CivConverter V1.2 
Beta Version
by Angelo Scotto (e_mail:scotto_a@hotmail.com)

README FILE

What is CivConverter?
like the name itself say, CivConverter is a program capable to transform Civ2 Scenarios into Civ2TOT compatibile version.
I've successfully converted Hodadians,Napoleon,Colonization CIC Scenarios and Rome Civ2Classic Scenarios.
CivConverter is also capable to convert graphic files only, if you just want to convert some wonderful Civ2 icons into your TOT Scenario.
Now i've added some simple error checking,eliminated virtually all differences between Civ2 classic scenarios and Tot converted versions, Ok, I still have problems with the Reinassance cities (read below)
still no GUI (have some patience...).
In the future versions i'll try to convert other Civ2 Scenarios versions.
Fell free to write me for any suggestion, question or other things like these.

(1)INSTALL CIVCONVERTER
Well, if you downloaded the complete version (450 kb) you only have to unzip it in a directory you like.
If you downloaded the small version (50 kb) you also need to copy some Civ2TOT files into CivConverter directory:
1)you have to copy Civ2TOT\Original\Rules.txt to CivConverter directory
2)you have to copy and CONVERT Civ2TOT\Original\Units.bmp to CivConverter directory
3)you have to copy and CONVERT Civ2TOT\Original\Cities.bmp to CivConverter directory
4)you have to copy and CONVERT Civ2TOT\Original\People.bmp to CivConverter directory
5)you have to copy and CONVERT Civ2TOT\Original\Icons.bmp to CivConverter directory
6)you have to copy and CONVERT Civ2TOT\Original\Terrain1.bmp to CivConverter directory
7)you have to copy and CONVERT Civ2TOT\Original\Terrain2.bmp to CivConverter directory
For information on how to convert graphics files read section (n)GRAPHICS FILES on the next lines

(2)GRAPHIC FILES (IMPORTANT)
When i started to work on this project i was sure (don't ask me why...) that Civ2TOT BMP files were created using truecolor (24 bits), when i tested my graphics routines i noticed (very disappointing, trust me) that Civ2TOT BMP files were created using HiColors (16 bit) and so graphics came out fuzzy.
So i've decided to convert TOT bmp(16 bit) files into TrueColor files (24 bit),and this is a very IMPORTANT thing to note.
--------INSTALL SECTION
In install section i've said you to CONVERT graphics files from Original to CivConverter directory, so you have to open your favorite paint program (i've used an old version of iPhoto Plus), open Original graphics files and save them as 24Bit (TrueColor) bmp files into the CivConverter directory.
This format enlarge the size of the graphic file (1/3 larger:24 bits/pixel instead of 16 bits/pixel) so i think to cut down dimension in the next version.
--------GIF SECTION
Civ2 old graphics files are saved in GIF format, since i don't want to pay rights to unisys i won't create any GIF decoder into my program (if you know a freeware library to decode GIFs which doesn't use Limpel-Ziv Algorithm write me an e-mail)
So, when you decide to convert a scenario you have to open your favorite paint program, load GIF files and save them as BMP files (24 bits remember...) in the same directory
(if you feel i've been not clear look at the example in the (4)CONVERTING A SCENARIO section)

(3)SYNOPSIS:
*Converting Scenarios
CivConverter <FileScenario>
where <FileScenario> is the name (with the complete path!) of the scenario file to convert
*Converting Graphic files
CivConverter <par1> <Directory>
where <par1> 	  can be "/g1" to convert graphic from Civ2 Classic or CIC
	     	  or "/g2" to convert graphic from Fantastic Worlds or MGE
      <Directory> is the directory (remember: complete path!) containing 
		  graphic files to convert

