[Willy]

TGA conversion Tool found

While looking into the possibilities of cross-modding Il2 & Theatre of War (ToW) I've come across a cool little application called IMF Viewer made by a certain "Mr Jones".

This little tool not only allows you to view the unusually coded IMF .tga files found in Il2 & ToW, but it will convert them to a normal .tga format workable in photoshop or what have you. The bonus is that it also includes the Alpha channel if it was in the original file.

That's the good news.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The bad news...

For now at least, IMF Viewer only works with from inside a legal version of ToW.

***Edit Update: Dr. Jones is interested in making a version that works with Il2

I've also tried to get this to operate as a standalone without success.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

In the mean time I thought it might be an idea to start a thread to;

1. Let people who have ToW have access to IMF Viewer.

2. Give those who don't, a place to make conversion requests of those who do.

This way we can work together to help one another. People with no skining ability whatsoever would be able to help those who do by converting files by request and saving them a huge amount of time.

It takes just a few seconds to convert with this tool, where as it can take hours to do with current techniques and still not achieve as good a result.

New .tga conversion requsts thread opened

here http://allaircraftsimulations.com/forum/...6727#56727

Please go there to post your requests or convertions.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

IMF Viewer install & use instructions.

1. Un-rar & install in your ToW Mission Editor folder & double click on IMF Viewer to start the program.

2. Click on file, navigate to the file you want to view / convert & open it.



3. Click on save. Then navigate etc. No need to specify file type as it will automatically be .tga

4. You can also double click on the file you opened to over-write it, like I do, if you wish.



The converted file will now open with photoshop or what have you and is complete with original alpha channel.



Download IMF Viewer here

Mirror 1

or here

Mirror 2

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

For anyone who doesn't have ToW and is interested It's a sort of Il2 from the ground and it surprised me by running just fine on my old laptop

Should you be interested in it I recommend the download version from the official site Theatre of War as it is the easiest to update. There is also a free demo available there too.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

So feel free to post your requests, I'll do as many as I can, but hope sincerely that others join in :wink:

[Fisneaky]

Thanks Willy, all that game load time for print screen method adds up, and the alpha channel will save a lot of work.

[Steve T]

Could ba a boon to the graphical wizards out there -- great find!

[Guest]

From both download mirrors. What now?

[Willy]

Hi Avala

It only works within Theatre of War and that requires .NET installed to work also.

I assume you have Theatre of War?

[Tigershark]

So let me get this clear,

The viewer will only read and display IL2 files, if Theatre of War is installed and in the registry? Yes or NO ?

Correct?


TS

[Guest]

I think it’s just for Theatre of War, it is of spin of IL2. I don’t have .NET, must be it.

[Willy]

So let me get this clear,

The viewer will only read and display IL2 files, if Theatre of War is installed and in the registry? Yes or NO ?

Correct?


TS

Yes

Correct

From my initial post

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The bad news...

For now at least, IMF Viewer only works with from inside a legal version of ToW.

I've attempted to contact the author of the application to ask him if he would make it work with Il2, but so far had no response.

I've also tried to get this to operate as a standalone without success.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

...and

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

IMF Viewer install & use instructions.

1. Un-rar & install in your ToW Mission Editor folder & double click on IMF Viewer to start the program.

just to be clear, as far as I am aware at the time of writing....

For this converter to work you must have Theatre of War and .NET installed.

If for whatever reason you don't, just post a request for a conversion - it's simple really :wink:

I guess it would be even more clear if the screenies showed up like they did yesterday :?:

[Willy]

Some good news.

I've just had an email from the author of IMF Veiwer who says he's interested in doing an Il2 version

[Radoye]

Some good news.

I've just had an email from the author of IMF Veiwer who says he's interested in doing an Il2 version

Great!

[Guest]

Some good news.

I've just had an email from the author of IMF Veiwer who says he's interested in doing an Il2 version

That is great news :!:

[Th!rdeye]

Yea, i have TOW aswell. Dr Jones has been a great help in modding that game. I just saw he registered on the forums, hope to see a post soon.

[Tigershark]

So basically someone has to go and buy theatre of war, via online or game shop for what $30?? and for this $30, I will have a TGA converter to read the unique TGAs of IL2...???

guaranteed!!???

Yes, you get!!

+ $30 TGA conveter
+ hours of mod work free
+ take a break from object skinning to play ToW...



I think we have a 1C and Battlefront sales person infiltrating these forums...


So do you want my credit card info??

TS

[Radoye]

Well unfortunately it seems the only option for now - i tried with a ToW copy off torrents and it doesn't work...

[Tigershark]

AH, I see...
Thats because of the copyright protection program that is bundled with ToW... You need a working legit copy in order for it to work... it sort of like "StarForce" copy protection software..

Basically one needs the FULL legit ver$ion...