So I was using MS Paint to make my image files, (which I now know does not work,) and my images for my mod are totally f-ed up.
I don't know what image editing/making program to use. Help?

MS Paint works fine, unless you mean windows 7 paint. In that case, google xp paint and download it.

Yeah, I'm using 7-Paint. I'll try what you suggested now.
Thanks for telling me, I never thought I'd get an answer.

EDIT: Hey, another question. I have already saved the pictures with 7-Paint, can I just re-save them using XP-Paint and they will work? Sorry for the constant questions, but I'm almost sure the first step to modding is spriting.

EDITEDIT: Just tested the theory from the above edit, didn't work.

1. Get Gimp
2. Get the color swatches
3. Use gimp
4. ???????
5. SPRITES

Like so. It's easy, trust me.

Definitely have to agree with GIMP.

The problems you're having are probably colour palette errors, so all your sprites are messed up colours.

GIMP has an indexing tool that automatically fits your image with a specific colour set, so I would recommend using that. Somewhere around here is the index file of all the "acceptable" colours in CC.

Excuse me if I'm totally wrong.

In order to make them work, you must open the file called Palette.bmp in Cortex Command/Base.rte/ and paste your sprite into there. Then, click File>Save As.... and save over your old sprite's file. Make sure you do not modify the Palette.bmp file.

Or, better idea for using gimp. Just download the color pallettes from right here, put them in your palette folder, and never have to deal with the copy and paste crap ever again!

Its true just use gimp with the modified, templates.