Making a PBO File Assistance Needed

[Javito]

Okay, I'm on the verge of completing my first mission and I'm currently in the process of editing my briefing, inserting hyperlinks, all that jazz.

I've downloaded a utility to make PBO's off of OFP Info and it seems to have worked. It took my mission folder and compressed it all into a shiny "Mission.PBO" file. I then proudly took my new PBO file, pasted it into the missions folder, started up OFP, selected it, and nothing happened. Literally, it's like I pressed the cancel button at the bottom because it just closed the missions window and took me back to the main OFP screen. You would think I'd be done by now but now I've run into this obstacle.

Secondly, every other mission has a nice name. "Convoys". "Facile Ground". Etc. In the mission folder my mission is named "Krieg.Eden.Pbo" or some ugly and unappealing name like that. How do I make it so it displays its actual title like it should?

The only thing that semi works right now is my overview. It is visible but the picture I selected isn't working. I know I probably didn't resize it properly but I can't figure out how to do that. Is there some program I can use to make life easier? I thought I -did- resize it but all I see in Overview.html is a big red x.

[bedges]

first of all, go to the tools section of the editor's depot and download amalfi's "make pbo". that will ensure your problem is not the pbo tool.

to solve the name issue, put the mission name in the briefing section within the editor. click the weather box and enter the description in the dialog that appears.

[macguba]

You don't need a pbo tool to make a mission pbo.    In the mission editor, click on the drop down "save" box and choose the export option.

Overview pics are tricky.   The sides must be a power of 2 (i.e. n^2) in pixels.    32, 64, 128.   Format can also be an issue but jpegs work fine.

That exit problem sometimes happens because there isn't a player unit in the mission.   Make sure your player unit is a player unit and not AI.

Oh, and well done on completing your first mission!   This last stretch - overview and all that stuff - can be a little frustrating the first time, but persevere - it's worth it.   We'll help you when you get stuck.

[Javito]

Thanks guys, got the briefing up for the first time and the name isn't all goofy anymore. Really the last thing left is to fix the overview picture, then I'm just going to spend the rest of the day fine tuning and I should be done. I think I plan on making a little mini-campaign for Lib '41. Anyway, about the overview picture, is there any utility i can download offline that will help me resize it easily? I remember using a utility on a different computer when I was creating an avatar once, it let me monitor the exact file size "128 x 64 etc" while I was working, which would be useful here since they have to be powers of 2 and I can't just make it 75% smaller. Trouble is I don't remember the name of that program or know any of its substitutes.

EDIT - Okay, I've found a program called Pixresizer which helps me do what I explained above. I can't get the picture with sides power of 2 while maintaining the aspect ratio, but I'll deal with that later. The problem is I just made a "custom resize" and set the picture to 128 x 64 and then 64 x 32 but it still won't show in the missions page.

[macguba]

In the Overview define the picture with the ratio you want.   That is the one that will be used.   You have to save it with asides a power of two, but that doesn't really matter, its just a technical trick to make the game accept the file.   The Overview can accept a picture of any ratio.

In other words, the pic is weird while it is saved, but its fine as soon as you open it in the Overview.

[Javito]

Okay, here's a copy of my test Overview.

<!-- Overview Title -->
<br><h2 align="center"><a name="Main">
Blah
</a></h2>

<!-- Overview Picture -->
<p align="center"><img src="1941 USSR.jpg" width="128" height="64"></p>

<!-- Overview Text -->
<p><br>
Blah blahbitty blah blah...
<br></p>

</body>
</html>


And what I have here doesn't seem to be working at all. Maybe it's just the picture that's being screwy?

[Martin Kuka]

Guess that Overview format has strict requirements for pictures.

[Javito]

Yes and believe me, I'm going to start banging my head into walls soon 

[rado1265]

Dude, check my respond about it on BIS forums.

[Javito]

Got it working, thanks for the help all.