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Table of Contents
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INTRO
LEGAL
DISCLAIMER
HISTORY
PLAYMATS
FRAMES
Part 1
Part 2
GENERAL
F.A.Q.
LINKS
AFTERWORD
CONTACT
END WORDS
This guide's basic purpose is to show you how to cutomize the MTGO client for
your viewing pleasure. None of the changes listed below will change what other
players see.
I am in no way, shape, or form, responsible for any damage, to your computer or
yourself, that may occur as a result of acting upon the information contained
below. This document is for informational purposes only.
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HISTORY
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Version 1.0 - 11/09/04
First version
Format complete
Playmat info and links complete
Frames section started
Version 1.3 - 11/17/04
Started fleshing out the general section
Version 1.5 - 11/24/04
Updated General section
Updated Background section
Added new links
Fixed version typo
Some minor formating changes
Fixed numerous minor spelling errors
Version 2.0 - 07/15/05
Fixed game version typo
Finished General section
Updated the Cardpics/Damage/Counters folder sections
Version 2.1 - 08/12/05
Added link to the New Frames files
Version 2.5 - 09/27/05
Updated for 9th and Ravinca
Version 2.7 - 02/12/06
Updated for Mirage and Guildpact
Version 2.9 - 05/11/06
Updated for Visions and Dissension
First I'll start with the most easily customized portions of MTGO: The playmat.
For those of you that don't know, the playmat is the image that you play your
cards on.
BASICS
The first thing to know about the playmats are that they are located within the
"Playback" folder in your main MTGO directory. The second is that they are in
the file format ".PNG". Almost all imaging software can view and edit .png
files, the most common and simplest to use would be Paint.
Now, after browsing through your available backgounds you'll notice that they
are all either named "scale###" or "tile###".
Files with the "scale" prefix will be automatically resized to fit whatever
player format you happen to be playing in. For instance: If the file's pixel
resolution is too high, it will be cropped to fit. If it's too low, it will
be scaled up to fit.
Files with the "tile" prefix with be multiplied a certain number of times
(depending on the current format) to fill in the playmat area. So you'll get a
checkerboard-like effect (This also happens to be the default setting; meaning
that any playback name that doesn't start with "scale", will show up tiled).
The numbers/letters after the prefix are just as important. For another player
to be able to see your playmat they have to have the picture, with the same
name, located in their playback folder. If they have another picture with that
name, it will show whatever picture they happen to have. If they don't have a
picture with the same name, it will show the "scale01" file.
PIXEL RESOLUTIONS
Here is a list of the various pixel counts your image should have, depending
apon which player format you want to use.
2-Player: 658x200
4-Player: 580x380
6-Player: 200x200 (I think)
These are for the "scale" prefix. The Resolutions for the "tile" prefix are a
bit sketchy and open for debate. However 140x140 seems to make a nice amount of
checkers.
SHARING
So, you've decided to use a custom background and want others to see it. Well,
there are two places to put them so far. Either the "Background" thread on the
Wizards message boards, or one of the sites in the Links section. I attempted
to get some up on fileplanet, but they were rejected for unknown reasons. So
these few places will have to do untill an actual MTGO Modding webpage appears.
Also, I've put together a little compilation of various Playmats I've picked up.
You can get it here: http://www.mediamax.com/offkorn/Hosted/Playmats.rar
56k Warning: It's ~34 MB at the moment, and likely to grow.
As most of you have probably noticed, from 8th Edition onward, all cards have a
new frame. You may also have noticed, that if you play lands from pre-8th and
post-8th together, that they don't look right together. Or maybe you just
dislike the new frame. Lucky for you, this can be fixed. Sorta.
The problem with doing this is that the art on the newer sets doesn't fit in
the old frame. I did some work to alleviate this issue, and the results are
quite nice, you can get the files here:
If you want to muck about with the Frames yourself, the most important thing
to know is this: After altering a file, use the "Resize" command. Keep it the
same size, but make sure you open up the resize window and hit "Ok". If you
don't, for some reason, the client will crash when it tries to open the file.
