Look! I've got your Milk Cow right here!!!

[Marhkimov]

Ok, I don't really have a milk cow for you guys, but I do have this...

Enjoy :lol:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a172/hockeemaster/Silent%20Hunter%203%20Pics/a9f9bfe1.jpg

[KodiakPA]

Now that is funny. :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

[Jace11]

As a camoflage template that isnt bad...looks well mapped.

Obviously the colours would need changing.

[Marhkimov]

There are a few poorly mapped issues and bugs with the Type IX. First off, the area on the deck where the schnorkel (sp?) should be isn't alterable (well, it's more like I can't figure out where the darn thing is textured. I've looked all over the place). Second, if I wanted to make, lets say, a red underwater trim, doing that would put red in other parts where it's not supposed to be. And third, if you look closely at the reflection of my "Got Milk" u-boat, you will notice that the refection for the conning tower is missing - and trust me, it's not because of the screenshot angle, either - it's really not there.

Anyways, these are minor gripes... No biggie. Although I do wish we had the conning tower reflection...

And if anyone is interested... For the paint scheme, I used a .psd format with layers and all, so I could use it as a template to make a legitimate camo. It would be really simple for me to just change the colors to anything I want...

The three files concerning the IXC paint scheme:
deck_9c.tga
NSSUboat9c.tga
Turm9c.tga

On that note, I don't know any good website concerning submarine camo schemes. Illustrations/renderings would be helpful... Anyone know any?

Keep commenting! :D Thanks!

[Capn Tucker]

There are a few poorly mapped issues and bugs with the Type IX. First off, the area on the deck where the schnorkel (sp?) should be isn't alterable (well, it's more like I can't figure out where the darn thing is textured. I've looked all over the place). Second, if I wanted to make, lets say, a red underwater trim, doing that would put red in other parts where it's not supposed to be. And third, if you look closely at the reflection of my "Got Milk" u-boat, you will notice that the refection for the conning tower is missing - and trust me, it's not because of the screenshot angle, either - it's really not there.

Anyways, these are minor gripes... No biggie. Although I do wish we had the conning tower reflection...

And if anyone is interested... For the paint scheme, I used a .psd format with layers and all, so I could use it as a template to make a legitimate camo. It would be really simple for me to just change the colors to anything I want...

The three files concerning the IXB/C paint scheme:
deck_9c.tga
NSSUboat9c.tga
Turm9c.tga

On that note, I don't know any good website concerning submarine camo schemes. Illustrations/renderings would be helpful... Anyone know any?

Keep commenting! :D Thanks!

Don't worry about not being able to use red underwater trim. Red-hulled U-boats are a myth perpetuated by profile artists. There is not one bit of photographic evidence to support it. Same with boot lines. Not one photo of U-boats in dry-dock shows one. The black boot line and red hull artwork came about because KM surface ships ARE painted that way, and some artists automatically assumed U-boats were the same.
If you want to read more about it, go to http://uboatcolours.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/index.jhtml

[Pablo]

On that note, I don't know any good website concerning submarine camo schemes. Illustrations/renderings would be helpful... Anyone know any?

Try the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry's U-505 site (http://www.msichicago.org/exhibit/U505/). They tried to match the original colors as closely as possible when they restored it: it has solid dark grey below the water, not red, and is without the solid black "waterline" (or boot line).

Pablo

[Spaxspore]

Ok, I don't really have a milk cow for you guys, but I do have this...

Enjoy :lol:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a172/hockeemaster/Silent%20Hunter%203%20Pics/a9f9bfe1.jpg

Nice, I truly wish more people woudl come out with soem really sweet skins historical/fiction for the type 9s and 21s.

[Damo1977]

where can I look to see how to do skins. Me want to do one!!! But first...Idon't have to fork out $$$ for a special art prog, do I??

[sdcruz]

LOL so funny :rotfl:

[joea]

:up: :|\

[Marhkimov]

I didn't fork out any extra money in my skinning process. I used GIMP, a freeware program for editting images and such. It's really excellent if you take into acount that it'll cost you... NOTHING!!!

If anyone wants, I can link you up to the DL page... http://gimp-win.sourceforge.net/stable.html#gtk

-Download the first two items you see on the page: "GTK+ 2 for Windows (version 2.6.8)" and "The Gimp for Windows (version 2.2.8)." Then, install them and you'll have a very nice skinning program... all for free!

