MS Paint, GIMP or Photoshop. After that you can convert BMP file to TEX (in Omega) and compress into menu.fs by FF8AC.exe. :) If you don't have FF8AC or some other useful programs, see here:
http://forums.qhimm.com/index.php?topic=8461.0
-
Thank you.
I am just really bad with photo shop... how do i cut out one of the faces... and replace it with another....?
-
If you are bad with Photoshop or other graphic programs, why are you taking "graphic project"? :P
In Photoshop you should open texture and graphics to replace, select graphic (by tool selected by "M" key), which you want move to the texture, and move it to the texture. It's really simple, but if you don't have any ideas on how Photoshop, GIMP or MS Paint works, you should leave it or, for first, learn PS, GIMP or MS Paint.
What's more, these beauty CGI graphics should be rescaled and after it probably in 95% will be, unfortunately, uglier than original Nomura's arts.
-
Well... This was both a learning experience and a chance to mod a game i love...
But, when Sightless_Seer left (he knew how do 3D) the project lost its 3D specialist... I was learning 2D.. I want to be able to make textures like Millenia and APZ one day.
But now, i am learning 3D as well...
Cause i Don't want to give this mod up... Now all I really need is a programmer person to help me decipher FF8 file formats
xD...
-
I know this isn't even to do with FF8 but...
What do you guys think of my very first model...... its crappy I know!
but still ... I am surprised i was able to even make this.. sadly it took me like 3 hours
xD
...
well here is my buster sword (w.i.p of course)
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/bustersword.jpg)
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/bustersword2.jpg)
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/bustersword-1.jpg)
I had to use both blender and 3ds max
i don't know how to edit individual verteces in max yet.
Thats how i got the top of the buster sword done... the part where it bends.
Next i am going to attempt the gun blade..
-
Right click the model, convert to editable poly, Select the demi-circle thing next to the mouse on the right hand side (modifier panel) and then click the editable poly modifier. then hit the vertex button and you can edit verticies.
you can do editable mesh too, but it's a little worse at things like slicing when you want to add more verticies. also, edit mesh only allows you to work with triangles, wheras poly allows you to have anything you want.
-
wow thanks.... i feel stupid now..
xD....
hahahah... well i will soon be able to make the gun blade!
*dances*
*edit*
(the sad thing is.. i can make that same buster sword in 2 minutes now.......... the first one took me 3 hours O.O)
-
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/Avatartrouble.jpg)
All right... I have figured out Photo shop, due to the help of a dear friend of mine...
But now.. when i convert the BMP to a tex.. this is how it turns out... all blurred...
I have it saved as an 8-bit..
Does anyone know the problem?
-
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/Avatartrouble.jpg)
All right... I have figured out Photo shop, due to the help of a dear friend of mine...
But now.. when i convert the BMP to a tex.. this is how it turns out... all blurred...
I have it saved as an 8-bit..
Does anyone know the problem?
Photoshop saves BMP in a different way than MS Paint. You should open modified BMP in Photoshop, open not-modified BMP in Paint, in Photoshop copy modified graphic, paste in MS Paint and save file in Paint. You should remember that original file has indexed colors and your modified BMP should have that, too.
-
Rinoa
U build model but how will u insret it in game? :-D
-
Rinoa
U build model but how will u insret it in game? :-D
We are working on it... My new partner, who wishes to remain nameless is working on a solution.
And now, I have got the avatars to look good in the viewer... I even put them in the game, supposedly... but they don't appear in game... it shows the old avatars.. when they don't exist anymore
O.o
Here is how they look in FF8AC (i know its viewed in Eight.. but FF8AC doesn't have a view option):
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/ff8troubles.jpg)
And here is how they look in game:
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/moretroubles.jpg)
I don't know the problem... any one know a solution?
I know one of the pics is hard to see... here are what the modified pics are supposed to look like:
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/Irvine.jpg)
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/Laguna-1.jpg)
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/Rinoa1.jpg)
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/Zell.jpg)
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/quistis.jpg)
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/seifer1-1.jpg)
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/selphie.jpg)
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/squall2.jpg)
I know... I haven't gotten to Laguna and Seifer yet...
and if anyone could possible find Edea, Kiros, and Ward in this kind of image... that would be very helpful
:D... I can't seem to find them.
