Working with Title.gif

How to make a great picture to show as your scenario starts up.

by Blackclove (December 1998)

Format of Title.gif

I'm assuming that you have a piece of art already that you want to use. If not, go find one now.

The title.gif file must be in 256-color .GIF (Compuserve Graphics Interchange) format. You may also use 256-color .BMP format if you prefer. Most paint programs, including Paint Shop Pro, can create these types of files.

Unfortunately the main problem is that you cannot change the palette (set of colors used in the picture). Thus, you will need to remap the colors in your image to match those expected by Civ II.

Remapping Colors

Paint programs differ, and the one you use will determine how to do it. I use Paint Shop Pro, and so I will step you through doing it with that program.

First, open a different Title.gif image from one of the scenarios provided by Microprose. Now, cut/paste your own image on top of it. If the image is too large for the canvas, resize the canvas using the "Canvas Size..." item from the Images menu. If the image is smaller, choose "Crop to Selection" from the Images menu.

That's it! Paint Shop Pro will do all of the image color mapping for you.

In other paint programs, you may need to save the palette and then load it for your new image, or capture the image as a selection and choose "remap colors --> selection".

Don't forget to choose "Save as..." to make sure you place the image in the proper scenario folder!