Props Generator - BETA

By: Niklas Larsson, 2000.



[ INTRODUCTION ]
------------------------------------------------------------ --  -
  A small program made for generating prop (vegetation and animals) for GC
  missions.
  A big THANK YOU to the beta testers and the Massive people helping out with
  code support.



[ HOW TO RUN ]
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  PROPGEN.EXE <map file>.tga <mask file>.tga <output name>

  Example:
    PROPGEN.EXE map.tga mask.tga myprops  =>  myprops.prp , myprops<theme>.prp

  The output file should NOT contain an extension! If it does the program will
  save to <output file>.prp.prp!



[ INPUT FILES ]
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  TGA FILES:
  The MAP file is a direct copy of the heightmap used by GC. If the map appears
  inverted (negative) it will be negative in GenED and GC too. PropGen uses the
  same palette as game.
  The file CORRECT_PALETTE.BMP uses the correct palette if you want to grab it.
  The MASK file is a modified version of the MAP file. It states where props
  can be located and where they can't. By painting black (0,0,0) color on the
  ground no props will be located there. This could be used for roads, base
  areas or other open fields. All other colors (1,1,1 to 255,255,255) states
  the chance of props in that area. Whiter color means higher chance of props.
  
  OUTPUT NAME:
  If you want to add props to an existing prop-file you can include this in
  the command line when starting PROPGEN.EXE.
  This can also be used to store your props to the correct filename directly,
  without first saving to propgen.prp and then renaming this file to the name
  you want it to be.



[ HOW TO USE ]
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  * Choose a theme you want to use. A theme is a collection of props which
    will be placed on the map. Default theme is jungle. The other available
    themes are:
     - Jungle
     - Desert Trees
     - Desert
     - Grassland
     - Winter
     - Stones / Rocks
     - Alien plants
     - Firefly
    Each theme contains a number of props.
  
  * Change the Collision switch depending on if you want collisions or not.
    Jungle props should not be allowed to collide since it looks ugly when
    two gigant trees are placed on the same location. Desert theme with weed
    on the other hand could allow collisions since these props look good when
    placed close together.
    NOTICE: It takes more time to generate props when not allowing collision!
  
  * Now you are ready to generate. The program will place the props onto the
    map and you can see the progress of the operation on the progress-bar
    below the theme image.
    NOTICE: Depending on theme, amount of props and collisions it can take
            few minutes to generate the props!
  
  * When the generate operation is complete you either can save the props
    or generate again. If no file is sent into the program on startup the
    props generated will be saved to "propgen.prp" / "propgen<theme>.prp".
    There are two ways to save. One saves to a special "theme file" named
    <name><theme>.prp, for example:
     - propsDesert.prp
    The other function saves to a master file. If you generate many themes
    and want them in one file this is the function you should use. It saves
    to file <name>.prp, example:
     - props.prp



[ HINTS ]
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  * Props cost FPS. So don't cover entire maps with props or the player
    will count seconds between frames instead of frames per second.
    Instead place props on "islands", groups of props on places like
    valleys, canyons, between hills and around mountains. Another good
    rule is that the player always should be able to see props when
    turning the camera around 360 degrees. Atleast on bush, a tree or a
    stone should be visible. This gives the player a more realistic
    feeling that the landscape "real".



[ FAQ ]
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  (Q) Can I add many masks to one map?
  (A) You can do this, but the program must be restarted with the new mask.



[ KNOWN BUGS / MISSING FEATURES ]
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  * Props placed on Y 0.000000. This will hopefully be fixed in next version
    with support from Massive coders.
  * Winter stones not supported yet.
  * Critter themes (Taller, Goph, Sandworm, Birds and Snajdare).



[ HISTORY ]
------------------------------------------------------------ --  -
  v1.00 - Pre Alpha
    Did only handle jungle props and allowed collisions. This version were
    used to generate the props on mission "The POW Camp".
  
  v1.05 - Alpha
    Minor memory bugs corrected and improved source code.
  
  v1.10 - Beta 1 (build 1)
    * Almost all functionallity implemented but limited.
    * Jungle and a thin desert theme were included.
    Not very user friendly, lack of feedback to the user when generating.
    This version were sent to BETA-testers to show the program. It was also
    tested and some minor things were changed and added.
    
  v1.15 - Beta 1 (build 2)
    A fix version of 1.1 after feedback from testers. Minor updates.
  
  v1.20 - Beta 2 (build 3)
    A very improved version with five complete themes. Some minor irritating
    bugs fixed.
    * Theme output added.
    * Progres-bar when generating added.

  v1.25 - Beta 2 (build 4)
    * Found major bugs in theme generations which were fixed.
    * Abort function in generation procedure added (not implemented in 1.20
      dupe problems).
    * Added extra progress bars showing more detailed progress.
    * Fixed bug in Firefly theme.
    * Fixed invert Z bug in prp file.
  
  v1.30 - Beta 3 (build 5)
    * Added Desert Tree theme.
    * Added Grassland theme.
    * Added props to Desert theme.
    * Fixed elevation check bug on all themes.
    * Fixed bug in stone theme.
    * Fixed desert theme and stone theme settings.
    
  v1.40 - Beta 4 (build 6)
    * Added Winter theme.
    * Fixed theme picture of grassland.
    * Added generate result screen, shows amount of each type of prop.
    * Added save complete screen (removed chance of multisave action).
