United Colors replaces the limited 18-slot palettes in the character creation screen with a universal 256-slot palette.
Installation * Delete any previous version of United Colors.
* Extract the downloaded folder "united_colors" and put it, along with all its content, into your override folder, located in My Documents\Neverwinter Nights 2\override.
* The game engine will automatically load objects in the override folder instead of the original standard resources.
Content United Colors overrides several standard resources.
* chargen_appearance.xml - the modified appearance selection screen
* color_**.2da - the expanded color palettes for all 23 races
And United Colors adds a new resource.
* color_united.tga - background image used in the selection screen
To uninstall, just remove the "united_colors" folder and all its content from your override folder. Generally, it's also good idea, but not absolute necessity, to empty your override folder prior to patching. You can always put the files back in after the updater completes its routine. (What I do is rename the override folder to something else, and then change it back after patching.)
How This Works The way colors on characters work is simple. The player selects the desired colors, and the hex values of these colors are stored in the generated characters' profiles permanently. There is no reference to any 2da or color source beyond the character creation screen. Which is why the colors "stick" even after you uninstall United Colors.
United Colors does not modify your characters in any way. It does not run any external script either. All it does is expose more color options in the character creation screen. Your characters will remain legitimate for all other modules and campaigns you play, including multiplayer ones.
Which means you can use any color you want.
With United Colors installed, you may notice a very short pause when the character creation appearance selection screen loads. This lag occurs because the engine is trying to read 1536 entries off the reference 2da at the same time. This is perfectly safe and harmless, and will not affect anything anywhere else. This is probably why the standard palettes come in such limited colors in the first place - to reduce read amount and lag. I have some ideas on how this issue can be circumvented, but it would compromise a great deal of interface intuitivity and convenience, and I've decided that it's simply not worth it. So, just live with the lag, if you notice it at all. ^_^
Frequently Asked Questions Q. I want to keep the original palettes for some races. Is this possible?
A. Yes. Simply delete the 2da's of those races from the united_colors folder. The engine will then load the original 2da's and the original colors. For example, to keep the drow color choices to the original palettes, just delete color_drow.2da from the united_colors folder. Many of the colors in United Colors are sampled directly from the original palettes though, so it's unlikely you will miss the originals.
Q. The color I want isn't among the 256! What do I do?
A. You can add more slots, but I'd strongly advise against that. You can easily replace one of the 256 colors with a color of your own. First, get the hex value of the color you want. Open up the 2da you want to modify. And replace the color you don't want with your own custom color. If you aren't sure which color you want to replace, use the second or third row to replace one of the grey shades. :)
Alternatively, there's a program written specifically for use alongside United Colors that allows editing of the color selection via a graphic user interface. It's written by community member Girruuth, and you can get it at PC Color Palette Editor
Q. Does this work in multiplayer/PW sessions? Do my peers/server need to install this package on their end?
A. The modified color palettes will only appear on the client with the package installed, but color information on your character will appear correctly for all other players even if they do not have United Colors installed. So, yes this works in multiplayer/PW sessions. And no, your peers/server do not need to install United Colors if they do not want to.
Q. I like this package! Can I distribute it elsewhere?
A. Yes, as long as proper credit is given, you are free to modify and distribute this package. In return, please notify me with an email, and vote.
VERSION HISTORY * Version 1.43 - updated for Storm of Zehir by charlievale.
* Version 1.39 - updated for MotB & new races. Maintenance taken on by charlievale. Future version numbers will correspond with the release of Charlie's UI which includes United Colors.
* April 17, 2007 - updated interface to include patch 1.05's height and girth sliders
* January 13, 2007 - added link to Girruuth's program; moved all files into a single folder for a tidier install
* December 19, 2006 - first release
Posted by ShineWaterice at 2011-06-19 00:45:58 Voted 10.00 on 06/19/11
Awesome! :) _________________________ From out of time and place,
I'm a girl with the Elven grace.
Before you knock on the door,
Don't forget to look at the mirror . . .
Posted by Marille at 2011-01-25 11:21:30 Voted 10.00 on 01/25/11
Great for Planetouched.
Posted by Lornag at 2010-01-19 22:23:39 Voted 10.00 on 01/19/10
This is a great addition to the game. I get so tired of the same dull colors. Especially, for some of the more exotic races.
Posted by The_Puppeteer at 2009-12-21 20:14:17 Voted 9.75 on 12/21/09
Great UI mod. I've implemented this into my PW.
Incidentally, I went through all the color 2da files and reworked them to get rid of many of the weird colors and provide more usable options. Any objections to my uploading the revised color 2das? I'm sure a lot of players would be happy to have the extended functionality they would offer. _________________________ Co-founder of the PW (open beta) Sea of Dragons. It is a quest-heavy (yet has sandbox elements) role-play server geared towards party adventures for mid level characters.