What do you guys think of this griver?
(I am going to edit it later.. so you only see the lion)
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/griever2.jpg)
And...
Just for giggles!
Look at Chibi Squall.. ain't he cute?
:D
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/chibisquall.jpg)
-
And...
Just for giggles!
Look at Chibi Squall.. ain't he cute?
:D
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/chibisquall.jpg)
Dawww!
And do you have any higher res versions of these pictures? I image that it's best to start off with the biggest, most detailed pics possible and resize them later (but what do I know :-P)
-
What do you mean?
I found these images on google image search..
I am going to get better ones.. once i figure out how to do an avatar mod..
-.- I think I am missing a step.. and as it is... Colly is the only one I know who knows anything about FF8, I just have to wait for his input...
*sighs*
-
I think it may have been a reading comprehension fail on my part; I thought those small images were the ones you wanted to put into the game :roll:
But if they're only to show use what kind of pics you want, that's different :-D
-
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/face1.jpg)
are you talking about these small pictures..
they have to be that small for them to work in game.. this is the texture map.. they get bigger according to what menu they are placed in ...
this is all in game of course.
-
No, I was thinking about these images :-P
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/Irvine.jpg)
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/Laguna-1.jpg)
-
Oh.. those are just the images i am using... just showing what i want and what i am using...
here is a progress shot:
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/Progress-1.jpg)
I am rather proud of my work...
I will make it better soon!
:D What do you guys think of my new Griever?
Edea, chocobo, moogle, kiros, ward and Angelo... those are the only things left i have to "make better"
any one have any good pic suggestions?
-
Can u tell from what file i get ava's?
main.fs or menu.fs?
I'll upload my old :wink:
-
Its in the menu.fs
face Tex 1
And if you did that... it would make my work so much easier
*PHEW!*
Thanks!
:D
-
Test it. _http://rapidshare.com/files/259297283/main.7z.html
-
i downloaded it... placed the main.fs in my data folder...
and i see no changes...........
Is it my computer?
Does it work for you Alkor?
Cause I thought the avatars were in the Menu.fs
-
Hm...i don't work for FF8 to long dunnu what i backup.
Ok i'll no setup it and see what i have.
-
Alright.
Thanks a bunch!
:D...
Just... for some reason i can't get it to work my self........... -.-
I think i may be missing a step.
I have to go eat dinner...
I'll be back in a bit.... Most likely 3 hours...
>.< sorry.
-
jejeje)) Ok i'll go sleep then.
3.40 in Moscow now :roll:
-
Okay I am back.
My only problem is now, they won't appear in the game..
-.-
I am wondering is the avatars in the main.fs or the menu.fs
cause I altered the one that was in the menu.fs... but alkor gave me a main.fs..
-.-
*is very confused*
-
The (internal) format is exactly the same as FF7 (.p files) but I haven't looked at the loader or the actual data so I can't say if it's all the same.
waitwaitwaitwaitwait.
did i read this correctly?
are you almost suggesting that models can be converted to and from FF8 format with the FF7 tools?
....custom models?
-
That would be so nice...
OMG... that would solve all my problems
xD
-
Probably not, I'll bet there are some minor differences that are going to make the tools for FF7 more or less useless. The formats must be very similar though, since it's essentially a newer version of the same engine.
-
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=N9LT5XZ0
can some one test this... i don't know if its my computer.. or if i am doing something wrong...
just paste it to your FF8/data directory
don't forget to back up the original..
are the textures supposed to be 8-bit...
cause in my ff8 config
it says the 8-bit texture pallete has failed...
when i put the modified
Menu.fs
into the data directory
the avatars don't appear in game.. they just show the original ones.. even when they don't exist anymore
O.o
-
can u pust this to rinoa's pic
(http://i837.photobucket.com/albums/zz296/onichang07/WTF_its_Rinoa_by_LadyJuliana.jpg)
(http://i837.photobucket.com/albums/zz296/onichang07/untitled.jpg)
:lol:
-
I'll get that to you... once i figure out how to do get the avatars to work in game.
