Any image editor will do. It looks like you're having the wrong export settings. I'm not exactly sure which bitmap format AoE uses but I'd guess it's 256 colors. I've never used GIMP but it definitely has an option to choose something like 256 instead of 24bit (which it probably uses by default, causing weird colors when interpreted by the old game).

I think rainbow dash is onto something, I use gimp for bitmaps too and I initially had the same problem. I think it is to do with the 256 color thing and exporting. I always choose to flatten the image when I save it.

Here's how to do it in GIMP

0. You should have mapdefault.bmp open (duh). If you don't have it open in GIMP yet, open it now.

 
1. Make sure the Palettes dialog is open. If it is not open, open it now:



 
2. Import the palette from mapdefault.bmp.


 
3. Convert images into 256 colors BEFORE pasting into the map. You need to do the conversion first or else it will very likely come out wrong.


 
Dithering Settings
At the time of this writing, GIMP lets you choose the dithering method from one of these 4 presets:
- None
- Floyd Steinberg
- Floyd Steinberg Reduced Color Bleeding
- Positioned
You can also choose whether or not to dither transparency.

There is no best dithering setting. It depends massively on the image being converted. If it looks bad after conversion, undo (ctrl+Z) and then do the conversion again with different dithering settings.



 

Export Settings: When exporting, under compatibility options do not write color space information.


 
 

[This message has been edited by zapdotep (edited 06-20-2015 @ 01:03 AM).]

I did it step by step, and after even few own changes it worked.

I'm not sure if the mods are going to delete this thread now that the answer is clear, but it would be useful to me or someone else take a look at here how it was done.

Thanks a lot!

Edit: In case you're wondering, I did those own changes in export settings which about Rainbow Dash mentioned.

Ok, have to remember these 3 things:

1. Must convert adding images to 256 colors
2. Must convert the image itself to 256 colors
3. Must set the export settings right (not let GIMP write color space information) by checking a box

Btw, I know this puts things upside down but I noticed that also Paint screws up the image and because I can't use Paint properly I just use GIMP.

[This message has been edited by Oldroman (edited 06-18-2015 @ 01:56 PM).]

How did you find my 21st party picture zappy!?

Yes, that is important. I will add the export setting box. Thanks for pointing that out.

Gumble, the picture is from your "avatar" (circled in red below)


 

The joke came and flew right by...

This might be little offtopic, but as the other forumer did a thread about their upcoming campaign, I think it's not mimicry if I made a thread aswell about my small 3 scenario campaign about an fictional ancient civilization?

Could make the thread pretty quick and put it here at the Scenario Design forum part.

And the campaign thread would be in much smaller scale ofcourse.

I'm still not sure however.

If no one says nothing or oppose I'm allowed, yes?

of course! that is what the scenario design forum is all about. We would be delighted to hear about what you are planning.

delighted, deilluminated, debrightened, and deirradiated.

Quoted from Gumble:

The joke came and flew right by...

But only a Villager can kill it

 

Quoted from Oldroman:

campaign thread

Do it. Do it do it do it

Good to hear that, from both of you. Might be able to put it here in few days or even today.

[This message has been edited by Oldroman (edited 06-22-2015 @ 02:14 AM).]

Well, I feel the information included in this thread is quite useful for us all, so I think this deserves to get sticky. After all even though the tutorial is for GIMP, photoshop is similar enough to be useful for the latter too.

This is a pretty helpful thread.

I am trying to think of what is the best way to depict different territories on a map, like Armenia vs. Rome vs. Persia. I guess that the official AOE maps put color shades on top of the default brown terrain, so that it becomes colored hues of brown. But I don't know how to do this with Windows '98 Paint, or for that matter other programs like GIMP.

I asked about it here:
What is the best way to draw different kingdoms' territories on your Instruction screen maps?
https://aoe.heavengames.com/cgi-bin/aoecgi/display.cgi?action=st&fn=4&tn=6687&st=recent&f=4,6687,0,10

AoE uses different palettes which are all limited to 256 colors including the palette for the instruction bitmap - it will pick the closest matching color automatically. No matter what you do you cannot circumvent this or get more colors, you have to work within this limit.

Paint is very limited in every regard, it's good enough to get the job done but if you really want higher quality your best option is to learn to use Gimp (use youtube tutorials).