Help in making unit graphics

[guille1434]

Hello all!
I would ask for some advice regarding unit graphics used in Pz Corps:

As I was trying to make a new icon for air transportable artillery (putting the "para" trait in the eqp file seems not to work with units other than Infantry class), I found I can't figure the way to save de .png file with a transparent background... I'm using Paint.NET software, but every time I save a file with a transparent background it turns white when I re-open it or when I load it in the game graphic folder...
I attach the icon I am trying to "create", using the Fallschirmjager and leFk icons (copying and pasting together parts of them).

Anyone con help me telling how to correctly save an icon with the transparent background? Thanks!!

The idea behind this is to create a "switchable" unit that can change to infantry class to be air lifted to an empty airfield (will occupy it when lands, if the airfield belonged to the enemy, because the unit is an infantry class one). This Infantry class unit has 0 attack values and no movement. To be able to attack must be switched to artillery OR can be also switched to an AT unit to be used as a direct fire unit. (I found units can be switched to more than two variants in game). I hope this info can be useful to someone.

Thanks again!

[VPaulus]

Anyone con help me telling how to correctly save an icon with the transparent background? Thanks!!

I only use Photoshop. I work over a transparent background layer and then when I'm going to save in png format, I select interlace option.
In Gimp it must be something similar.

[churchlakecity]

Hi, there are two easy methods:
1. You take an existing unit graphic and delete the existing graphics ....so you have a blank one.
2. In GIMP:
Step 1: Data -->New--> Image Size 296x296 pixels.
Step 2:Colors -->Color to transparency or Transparency (i don't know it exactly,i use the german edition)
Ready....
The StuG IV is a good example how you can learn to make a unit switchable....it's switchable between Arty and Pak modus....

[bebro]

As I was trying to make a new icon for air transportable artillery (putting the "para" trait in the eqp file seems not to work with units other than Infantry class), (...)

I never tried it myself, but I thought airborne has made air-TP-able arty? If so it might help to check out his mod to see how he did it.

[guille1434]

No, the air-Transportable artillery from Airborne did not work, I checked the mod and I only could see that he added the "para" trait to arty units... I did not play the mod. I guess the "para" trait just work for infantry-class units... Too bad.

I finally could figure out the problem with the transparent background in unit icon .png files. One has to save the file using Paint.Net with the "autodetect" color depth option, if you opt for 24 bit color, the background wil turn white, if you leave the autodetect option it will save fine. I hope the tip can help someone.

Thanks for the answers and help to all!!

[nikivdd]

No, the air-Transportable artillery from Airborne did not work, I checked the mod and I only could see that he added the "para" trait to arty units... I did not play the mod. I guess the "para" trait just work for infantry-class units... Too bad.

I finally could figure out the problem with the transparent background in unit icon .png files. One has to save the file using Paint.Net with the "autodetect" color depth option, if you opt for 24 bit color, the background wil turn white, if you leave the autodetect option it will save fine. I hope the tip can help someone.

Thanks for the answers and help to all!!

How i would do it, probably not the best solution, but it is better than nothing.
That lovely icon of yours, give it the infantry class, give it the trait para, and adjust the unit stats as the artillery is a part of the whole group

[guille1434]

Glad you liked the unit icon... you (and all PzCorp players) can use it as you please!