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1996-06-24
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GP2JAM - Grand Prix 2 JAM to BMP Converter
Copyright (c) 1996 Trevor Kellaway (100331.2330@compuserve.com)
V1.1 3rd Sep 1996
Jump to the latest information on GP2 and GP2JAM.
Jump to the latest online version of this document.
Download the latest online version of GP2JAM.ZIP
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Introduction
Grand Prix 2 (GP2) from Microprose stores its image files in a unique
format, these files have the extension '.JAM' (referred to as 'JAM' files).
GP2JAM is a DOS program which converts GP2 JAM files to .BMP files and back
again. You will find these images in \GP2\GAMEJAMS\ on your hard disk (or
CD-ROM drive).
This version of GP2JAM supports the car image JAM files, thus you can
convert from a WILLIAMS.JAM file to a WILLIAMS.BMP. You can now use your
favourite bitmap editor to modify the image and save it. Next you would
convert the WILLIAMS.BMP back to WILLIAMS.JAM.
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Installation
This distribution should include the following files:
GP2JAM.TXT A text version of the help file.
GP2JAM.HTM An HTML version of the help file.
GP2JAM.EXE The converter program.
Copy GP2JAM.EXE to any directory on your hard disk, I recommend that you
create a new directory (say '\JAM'), you can then keep all your updated
JAMs and BMPs there without cluttering up the game directories (this also
allows you to reinstall the game without losing your images).
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Quick Start
Here is a quick tutorial on how to start painting the Williams.
Change directory to where you put GP2JAM.EXE ('\JAM'). Convert the Williams
JAM file to a bitmap by typing the following at a DOS command prompt:
GP2JAM -j\GP2\GAMEJAMS\WILLIAMS.JAM
This should create a WILLIAMS.BMP in the current directory (Note: If the
game is stored on a different drive then add the appropriate drive letter
at the front of the filename).
Now startup your favourite bitmap editor (Paint Shop Pro is a good one,
much better than Windows/W95 Paintbrush) and load the WILLIAMS.BMP. You
should see a picture of the different panels of the car. Paint the car and
then save the WILLIAMS.BMP again.
Now back at the DOS prompt convert the file back to a JAM:
GP2JAM -bWILLIAMS.BMP -j\GP2\GAMEJAMS\WILLIAMS.JAM
That should be it. Startup GP2 and admire your work!
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Important
All of the JAM files have a unique identity (ID) encoded in them so you
can't copy a WILLIAMS.JAM over the top of say a BENETTON.JAM, you will get
a transparent car! GP2JAM will always display the actual JAM ID when
converting to help you identify which file you are manipulating, this only
becomes useful if you start renaming the JAM files in your directory (don't
rename the games JAM files!).
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Usage
GP2JAM [-h?v] [-y] [-bFILENAME.BMP] [-jFILENAME.JAM]
-h|-? Display this usage message.
-v Display the version number & contact information.
-jFNAME.JAM Set the JAM filename to be 'FNAME.JAM'.
-bFNAME.BMP Set the BMP filename to be 'FNAME.BMP'.
-y Automatically answer all questions with 'Yes'.
When converting from a JAM to BMP you need only specify the JAM filename:
GP2JAM -jWILLIAMS.JAM
This will automatically create a WILLIAMS.BMP (based on the JAM ID), if the
WILLIAMS.BMP file already exists you will be asked if you wish to overwrite
it. You can turn off these prompts by using the '-y' option which will
automatically respond 'Yes' to all prompts.
If you wanted to use a different bitmap filename specify it after the JAM
filename:
GP2JAM -jWILLIAMS.JAM -bCAR1.BMP
To convert back from a BMP to a JAM file you must specify both filenames
and the BMP filename must be first:
GP2JAM -bWILLIAMS.BMP -jWILLIAMS.JAM -y
This will update the existing WILLIAMS.JAM file (Note: the '-y' option was
present to automatically respond to the overwrite prompt).
You can display the usage message by starting GP2JAM either with no command
line options, or use either '-?', or '-h'.
To find out which version of GP2JAM you have use the '-v' option, this also
displays the author's E-mail address and web site URL.
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Bitmaps and Palettes
When you first convert an original game JAM file GP2JAM may display the
following warning:
'Warning: The image contains unique colours which can't be mapped to GP2JAM's
standard palette, these will be mapped to the nearest colour available.'
Don't worry about this, GP2JAM uses a different fixed palette to that of
the cars in the game and maps the game colours to the nearest available
ones in its palette. When you perform a later update of a car you've edited
previously you won't get this warning.
When saving the BMP image don't change the colour depth (256) or change the
image size. You can use any of the colours from the fixed palette (the
first 192) but *don't* change the palette as this is fixed by the game and
the BMP just contains a copy (changing the palette won't have any effect in
the game). Make sure you save the bitmap RGB encoded (not RLE or OS/2
encoded).
Don't over paint the background (dull green) colour or move any of the car
parts. A good way to paint large areas is to use the selective colour
eraser tool which is available in most good painting packages.
The BMP has several small rectangles which are all one colour, these are
the suspension arms.
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Known Problems
GP2JAM has been tested with the European GP2 V1.0b and works fine in VGA
and SVGA. It should also work for the other language versions but I haven't
tried these yet.
This version of GP2JAM currently only supports the car JAM files. The
cockpit view from a car will display the original game colour as this
information seems to be encoded in the GP2.EXE file rather than the car JAM
file.
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Car Sets
Please *don't* send me the results of your painting, I'll get swamped with
file E-mails otherwise! I won't be producing any car sets (I just write the
converter, I never actually use it!), but I'm sure some good ones will
quickly be available on the web.
Checkout Dave Gymer's web site and this will probably soon have some links
on it:
http://www.gamesdomain.co.uk/dgymer/f1gp/
Note: The JAM files don't compress at all, so if possible when creating a
car set include the BMP files as they do compress (I recommend you create a
JAMS.ZIP and a BMP.ZIP then the downloader can choose which one to
download, the BMP.ZIP will be much smaller than the JAMS.ZIP).
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Future Updates
The next version of GP2JAM will support the driver's helmets. Subsequent
versions may support the advertising boards and possibly other objects
around the track. Keep an eye on my web page.
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History
V1.0 18th Aug 1996 Initial version.
Only supports car JAM files.
V1.1 3rd Sep 1996 Fixed memory overwrite bug which caused an "Unable to open
file *.JAM" error message when converting from BMP -> JAM.
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E-mail / Further Info
Please send any suggestions, comments, or bug reports (include the version
of GP2JAM you are using) to the author Trevor Kellaway at:
CompuServe: [100331,2330]
Internet: 100331.2330@compuserve.com
The current version of GP2JAM will always be available on my web page along
with the current version of this help file.
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/tkellaway/
It should also be available on Compuserve in GO SPRTSIMS, Lib #14 (Racing
Circuits) as GP2JAM.ZIP.
This program may be freely copied and distributed, as long as it is not
modified in any way, no fee is charged and this file is always included.
This program is provided "as is" with no warranties expressed or implied.
The author will not be held responsible for any losses incurred, either
directly or indirectly by the use of this program.
This is *not* an Microprose product. If you have problems with the game
then try it without using this program.
The author has no connection with Geoff Crammond or Microprose.
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E-mail: Trevor Kellaway (100331.2330@compuserve.com)