Using Warcraft 3 Image Extractor 2

UPDATED: 31/12/05
Created by desmasic (aka. Nikhil Sharma)
Website: desmasic.samods.org

INDEX
- Installation
- Opening MPQ
- Extracting an Image
- Converting a .tga to .blp Format
- Tips
- Credits

Installation

I am assuming that you already have Visual basic files required. Most systems already have them.

- Copy Storm.dll and ijl15.dll from the Warcraft directory to this tools folder (these files are inside the folder where warcraft-3 is installed).

NOTE: Image Extractor 2 = IE2

Opening MPQ

IE2 tool automatically loads up the ROC .mpq file by default when you first start it.

Otherwise...

- Press Ctrl+A to open an archive or goto Open > Archive (Mpq)

- In the new window, browse to your Warcraft 3 folder

- You can open any of these:
war3.mpq  ( Reign of Chaos )
War3x.mpq  ( The Frozen Throne )

- Now there will be a (by default) tree view image of the contents, there you can browse through the images with ease. You might prefer a List View of the images, this can be chosen by opening the View menu and selecting List View (or by using the hot-key Ctrl+L)

- Just click an image to show it in the preview box

Extracting an Image

After selecting any image you want to extract..

- Open up the Save menu and select 'Image' (or use the hot-key Ctrl+S)

- Now select the path to extract to and the format (from the drop-down combo box). This also works in a sort wise manner when selecting multiple images while viewing in List View

NOTE: If you choose .jpg as extraction format, you will be prompted for the desired JPG compression quality ( higher is better and sharper ).

Converting a .tga to .blp Format

- Load the Targa file by opening up the 'Open' menu and selecting 'Image' (hotkey, Ctrl+O). Now you may browse to the place where your Targa (.tga) Image resides.

- Double Click on it. Now the Targa (.tga) Image is loaded, open the 'Save' menu and selecting 'Image' (hot-key Ctrl+S)

- Now select the path to save to, and select the .blp format. You will now be prompted for the desired JPG compression quality (higher is better and sharper)

Tips

- Use 100% .BLP compression when saving image from Image Extractor (as .blp). Highest quality percentage is recommended for offline maps (or campaigns) only. Don't use high quality skins for B.Net maps. For B.Net maps, try to keep the size of skin as low as possible (as long as skin is visible and not totally blurred, depends).

- Everyone doesn't have a high speed DSL or cable connection. People play online on 56kbps Modems to slow cable lines. So make sure you map size as small as possible for B.Net (recommended size is under 1.2 MB).

- You can switch between Tree view (default) and List view using the 'View' menu

- You can save multiple files when in List view by selecting them and then clicking save

- You can open up other MPQ-Archives using the Open menu

- You can (and should) open and use TGA (.tga) images and then save them to BLizzard image map (.blp)

- The .blp format knows two different ways to save the colors (uncompressed palette and JPG compressed )

- The search engine (Ctrl+F) is actually quite effective if you know what you're looking for

Credits

This page contains some text from original readme/help file provided by the original author of the program. I have done the rest of the additions/subtractions from and to descriptions.