Forgot to mention, I scaled up all my O maps from 512 to 1024 to get rid of jaggies.
Maybe you could try the same?

reaper, I also used this strategy of scaling up the shadow maps to get rid of jagged/pixalated stuff.

The current map im editing NKL_AO01.dds is 512X512.
The thing is to get the detail I'm looking for I would need to scale them to 2048x2048 just for that 100x100 logo.
Also does the image have to be scalled back down or will it accept the much larger scalled dds file.

Assuming that SH5 works the same as SH4 (not a given!), then the game should happily accept the O map at the new resolution with no further input from you.

I played around with files ranging from 512 up to 2048 for my dazzles.
I ended up using 1024 as a nice compromise between clarity and file size.
I just threw each file in at the new resolution and the game accepted it, and rendered it correctly.

Give it a try reaper7.
It will probably work. ;)

In order to keep the higher quality, you have to leave it at the scaled up size. In my interior mod, I scaled up a number of things. As long as you keep the same aspect ratio of the original image it will still work just fine.

Gave it a go and here's the results:

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/f...205/O-Maps.jpg

1st Result: Scalled image to 1024x1024 Placed the logo as can be seen in the Top right of the image above.
Saved the image using DXT3 compression File went from 170kb to 1M.
Ingame render of logo is quite blurry.

2nd Result: Redone the same this time at 2048X2048. Saved again as DXT3. File sive now jumps to 4M.
Image quality is acceptable for what I want but file size abit on the big side for a mod with lots of different logos for different ships.

Any thought on this ;)

Reaper, I really would not worry too much about the file size when it comes to shadow maps. Since the vast majority of the image is in grey scale, 7z compression really cuts down their size. So, the mod would still be pretty easy to download. Try using 7z on that 2048X2048 image just to see how small it gets.

Tried 7zip and it compressed to 489KB from 4M, not too bad.
I think I'll need 2028X2048 to get the detail I need, been messing about adding small detail, what do you think is it worth continuing this direction.
Or is just the Texture for the hull enough without the little deatils:06:.

If I do start a full reskin Mod. It won't be historical - to hard to find images etc. But will try to make them look like they could be historical.
Also will only be the hulls, tried the deck textures but all the masts railing use the same texture, so if I change the cabin texture it has knock on effect for the rails, pole etc. I can change things like the wooden decks ok though.

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/f.../Waterline.jpg

Be warned that upscaling all textures puts a heavier strain on system memory, gpu memory, hdd and the pci bus/controller. While DXT compression helps keeping things down, going from 512x512 to 2048x2048 is 16x larger, which can be significant on render time if you have hundreds of (larger) textures that need to be quickly available at any point in the render pipeline.

I think that looks really cool, I know that it would be a lot of work to do this on a large scale, but I would love to have these sort of additions in game. I think it would really add to the realism, especially if you are thinking of expanding the roster with more clones with different skins.

Ummm, if you have the same compression tool that I have, try the settings I have in this screen shot and compress that file again, and see if you don't get a better compression ratio. If you don't have this same tool, I can upload it to mediafire and post a link if you want to try it.

http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/572/99151151.jpg

Very good point. Reaper, you may want to make a whole convoy of ships with an upscaled shadow map, and see if you get problems.

Tks for the info skwasjer, will do a couple of test missions with a fleet of ships using the texture. To test the performace hit.
If ok will go with settings I'm using, if to much of a hit will drop down to 1024X1024.

Hi SteelViking, yes that is the exact setting I use except for standerd (Had Maximum) so file size is as I posted already. Still not to bad in the scheme of things.
I plan on doing a load of skins and clones for most cargo ships to begin with.
Trying to use schemes that are in existance via google. Not necessaraly WWII as hard to get colour pics.
Here's the first proper one I'm working on.

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/f...%205/Ship1.jpg

Huh, I was sure that it would go lower......:doh: I know why that looks a bit high to me, you are adding color to them which means it is not just in grey scale. I swear, it is always the obvious stuff that I miss.:haha:

Anyway, that skin looks absolutely awesome:yeah: This is really exciting. I have my fingers crossed that the performance test goes well.

Going thru the Deck texture trying to figure out whats texturing what. Very difficult as some 10 pixels wide can be coveing a big portion of something.
Can't seem to be able to make white with the Deck texture, works different fom the hull texture. :hmmm:

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/f...%205/Ship2.jpg

Crew have started to do some painting on the deck :DL.

@TDW hope you don't mind me posting to many wip pics in the thread, but figured its related to ship imports :D.
Will start a WIP Thread when starting the Ship resking Mod. :up:

This tool http://ssbump-generator.yolasite.com/ could be usefull.
:salute: