LVZ
An LVZ is a file that can customize an arena beyond simply changing the map with a LVL. An LVZ can contain compressed files, map objects, screen objects, or a combination of the three. The server will send the LVZs to a Continuum client when it enters an arena for storage in the zone's directory (Continuum\Zones\[Zone Name]) along with the LVLs and news.txt for that zone. The primary way of creating an LVZ is the LVZ Toolkit and the Cross Platform Lvz Toolkit (which includes bug fixes and has better compression).
Continuum only supports 256 different images in all of your lvz files combined. If you exceed this limit, toggling the 257th image will turn on the 1st image. This is often undesired, so be careful.
Adding/Replacing Files
Adding a file to an LVZ with the same filename (extension does not matter) as a default Continuum image or sound file will replace that file for that arena. For example, placing a file called victoryl.wav in an LVZ will override the standard victory music in that arena. Along with the standard BMP (.bm2) and WAV (.wa2) formats, Continuum supports PNG, GIF, and JPEG — MP3 is not supported.
Adding a file to an LVZ with a different filename from one of the defaults will make that image available to be placed as a map object or screen object.
Note that files included by themselves (not within an LVZ) will take precedence over ones inside an LVZ. This also means that a user can place a file (say, ship1.bm2) in a zone's folder and it will override any custom ship graphics the zone uses.
Map Objects
Map objects are images placed by Continuum at a static location on the map. They can be animated in the normal way for SubSpace/Continuum, that is, with horizontal and vertical tiles representing frames. Their display time and display mode (when Continuum will display them) can be customized.
Screen Objects
Screen objects are images placed by Continuum at a specific point on the screen or a point relative to one of the presets, meaning they will move around with the pilot. Like map objects, they can be animated and their display time and mode can be customized.