-
thanks...
-
Rinoa .TEX for omega.
_http://rapidshare.com/files/259380694/ava.7z.html
-
Talk about being an idiot..
i made such a foolish mistake..
i was altering the wrong textute,,
xD
I was altering Face1 tex.
when it was the
Face_b00.TEX
and
Face_b01.TEX
that had to be altered..
no wonder it wasn't working
xD.
THANK YOU
so very much
Alkor, you have helped me a great deal.
:D
May i release it as my avatar mod.. giving the credit to you too...
Because I am going to Add Laguna, Seifer, and The Griever Update.
-
Go-go :wink:
Coze now i have too much work and can't mod some for ff8 :roll:
-
okay thanks.
:D
you are amazing!
*edit*
all right our avatar mod is released.
http://forums.qhimm.com/index.php?topic=8700.0
My next move
is going to be to replace the world map with the one from the PSX...
and all the menus and dialouge boxes.. with there shiny PSX counterparts.
-
okay. I am working on replacing the World Map with the FF8 PSX counter part.. cause the current one looks appalling...
And I don't really know how to get the files from the PSX Disc Image.... It seems a bit more tightly compressed...
I am using CDmage... but I have never worked with PSX file formats before.. how do I get the world map files out?
Please and Thank you,
Rinoa
I think CDmage is the wrong tool..
xD
-
actually, the problem with the world map, and indeed many of the issues with FF8PC you probably experience is the Direct3D renderer. it tries to smooth textures and stuff, and do advanced, modern things to a now quite old game. switching to software rendering corrects this, as it renders close to how the PSX version would do it. however this creates problems in itself.
also, i would bet a fair amount of money that you wont be able to just drag files over from the PSX version. they'll probably be archived differently too.
so yeah. bottom line is just to stick to the old software rendering. note that you'll lose the higher resolution capabilities, though.
-
That is kind of the point... of me modding the game......
make it Graphically better....
I am trying to make it so you can play in hardware mode all smooth like... everywhere!.
:D
Sorry if that sounded mean.. i wasn't trying to sound mean.
:(
I checked the difference between software and hardware mode..
i don't see a difference.. here are some screen shots
Software Mode:
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/sotfware.jpg)
Hardware Mode:
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/badamp.jpg)
Here is the PSX version:
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/hidetail.jpg)
-
I see no clear advantage to software or hardware from either from those pics. Maybe someone can enlighten me?
-
Those screenshots are both from the same mode (hardware). trust me, i know, i REALLY hate that look. i'll get a screencap of proper software mode later, i'm not on my laptop right now.
but actually, you're right. seems the textures in the PSX version are at a MUCH higher resolution than in the PC version.
and all i meant my "smoothing textures" is just blurring low-res textures to cover up loss of detail. which is the effect you see in the Direct3D rendered FF8PC's world map.
...but now that i've seen the PSX FF8's world map textures, i agree we should find the texture file(s) from the PSX version and somehow transfer them, they have to have at least double the detail the PSX version has.
and actually, i probably wont be able to play FF8 again until we do. :-D
-
I agree. I noticed this immediately when I first played FF8 for PC, having been used to the PSX version for so many years.
Why is the world map on PC so graphically inferior? It's irritating. I can't play the PSX version anymore because of the low-res text. It doesn't look like low-res software rendering text, it's much much worse!
-
I didn't notice this but yes there seems to be a definate drop in quality from the psx version. Hopefully the textures will be restored. How difficult would this be?
-
hopefully not too difficult.
anyway, this is what i meant by the difference in software and hardware rendering
Software:
(http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x74/beefpwnage/FF8WMSOFT.png)
Direct3D:
(http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x74/beefpwnage/FF8WMHARD.png)
-
I see what you mean about the textures being smoothed out when they really shouldn't be, but i'd still prefer to play in hardware mode as I think it looks better regardless. Do you have an example that isn't the world map?