In case anyone is wondering, I used XNView and Paint to make the New Borders
Project.
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Part 1
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First:
***BACK UP YOUR FRAMES FOLDER***
This cannot be stressed enough. If you don't back up this folder, and something
goes wrong, or you want the old frames back, your only option is to re-install
the game.
Now that thats been done, go into your *Main* frames folder (not the backup),
and find the following files:
Now the naming scheme is relativly obvious, but for those who can't see it:
"8" & "8ED" = 8th edition and beyond
"p" & "ffl" & "ff" = Foil
"frm" & "fr" = Non-Foil
"a" = Artifacts
"b,g,r,u,w" = The 5 colors
"c" = Colorless
"z" = Gold Cards
"bl" = Basic Land
"l" = Land
"ml" = Multi-land (aka: Shivan Oasis)
"PT" = Power/Toughness box
"s" = No clue
"flip" = Flip cards
"mrk" = Guildmarked Card
"hmrk" = Gold Guildmarked Card
"lmrk" = Guildmarked Land
"gray" = Seems to be just a generic frame
"un" = The promotional Basic Lands from Unhinged.
You'll also notice I put a few symbols up:
"~" = These are the little square around the Power/Toughness section of the
cards. If you don't like the square, delete these.
"*" = These new frames have no old frame equivelent. Delete at your own risk.
"+" = Guild cards from Ravinca.
Now that that's out of the way, here's the fun part: Delete all the files
that don't have a "~" or a "*" symbol after them, those are optional.
You did back up your frames folder, right? Good, continue.
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Part 2
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Now go into you *Backup* frames folder and find the following (left-hand collum)
files:
Copy them, and paste them into a new folder. Convert the files that need to be
converted and rename files as directed (right-hand collum). Finaly, move the
newly renamed files into your main frames folder.
Presto! You now have old frames on all your new cards. If you ever get tired of
this (or sick of the art not lining up), just copy the files in your *Backup*
frames folder and paste them into your main frames folder.
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GENERAL
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It is possible to replace just about any image you see with one of your
preferance. From the chatroom background, to the color of the dice, to
appearance of the buttons. In essence, "skinning" the MTGO client. I will list
the exact files to be replaced for each possbile change, in folder order. Any
file with a blank after it coresponds to an unknown image in-game.
1. Anims folder
This folder contains all the images for the start of the match die rolls.
Changing these files will allow you to change the color of the dice.
2. Backgrnd folder
This contains all the different background images.
botbrdr.png =
botbrdr.tga =
chain.tga =
dropdown.png = The drop down choices background, including the area you type
in.
galvback.png = The chat window/chart-view background.
galvtil2.png =
galvtil3.png =
galvtile.png = The player list window background.
gravback.png = The graveyard background.
menublue.png = Most of the right-click backgrounds. Your "hand" in-game.
menubrwn.png = The background used for the "Cancel" button.
menudkgr.png = The dark strip separating the chart and the chat window in
chart-view, and the trade window outside border
menugold.png = The background used for the "Draw a card", "Ok", and "Reveal
hand" buttons.
menugr.png = Trade window cards wanted.
menultgr.png = The background behind your cards in the deck editor section.
menupink.png =
menupop.png = The background for challenge player and most reaction pop-ups.
menupurp.png = The card sort menu in card collection and trade.
menured.png = Trade window cards given.
popup.png = This is the background for system announcements.
sidbrdr.png =
statback.png = Statistics window background.
tab01.tga = The black space around the tabs.
tab02.tga = The black space around the tabs.
thrshsld.png =
3. Borders folder
bottom.tga = Bottom border of most windows.
cornerll.tga = Lower left border of most windows.
cornerlr.tga = Lower right border of most windows.
cornerul.tga = Upper left border of most windows.
cornerur.tga = Upper right border of most windows.
lside.tga = Left side border of most windows.
rside.tga = Right side border of most windows.
top.tga = Bottom border of most windows.
ttlbar.tga = The naming plate at the top of each window.