Then to get some templates of .TGA files, go to Timetraveller's webpage (http://www.delraydepot.com/tt/sh3.htm) and download his SH3 Unpacker Program. With that, you'll be able to extract submarine skins (or whatever else you want to mod) from the .DAT files... For example, to extract Type IIVC skins, all you would have to do is use the unpacker program to extract skins from SilentHunterIII\data\Submarine\NSS_Uboat7c\NSS_Ubo at7c.DAT

From there, just experiment around and see what creative minds can conjure up. And don't forget to tell the community about your findings! Enjoy! :lol:

[Syxx_Killer]

I've got Gimp, too. I downloaded it a while back. I wanted to use it but I'm not sure how. Looks like a real nice skin. I like it! :rotfl: Now that I've seen the results, maybe I will play around with it a little more. :88)

[Marhkimov]

Other helpful tips for skinning would be to create them in .PSD formatting as opposed to .TGA formatting. The .PSD would allow you to create and save layering which would make it easier to go back later on and make changes.

So after you create a file under the .PSD format:
1) Click "Save" to save it. For example, FileA.psd
2) Click "Save As" and save another file under a .TGA format. For example, FileA.tga.
3) Ususally you can just insert that .TGA file into textures\tnormal\tex and it'll show up in-game.
-Note: don't delete your .PSD file. You can go back and edit that later.
-And if you use GIMP, save often, just as a precaution. It usually doesn't crash on me, but it happens. Better safe than sorry...

[Damo1977]

Thanks peoples

[Syxx_Killer]

Other helpful tips for skinning would be to create them in .PSD formatting as opposed to .TGA formatting. The .PSD would allow you to create and save layering which would make it easier to go back later on and make changes.

So after you create a file under the .PSD format:
1) Click "Save" to save it. For example, FileA.psd
2) Click "Save As" and save another file under a .TGA format. For example, FileA.tga.
3) Ususally you can just insert that .TGA file into textures\tnormal\tex and it'll show up in-game.
-Note: don't delete your .PSD file. You can go back and edit that later.
-And if you use GIMP, save often, just as a precaution. It usually doesn't crash on me, but it happens. Better safe than sorry...

Thanks. I've been trying it for about an hour now and I'm starting to get frustrated with this. :damn: What's the point of layers?

[macstu23]

What's the point of layers?

Layers are extremely useful. Simplest way to describe how they work is...Imagine that your image is composed of a background image with several transparent layers of glass on top of it. Each layer may have differet constituent parts of your image contained on it..text, another image, whatever. You can create as many layers as you need. Say i was making a sig, and i wanted to place text on top of image. I'd have my background image, then i'd create a new layer for text. By using text on a layer, I can move it around. change its shape, font.. perhaps create another layer underneath the text layer to make a nice drop shadow. If I simply put text on top of an image without creating a layer, then i'd be making a whole lot of work for myself if I made a mistake. If you do make an error with one of your layers, then the worst that would happen is, I'd have to delete that layer and start a new layer, rather than starting all over again from scratch with a new image. Hope that makes sense.

Best way to learn with these things is, play around with them. I did a 7 day course on Photoshop 5 years ago, which helped, but I learned mostly from trial and error...and I'm still discovering new things with it. There is always a multitude of online tutorials available also.

[terrapin]

I did a 7 day course on Photoshop 5 years ago, which helped, but I learned mostly from trial and error...and I'm still discovering new things with it. There is always a multitude of online tutorials available also.

yeah, PS is a special, very interesting world...I'm still learning new things day by day, although I use it since....can't remember, v3 or so...

[Marhkimov]

macstu23 puts it quite nicely...

Layers are one of the primary reasons you would want to use a powerful graphics program (i.e. PS, PSP, GIMP, etc.) instead of the default paint programs. They save you so much time and effort.

[FUBAR295]

marhkimov,

Very nice and very funny. :lol: :rotfl: :D

Now my question is, does it come in Gurnsey, Jersey or Holstein camo schemes. :)

Good Hunting,
FUBAR

[Damo1977]

I should have not thanked you peoples I should have put CURSES on you instead!!! i Have messed around with it and so far I have got a picture of the u-boat and a flaming headache but alas I cannot make out the conning tower from the hull, its like one big squashed u-boat jigsaw.

[Marhkimov]

I should have not thanked you peoples I should have put CURSES on you instead!!! i Have messed around with it and so far I have got a picture of the u-boat and a flaming headache but alas I cannot make out the conning tower from the hull, its like one big squashed u-boat jigsaw.

Getting headaches is the price we all pay for improvement...

Every modder goes through the same thing. All I can say is welcome to the club... :D

Oh, and live and learn. Hopefully that headache goes away and we all get a super crazy sub skin!