-
Those screenshots are both from the same mode (hardware). trust me, i know, i REALLY hate that look. I'll get a screencap of proper software mode later, I'm not on my laptop right now.
Exactly. Software mode looks OK for me and if you set High resolution fonts in the ff8config, all the game looks better than in the PSX version (textures on the world map is a little uglier, but no very). Background maps are all the same.
but actually, you're right. seems the textures in the PSX version are at a MUCH higher resolution than in the PC version.
and all i meant my "smoothing textures" is just blurring low-res textures to cover up loss of detail. which is the effect you see in the Direct3D rendered FF8PC's world map.
Hardware mode on FF8PC is stupid. :P I always choosing Software mode, even if there is more "pixelize" graphic (but this game is from 1999, pixels are in standard ;))
Textures in the PSX version aren't in the higher resolution - it's all the same. What's more, textures for menu, buttons, etc. are in higher resolution in the PC version. 'Unfortunately', our computer monitors have higher resolution than our old TV's :-D
But look on font in the PC version - it looks really better than in the PSX version (high res of course).
...but now that i've seen the PSX FF8's world map textures, i agree we should find the texture file(s) from the PSX version and somehow transfer them, they have to have at least double the detail the PSX version has.
and actually, i probably wont be able to play FF8 again until we do. :-D
I found all textures and there is no difference between versions, all textures are the same. You can ask Eidos, why the same textures looks uglier in the PC version hardware mode (and even software mode). :P It's only rendering fault. Launcher (published on this forum) resolves some problems.
Really sorry, but transferring textures is useless ;)
-
How do you know the textures are the same in both PC and PSX for world map? Surely they'd render the way they were supposed to, at least in software mode, if this was the case.
-
How do you know the textures are the same in both PC and PSX for world map?
I translated FF8 PC into Polish, including graphics, for example textures in the battles, backgrounds, etc. Now I'm converting this translation to the PSX version and I know how to get all textures. See here if you can't believe:
http://forums.qhimm.com/index.php?topic=8461.0
Translated background in the PSX version:
(http://www.balamb.pl/components/com_joomgallery/img_pictures/screeny_polskiej_wersji_ff8_na_playstation_2/final_fantasy_viii_pl_psx_20090418_1991145680.jpg)
I saw all textures in the PSX version and PC version, so I know what I'm saying. 95% of the files are the same for PC and PSX version ;)
Surely they'd render the way they were supposed to, at least in software mode, if this was the case.
Only Eidos know, why PC rendering is worst than PSX rendering. :P
-
wow. i see. it's just that screenshot rinoa posted really looked much better than any results i can get. that is really weird that they would do that O.o
EDIT: yeah, you're right. i've seen both versions of those textures now, and they're no different. that's REALLY weird.
I see what you mean about the textures being smoothed out when they really shouldn't be, but i'd still prefer to play in hardware mode as I think it looks better regardless. Do you have an example that isn't the world map?
yeah, hang on.
-
Any one know where I should start looking for a fix then?
-.-
Cause I WILL make this game better... I am not giving up Until I get it the way I can enjoy the game visually..
The story line is good as is!
:D
-
I took another look... to see if i wanted to play the game in software mode.... it looks worse in my opinion..
take a look
Software:
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/ff8software.jpg)
Hardware Mode:
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/badamp.jpg)
Here is the PSX version:
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/hidetail.jpg)
The textures look very gritty..
and only half smoothed.. less than half..
-.-
Maybe Aali's drivers will solve the problem.. when/ If they come out that is.
XD
-
this is REALLY weird. what on earth could be causing seemingly random pixellisation of the world map textures? the textures are EXACTLY the same in both versions, i know they are.
....hmmm
:?
-
I know..
I makes me sad... I am conversing with a few of my friends..
and they said that i may have to re-code the whole game....... which i am not sure i believe..
and i don't think i am willing to do something so tedious..
