[TEC] Textures questions

[kapuhy]

Hi guys,

Newbie in need of help I have been trying to retexture a model to create a clone with different paintjob. Having some problems though, so I thought to ask you for guidance.

When I load .dds file in Gimp it looks like this:


I then make a new layer, insert and edit new textures there. When I'm ready I merge the new layer with the old one and export as .dds.



Thing is, the changed bits lack something. They are not... how to say it - "partially transparent" like the original textures (no checkerboard all over them). Upon loading in game,they have a problem with lighting: when direct sunlight is reflected by the surface it becomes almost white, looking like some extremely reflective polished metal. This would be perfect if I was making a sci-fi starfighter but looks out of place on worn-down Messerschmitt.

Obviously I am missing something, so how to do it correctly?

[Polak2]

I think you merging original and new skin with alpha channel switched to "on". Switch that off then merge, but then make new alpha channel.

[gap]

Most stock SH5 models, have their specular maps stored in the alpha channel of their diffuse textures. Gimp reads alpha channels as opacity masks, which is obviously not right for our purposes.

I don't know if there is a workaround to that. Maybe switch to Paint.net when you need to deal with models that include a specular map, or if anything else fails upload here both your textures (diffuse and specular) and I will save them in a new file using photoshop

[kapuhy]

Thanks for replies guys!

I do not own Photoshop, but I seem to have the problem solved ("seem" because I didn't have time to test it beyond a quick look at the skin in game's Museum) by doing the following:

- Load original .dds file in DXTBmp
- Export alpha layer to separate file
- Import file in Gimp 2.1 and make a new skin in separate layer, then merge layers so that the new skin is on top
- Remove alpha layer from the image
- Export back to .dds
- Open again in DXTbmp and import the original alpha channel

Doing it this way, the model looked normal in game, although as I said I'll have to test it further with various models in various weather settings (different lighting).

[gap]

Originally Posted by kapuhy

Thanks for replies guys!

I do not own Photoshop, but I seem to have the problem solved ("seem" because I didn't have time to test it beyond a quick look at the skin in game's Museum) by doing the following:

- Load original .dds file in DXTBmp
- Export alpha layer to separate file
- Import file in Gimp 2.1 and make a new skin in separate layer, then merge layers so that the new skin is on top
- Remove alpha layer from the image
- Export back to .dds
- Open again in DXTbmp and import the original alpha channel

Doing it this way, the model looked normal in game, although as I said I'll have to test it further with various models in various weather settings (different lighting).

I don't have those programs installed, but your method should work. Just a note: if you are changing the main texture, you might want to update its specular map (i.e. alpha channel) accordingly.

[hauangua]

Originally Posted by gap

I don't have those programs installed, but your method should work. Just a note: if you are changing the main texture, you might want to update its specular map (i.e. alpha channel) accordingly.

Hi Gap forgive me for this Off Topic, I probed send you PM . (because if I can write in Italian language it is better for me ) but your mailbox is full,
I wanted clarification on "enemy gun accuracy" you had tested this a few years ago...with Rongel,and Volodya61,
Can help me? A quali conclusioni eri giunto?
Thanks Gap

[kapuhy]

Originally Posted by gap

I don't have those programs installed, but your method should work. Just a note: if you are changing the main texture, you might want to update its specular map (i.e. alpha channel) accordingly.

Seems to work. tga textures that are embedded in .dat files treat alpha channel differently though, when I used above method on them result is weird noise covering half the texture. That said, these files seem to work ok when I simply remove their alpha channel and then generate new alpha channel in DXTbmp on final texture (black cockpit was also on original texture in this case):

Originally Posted by hauangua

Hi Gap forgive me for this Off Topic, I probed send you PM . (because if I can write in Italian language it is better for me ) but your mailbox is full

Yeah, so did I. I wish I could donate 80% my alotted space for PM's to Gap and vdr1981