4. Buttons folder
These are all the different buttons and button images, both pressed and
unpressed versions.
btn01cd.tga = Center of buton, pressed.
btn01cu.tga = Center of buton, unpressed.
btn01ld.tga = Left side of button, pressed.
btn01lu.tga = Left side of button, unpressed.
btn01rd.tga = Right side of button, pressed.
btn01ru.tga = Right side of button, unpressed.
btn02cd.tga = Center of button, pressed.
btn02cu.tga = Center of butoon, unpressed.
btn02ld.tga = Left side of button, pressed.
btn02lu.tga = Left side of button, unpressed.
btn02rd.tga = Right side of button, pressed.
btn02ru.tga = Right side of button, unpressed.
btn03cd.tga = Center of button, pressed.
btn03cu.tga = Center of butoon, unpressed.
btn03ld.tga = Left side of button, pressed.
btn03lu.tga = Left side of button, unpressed.
btn03rd.tga = Right side of button, pressed.
btn03ru.tga = Right side of button, unpressed.
btn04cd.tga = Center of button, pressed.
btn04cu.tga = Center of butoon, unpressed.
btn04ld.tga = Left side of button, pressed.
btn04lu.tga = Left side of button, unpressed.
btn04rd.tga = Right side of button, pressed.
btn04ru.tga = Right side of button, unpressed.
icncancl.tga = Cancel button image.
icndelet.tga = Delete button image.
icnenter.tga = Enter button image.
icnexp.tga = Export button image.
icnhelp.tga = Help button image.
icnimpor.tga = Import button image.
icnload.tga = Load button image.
icnmedit.tga =
icnnetdk.tga = Net deck button image.
icnnew.tga = New button image.
icnnext = Next button image.
icnno = No button image.
icnok = Ok button image.
icnprint = Print button image.
icnsavas = Save as button image.
icnsave = Save button image.
icnstati = Stats button image.
icnyes = Yes button image.
5. Cardpics folder
This folder contains all the various card and product art. Unfortunatly, all
of the art for the current sets is in .pig format. And I have not been able
to find an editor that open this format.
6. Cards folder
This contains the image for the 'back' of the cards.
7. Cardsets folder
All of the expansion symbols are located in here.
8. Counters folder
countblu.tga = Image for a blue counter.
countgre.tga = Image for a green counter.
countlbl.tga = Image for a turquious counter.
countora.tga = Image for an orange counter.
countp1.tga = Image for a +1 counter.
countpur.tga = Image for a purple counter.
countred.tag = Image for a red counter.
countyel.tga = Image for a yellow counter.
9. Ctossani folder
These files are for the coin-flip animation. If you're good enough at image
editing you can replace the american quarter with the coin or your choice.
10. Damage folder
Now this is an interesting folder. This contains all the various colors that
the avatar picture will flash, depending on the color of the damage source.
If someone figures out how to change existing avatars, or make new ones, this
folder will have to be altered as well.
This folder contains all the images found in the Deck Editor/Collection
sections of the MTGO client interface.
arromenu.tga = The drop-down menu button.
arrowdn.tga = Down scrolling button.
arrowlft.tga = Left scrolling button.
arrowrt.tga = Right scrolling button.
arrowup.tga = Up scrolling button.
artatab.tga = The "Artifact" tab on the card sorter menu.
artatabd.tga = The "Artifact" tab on the card sorter menu, pressed.
binder.png = This is the image for your binder.
bindtab.tga = Active left side "Binder Tab".
bindtabr.tga = Active right side "Binder tab".
bndtabld.tga = Unactive left side "Binder Tab".
bndtabrd.tga = Unactive right side "Binder tab".
closebt1.tga = The "Close" button.
colotab.tga = The "Colorless" tab on the card sorter menu.