-.-
And its their guess not a certainty... I hope aali's new driver's come out and fix the rendering issue..
hopefully......
well i think i am just going to work on something else at the moment...
xD
-
Hrm.. well. The textures on the PC version do look pretty awful, but short of recoding the whole game, another solution would be to try to find out where exactly the textures are stored, and redraw them one by one so that they look great without smoothing.
That's ideal if you ask me. You can make 'em look better than the PSX version.
EDIT: does it seem to anybody like the texures are zoomed/magnified in the PC version vs PSX? take a look at the dock...thing on the left in those screenshots. The struts are visibly separated in the PSX cap, but they look scrunched together, almost magnified in the PC caps.
-
Hell yeah!
Epic as always, Aali. perhaps this will fix the rendering problems as described here (http://forums.qhimm.com/index.php?topic=8602.75)?
I see what's happening in that tread, the PC FF8 seems to be failing to load the hirez textures on the worldmap.
The world map uses 2 sets of textures, low and high, for long distance and short distance rendering. You can see it easily in a PSP port of PSX FF8, as soon as you enter the world map the low rez textures are preloaded, and a split second later they're updated to the hirez. I think that process is failing on the PC version.
Hope that helps.
If this is indeed the case, Where do i find the process that loads the hi-res texture....
Because if that is the problem.. then it would be easy to fix the code...
well much easier than re-coding the game or replacing all the textures.. one at a time..
-.-
-
The same scene without all that nasty filtering;
(http://backup.ninjaloot.se/share/FF8%202009-07-26%2021-56-56-31.png)
As you can see, the texels are HUGE, and much of the detail from the PSX version simply isn't there.
-
So there is no way to fix it?
O.o
I am confused.
hahah.
-
Of course there's a way to fix it.
Where are the worldmap textures stored for the PC version?
-
those are some mighty big pixels texturing balamb... i figure either its the textures might have been downscaled for pc (unlikely) or they get downscaled on their way onscreen.
-
I am not sure .. where the world map textures are stored in FF8 PC..
-.-
I only did the avatars.. i will look for you tho
:D
And I am on the verge of figuring out how to replace the char models in FF8
i got Squall out of the game... in 3Ds. format...
he looks so blocky in blender/3ds max
xD
The only problem..
is i am uncertain as of how to save the format as MCH (Macromedia Xtra Cache File ?)...
i can get it out..
hahah..
i will tinker with it.
ACK! Problem... I am trying to find a program that can save in MCH.. there has to be one out there, right?
They did make FF8 after all
:wink:
when i open the model in max..
and apply the texture..
both the model and the texture look srewy
here are a couple of screenies
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/squall-1.jpg)
(http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss295/Wildsai/moretrouble.jpg)
-
Of course there's a way to fix it.
Where are the worldmap textures stored for the PC version?
WMX.obj
Located in the "world.fs" archive
But seriously, Colly is right, the textures are the exact same. scan it for TIM files with PSicture, and then do the same with FF8Discx.IMG. they look identical. and what's more, palletted -.-
-
I just realized.. that squall is a pancake... the reason the textures aren't looking right
xD
how do i fix that...
i am not so good in 3D
i scale the z axis right?
actually I can't tell one way or another..
Hey Neo
you said you were good with max
you want to take a look?
-
I am not sure .. where the world map textures are stored in FF8 PC..
-.-
I only did the avatars.. i will look for you tho
:D
And I am on the verge of figuring out how to replace the char models in FF8
i got Squall out of the game... in 3Ds. format...
he looks so blocky in blender/3ds max
xD
The only problem..
is i am uncertain as of how to save the format as MCH (Macromedia Xtra Cache File ?)...
i can get it out..
hahah..
i will tinker with it.
ACK! Problem... I am trying to find a program that can save in MCH.. there has to be one out there, right?
They did make FF8 after all
:wink:
lol, it's a lot more complicated than you think. the MCH file is a cutsom development format (developed by square?) and as such, you cant just "convert" to that format with a commercial converting tool. someone's gotta come along, crack the format and make a program, something that only a select few people can do.
and even if you can get a model FROM mch TO a more common form-implement a model would require getting the format EXACTLY right. (something which koral did?)
anyway, what needs to be done is somebody has to decode the MCH formaat, to ret and make a custom converter tool. and that might be harder than the FF7 format considering FF8 uses, at least partically, mesh deformation - type bones.
