I'm having a bit of a problem converting my 24-bit bitmaps into 16 color
bitmaps so GPL can recognize them. Everytime I save as a 16-color it messes up
the colors and I get a very bad looking car. Anyone know just how to do this
without getting my colors changed? BTW- I'm using MS-Paint (yes I know...its a
piece of ***but its all I got right now). Thanks.
Chris
"Concerning the difference between man and the jackass: some observers hold
that there isn't any. But this wrongs the jackass."--Mark Twain
Hey Schlomo
The problem is your going from millions of colours to just 16. You can't
really just paint in 24 bit and convert it. Even a single ant-aliased (the
bit where the colours blend in) line in 24 bit would contain more than 16
colours. I'm no expert (I use thousands of colours for my***pits) but what
you've got to do is get used to painting in 16 colour, or paint in 16bit
with a very limited pallette and then convert it. If any of the colours are
changed (they probably will) then change them for the colours you want with
the fill bucket. It's all about compromise between a nice smooth finish and
getting the colours you want. Luckily I can use whatever I like for my
***pits, but I'm in awe of what the carpainters do with just 16 colours, it
really isn't easy!
And dump MS Paint, I think you can get Paint Shop Pro 4 or 5 shareware, much
better.
cheers
Andrew
>I'm having a bit of a problem converting my 24-bit bitmaps into 16 color
>bitmaps so GPL can recognize them. Everytime I save as a 16-color it messes up
>the colors and I get a very bad looking car. Anyone know just how to do this
>without getting my colors changed? BTW- I'm using MS-Paint (yes I know...its a
>piece of ***but its all I got right now). Thanks.
>Chris
>"Concerning the difference between man and the jackass: some observers hold
>that there isn't any. But this wrongs the jackass."--Mark Twain
Yup, but get the demo PSP 6, it has a few very nice features that makes life
easier for 16-color jobs, especially color reduction methods and resizing.
The trick is the way you think when working - you have to get used to
looking at the world in 16 color mode 8)
Also, remember that GPL does a fair bit of smoothing out, so while your
BMP's look raggedy and bad in the paint program, they may not look half bad
in GPL. Oh, and another trick, always start painting in oversize, meaning,
if you are creating a 256x128 MIP, start at 516x256, then resize, and reduce
colors, always trying all options (optimized octree, median cut etc) until
it looks ok. If not, start thinking, and simplify:-)
Matt