colotabd.tga = The "Colorless" tab on the card sorter menu, pressed.
cycledn.tga = Decrease the number owned/for trade in the sorter/binder.
cycleup.tga = Increase the number owned/for trade in the sorter/binder.
deckback.tga = This is the "Sideboard" section of the deck editor.
enchtab.tga = The "Enchantment" tab on the card sorter menu.
enchtabd.tga = The "Enchantment" tab on the card sorter menu, pressed.
foretab.tga = The "Green" tab on the card sorter menu.
foretabd.tga = The "Green" tab on the card sorter menu, pressed.
helpbt1.tga = The "Help" button.
instab.tga = The "Instant" tab on the card sorter menu.
instabd.tga = The "Instant" tab on the card sorter menu, pressed.
islatab.tga = The "Blue" tab on the card sorter menu.
islatabd.tga = The "Blue" tab on the card sorter menu, pressed.
landtab.tga = The "Land" tab on the card sorter menu.
landtabd.tga = The "Land" tab on the card sorter menu, pressed.
lpagedn.tga = The "Previous Page" button, pressed
lpageup.tga = The "Previous Page" button.
minibt1.tga = The "Minimize" button.
monstab.tga = The "Creature" tab on the card sorter menu.
monstabd.tga = The "Creature" tab on the card sorter menu, pressed.
mountab.tga = The "Red" tab on the card sorter menu.
mountabd.tga = The "Red" tab on the card sorter menu, pressed.
plaitab.tga = The "White" tab on the card sorter menu.
plaitabd.tga = The "White" tab on the card sorter menu, pressed.
rpagedn.tga = The "Next Page" button, pressed
rpageup.tga = The "Next Page" button.
scrollm.tga =
sideback.tga = This is the "Current Deck" section of the deck editor.
sorctab.tga = The "Sorcery" tab on the card sorter menu.
sorctabd.tga = The "Sorcery" tab on the card sorter menu, pressed.
swamtab.tga = The "Black" tab on the card sorter menu.
swamtabd.tga = The "Black" tab on the card sorter menu, pressed.
tabltile.png =
viewgrap.tga = the "view spreadsheet" button
viewsprd.tga = The "view cards" button.
12. Decks folder
Where your decks, including precons, are stored.
12. Draftdecks folder
Where any decks you draft are stored.
13. Frames folder
This is covered above.
14. Freepop folder
These appear to be some form of trailer, perhaps the pop-up that accompanies
the free trial version of the game.
15a. Icons Folder
This is another fun folder, it contains all the in-game avatar icons in their
various states of health. As well as multiple other icons used in Duel Mode.
0tatus01.tga = Opponent's Untap phase marker icon.
0tatus02.tga = Opponent's Upkeep phase marker icon.
0tatus03.tga = Opponent's Draw phase marker icon.
0tatus04.tga = Opponent's Pre-combat Main phase marker icon.
0tatus05.tga =
0tatus06.tga = Opponent's Beginning of Combat phase marker icon.
0tatus07.tga = Opponent's Declare Attackers phase marker icon.
0tatus08.tga = Opponent's Declare Blockers phase marker icon.
0tatus09.tga = Opponent's Combat Damage phase marker icon.
0tatus10.tga = Opponent's End of Combat phase marker icon.
0tatus11.tga = Opponent's Post-combat Main phase marker icon.
0tatus12.tga =
0tatus13.tga = Opponent's End of Turn phase marker icon.