I just realized.. that squall is a pancake... the reason the textures aren't looking right
xD
how do i fix that...
i am not so good in 3D
i scale the z axis right?
actually I can't tell one way or another..
Hey Neo
you said you were good with max
you want to take a look?
im guessing you used something like 3D ripper DX to rip that model?
if that's the case, most likely you dont have a Z axiz to scale.
i doubt this is the best way to move forward with FF8 model customisation, but if you want, i'll take a look at it, i guess.
-
:x @ no auto-merge feature on these forums.
-
I am not sure .. where the world map textures are stored in FF8 PC..
-.-
I only did the avatars.. i will look for you tho
:D
And I am on the verge of figuring out how to replace the char models in FF8
i got Squall out of the game... in 3Ds. format...
he looks so blocky in blender/3ds max
xD
The only problem..
is i am uncertain as of how to save the format as MCH (Macromedia Xtra Cache File ?)...
i can get it out..
hahah..
i will tinker with it.
ACK! Problem... I am trying to find a program that can save in MCH.. there has to be one out there, right?
They did make FF8 after all
:wink:
lol, it's a lot more complicated than you think. the MCH file is a cutsom development format (developed by square?) and as such, you cant just "convert" to that format with a commercial converting tool. someone's gotta come along, crack the format and make a program, something that only a select few people can do.
and even if you can get a model FROM mch TO a more common form-implement a model would require getting the format EXACTLY right. (something which koral did?)
anyway, what needs to be done is somebody has to decode the MCH formaat, to ret and make a custom converter tool. and that might be harder than the FF7 format considering FF8 uses, at least partically, mesh deformation - type bones.
I just realized.. that squall is a pancake... the reason the textures aren't looking right
xD
how do i fix that...
i am not so good in 3D
i scale the z axis right?
actually I can't tell one way or another..
Hey Neo
you said you were good with max
you want to take a look?
im guessing you used something like 3D ripper DX to rip that model?
if that's the case, most likely you dont have a Z axiz to scale.
i doubt this is the best way to move forward with FF8 model customisation, but if you want, i'll take a look at it, i guess.
I used bit burn to convert mhc to 3ds
I don't think its a pancake..
its just... not rendering right..
or something
check your PM (neo)
-
Actually, PSicture doesn't find anything in wmx.obj, however, I did find high-res versions of some textures from wmxset.obj in texl.obj, are these the right ones?
-
I am honestly..
unsure...
Colly seems to be the expert on this thing here.. as he did mess with every texture...
-
oh, yeah, wmxset's the one. i forgot :oops:
-
I am wondering if its Bit Burn that is deforming the models..
-.-
-
It's just the UV map which is screwed up. i assume you mean you're using biturn to convert?
i wasnt entirely sure it had the capability to convert FF8 models - although Aali said they were similar to FF7 models. guess the difference is the UV mapping then. however i could be completely wrong, and i normally am.
-
i just opened the MHC in bit burn and converted to 3ds.
do you know how to fix it?
O.o
-
Doesn't RINOA have the ability to export FF8 field files to a .obj?
-
Yes, it does.
sadly, that version of RINOA is still in source-file form, somewhere on korals computer.
EDIT:
Rinoa, may i ask how you managed to exract the models in MCH format? i never really looked into it.
-
i tried Rinoa Awhile ago..
it crumples up the model..
so i don't use it...
using bit burn gets the model whole.. just the UV mapping is srewy as neo says.
Neo Cloud any recommendations on fixing this?
-.-
I hate being a newb
-
Can anyone confirm or deny that FF8 never used the high-res textures for the PC version? (Even on the hardware and software it was meant to run on)
-
Can anyone confirm or deny that FF8 never used the high-res textures for the PC version? (Even on the hardware and software it was meant to run on)
I can confirm that I have never seen the high-res textures on my PC version, and I have played it through 100% in both hardware and software mode, and on both a typical machine when the game was released for PC and on a relatively new machine with a new generation graphics card.