Posted by tieflingsftw at 2009-09-12 15:37:21 Voted 10.00 on 09/12/09
omg i love you so much right now...will you marry me?! :D _________________________ "That thing has my things! It has it's sallow, clammy hands all over my doo-dads touching my junk! NO ONE touches Oghren's junk and LIVES!!!"
~Oghren
Dragon Age Origins: Awakening
Posted by Wolfram Ravenwolf at 2009-08-26 12:57:53 Voted 10.00 on 08/26/09
A small add-on with a huge impact once you realize you need it - thanks!
Posted by DarkSpiral at 2009-04-21 20:50:09 Voted 10.00 on 04/21/09
*dusts off the floor*
*kneels*
*genuflects*
Thank you. A lot. _________________________ Trying to explain magic with words is like trying to cut roast beef with a screwdriver.
Posted by Gangster_No1 at 2009-04-04 08:54:56 Voted 10.00 on 04/04/09
This is simply brilliant! _________________________ "He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. For if you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you."
Friedrich Nietzsche
Posted by Gugarion at 2009-03-28 10:14:33 Voted 10.00 on 03/28/09
Works, thank you.
Posted by DarkOak at 2009-03-02 12:04:34 Voted 9.75 on 03/02/09
Huh, I didn't vote on this before? Well, Obsidian sincerely should have done this right off. It's lovely and perfect for playing on a PW. Thankee! _________________________ The Obsidian Shore Link
Posted by Bernissus at 2009-02-27 07:59:58 Voted 9.50 on 02/27/09
Excellent!
Posted by chickennone at 2009-02-13 13:46:00 Voted 10.00 on 02/13/09
Suggested to all the players of our PW .
Thank you Great fun !
Posted by Necroscope84 at 2009-02-03 07:33:54 Voted 10.00 on 02/03/09
I'm the 100th voter, yay :) Great Mod
Posted by Necroscope84 at 2009-02-03 07:32:39 Voted 10.00 on 02/03/09
Nice, pink hair yay!
Posted by Luonnotar at 2009-01-27 10:44:13 Voted 9.75 on 01/27/09
A must have! _________________________ ::RAWR::
Posted by SunWatcher at 2009-01-12 08:35:43 Voted 10.00 on 01/12/09
Great! I have been using United Colors ever since it was released.
Unfortunately... The swatches are limited! So, gaoneng, let me suggest:
How about a hue, saturation, and lightness slider to be able to pick the very custom color? I bet not everyone considers it necessary but I just had that idea. _________________________ Trust is for the foolish... And the dead.
Posted by charlievale at 2008-12-23 19:06:01 Voted 9.50
Posted by rafale2k at 2008-10-28 17:31:31 Voted 10.00 on 10/28/08
Good mod! Oh and I'm a little confused. When is the last update date? the discription says 08.08.2008 but the 'files' says 12.25.07.
Posted by Tristan at 2008-10-16 06:24:17 Voted 10.00 on 10/16/08
Though I normally like my PC to stay within racial bounds because it's more immersive, some cases-- like with the Planetouched-- you can just cut loose because anything goes with them. I've been using this for a while and it's an awesome tool to make characters.
Posted by Catitude at 2008-09-20 19:49:30 Voted 10.00 on 09/20/08
WOW. I am Flabbergasted and Thrilled!!! I didn't even have to sign over the souls of my chidren for this! TYTYTYTYTYTYTYTY with Hugs and Rainbow Fuzzies Too!!!!
Posted by RowanLeeves at 2008-09-15 17:53:30 Voted 10.00 on 09/15/08
You really made my gaming GREAT!!!!! This is THE mod to have. Thank you for giving the characters "free will". 10!
Posted by Skadi_the_Evil_Elf at 2008-09-05 12:48:39 Voted 10.00 on 09/05/08
A must have. Makes creating characters much more fun. 10. _________________________ N.E.A.F.T.W
Posted by BlueSilver at 2008-08-11 11:55:32 Voted 9.75 on 08/11/08
Great work! _________________________ 33 Voicesets for NWN1 and NWN2: Link
270 Portraits for NWN2: Link
Posted by charlievale at 2008-08-08 04:34:26 Voted 9.50
10 - A Masterpiece, Genuinely Groundbreaking 9 - Outstanding, a Must Have 8 - Excellent, Recommended to Anyone 7 - Very Good, Deserves a Look 6 - Good, Qualified Recommendation 5 - Fair, Solid yet Unremarkable 4 - Some Merit, Requires Improvements 3 - Poor Execution, Potential Unrealized 2 - Very Little Appeal 1 - Not Recommended to Anyone
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