0tatus14.tga = Opponent's Clean-up phase marker icon.
arrow.tga =
arrow1.tga =
arrowb.tga =
avat0100.tga = These are all the icons for the various avatars. The first two
Etc. numbers in the name list the avatar number, which can be
Etc. matched to the coresponding avatar in the "Damage folder"
Etc. section above. The second two refer to the damage state, they
avat6104.tga = range from 00 (Healthy) to 04 (Skeletal).
blkman15.tga = Spreadsheet view collum sorting arrow.
bluman15.tga = Spreadsheet view collum sorting arrow.
brwnb.tga =
button01.tga = Signifies an unchecked box in the settings window.
button02.tga = Signifies a box in the settings window that is being clicked.
button03.tga = Signifies a checked box in the settings window.
cancel.tga = Cancel button icon.
chain.tga =
clrman15.tga = Spreadsheet view collum sorting arrow.
colsrtdn.tga = Spreadsheet view collum sorting arrow.
colsrtup.tga = Spreadsheet view collum sorting arrow.
copy11.tga = Copy marker icon, medium.
copy14.tga = Copy marker icon, mid-sized.
copy17.tga = Copy marker icon, large.
copy7.tga = Copy marker icon, tiny.
copy9.tga = Copy marker icon, small.
dddown.tga =
ddup.tga =
draftar1.tga = Circle on the table when your drafting.
draftar2.tga = Circle on the table when your drafting.
draftarl.tga =
draftarr.tga =
drftaro2.tga =
drftarow.tga =
drftdotr.tga =
drftdotw.tga =
error.tga =
flashb11.tga = Flashback marker icon, medium.
flashb14.tga = Flashback marker icon, mid-sized.
flashb17.tga = Flashback marker icon, large.
flashb7.tga = Flashback marker icon, tiny.
flashb9.tga = Flashback marker icon, small.
grnman15.tga = Seems to be a reminent of an earlier game version.
grvhlarg.tga = Large Graveyard icon.
grvhsmal.tga = Small Graveyard icon.
help.tga = Help button icon.
iaccount.tga = Account menu tab icon.
iadv.tga = Advanced menu tab icon.
ianal.tga = Analysis window tab icon.
iappear.tga = Appearance menu tab icon.
iblocked.tga = Blocked window tab icon.
icolle.tga = Collection window tab icon.
idisplay.tga = Display menu tab icon.
idraft.tga = Draft window tab icon.
iduel.tga = Duel window tab icon.
ieditor.tga = Deck Editor window tab icon.
ifind.tga = Seems to be a reminent of an earlier game version.
iformat.tga = Format window tab icon.
ifreet.tga = Beta Server tab icon.
igameply.tga = Gameplay menu tab icon.
igames.tga = Games window tab icon.
ihist.tga = History window tab icon.
ilimited.tga = Limited Deck Builder window tab icon.
import.tga = Import button icon.
ionlin.tga = Replaces the Sign In tab when you sign on.
ipref.tga = Seems to be a reminent of an earlier game version.
iprivacy.tga = Privacy menu tab icon.
iprob.tga = Probabilities window tab icon.
iprofile.tga = Profile menu tab icon.
iratings.tga = Ratings window tab icon.
isearch.tga = Search button icon.
isideb.tga = Sideboarding window tab icon.
isign.tga = Sign In window tab icon.
iskins.tga =
isound.tga = Sounds menu tab icon.
itour.tga = Seems to be a reminant of an earlier game version.
itrade.tga = Trade window tab icon.
itradebg.tga = Trade window tab icon.
iusers.tga = I assume this is an Adept-specific menu tab icon.
ladmin.tga = I assume this is an Adept-specific menu tab icon.
life01a.tga = Seems to be a reminant of an earlier game version.
life01b.tga = Seems to be a reminant of an earlier game version.
life02a.tga = Seems to be a reminant of an earlier game version.
life02b.tga = Seems to be a reminant of an earlier game version.
life03a.tga = Seems to be a reminant of an earlier game version.
life03b.tga = Seems to be a reminant of an earlier game version.
life04a.tga = Seems to be a reminant of an earlier game version.
life04b.tga = Seems to be a reminant of an earlier game version.
life05a.tga = Seems to be a reminant of an earlier game version.
life05b.tga = Seems to be a reminant of an earlier game version.
life06a.tga = Seems to be a reminant of an earlier game version.
life06b.tga = Seems to be a reminant of an earlier game version.
load.tga = Load button icon.