-
To Quote something a friend of mine said...
If only we could mod the graphics of the PSX version..
Hahah... If only.
But, I am somewhat lost... I don't know how to do anything I am planning... I need to learn more.
xD
*feels like an utter newb*
-
Yes, it does.
sadly, that version of RINOA is still in source-file form, somewhere on korals computer.
EDIT:
Rinoa, may i ask how you managed to exract the models in MCH format? i never really looked into it.
I just used Garden...To deompile all the files..
and then i open the FIELD archive with FF8 AC
Oh k.
1) Download: _http://rapidshare.com/files/124242233/FF8_Edit.7z.html
2) unrar it all
Then
1) Open Garden. Open - Decompile data files - name it. Then wait. When it stop go to:
"ur folder with Garden"\ff8\data\eng\FIELD\model\main_chr
There will be files such us .mch this is battle and field models of main chars.
U can open it with Biturn.
Then if u wanna to redact monsters\boss etc.
Open 8_FF8AC.exe. load archive and go to ur FF8 folder\data\ and open battle.fi Then select all "c0m..." files and extract them. Then with Biturn or CharEdit u can open .dat files.
Some PS.
PS Biturn can open .dat BUT some of them don't open or open but u need wait tooooooooooooooooooooo long.
PSS It better to open it in CharEdit. But i have problems with hands and sometimes with head rolleyes
Ok if some qest write here cheesy
pSSS Sry for my eng. Me rus grin
Edit:
If someone can port this model to FF8 I'll be soo happy rolleyes
This model from KH2 wink
*image of squall is missing... cause i can't find the original post.. i just copied this to a word pad*
I just followed this...
:D
-
Sweet, Thanks.
EDIT: For some reason, it doesn't give me the FIELD folder. this is strange.
-
sure, no problem.
xD.
-
Can anyone confirm or deny that FF8 never used the high-res textures for the PC version? (Even on the hardware and software it was meant to run on)
I can confirm that I have never seen the high-res textures on my PC version, and I have played it through 100% in both hardware and software mode, and on both a typical machine when the game was released for PC and on a relatively new machine with a new generation graphics card.
I also confirm this. Tested in hardware mode on my trusty Win98se w/ 3Dfx Voodoo5 rig:
(http://bin.mypage.sk/FILES/FF8_WMAP_Texture_error.jpg)
The V5 has hardware support of 8-bit palletized textures, so it is NOT a case of newer hardware lacking the feature and refusing to load it. I suspect that during development, someone typo'd the file names in the texture call. :roll:
-
This needs to be remedied somehow. I can't believe there's an error that huge that no one's noticed until recently. Grrr!
-
well i am glad... we figured this out ..
hahahahahha...
I just don't know how to fix it.
xD
hahahah
so well... good job.. people
xD
sorry i am really tired..
aali .. is the only one i remember.... who figured it out.. and neo cloud strife.....
thanks!
I am going to work on other stuff for now.. concerning modding FF8 of course.
xD
-
It's not easy to fix I'm afraid. The low-res textures are not in the same format as the high-res ones (not the same layout, they're both TIMs of course) so the game must be aware of that it's using those textures, and likewise it must be made aware of that it's using the high-res textures for that to work. If that code is missing, it will be very difficult to fix this.
-
.........
I don't know how..
so it will have to be some one else...
But...
Ugh!
hhahaha i don't know.
-
....Hold on. Are we, in fact, dealing with two sets of textures here (low-res ones for far away and hi-res for close up)? :?
If so, a quick 'n' dirty workaround could be to rename all the hi-res ones with the names of their low-res counterparts. Since we know the low-res texture loading code works, replacing them should force the game to load 'em. :wink:
If its just one set and the game's screwing up the scaling, then nevermind.
On the other hand....it'd be real ironic if they somehow inverted their distance/texture detail code and caused it to only load the hi-res stuff for really far away objects....
