Current Version: 1.5

Project Status: Completed

Highest Popularity: #12 during December 2007

Links: Web Site, Extracting Diablo II Animations (PDF)

Category: Utilities

Developers: PaulSiramy

Ports: Windows

Source Code: Available

Author's Description: This tool use Diablo II Animations (*.DCC files).

In short, the animations of the game are composed of several parts (layers). What this program does is creating a new animation that is composed of only 1 layer (*merging* all layers into 1). The new animation is then ready to be used in a GIF maker.

For instance a Fallen is divided into 4 layers : Right Hand (weapon), Shield, Torso (body) and Right Shoulder. Each layer was rendered individually. A special file indicates in what order to draw these layers, for each directions, for each frame (because individual element sometimes overlaps each other). What this program do is reading all necessary files (individual graphical files, the "order" file, the palette, and the colormaps), and mix them together to produce all frames of all directions, all with the same dimensions, with all layers mix together correctly, applying the colormap chosen by the user.

Tough complex because of the inherent complexity of the Diablo II DCC file format, this program can help in understanding how a professional game use layers, and colormaps. For those who are really interested, I have made a documentation about this subject, check the link "Extracting Diablo II Animations (PDF)".

Downloads

• 10Excellent Work. Be sure to read the documentation, it really helps. THe possibilities with this are truly endless. Kudos to Paul Siramy!
  Matt Kindy

PaulSiramy
Diablo 2 Tool's programmer. PhrozenKeep's "Tools" and "Map Editing" forums moderator (View Profile)