You should setup a OS for war2 development and use wardraft for you graphics and game editing.
Get an XP machine or VM
Download wardraft and copy war2 dos data files to then c drive or something.
Boom extract, edit, put back, or rename to appropriate name and place in bne mpq.
Some graphics info!
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Custom GFX Information
What is a GFX?
A GFX file is the file type that Warcraft II uses for all of it's images. It contains all the animations of a unit. These files are contained in MAINDAT.WAR in the DATA directory of War 2. This section will tell you to extract and edit them.
How to make Custom GFX's
To make a Custom GFX, you first need to extract the GFX file you want to edit from MAINDAT.WAR. To do this, you will need to use WarDraft. Just open it up and extract the file you want. After that, you need to extract the pallette you want to use. For Forest terrain, extract #2, for Wasteland, extract #10, for Winter, extract #18, and for Swamp, extract #438. Make sure to save them as .RGB files. If you just want to edit a unit (meaning that it isn't specifically for a certain terrain), then it doesn't matter what pallette you use (I suggest just using #2). Now, you need to use GFXConverter (which is now built into WarDraft) to convert the GFX into a BMP file for editing. Just open the GFX and pallette files and click on "Start Conversion". This should create a BMP file and a TXT file. When it asks you if you want to create a Mask file, choose no. Now, you need to use a paint program to edit the files. I use Paint Shop Pro, because it's easy to use and works good. When editing the files, depending on the pallette you are using, certain colors are different. Unless the unit you are editing are terrain specific, then you probably don't want to use those colors. Otherwise, your unit will look wrong in other terrains. Now, save it. When you are done, open up GFXConverter again. At the top, there should be 2 tags. The first one (which should already be selected), is for converting GFX's to BMP's, the second one is for converting BMP's back into GFX's. Click on the second one and choose the BMP file and TXT file you edited. After you're done, click on "Start Conversion" and it will change it back into a GFX file. Now you're done! Look at the next section to find out how to use them in the game.
How to Import a Custom GFX back into Warcraft II
If you want to use a Custom GFX that either you made or you downloaded, again, you need to have WarDraft. Open up MAINDAT.WAR and find the file that the GFX replaces. If you downloaded one from this page, the # that is in parenthesis is the offset(s) that the GFX is at (that's the # on the far left in WarDraft). Now, go to the right offset, and click on the "Import" button. A screen will come up asking you the location of the GFX and some other info. Put the location in the box (either by typeing it or using the Browse button). Now, click on the Box that says "Compress". Click on Import and then you're done.
What is a GFA file?
A GFA is almost exactly the same as a GFX. GFA is file type that War2 Alpha uses for its graphics. It is only slightly different than the GFX, but you can't even tell when you're editing them. Just read about GFX's, and you will understand GFA's.
How do I make a Custom GFA?
Making a Custom GFA is almost exactly the same as making a Custom GFX. The only difference is, that when you are in GFX Converter, to change a GFA file to a BMP, you must Choose "Alpha Standard" as the file type instead of the default "Standard". Otherwise, your bmp file will be all screwed up (it's a slightly different format than GFX's, as I said earlier). Just follow the rest of the steps for the Custom GFX, and you should be fine.
Where can I learn some more tricks on editing GFX's?
I created a much more extensive guide in Cameron's Campaign Author's Guide. It contains some extra tips on things, and more advanced explanations than here. Go under the "Graphic Editing" section.
I can always show you with TeamViewer but I'm busy now working on my truck.
I am also going to retire soon idk if I will ever come back when I part from here.