(4)CONVERTING A SCENARIO
This operation consist of two phases
--------PREPARE TO CONVERT A SCENARIO
You have to locate your Scenario Directory (for example "c:\Microprose\Civ2\scenario\Alien") and CivConverter directory (for example: "c:\Microprose\Civ2TOT\CivConverter")
Open Scenario directory and CONVERT (look at the previous section) all graphics files.
--------GO ON,CONVERT IT!
Open a DOS Prompt and move to CivConverter directory (for example: "cd c:\Microprose\Civ2TOT\CivConverter")
Launch CivConverter with scenario filename (and PATH!) as parameter (for example: "CivConverter c:\Microprose\Civ2\Scenario\Alien\Alien.scn")
Wait...time passes
Wait...time passes
When the screen shows "Conversion Completed" you've finished.
CivConverter create a directory in the scenario directory called Converted so, the Civ2TOT converted version lies into the "Converted" subdirectory of original scenario directory (for example: c:\Microprose\Civ2\Scenario\Alien\Converted contains the TOT version of Alien.scn)
--------COMPLETE EXAMPLE
In this example i'll explain to convert Colonization Scenario (i couldn't find the name of the author but only his mail address:ibewatson@aol.com), you can find it at http://sleague.apolyton.net/Reviews/ch_colo.shtml
I choose this Scenario because is a CIC scenario, redefines all graphic files and uses some events and so quite all routines of CivConverter must do some work...
0)Install CivConverter into (let's say) "c:\mps\civ2TOT\CivConverter"
1)After downloading Scenario unzip it into "c:\windows\desktop\colonize"
2)Convert all gif files to bmp files (24-bits) using a paint program (in this case you'll have to convert Units,Cities,Icons,people,terrain1,terrain2)
3)Open a dosprompt
4)Change directory to c:\mps\civ2TOT\CivConverter (cd c:\mps\civ2TOT\CivConverter)
5)launch CivConverter on colonization scn file ("CivConverter c:\windows\desktop\colonize\colonize.scn")
6)wait and (if you're lucky ;-)) you'll see the "Conversion Terminated" message
7)launch Civ2TOT and begin colonize.scn found into c:\windows\desktop\colonize\converted\
8)Play a CIC Scenario using TOT...


NOTE ON FANTASTIC WORLDS
Since i don't have Fantastic Worlds and/or MGE editions i've started this program with the idea of create a program capable to convert FW scenarios to TOT,i quickly realized a conversion routine for Civ2 CIC and then tried to work on FW scenarios. After a lot of work i finally succeded in loading Alba de America Scenario in TOT using CivConverter, so i made a party :-) to celebrate the event but, when i started to play i was only able to play first turn and then TOT crashed.
So, this CivConverter can convert FW Scenarios but actually only "One Turn Scenarios" ;-)
I need your help to fix this bug, if you've FW or MGE contact me at my e-mail address so that we can create an "universal" converter.
N.B. now i've discovered a bug in the Rules.txt converter, so NOT ALL FW scenarios can be translated (even for the first turn only)

(5)GRAPHIC CONVERTER
Converting graphic is very simple:
all you've to do is to CONVERT(read paragraph (2)) graphic files you want to convert into BMP 24-bit versions and save it.
Open a DOS prompt and move to CivConverter Directory
Then you've to launch CivConverter with /g1 or /g2 parameter (use /g1 to convert from Classic/CIC and /g2 to convert from FW/MGE) and the directory in which graphic BMP files lie:
Example: Say you want to convert Alien (a CIC Scenario) graphic files (with Alien Scenario in c:\microprose\Civ2\Scenario\Alien) and you've already converted images from gif to bmp(24-bit remember)
you've to write at the DOSPrompt:

"CivConverter /g1 c:\Microprose\Civ2\Scenario\Alien"

quite easy.

(6)DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ORIGINAL SCENARIOS AND TOT CONVERSIONS(AKA: BUGS KNOWN)
Alas, this is a beta, and it is free, and i've no scenario formats , what do you expect? perfection? no way.
I've found some bugs in scenarios converted versions (and i need you to test CivConverter and warn me about other bugs not listed here), none of this bugs seems to alter play but they can be tiresome.
*CITY SCREEN PRODUCTION ICON
When you're in the city screen you'll notice an icon representing what you're building in the city,since in TOT improvement icons have been enlarged you'll find that Civ2 icons seems to be a little small,to correct this one i need to program a routine to "enlarge" little icons contained into icons.bmp into improvements.bmp but since i've not programmed this routine i'll fix this one in a future version
*PEDIA.TXT,GAME.TXT AND LABELS.TXT and others
CivConverter doesn't convert these files (i've noticed some scenario redefines them), this is only a "no-free-time" problem, i'm going to fix this one during the next free week-end
*REINASSANCE CITY IMAGE
Since in Civ2 there wasn't a special icon for the reinassance age while in TOT this icon was placed in the Alternative Modern row (see cities.gif), now in some scenarios (i've found the problem testing the Hodadians scenario in CIC) some nations get Alternative Modern cities because of this problem, i don't have any clue to solve this but i've a lot of more important things to do (read above-mentioned problems)
None other bug until now...


(7)THINGS TO DO (a lot...)
-Modify graphics alghoritm to use 16 (or even 8 if TOT read them) bit bmp files instead of 24 bit version (freeing up to 2/3 of space took by images in this version)
-Modify graphics alghoritm to read and use directly gif files instead of make the user convert manually them
-Modify graphics alghoritm to enlarge a bmp picture
-Modify units stack and map shift problem
-Convert PEDIA.TXT,GAME.TXT and LABELS.TXT and others
-Fix program to convert FW & MGE scenarios (i need your help!)
-Create a better GUI,Error checking and optimize code (well it's difficult to make worse: NO GUI,NO CHECK, a lot of redundant code,etc)
-etc.....