loptions.tga = Seems to be a reminant of an earlier game version.
manahllg.tga =
manahlsm.tga =
manalarg.tga = The large version of the layout above your avatar icon.
manasmal.tga = The small version of the layout above your avatar icon.
mstore.tga = Card Shop button icon.
new.tga = New button icon.
ok.tga = Confirm button icon.
pbend.tga = Game replay "Skip to EoT Phase" button icon.
pbnturn.tga = Game replay "Next Turn" button icon.
pbpause.tga = Game replay "Pause" button icon.
pbplay.tga = Game replay "Start" button icon.
pbstep.tga = Game replay "Next Phase" button icon.
print.tga = Print button icon.
purpb.tga =
redman15.tga = Seems to be a reminent of an earlier game version.
save.tga = Save button icon.
saveas.tga = Save As button icon.
statisti.tga = Statistics button icon.
status01.tga = Your Untap phase marker icon.
status02.tga = Your Upkeep phase marker icon.
status03.tga = Your Draw phase marker icon.
status04.tga = Your Pre-combat main phase marker icon.
status05.tga =
status06.tga = Your Beginning Combat phase marker icon.
status07.tga = Your Declare Attackers phase marker icon.
status08.tga = Your Declare Blockers phase marker icon.
status09.tga = Your Combat Damage phase marker icon.
status10.tga = Your End of Combat phase marker icon.
status11.tga = Your Post-combat Main phase marker icon.
status12.tga =
status13.tga = Your End of Turn phase marker icon.
status14.tga = Your Clean-up phase marker icon.
stop.tga = Marker for stops you have set on your turn.
stop2.tga = Marker for stops you have set on your opponent's turn.
tabarowl.tga =
tabarowr.tga =
tutablu.tga = Blue Target Arrow.
tutared.tga = Red Target Arrow.
white.tga =
whtman15.tga = Seems to be a reminent of an earlier game version.
15b. Trophyrm folder
I assume this is where the image files for the Trophy Case feature would go
if the feature was working.
16. Kickimgs folder
This folder contains the various graphics that make up the Kicker Screen.
17. Mainmenu folder
A bunch of images that appear to be from an old game version.
18. MTGOThemes folder
Nothing usefull here.
19. Playarea folder
These seem to be rather minor parts of the Dual interface, including the round
clock.
20. Playback folder
This is where all your Playmats, or Backgrounds, are stored.
21. Prefs folder
I'd guess these are arrows used on the Settings menu.
22. Roombms folder
The .TGA files in here are all the "ground" and backgrounds for each room
(Casual, Draft, Premere Events, etc). I havn't figured out how to open
the .RLE files yet.
23. Scripts folder
Bunch of executables with unknown functions.
23a. Images folder
These images are from the in-game tutorial.
23b. Prefs folder
Bunch of unknown configuration files.
24. Sealeddecks folder
This is where the decklists for any Sealed Events you entered will be saved.
25. Signscrn folder
A few images from the old sign-in screen.
26. Sounds folder
All the various sounds used by the game.
27. Symbols folder
This folder contains all the symbols you can make in the in-game chat.
28. Webhelp folder
This is where you get taken to whenever you press the little "?" button
in-game.
http://www.livejournal.com/community/mtg/695865.html
A basic reskin of MTGO
http://www.angelfire.com/magic2/full_frontal_noobity/mods.html
Customization/Help site
http://dragon.stack.nl/~nushae/mtgo/mods.html
A few custom backgrounds
http://www.geocities.com/zero_katana/mtgo/angeltheme.html
Site devoted to creating an Angel themed MTGO client
http://boards1.wizards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=218
The MTGO message boards
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=321909
My thread about backgrounds
Please notify me of any errors that may have appeared in this guide.
I will also answer most questions about this guide.
I can be reached by E-mail or AIM
E-Mail: Offkorn_69@yahoo.com
AIM: Offkorn69
I can also be contacted on the MTGO message boards.
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