-edit-
Fixed Typo. :-P
-
As I just said, replacing the textures will not do you any good. It will either look like garbage or require alot of manual work (and a reduction in quality).
-
....Right. I ended up writing that suggestion while you posted, so I missed it. :| My apologies for sounding moronic.
At the risk of still sounding retarded:
Is there any way to get the .exe to produce an error log of what it's doing and/or failing to load? It might give us a clue as to whether or not the hi-res load code is there in the first place. The lack of an error would then mean the code was never called.
-
Why would it give an error? The high-res textures are probably loading fine, it's just not using them.
-
Is it possible that for hardware considerations, they simply hard coded the PC version to always use the low-res textures?
-
Is it possible that for hardware considerations, they simply hard coded the PC version to always use the low-res textures?
This seems like the most likely explanation.
-
Why would it give an error? The high-res textures are probably loading fine, it's just not using them.
Eh, I figured it would let us at least rule out the possibility that they're not loading fine. *shrugs*
-edit-
Sure enough, FF8 does produce an app.log file.... but it only exists during run-time (gets deleted upon program exit, I have to alt-tab out to even see that it even exists)......and is completely empty. Rats. :|
-
It's possibly that on the conversion PSX -> PC Eidos had to apply textures on the models again... and they use only low-res texture. ;)
Maybe it's a mistake, but maybe it's intentionally...
-
Well if there is a high res file.. doesn't that mean we ought to be able to use it?
-
Well if there is a high res file.. doesn't that mean we ought to be able to use it?
Well, theoretically it's of course possible, provided those files exist on the PC version (and maybe even if they don't, though it would be a lot harder), however...
It's not easy to fix I'm afraid. The low-res textures are not in the same format as the high-res ones (not the same layout, they're both TIMs of course) so the game must be aware of that it's using those textures, and likewise it must be made aware of that it's using the high-res textures for that to work. If that code is missing, it will be very difficult to fix this.
...so yeah, it most likely will be a difficult thing to implement.
-
-.-
Joyous...
I can't do it... not at the moment..
I might do it in a few months when i learn how..
unless some one does it before me..
XD
-
I started working on some 2D stuff...
But the only things i can alter are the TEX files............
I don't know how to do the .Tim files
or the Mim files
(what else is at 2D texture?)
LIke i am thinking about replacing the card textures with the new player textures...and some of the monsters
if i can......
I am going to do the GFs too.. at one point...
-.-
HAhahaha. As it turns out.. i am a lot better at 2D than 3D.... aren't we all?
-.-
So any guidance will be surely appreciated..
thanks...
(and yes I downloaded the tools posted on Colly's Translations thread.. just i don't get how to use them.. and i don't get how to apply the .Tim plug in to my photoshop.. and my gimp isn't working at all)
-.-
I am trying to find.... CG avatars that fit into FF8 for a new set of playing cards.
>:D
hahahahaha.. just one problem.. google image turns up nothing.. I want images of the monsters that were carried over into the next Final Fantasy..
anyone know any good siteS?
Or have any good images....
I might resort to making them myself, taking a screen shot in game.. and enhancing the pic in photoshop... and crop it.. and change the background...
this might take awhile..
xD......
-
You could check the Final Fantasy wikia and see what you can find on there for some images
-
yeah
i should..
xD
hahahah.
thanks ObeseBear.
:D
I forgot about that site.
xD
*Edit*
I used Final Fantasy Wikia... then suddenly my screen switched to a antoher..
and it said i had like 2010 viruses... and prompted me to use the windows Shield virus protection..
Instead I went and scanned with my norton..
and it says i have no viruses..
-.-
I hate that.... i scared the S*** out of me for a second..
I think the thing it was prompting me to use had a virus or something
-
Maybe with Aali's new driver's we can figure something out...
maybe.
*edit*
OOPs
sorry for the double post... thought i hit modify...
O.o
sorry... just woke up...
...
IT seems to render (aali's driver's) a lot better than it did before..
the menu's and text boxes look all nice...
compared to what they were before I mean...
:D