Editing Map Backgrounds (Newer)

This tutorial will guide you through making custom map backgrounds for NewerSMBW. Map backgrounds can be found in the  folder, and are used for the maps in-game.

Requirements
NewerSMBW [1.20 Download] [1.30 Download]

LHDecompressor (Newer 1.20 or below only)

Cue's DS/GBA Compressors (Newer 1.30 only)

Koopatlas

BrawlBox

Decompressing Newer's Backgrounds
The two map backgrounds in Newer,  and , are compressed. To edit these files, we will need to decompress them. Note that only one needs to be decompressed, though you can decompress both if you wish.

Decompressing with LHDecompressor (Newer 1.20 & below only)
If you're editing version 1.20 or below of Newer, you will need to use LHDecompressor to decompress the LH-compressed files. The download link has both an x64 and x86 version, download the version corresponding with your operating system. This tool is a command-line-based tool.

To start off, put the map backgrounds in the same folder as the LHDecompressor executable, and direct yourself to the folder with the  command, followed by the path to the folder. For example, if it's in your Downloads folder, it would be something like the path below. Once you're in that directory, run the command. Please note to replace  with either 86 or 64, depending on which executable you downloaded.

Decompressing with Cue's DS/GBA Compressors (Newer 1.30 only)
This collection of compressors can be used to decompress (and compress!) LZ-compressed files from Newer 1.30. It is a command line tool, like LH Decompressor.

Firstly, put the map backgrounds in the tool's folder. Then open Windows command prompt, and direct yourself to the folder with the  command, followed by the path to the folder. For example, if it's in your Downloads folder, it would be something like the path below. Once you've changed directories to the folder, run the command  to decompress the file. You will need to manually remove the  extension, as the tool doesn't automatically do it for you. Once that's done, you're ready to move on!

Editing the Backgrounds
Now that we've decompressed the map backgrounds, we can edit them. This section will focus on recoloring the color of the liquids.

Open  in BrawlBox, and it should look something like this. If you look in the  folder, you will notice the files are all grayscale, as the color is controlled by something different.



Expand the  folder, and expand the   model, then expand the   folder, and finally select the material named. Now, in the properties pane on the right, scroll to the very bottom, then find two properties named  and. These are what're used to apply colors to the textures. As an example to show how these colors work, we'll change the colors to make the water look more like poisoned water.

Poisoned Water Example
On the, you will want the following settings. The Color 2 value isn't used, but can be, if you wish. As for the, we will want these settings. The Constant Color 2 and Constant Color 3 values aren't used, but can be, if you wish. Now, save your file, then load up NewerSMBW, and go to a map with a water background (Yoshi's Island is a good example of a map where you could easily see the changed water). You will be able to see your changed water shader colors. Once it's recolored, you're done!

I wanted to add a tutorial for making the water act more like quicksand, by replacing textures and editing some other things in the file, but I couldn't get it to work, so if anyone reading this wants to give it a try, go ahead!