bitmask backcolor definition: a bug or feature + solution

[SiaFu]

When using 2bit or 24bit BMP bitmasks both in 1.01 or 1.02, if backcolor is not defined, like here in the original "Osaka playership" mod:

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<Image UNID="&rsOsaka;" bitmap="resources/images/osaka.jpg" 	bitmask="resources/images/osaka_mask.bmp" />

the mask is not applied which has 2 distinct effects:
- for weapons, the disabled icon in the "enable/disable" shows nothing instead of a grayed-out weapon icon.
- for ships, the bounding box extends to the whole image square - most noticeable when bumping into the Battle arena fence (and having a hard time passing through the gate).

This is not the case if backcolor is properly defined:

Code: Select all

<Image UNID="&rsOsaka;" bitmap="resources/images/osaka.jpg" 	bitmask="resources/images/osaka_mask.bmp" backColor="0x00000000" />

I've encountered this on 32bit Windows XP SP2 on two machines (with ATI Radeon Mobility 9700, and ATI 4850) in /gdi and /dx (and /windowed) modes.

Since I've encountered two mods that don't use the backcolor definition, it seems that my case is the one out of the norm and Azar_Wolf mentioned it should also work without the backcolor.

[Aury]

Well, I was saying that it /should/ (in theory) work without backcolor; that it doesn't, is a bug.

[Atarlost]

It is a bug, but it's not unique to you. You're just the first person to figure out why the arena gates won't let modded ships through without great difficulty.

Graphically there are no masking problems, and the hitbox respects the mask, but I know Wolfy and I have chronic problems with the arena walls.

[digdug]

I also have a related problem to this, I didn't manage to use a backcolor that is not black (0,0,0)

It simply doesn't work and I have no transparencies.

[Aury]

You're just the first person to figure out why the arena gates won't let modded ships through without great difficulty. .

And for this you are a genius.

[SiaFu]

Glad I could be of help.
The backcolor thing actually occured to me when I was trying to use the Dakka mod weapon icons. Flying the Osaka afterwards made me put 2 and 2 together (I didn't even know there was an issue with modded ships).

Maybe properly setting the backcolor should be encouraged in the "make your mod" sticky?

digdug, about using other colors for transparencies, how would you do it?
Since I'm guessing the bit mask effectively functions like the alpha channel in TGAs it should be monochrome anyway.

[Vizth]

Glad I could be of help.
The backcolor thing actually occured to me when I was trying to use the Dakka mod weapon icons. Flying the Osaka afterwards made me put 2 and 2 together (I didn't even know there was an issue with modded ships).

Maybe properly setting the backcolor should be encouraged in the "make your mod" sticky?

digdug, about using other colors for transparencies, how would you do it?
Since I'm guessing the bit mask effectively functions like the alpha channel in TGAs it should be monochrome anyway.

I checked before I released it. If I saw anything wrong I would have fixed it then. Though I'll admit I can't remember if I checked the enable/disable screen. I'll add the backcolor bit and reupload when I can, busy working on more ship models atm. XD

That's exactly what the mask is.