Halo 2 Hud Editing Tutorial

Tutorials for the Xbox version of Halo 2.
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DarkShallFall




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Halo 2 Hud Editing Tutorial

Post by DarkShallFall »

HUD editing can be pretty challenging at times but I think that I can simplify it.
Pay close attention and you might learn something.
~
In this tutorial I will be using Entity 1.4, Adobe Photoshop Cs2 and Halo 2 Hud Coordinate Finder

~


What we need to do first is prepare a bitmap for the HUD.

Image

This is our shield mask, this is what will stencil the shield meter for your shield bar.

After that we would add the bitmap to a screen shot. After added to the screen shot you would make your bitmap the correct size and maybe even place it where you want it to be ingame just to see how it looks.

Image

After that we would make the following bitmaps and then fallow the secound step of putting them into a screen shot.
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and then

Image

After this its time for preparing to inject.
Image is a bit big, click here to view.

The top images are the RGB channel and the bottom images are the alpha channels. Notice the shield meter has a gradient for the shield animation.

After this we would inject our bitmaps.

Image

After being done with injecting be sure to check the "HUD Bitmap" bitmask in the bitmaps meta, that will insure some extra anti-aliasing.

Image

Now we are going to get to the nhdt tag. This tag holds all the properties to HUD.

We will be editing that Masterchief HUD.

First We need to find the chunks of Bitmap Components that labeled shield meter and shield mask.

Shield Mask is the stencil for the meter.
Shield Meter is the animated bitmap that shows how low or high your shield is.

Im going to start with shield mask then go to shield meter.

Now we will change the bitmap this is supose to refer to.
Image

We have now changed the bitmap to my custom bitmap.

After that we need to change the sequence image to 0.
Sequence Image is what submap number will be used from the bitmap. Our bitmap doesnt have any submaps but is still refered to as 0.

Now we can start placement.
Be sure that the Registration Points are all at 0. The reason is that it can cause the bitmap to shift upward when you are in a vehicle.

We will now edit FullScreen Offsect X and Y.
Image

Using my application Halo 2 HUD Coordinate Finder we will find the location we want to place the bitmaps but make sure you choose the correct anchor.

After you find the coordinates enter them into Fullscreen Offset X and Y.

Then Test your map to see how it turned out.


Image




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Now we are going to do a small weapon hud edit that will turn out with a pretty cool result.

First we will start wih a bitmap.

This is an out line of the sniper scope.

Image

Then like before we will make sure it is the right size and shape according to a screenshot.
Image

Now we will prepare for injecting.
Image on the left is RGB and iamge on the right is the Alpha channel
Image is a bit big, click here to view.

After that we inject the bitmap.
Image

Now go to the Sniper nhdt

We will edit chunks 7 and 8 which are 5x and 10x

Change the Sequence image number to 0.

Then change all the Screen Offets to 0.

Then make all the Registration points 0.5

Now Change the shader to: ui\hud\shaders\player_training

Image

Then test you map to see the results.

Image
-----

I hope you all enjoy and make the best of this tutorial.

Thank you,

DarkShallFall
Last edited by DarkShallFall on Wed May 07, 2008 1:42 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by gjsdeath »

Great tut, i will use this right now!

Thank you,
Gary
Last edited by gjsdeath on Tue May 06, 2008 9:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by latinomodder »

this tutorial sucks, you suck


I have to put this because some insane amount of noobs would not know I was being sarcastic
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Post by G.I.R. »

Great tutorial! Gewd jorb thar.
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Post by Supermodder911 »

Keep ballin' the apps!
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Post by -DeToX- »

Good job, Mr. Impatience.
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Post by Tural »

This pleases me.
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Post by JacksonCougAr »

<_<
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Post by NotZachary82 »

JacksonCougAr wrote:<_<
why "<_<"
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Post by JacksonCougAr »

Tural wrote:This pleases me.
Why?

Its worth noting you should probably use ARGB8 bitmaps for HUD bitmaps needing gradient alpha channels...

Or if your smart and want to do it correctly, resize a smaller gradient into a larger one using "nearest neighbour" as this will retain the sharp edges, and keep your colour count down: its really noticeable if your using a dxt3 bitmap as they have the worst alpha channel of the three bitmap types I use.

Just look <_< (This took awhile for me to find again <_<)

The moral of the story? ARGB8's are best, but will cost you in filesize!
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Post by SpecOp44 »

High five for darkshallfall face!
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Post by kibito87 »

JacksonCougAr wrote:
Tural wrote:This pleases me.
Its worth noting you should probably use ARGB8 bitmaps for HUD bitmaps needing gradient alpha channels...
No, it really isn't at all actually. You are just creating an argument or rather a quarrel over something so minuscule. Put what you know to good use instead of pointlessly instigating.
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Post by neodos »

That's because you didn't saw the gradients difference in-game, anyway the tut is great, goob job Dark :p
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Post by JK-47 »

I can't find 'scenarios\bitmap\multi\a' in my bitmaps.. I've been through all of them.
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Post by DarkShallFall »

Lol. no you can use any bitmap. I use dxt 3 and dxt 5.
Thats just what I nammed my bitmap.
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Post by JK-47 »

I see. It was a little unclear ;x
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Post by tmoney »

nice Job Darkiepoo
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Post by opprobrium »

Thanks for the tut. I am going to use it after I post this. I have used liek over 9000 tuts ever since I started modding. Lawlz
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Post by foxfanatic23I7 »

opprobrium wrote:Thanks for the tut. I am going to use it after I post this. I have used liek over 9000 tuts ever since I started modding. Lawlz
Good, that's how you learn and get better without nagging and adding unlimited amounts of topics to the modding discussion thread :D. High Five!
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