Using SkyPaint to Create
Quake II Environments

Note: The following instructions should work for any Quake II-based game (e.g. Hexen). The only thing you need to do differently when using these instructions for a different game is to get the official 8-bit palette for that game before converting the images to 8-bit (if the game supports 8-bit display modes) .

[Return to SkyPaint User Manual]

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Getting Started

All you need to get started is:

1. Install SkyPaint
2. Install a 2D paint program with PhotoShop-compatible plug-ins
   (if you don't have Photoshop, try Paint Shop Pro)
3. Install Quake II

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My First Quake II Environment Map

Ok, now we're going to step through making an environment using SkyPaint. Let's start by creating the 24-bit Targa version of the environment:

1. Start SkyPaint (e.g., Start->Programs->SkyPaint->SkyPaint Panorama Editor).

See that ... amazing ... you already have a scene painted. Well, ok, that's the default bitmap that came with SkyPaint. Let's go ahead and use that to get started.

2. Click File->Resize Panorama... and make sure the size is set to 256x256.

SkyPaint lets you set the resolution of your saved images. The standard for Quake II is 256x256. However you may make them larger or smaller as you see fit. Beware of making them too big--people with 3D accelerator cards may run out of texture memory! In general, assume only 2MB total of texture memory.

3. Click File->Save As:

• For "Save as type:" select "Quake II, Targa"
• Enter "sp" where it asks for a file name
• Create and save your environment to a new folder, "\SkyPaint\env", under your Quake II folder (e.g., C:\games\Quake2\SkyPaint\env)
• If you are just trying out SkyPaint, click "Continue Trial".

Note: SkyPaint actually saves six image files named: spup.tga, spdn.tga, splt.tga, sprt.tga, spft.tga, spbk.tga

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Not Quite Done (8-bit PCX version)

Ok, we've made the six 24-bit Targa versions of an environment. We still need to make the 8-bit PCX versions of the bitmaps using the Quake II palette. The 24-bit versions are only used by people with hardware accelerators, so the 8-bit versions are definitely just as important.

1. Start your 2D paint program (Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro, etc).

   It's important that your program be able to read Targa (.tga) files, be able to convert a 24-bit image to an 8-bit image using a specific palette, and also be able to write 8-bit PCX (.pcx) files. If not, download Paint Shop Pro.
   
   

2. Load the six images you created in the previous section (24-bit Targa).

   In the middle of one of your images you may see a watermark. If so, this is because you have not licensed SkyPaint yet. It will not appear in the licensed version.
   
   

3. Convert all six images to 8-bit mode using the Quake II palette.

   This may sound like a vague step. Heck, it IS. The problem is that each paint program does this in a different way. SkyPaint installs the necessary palette files in the "\quake2" directory (e.g. C:\Program Files\SkyPaint\quake2):

If you are not able to use one of the first two palette files (.act or .pal), you need to figure out how to make your paint program use the palette contained in the GIF file q2pal.gif.

Tip: In Photoshop, click Image->Mode->Indexed Color ... ,, set palette type to: "custom", then load the q2pal.act file where prompted.)

Tip: In Paint Shop Pro, when saving as PCX, make sure to choose "sub type:" version 5 (256 colors).

"*cough* Those are UGLY in 8-bit!"

This brings up a good point about creating things for Quake II ... beware of the limitations of the palette! Yep, we created some really ugly images because the default image that comes with SkyPaint has a lot of light blues and greens. You can help this a little bit if you dither the images when you convert them, but nothing can replace the value of creating maps that are targeted for your palette to begin with.



1. SaveAs the six files to type ".PCX" image format.

   Save them in the same folder as the 24-bit Targa files (e.g., C:\games\Quake2\SkyPaint\env).

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Previewing Your Work

Ok, you've created the new environment bitmaps, now it's time to test them. Normally you would need to create a new Quake II map to see your work, but for now just copy the empty map that is installed in SkyPaint's "\quake2" folder into your Quake II folder (e.g., copy "C:\Program Files\SkyPaint\quake2\empty.bsp" to "C:\games\QuakeII\SkyPaint\maps\empty.bsp".

Start Quake II with the following command (from the Quake II folder):

quake2.exe +set game SkyPaint +map empty

When the empty.bsp map is loaded, you will see a very funky screen display caused by Quake II not bothering to clear the screen before redrawing. To test your sky, press the '~' key to bring up the Quake console, and type:

sky sp

Type '~' to remove the console, and you should see the SkyPaint sky.

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Using this in the Real World

Ok, this gave you the basics on using SkyPaint with Quake II. Some things to be aware of when you get serious:

• This tutorial did not even attempt to show you the power of SkyPaint. If you haven't already, go through the SkyPaint User Manual to learn how to use SkyPaint.
• Always make your maps with the 8-bit palette in mind. You'll be painting in 24-bit (assuming you use SkyPaint), but if you know what your limitations are it will always be better in the end.
• Don't forget that SkyPaint can help with other 3D projects as well (another plug for the User Manual ;).
• Similarly, you will find that you probably don't want to JUST use a 2D paint program to create your environments. Tools such as POV-Ray, 3D Studio Max, and Bryce will be very useful.

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