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Heroes of Might and Magic seriesHOMM 3: Changing background pictures?(50 posts)(50 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted July 09, 2013
Is there a(n easy) way to change the background picture of the main menu screen and the load screen in HoMM 3? I'd like to have the archangel with the burning sword from RoE back in the background instead of the complete edition picture.
Posted July 11, 2013
Bumping this up because I am too interested in this. The original main menu background image is far superior to the f***ing ugly ass background in Armageddon's blade. Besides, I associate Heroes 3 with the original release, not with the add-on, and I would love to have the proper background.
Posted July 11, 2013
It is possible, but not in easy way ;)
Problem is, you would have to re-did all the menu buttons and other elements (some can be copied from RoE files, but not all). Otherwise, you'd get ugly "hybrid", like this.

bad example 1
bad example 2
bad example 3

That said, it can be done, if you have some spare time on your hands. At this very moment, I don't have much :)
Post edited July 11, 2013 by Thiev
Posted July 11, 2013
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Thiev: It is possible, but not in easy way ;)
Problem is, you would have to re-did all the menu buttons and other elements (some can be copied from RoE files, but not all). Otherwise, you'd get ugly "hybrid", like this.

bad example 1
bad example 2
bad example 3

That said, it can be done, if you have some spare time on your hands. At this very moment, I don't have much :)
That's exactly what I ended up with just a minute ago. My conclusion was similar too - I don't have time to play with it...
Posted July 11, 2013
Thanks for the answers, all in all "bad example 1" looks better than the AB background :)
Do you know where I can get the ROE files? At the moment I can't check if they're bundled with the GoG release. I'll have a look, hopefully this weekend, and if I can get the menu to a satisfying state I'll send you the patch.
Post edited July 11, 2013 by Tomis01
Posted July 11, 2013
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Tomis01: Thanks for the answers, all in all "bad example 1" looks better than the AB background :)
Do you know where I can get the ROE files? At the moment I can't check if they're bundled with the GoG release. I'll have a look, hopefully this weekend, and if I can get the menu to a satisfying state I'll send you the patch.
I took them from RoE disk. In complete edition there were probably replaced by SoD counterparts.
Posted July 11, 2013
Funny... Armageddon Blade menu pictures are there, in the Complete Edition but those from Restoration of Erathia are not included. I wonder why...

AB pictures are stored in H3ab_bmp.lod while complete edition (and default) in H3bitmap.lod. No trace of H3RoE_bmp.lod though...
Posted July 11, 2013
Thanks for looking into this! I'd have the time to tinker with the files and all but I wouldn't know where to start tinkering in the first place :) Looked into a original RoE disc from past times and installed the game separately from the complete version. I tried replacing the .lod files in Complete with the RoE equivalents, but all I got was just , as expected, error messages. Then tried to open the files but couldn't figure out how, so maybe I'll just leave the investigation to you experts.

The bad examples aren't really that bad but... just rough. Is the sword still animated? 'Cause that's the coolest thing :)

Gee, it sure would be a nice feature possibly in the HD mod to change between the pictures!
Posted July 11, 2013
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Arykles: Is the sword still animated? 'Cause that's the coolest thing :)
Yep, it is :)
I think I'm gonna tinker a bit more with it at home, but tomorrow ;)
Posted July 13, 2013
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Arykles: [...]
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Tomis01: [...]
Okay, I think I more or less manged to do it. And I tried to keep it easy to use ;)
Here is the download link: (clicky)

Now what to do with it:
- unpack archive to your HoMM3\DATA folder;
- there, inside 'ArchangelBg' folder you have two .cmd files
- run background_archangel.cmd (as administrator) to get RoE background in-game
- run background_restore.cmd (as administrator) to restore backup and original HoMM3 Complete background

Now, couple of notes:

* Buttons aren't perfect, especially campaigns :( I know, but I don't have original font (it's commercial). Soo... just don't look at them too long ;)
* Don't change folder structure, it should look like <your_homm3_directory>\DATA\ArchangelBg\(mod_files)
* Everything was possible thanks to GrayFace's various tools

and kinda obvious but I have to state it:
These files are no way related to nor supported by GOG.com. It's merely a bit of personal fun of mine :)
Post edited July 14, 2013 by Thiev
Posted July 14, 2013
Thanks, this is truly great :)

The pics work wonderfully but for some reason the game crashes if launched through the HD mod. Know something that might cause this?
Posted July 14, 2013
Could you make scripts for Armageddon's Blade and Shadow of Death title screens as well?
Posted July 14, 2013
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Arykles: Thanks, this is truly great :)

The pics work wonderfully but for some reason the game crashes if launched through the HD mod. Know something that might cause this?
No idea, I don't use HD mod, but I guess it changes some resources on its own.
I'll try to find some time to check it tomorrow.

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JamesBond007: Could you make scripts for Armageddon's Blade and Shadow of Death title screens as well?
It's not a matter of scripts, I'd have to redid all the buttons again :O
I'll take a look but no promises.
Posted July 14, 2013
Thiev I just wanted to say thank you for your work.

I actually still own the cd copy of Heroes 3 Complete and it works even with that one.

Will eventually buy it from gog as well most likely because cd's eventually get to scratched or go missing. Just like my Etherlords and HoMM 5 did during my last move.
Posted July 15, 2013
Thanks a lot Thiev, I'll try this when I get home.
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This is my favourite topic
Community
Heroes of Might and Magic seriesHOMM 3: Changing background pictures?(50 posts)(50 posts)
(50 posts)