How to convert .PNG images to ZT1 Graphics in batch

Some preparations are in order, but you can save yourself quite some time and trouble.

• Take care of your file and folder structure. If you're unfamiliar with the ZT1 structures, take a look at existing objects, animals etc. For animals, you typically have a folder structure like animals///. The animal name is usually shorted, each part of the path should be 8 characters max. That's why you might see a folder structure like objects/restrant/idle .

The file names of your .PNG-files should be like this: _00xx.PNG . For example: NE_0000.png . A second frame would be named NE_0001.png if you're working with animated objects or with animal animations. The ZT Studio settings allow you to specify whether you want to start numbering from 0 or from 1.

• Share a color palette or not? This is an optional step, but ZT Studio offers a unique feature. Just like the official animals and objects do, you can share a color palette between each graphic's animations - excluding the graphic's icons. It makes things a bit more complex and requires some additional preparation ( see specific page in this Wiki ).

Benefits?

• It makes the total size of whatever animal/object/... you're creating, smaller. This is still very interesting for people who are hosting content. It used to matter a lot more in the past when internet connections were still way slower or with lower download limits.
• It's also better for ZT1's performance. But again, PC's are way faster than they used to be. And people with non-optimized user created content will hardly benefit from your extra effort.
• You do have less files, making it look more structured.
• Most importantly: recoloring is easier, you can simply change this one color palette and you've updated all this graphic's animations at once.

Downsides?

• Needs specific preparation
• You are limited to 255 colors per graphic (colors in icons excluded!). This shouldn't be an issue: Blue Fang never needed separate palettes in this case.

Check the ZT Studio settings to see if you've enabled this or not.

• The actual conversion Start ZT Studio and hit the Batch conversion-button. It will ask you in which direction you'd like to convert. Pick from .PNG to ZT1 Graphics. Check the ZT Studio settings if everything's alright. If so, just click the Convert button.