Can I save an MS Paint picture as a ZIP file?

It doesn't quite work that way, but you can put it in a zip file.  Within XP, right-click to create a new zip file and simply drag it into it.  The compression level isn't particularly impressive, but it'll get the job done.  Alternatively, you could use Winrar's context menu extension to right click the file in question and add it to either a zip or a rar (Winrar supports both, albeit with less options as zips).

I have Vista. What do I do?

The zip functionality should be the same, but I honestly don't know.

It does work the same way. However, note that the game only uses graphics in PNG format. If MSPaint uses another format by default (I think it would, but I've never used the program), be sure to save as a PNG.

MSPaint uses .bmp and can't save saves badly as PNG.  (Incidentally, MSPaint also does an absolutely horrific job converting to JPG.)  I'd suggest downloading Irfanview and using that to convert it.

Good catch, Scoutdog-I don't do that kind of modding so I didn't know/remember.

Any time.

The easiest way around this is:

1.  Get hold of a graphics package - there are Zillions out there, shareware, freeware, what-ever-ware, other than Paint.  Paint is a Dog, its ok for real - reeeeeeal -  basic stuff but thats as far as it goes. It was born as a freebie back in the pre-dark ages, and not changed a lot since.  Its better than nothing - thats for  sure - however there are Zillions of graphics alternative out there.  Google is your friend ......

2.  Download WinZip, and import the resulting exported graphics file from your new frustration free graphics package into a ZipFile.

Will you end up paying something in the long term with the above - yes probably, choose wisely and it will still be free or at worst cost peanuts - but the time saved faffing about trying to shoe-horn in todays requirements into an ancient and out of date Paint package, has to be worth the miniscule dosh.

Its like saying you refuse to pay delivery charges for the morning newspaper to save dosh - most end up going back to delivery as the hassle and extra costs of going to get one win the day. 

Can you do the graphics bit for free, of course you can, its not rocket science, carry on using Paint - and carry on being driven Nuts by the limitations.

Pays you money (time) takes your choice.

Regards
Zy

Best free bitmap package you can get is probably Gimp - It's about 98% on par with Photoshop for  0% of the price and will save in any format you want.

 

jonnan

Works for me - I like gimp, a neat package born in the open-software mold.

Great choice

Regards
Zy

the problem with gimp is the thousand separate windows.

Mmm...

I've got a problem. I was fortunate enough to be able to talk my parents into getting me a copy of Photoshop. The problem is, I was 8 at the time. In the intervening years, the new versuions have of course come out, but I have been unable to figure out how to update them. Do any of you know if it is even possible? If so, how do you do it and does it cost anything.

My understanding is each version of Photoshop is standalone in that regard-kind of like versions of Windows; you'd have to buy a new one.
Although you could at least skip the intervening versions. 

Probably not worthwhile, though, even for your modding needs, and I'd know more about it if it were even remotely worthwhile for my own modding needs.

Yeah, probably not. I guess I should start re-learning GIMP. I wish Adobe and Microsoft weren't so STINGY!

If all you are doing - Primarily - is converting image file formats, then download Irfanview.  Its free to Private Users, Commercial Users pay full price. Its been around for a long time, first came out in 1996, and does its job well.  For the use described above, it will be a better bet than GIMP - the latter is a full fledged editor.  Irfanview will edit files, but its great strength is the wide file format ability.  It will also be asier to use than GIMP in a GalCiv mode/Useage.  GIMP as pointed out above does have a disjointed interface, Irfanview ia far more compact, suiting the narrow specific need described above much better.

 http://www.irfanview.com/

Regards
Zy

Linked it 10 posts ago.

Glad to see another convert.

Unfortunately, I am currently working on a very large total conversion: partly to pass the time as I wait to get out of Jock High, partly to pay homage to those clever people at Nintendo who brought us Metroid, and partly to experimant with some new ideas about the game mechanics in general. I might post it, IF the material I have "borrowed" is OK under Stardock's copyright policy AND this funny glitch that won't let me post any mods clears up. The point of this monologue is, I need something that can make a complete set of logos, portraits, and maybe modelling textrures. Looks like a GIMP-Photoshop 3.0 future for me. Ahh well, I'll be legally able to work next year, so I might be able to afford upgrades. Thanks for the help!

Nothing is even near Modding in that case, believe me - i tried searching through hundreds of info threads here & the essential was IN the gameplay as much as with the trial&error process of modding.

Paint'ing, omg... there are sooooo many good free alternatives on numerous specialized sites that it's really worth "testing" a few (Gimp is great, PSPro better, PhotoShop too costly for the casual graphics enthousiast!) progs if only to figure out what you'd be comfortable with -- but, i'd highly recommend sticking with it in the long run if only to ease the expectable learning curve for UI controls, features, options, plugins, etc.

Say, i didn't like what Corel did with PSPro but i've been familiar with old Jasc versions - and, creativity wise Gimp can certainly feel like paradise to some.

 

(PS... as for being able to receive "free" copies of an earlier purchase when upgrades are done -- sadly, that's the usual (but unfair, btw) trap of products growth from corporation that milk us all to death for profits. One specific stuff, i'd like done once and for all about these business principles is the darn AV_Security issues - re-re-re-renting a program through multiple ongoing Licenses yearly or less is a VERY deep loophole of an exploitation of users.  Specifically in the case of extremely solid Virus protection (bought once at regular price!), it's in the best interest of evwwweryone on the web forever; if the internet stands any chance against Piracy, Criminality, RootKits, Trojan, etc.)

Agreed.

My Bitdefender simply stopped working recently, and I'll have to buy another version if I want to keep it running.

So, I am now using the free version of Avast and won't spend any more money to simply 'rent' a program.

 

Re the OP, I use PSPro v7 (an early JASC version, and free) and CorelDraw! 12 (which I found on Ebay for under $100 some time ago, and which can do much more than Photoshop). But none will let you save the graphic file in a zip format, which is only a compression scheme and not a graphics file format. For that you need WinZip (or the built-in capability with WinXP and Vista) or such, as others have said.