Loading Graphic data from external files?

[mkennedy]

Does AGS support the loading of graphics or other data from external files? Like if somebody decided to make a file that contained all the graphics from the "Reality on the Norm" games then the programmer could load the graphics from that file and their game would only have to contain the content that was specific for their title.

[Crimson Wizard]

You may create Dynamic Sprites from file:
http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/wiki/DynamicSprite_functions_and_properties#DynamicSprite.CreateFromFile

You may also load any binary data from common file:
http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/wiki/File_functions_and_properties

I am not sure, is this is exactly what you've asked for? For instance, you won't be able to load Characters or game settings this way automatically, but with certain amount of work you can manually re-initialize e.g. characters using data read this way, changing some of their properties, and applying new sprites to them.

[mkennedy]

Actually I was thinking more along the lines packing up all the graphics and other resources like characters or items that are common to a set of games and then putting them all in one file. Thanks for the info though.

EDIT: After further thinking can this be done with a module or plugin perhaps or am I misunderstanding how these work?

[Khris]

Sure, you could code a plugin that can read zip files.
You could in theory do it in a module even.

I'm wondering what the point is though.
People won't be using ONLY the sprites in the resource pack, right? They're going to add at least a few of their own.

Also, what exactly is the benefit here? A few MBs of saved HD space...?