[macstu23]

One of the first skins I ever created was for the Orbiter space flight simulator. Basically it was a spacecraft (Deltaglider III, one of the most popular Orbiter addons) in the colours of the Canadian flag. I was using an SDK which gave me everything I needed in seperate layers e.g. background skin, hull lines etc. All I had to do was colour in a few bits, add a maple leaf and some hull numbers. It took me two weeks of smacking my head against the keyboard in frustration before it was finally completed. I did a few others after that in the style of various world airlines. By the time I'd done my tenth deltaglider skin, I was banging them out in under an hour. Got myself a bit of a reputation as a skinning machine.
Tutorials do help but in the end, self-application is really the only way to learn. Here's a link if you'd like to see my full Deltaglider fleet ; http://www.orbithangar.com/searchauth.cfm?search=macstu23

[Damo1977]

I am going to scream :damn: I have just painted me u-boat, just experimenting see if I am getting anywhere and now I can't pack it because it doesn't recognize the TGA (I think GIMP has taking over).............sniff sniff WAAAAAAAHHHHHH.

[NZ_Wanderer]

And don't forget to tell the community about your findings! Enjoy! :lol:

Hokay, if you insist :) :) :)

First 2 I decided on a nice Metal type look....

http://wanderer.jazweb.us/temp/steel1.jpg
http://wanderer.jazweb.us/temp/steel2.jpg

The next 2 I thought that our Avon Lady might like :rock: :rock:

http://wanderer.jazweb.us/temp/pink1.jpg
http://wanderer.jazweb.us/temp/pink2.jpg

[Razman23]

One of the first skins I ever created was for the Orbiter space flight simulator.

Hey, I have that!!!!! Its a great sim but harder than heck to figure how to get into the proper orbital plane.

I ran the DGIII into the moon once because I didnt check the TransX better. :rotfl:

[FesterShinetop]

:rotfl: :rotfl:
Nice skin marhkimov!
Hehe, the pink one looks nice as well! :rotfl: We can re-enact scenes from Operation Petticoat with it! :smug: :D

[VilniusNastaviick]

One of the first skins I ever created was for the Orbiter space flight simulator. Basically it was a spacecraft (Deltaglider III, one of the most popular Orbiter addons) in the colours of the Canadian flag. I was using an SDK which gave me everything I needed in seperate layers e.g. background skin, hull lines etc. All I had to do was colour in a few bits, add a maple leaf and some hull numbers. It took me two weeks of smacking my head against the keyboard in frustration before it was finally completed. I did a few others after that in the style of various world airlines. By the time I'd done my tenth deltaglider skin, I was banging them out in under an hour. Got myself a bit of a reputation as a skinning machine.
Tutorials do help but in the end, self-application is really the only way to learn. Here's a link if you'd like to see my full Deltaglider fleet ; http://www.orbithangar.com/searchauth.cfm?search=macstu23


That was you? Awesome.

My only experience in skinning is altering the shooting target in the Rainbow Six Rogue Spear training missions to have Osama Bin Laden on them.

In SH3, I altered the Flotilla logos to be chapter pictures from Harry Potter books. the 1st Flotilla has a Dementor and the 7th Flotilla (My flotilla) has the Dark Mark :arrgh!: :rock:

[Audie]

:sunny: Hilarious!

[KiloAlpha4]

roflmfao...nice man good one

[Damo1977]

Can anyone give me a hand after I do my new paint job (using gimp and sh3unpacker) I save than try to pack the file but its says "does not recognize .tga in .dat file". anyone got any ideas wait I am doing wrong?

[Marhkimov]

I don't think that it is really important to pack your .tga's back into the .dat files. The only reason you would want to do that is if you are skinning the type XXI. Just simply put the .tga file into slilenthunterIII\data\textures\tnormal\tex and the skin will show up and work fine.

Edit: Hehe, read the next post and you'll think "deja vu" :yep:

[NZ_Wanderer]

Can anyone give me a hand after I do my new paint job (using gimp and sh3unpacker) I save than try to pack the file but its says "does not recognize .tga in .dat file". anyone got any ideas wait I am doing wrong?

Silly question, but why are you trying to pack it??

All you need to do is save the file as a TGA, and then put it into your

SilentHunterIII\Data\textures\tnormal\tex\

folder, and it will show up.. :) :)

EDIT: hehehe we must have saved at exactly the same time marhkimov :rotfl: :rotfl:

[Damo1977]

I am learning........ :oops: well my last question will that show up as my u-boat I am in command of? Thanks for helping and helping in future

[NZ_Wanderer]

I am learning........ :oops: well my last question will that show up as my u-boat I am in command of? Thanks for helping and helping in future

Depends on if the boat you are commanding is the same "type" that you repainted :) :)

[Damo1977]

:rotfl: at last I have worked it after 24hrs exactly. Now I reckon I know what I am doing :rotfl: Thanks NZ_wanderer & marhkimov for helping me end my quest :up:

[Duncan Idaho]

I am going to scream :damn: I have just painted me u-boat, just experimenting see if I am getting anywhere and now I can't pack it because it doesn't recognize the TGA (I think GIMP has taking over).............sniff sniff WAAAAAAAHHHHHH.

