S41 Graphics update

[The Real Rake]

I'd like to add my kudos for the update.  I particularly like the changes to unit counters, roads & rails.  The underlying terrain graphics look cleaner; the new magnified (200 "layer" bmp's) are definitely so when compared side by side to the old, magnified 100 "layers".

My question is, what is the difference between the graphics in the Hi-res Graphics folder (contained within the Map folder) and the the files that are in the "Map" folder?  I've opened several of the files side-by-side in Photoshop and don't see any differences at all - they all appear to be 8 Bit images and, when I attempt to save them as bmp's, they default to being saved as 24 Bit bmp's.

I've been tinkering a little with some of the files, and it seems that some have defaulted to 32 Bits when I've gone to save.  Does the recognize 32 Bit images?  Previously, whenever I've modded anything, I've saved all at 24 Bits.  Also, I'm assuming that the game still reads from the Map folder; if so, what's the reason for the Hi-res folder?

Thanks in advance,
Rake