Sub skinning for dummies?

[Ducimus]

Can someone assume im a complete idiot (which is not hard to do, hey im not above poking fun at myself :rotfl: ), and tell me step by step how to create a sub skin for an IX, and what tools (preferbly free ones) i will need to do it?

[Marhkimov]

Use the DAT packer/unpacker tools. I assume you already have them. If not, use the mod thread to search for them. Then unpack the skins from the default SH3 files or download one from the internet (I recommend Fubar's skins to edit).

Then go to www.gimp.org and download their free graphics editor.

Edit the sub skins with the editor. You can use different layers to add on different effects. Then save it as a .PSD file. This file will be your "Master Copy." Don't delete this file.

Then using your master copy, "save as" a new file in .TGA format (24bit), and re-pack that into the DAT file. To re-pack skins, you should use the chessmaster DAT tool.

Now you can take it for a test drive and see if you like your changes. If you need to alter a few things, remember to make them in your "Master Copy", and from there you can test it again.

[Ducimus]

Cool thanks. I totally forgot about the gimp editor.


Ill tell ya what im going to try to attempt. but i wont hold my breath.

I want to combine Fubars skin, with the stock IXC camo scheme. For some reason i really like that camo pattern.

Picture this in a darker grey like fubars, and i think you'll have the idea.
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EDIT:

EIther that, or one like this:

[Marhkimov]

Cool. Just take Fubar's skin and add a little camo to it and there ya go.

If you pull a few strings, you'll have your own U-boat in no time.

[Ducimus]

Heh, as if it would be so easy.

I cant open sub files. I keep getting this error messaeg with pack 3d.

Java.Lang.NegativeArraySizeException


I can open conning tower files just fine, but when it comes to the sub file itself, im just SOL. *sigh* this sucks.

[Marhkimov]

Why are you trying to open with Pack3D?? That's kinda overkill if you only want to alter a paint-job. Extract with TT's DAT extractor program. Re-pack with the chessmaster.

[Ducimus]

Ohhhhhhh

Thats what i get for being up too late.

[Ducimus]

Well i got everything to work, and my respect for FUBAR's artisitc accumen has increased exponentially.

As i sit there in the GIMP, airbrush and paintbucket in hand, i realized something. If personal talent is a toolbox; where skinning is concerned i have the toolbox of a carpenter, whereas a toolkit of a surgeon is required.

[Marhkimov]

Originally Posted by Ducimus

Well i got everything to work, and my respect for FUBAR's artisitc accumen has increased exponentially.

As i sit there in the GIMP, airbrush and paintbucket in hand, i realized something. If personal talent is a toolbox; where skinning is concerned i have the toolbox of a carpenter, whereas a toolkit of a surgeon is required.

Hahahahahaha.... What a great analogy!

I think you might have the poet's toolkit... Too bad poets aren't good skinners either. :rotfl:

**************

Yes, that Fubar is a genius. I would do some skinning of my own, but Fubar owns the U-boat monopoly. There's just no reason for me to compete with him.

[Hartmann]

Very interesting,

Perhaps i will try to modify a skin.

I want a clean stripped dark grey pattern for my rusty IX-B boat (hull and tower).

[Mast]

Just what I was looking for. I'm probably in the same boat as Ducimus. :rotfl: Lets see how my first skins come out.

Mast

[Hartmann]

One question about skins...

I noticied that if you put a skin file in the data\textures\Tnormal\tex
folder, the game load this skin, at least the hull is changed with the skin, the tower don´t change.

i extract med camo with splottches textures for the ix-c from fubars mod , i renamed the files for the IX-B and placed in this folder..

what is the difference for the game between graphic files inside the .dat file and the alone file in the tex directory ??

i hope that i explained this well, my english is so bad... :rotfl:

thanks

[Ducimus]

Originally Posted by Hartmann

what is the difference for the game between graphic files inside the .dat file and the alone file in the tex directory ??

thanks

Fubar has two different types of skins for the VIIC. THe first one he release was just the textures. Putting them in the texture directory, it worked on both the VIIB and VIIC uboats, but it was meant for the VIIC, and he said as much in his readme.

later on he came out with the textures packed into the dat file, and the skin now only works for the VIIC. It didnt work for the VIIB.

To sum, i think repacking the dat files with the texture is a way to ensure that that texture only works on teh boat it was intended for.

Just my guess based on fubars VIIC skins.

[Ducimus]

Originally Posted by Hartmann

Very interesting,

Perhaps i will try to modify a skin.

I want a clean stripped dark grey pattern for my rusty IX-B boat (hull and tower).

This is exactly what i wish i had for my IXC, (with maybe the decks a little darker). However im making due with fubars med camo instead cause me sub skinning is like a kindergarden child fingerpainting.

[Marhkimov]

It's so tempting for me to skin that... Too bad I don't have enough time on my hands.