I had that problem, there is a better tool for unpacking/repacking TGA's from dat files. Timetraveller's tools are great, but his unpacker can only pack TGA's back in if NOTHING has changed, (for example file size or anything changes, you can't put it back).

You need the Pak file extractor for Chessmaster tile sets, it's apparently the tool they used making this game, from what I gather.

You can find a link to DatTexExtract, the program I mentioned, in this thread at the Ubi forums, you'll find it near the bottom of the first page of this thread:

http://forums.ubi.com/eve/ubb.x/a/tpc/f/760105752/m/4531000922

The tool is awesome, using it I've reskinned my XXI, and am in the process of fine tuning a few skins for it. (Military colors, deck gray/dark gray bottom is my current favorite).

Good luck!

[Damo1977]

I did it, I created my first skin :rotfl: Thanks to all you peoples....Here it is it is it only took me over a day from learning to confusing my self to doing it..... it is pretty basic but here it is

http://img315.imageshack.us/img315/7154/sharkboot7rc.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Thanks again all[/img]

[NZ_Wanderer]

Ohhh I pity the destroyer that gets bitten by those teeth... :rotfl: :rotfl:

Great job... :up: :up:

[Duncan Idaho]

Heheh, now you're a true Shark of the deep. ;)

[The Avon Lady]

Ooooooooooooooh!

My very own pink Uboat!

Just what I need to match my accessories (http://web.tiscali.it/ladiesweapons/Jolanda.html).

[NZ_Wanderer]

I like your accessories you got there :) :)

If you would like your Pink U-Boat, let me know and I will put the file on my server for you to download..

[The Avon Lady]

I like your accessories you got there :) :)

If you would like your Pink U-Boat, let me know and I will put the file on my server for you to download..
I'll pass. My Uboat emblem (http://img62.echo.cx/img62/7443/gcs000222lo.jpg) is irritating BdU enough as it is.

[Duncan Idaho]

I'll pass. My Uboat emblem (http://img62.echo.cx/img62/7443/gcs000222lo.jpg) is irritating BdU enough as it is.

:rotfl:

That's a classic there.

[sergbuto]

:sunny: Hilarious!

I second that. :D

[Creeper]

Milk Cow Mod: "Moooooo"

I love that Operation Petticoat mod!!!! :rotfl:

[kptn_kaiserhof]

where do i find the milk cows in the milkcow mod
in otherwords what route do they take and what period of the war
do they roam the sea

[NZ_Wanderer]

And just for those sneeky skippers out there, here we have the worlds first "Stealth Sub" :rotfl:


http://wanderer.jazweb.us/temp/black1.jpg
http://wanderer.jazweb.us/temp/black2.jpg

The only downside of doing these, is that the inside of the conning tower (where we stand) is still the original colours, cause I can't figure out where the graphics for that is located and wether it's used for more than one type or not.

@ kptn_kaiserhof, dunno if you realise it or not, but the milk cows mod is not an actual milk cow to let you refuel etc ingame, it is only a repaint of the default sub that you command.

[rulle34]

I like your accessories you got there :) :)

If you would like your Pink U-Boat, let me know and I will put the file on my server for you to download..
I'll pass. My Uboat emblem (http://img62.echo.cx/img62/7443/gcs000222lo.jpg) is irritating BdU enough as it is.

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

I like your style! :up:

[rulle34]

The only downside of doing these, is that the inside of the conning tower (where we stand) is still the original colours, cause I can't figure out where the graphics for that is located and wether it's used for more than one ...

The file's name is "NSS_Uboat7c_coning" and you find it in data\Textures\TLowRes\tex

If you also want a nice readable compass on your deck I have a nice mod for you :ahoy:


http://www.subsim.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=40985

Good luck!

[NZ_Wanderer]

ohh thanks for that, will check it out and redo all my "colourful" subs...

Will also check out the readable compas too :up: :up:

[basilio]

if you look closely at the reflection of my "Got Milk" u-boat, you will notice that the refection for the conning tower is missing - and trust me, it's not because of the screenshot angle, either - it's really not there.

Anyways, these are minor gripes... No biggie. Although I do wish we had the conning tower reflection...
Yes, I noticed that too.....I was used to take a look at my sub, with the external camera, FROM underwater.
If you'll try with a type VII u-boat you'll see (from underwater) the conning tower above..if you'll try with a type IX you'll onle see the upper deck and the two full-lenght periscopes(!!!)...no conning tower :lol:

[ozwally]

@ FesterShinetop
the image u have in your signature, of the uboat, the water seems nice and blue in that pic, how'd you get it like that? Looks good!
Cheers