Question about textures in the image folder

[rstaats10]

I wonder why some bitmap textures in the images folder have dimensions of 256 x 256 and some in SEV have 256 x 256 or 512 x 512 or 1024 x 1024. When I add a ship from SEV to Starfury I can reduce the dimension to 256 x 256 and everything seems ok. This obviously reduces the file size but does this have any impact that I can't see? Why would we want the bitmap texture to be larger than 256 x 256? Also by making a smaller texture file does this help the game run better by decreasing the bitmap useage. If anyone can help me answer this I would appreciate it. I will be gone this weekend but I will check the forum when I return. Thanks

[Suicide Junkie]

Simply, higher rez.
Compare:
http://imagemodserver.mine.nu/other/MM/SE5/Screenshots/DeathBeamPrototype.jpg
which was a basic 256x256 prototype, vs the larger, final version:
http://imagemodserver.mine.nu/other/MM/SE5/Screenshots/DeathBeamPrototype2.jpg

[rstaats10]

Ok. Thanks for the info SJ.

[Suicide Junkie]

The downside is that the larger bitmaps eat memory faster, and the game engine is probably "optimized" for the 256x256 ones.

As long as you keep it reasonable, you shouldn't have any problems.