Capitalism 2 and Capitalism Lab Forum

Posted: **Mon Jul 06, 2026 7:14 am**

======================================================
Capitalism Lab: ICN/COL Image Extraction & Modding Guide
======================================================

!!EVERYTHING I KNOW IS SELF TAUGHT PLEASE BEAR WITH ME!!

Capitalism Lab uses proprietary .ICN and .COL resource files for game images. They are located in the "if" and "image" data folders of your Capitalism Lab installation directory. The images are extracted and packed using ICNEDIT commands sent through your Windows Terminal.

ICN: File that contains the actual image data and indexes into the color palette.
COL: Contains the color palette and only needs to accompany its partner ICN file in the same folder.
ICNEDIT: Allows editing the ICN/COL files within the game's "if" and "image" directory, which allows you to edit some of the user interface graphics.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Modding Workflow:
1. Unpack the game’s asset package.
2. Edit the .ICN image.
3. Recompress/rebuild the package.
4. Put the rebuilt files back into the game's "if" or "image" directory.

All edited images must maintain the original file dimensions, file extension, and must be saved as an 8-bit .png using indexed color mode to prevent game crashes. You will have to work your art around hardcoded interface elements like text, text colors, graphs, and layout lines.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am not completely sure where the original ICNEDIT files surfaced, but you will need them alongside ImageMagick. For your image editor, you can download GIMP or Paint.NET for free.

Download Links:
ImageMagick: https://imagemagick.org/download/
ICNEDIT Files: https://mega.nz/file/1WwxiRiT#fpZxqcGSe ... 1FSadpAVlM

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Step-by-Step Directory Setup

1. Create a working folder anywhere on your computer (e.g., C:\CapModding).
2. Inside that directory, create a folder named "if" and another named "image".
3. Extract a copy of the ICNEDIT files into both folders (one full copy in each).
4. Copy your target .ICN and .COL files from your official Capitalism Lab install directory and paste them into your new working folders.
5. Right-click inside the folder you want to work in and select Open in Terminal.

Example Paths:
C:\Users\(YourUsername)\Pictures\CapMod\if
C:\Users\(YourUsername)\Pictures\CapMod\image

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Manual Terminal Commands

In Windows Terminal and PowerShell, typing ".\" before a command simply tells your computer: "Look inside this exact folder for the program."

Modern Windows security features block local scripts and programs from running automatically unless you tell the terminal precisely where they are. It does not grant admin rights; it just points to your current folder.

1. To Export (Extract a png from an ICN)

Code: Select all

.\icnedit export <filename.ICN> <filename.png>

2. To Import (Pack a png back into an ICN)

Code: Select all

.\icnedit import <filename.ICN> <filename.png>

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Automated Batch Scripts

These PowerShell scripts automate the conversion process to import or export multiple files simultaneously. The scripts automatically handle directory management for you.

Instructions:
1. Copy the code below into a text editor (like Notepad).
2. Crucial: Customize the folder paths in the --- Configuration --- section at the top to match your own computer's folders and username.
3. Save the file with a .ps1 extension (e.g., ExportAll.ps1).
4. Right-click the saved file and click Run with PowerShell.

1. Batch Export Script (ICN to png)
Requires ICNedit to be inside your working directory.

Code: Select all

# Requires ICNedit to be installed and in your system's PATH.

# --- Configuration ---
# Set the source folder containing your .ICN files.
$sourceFolder = "C:\Users\Admin\Pictures\CapLabMod-1\if"
# Set the destination folder for the output .png files.
$destinationFolder = "C:\Users\Admin\Pictures\CapLabMod-1\if\png"
# ---------------------

# Create the destination folder if it doesn't exist.
if (-not (Test-Path $destinationFolder)) {
    New-Item -Path $destinationFolder -ItemType Directory | Out-Null
}

# Find all .ICN files in the source folder.
$icnFiles = Get-ChildItem -Path $sourceFolder -Filter "*.ICN"

# Loop through each .ICN file and convert it.
foreach ($file in $ICNFiles) {
    # Construct the full path for the input file.
    $inputFile = $file.FullName

    # Construct the full path for the output .png file.
    $outputFile = Join-Path -Path $destinationFolder -ChildPath "$($file.BaseName).png"

    Write-Host "Converting $($file.Name)..."

    # Execute the ICNedit command for conversion.
    # The `icnedit` command is the main ICNedit executable.
    # The `-background transparent` option ensures transparency is preserved.
    # The `-flatten` option is sometimes necessary for layered images.
    .\icnedit export "$inputFile" "$outputFile"

    if (Test-Path $outputFile) {
        Write-Host "Success: Converted to $($outputFile)" -ForegroundColor Green
    } else {
        Write-Host "Error: Could not convert $($file.Name)" -ForegroundColor Red
    }
}

Write-Host "`nBatch conversion complete."

1. Batch Import Script (png to ICN)

Code: Select all

# --- Configuration ---
# Source folder containing the .png files
$sourceFolder = "C:\Users\Admin\Pictures\CapLabMod-1\if\png"
# Destination folder for the .icn files
$destinationFolder = "C:\Users\Admin\Pictures\CapLabMod-1\if"
# ---------------------

if (-not (Test-Path $destinationFolder)) {
    New-Item -Path $destinationFolder -ItemType Directory | Out-Null
}

# Find all .png files
$pngFiles = Get-ChildItem -Path $sourceFolder -Filter "*.png"

foreach ($file in $pngFiles) {
    $inputFile = $file.FullName
    $outputFile = Join-Path -Path $destinationFolder -ChildPath "$($file.BaseName).icn"

    Write-Host "Importing $($file.Name) to ICN..."

    # Execute the ICNedit import command
    # Using .\icnedit assuming it is in the current working directory
    .\icnedit import "$inputFile" "$outputFile" Start-Sleep -Seconds 1

    if (Test-Path $outputFile) {
        Write-Host "Success: Created $($outputFile)" -ForegroundColor Green
    } else {
        Write-Host "Error: Could not import $($file.Name)" -ForegroundColor Red
    }
}

Write-Host "`nBatch import complete."

~~~~More Soon~~~~~