An updated EDITART and more backwards compatibility for old DOS .ART files

[rkilyan]

I checked out the new BUILD and MEGATON look.

The maps are very crisp, but I’ve noticed some differences or problems between the DOS and MEGATON versions.

The new BUILD:
-in full screen in 2D mode is pink and purple
-the pallets are odd colors or look like the default pallet (0)
-some sprites are black
-some key commands don’t work (example: ‘s is for shade, but yet a sprite shows up instead)

The new DUKE NUKEM 3D and other observations that overlap with the new BUILD:
-shades are off
-sprites look flat
-sprites that have an adjusted center are back to their original position
-the animation speed is slightly too fast
-some of my textures have splotches of moved pixels
-my 511 x 400 sky textures are cut in half

I have put a lot of time and effort into the artwork. To me, artwork is just as important as the maps. I know 511 x 400 is large, but I want the player to feel the environment, to see the episode’s surroundings. In my 50 some maps that I've created from scratch, the sky background can either make or break the map, just like the DOOM or F.E.A.R. MP3 tracks I select and have playing on Windows Media Player, while the game is running. I have at least 1,600 texture/tiles that I have made in EDITART with some help of MS PAINT and I do not like seeing my artwork cut-up or smudged.

It would be nice to have the new BUILD and DUKE able to understand the old .ART files.

2 viruses, 5 operating systems, a bad cell of RAM, and a blown up video card, over the course of 9 years meant nothing; all I needed was a DOSBOX and a few sync-drives. I still use the DOSBOX and CLASSIC DUKE 3D (V 1.5) code.

Can someone please tell me what I might need or if I’m just doing something wrong? If it turns out that this is just the way it is for now, then it would be nice if someone could look into it.

[-L7- themaniacboy]

Just use Eduke32, I don't expect the Megaton port to be updated anymore. Eduke32 is superior in every way.

[>M@tEo$<]

Megaton has MP. :P

[-L7- themaniacboy]

Originally posted by >M@tEo$<:

Megaton has MP. :P

You're right, sorry, I forgot about that one aspect.

[rkilyan]

I appreciate your response. I downloaded 7-zip and eduke32_win64_2018….. Thanks that works, and it looks far better than the MEGATON graphics. Everything that I addressed is fixed with this Eduke32, except the parallaxes ceilings/floors of 511 x 400 are cut in half. Other than that, it looks really good.

The episode titles, map titles, and replaced sounds work when I copied the DOS game folder (CLASSIC folder that I renamed) over into the DUKE NUKEM 3D\GAMEROOT\ADDONS.

This project of mine is basically a full alternate version of the V1.5 game: 4 episodes and 11 levels each – just if you were wondering.

If you think of a way to make Eduke32 take the whole 511 x 400 textures/tile, please let me know. I will still use the DOSBOX and CLASSIC (V1.5) code, at least until there is an updated version of EDITART and a fix for the 511 x 400 textures.

-Thanks for your help -L7- themaniacboy.

[>M@tEo$<]

You might create a topic over at Duke4.net Forums about this

[rkilyan]

Something I want to throw out here. Whoever thought of putting the DOS version of Duke 3D (V1.5) into the MEGATON package, you know the stuff in the CLASSIC folder, GOOD IDEA. Thanks, I still use it. I gave up on Duke V1.4 because of a patch installation error on 7, and discovered an above-and-beyond solution from a folder called CLASSIC. So…I bought the MEGATON version and ended up using the DOS version instead…hmm…somewhat humorous.

That’s all I’ve been using, with the exception of that EDITART (V1.5); for some odd reason, the EDITART in the CLASSIC folder doesn’t go past FRAMEEFFECT – so, I just copied the one from my old copy of the Duke 3D Plutonium Edition (cd V1.4), and pasted it into the renamed CLASSIC folder. That’s right; I’ve been using the old 1995 version of EDITART, just because I needed more room – which brings me to my next point.

Sometimes while making the “latest and greatest” people overlook small details. It’s hard to know everything about your audience or users: all the different talents, areas of expertise, comfort zones, preferences, and experience. I am very comfortable with using a DOSBox; it has worked on XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, and 10. If the Steam Developers want to make an updated EDITART and consider more backwards compatibility for the DOS .ART files, then MORE TILES and GO BIG WITH 511 x 400 TILES.

I highly doubt that I am the only one who uses the DOSBox and EDITART, has three dozen 511 x 400 tiles, and made at least 1,600 tiles. I have used EDITART for 10 years and am proficient, but it is definitely an unyielding and limited program.

Thanks >M@tEo$< and -L7- themaniacboy. I registered on Duke4.net, did the confirmation e-mail, but still can’t add a new post – something about an administrator needs to review my registration. At least I had a chance on Steam to throw out a few ideas. Glad I did, -L7- themaniacboy solved a lot of problems by recommending Eduke32.

[Retodon8]

Originally posted by rkilyan:

I registered on Duke4.net, did the confirmation e-mail, but still can’t add a new post – something about an administrator needs to review my registration.

That message is right: someone needs to manually accept your account first, then you're good to go.

[rkilyan]

I was doing some experimenting with EDuke32, and found it is the renderer that controls weather or not a 511 x 400 tile fits. POLYMER and CLASSIC can handle a 511 x 400 tile, but POLYMOST can’t. So, the MEGATON EDITION must use POLYMOST or a render that is like it.

I started a new topic on Duke4.net under Everything EDuke32. The topic name is
AN UPDATED EDITART.