tga and dds

[peabody]

Why do some objects contain a .tga flle and a .dds file. Is the .tga used? I have modded one of the .dds files but don't know if I also have to do the tga.

Peabody

[The Fishlord]

I think you need both since .tga I believe kind of tells the game where to put the textures. It might also deal with lightmaps, but don't quote me, I only just started modding :hmm:

[peabody]

Join the club, I am a beginner too. I have a sub working the Japanese Sen Toku and I am working on a campaign which works but has a few glitches which I can't seem to figure out.

I changed the dds and it works in my sub ok, but I didn't know if the tga was maybe used at higher resolution or what it was for.

Peabody

[Hylander_1314]

It's been a while, but I think the tga files are more flexible with alpha channels. Also you don't need to convert them from dds to bmp file to work with them, and then back again to a dds. Plus I find tga files better for detailing than bmp files, and you needn't worry if it needs to be converted to 24 bit, or extended bmp which complicates the situation for me personally. One thing I've noticed unless I'm mistaken, is that bmp files require more memory, where tga files give a better image with less memory requirements. From what I remember when skinning for old games like red baron 3d, is the pallettes were very quirky, and you had to have the proper bit and color associations or it would look funky in the game, where b-17 tme was a joy to work with, as what you did on the artfile, is what you saw in the game. I still like tga files better myself, but have learned to work with dds conversions, but I mostly if possible convert those to tga and back if the original will allow it without any anomolies. So it really boils down to preference. As my first attempts with dds to bmp conversions were with the cfs series flight sims. But I've noticed that the bmp conversions look more "blocky" in coloring or banded like the difference betwween your desktop being set to 16 bit instead of 32 bit. These are my own observations though. Someone may disagree with it.

[peabody]

Originally Posted by Hylander_1314

It's been a while, but I think the tga files are more flexible with alpha channels. Also you don't need to convert them from dds to bmp file to work with them, and then back again to a dds. Plus I find tga files better for detailing than bmp files, and you needn't worry if it needs to be converted to 24 bit, or extended bmp which complicates the situation for me personally. One thing I've noticed unless I'm mistaken, is that bmp files require more memory, where tga files give a better image with less memory requirements. From what I remember when skinning for old games like red baron 3d, is the pallettes were very quirky, and you had to have the proper bit and color associations or it would look funky in the game, where b-17 tme was a joy to work with, as what you did on the artfile, is what you saw in the game. I still like tga files better myself, but have learned to work with dds conversions, but I mostly if possible convert those to tga and back if the original will allow it without any anomolies. So it really boils down to preference. As my first attempts with dds to bmp conversions were with the cfs series flight sims. But I've noticed that the bmp conversions look more "blocky" in coloring or banded like the difference betwween your desktop being set to 16 bit instead of 32 bit. These are my own observations though. Someone may disagree with it.

What I am changing is the torpedo light panel for some of the WIP subs that need 8 forward tubes. I shrunk the buttons. The .dds is all done, but then I noticed there was a .tga with the same name, so I didn't know if I had to do both. If someone has their computer set for hi-res does it use the .tga instead of the .dds? It works fine on mine but my video card isn't set for hi-res otherwise gameplay gets jerky (kinka like me). That's why I was wondering if I had to do both files.
I have Photoshop Elements and it loaded it, I made the changes and made a alpha selection around everything, inverted it and saved. The big thing was choosing which dds setting to use. I finally got the right one.

Peabody

[Hylander_1314]

Just to be safe, you may want to do both. But usually if there is a dds file, the game will use it, over anther selection of the same type if there are more than one to choose from. To test, remove the dds file from the folder and put it in a safe place for keeping, then fire up the game and see if it uses the tga file instead since the dds file won't be there. It's a little clucky to test this way, but at least you'll know.

[peabody]

Originally Posted by Hylander_1314

Just to be safe, you may want to do both. But usually if there is a dds file, the game will use it, over anther selection of the same type if there are more than one to choose from. To test, remove the dds file from the folder and put it in a safe place for keeping, then fire up the game and see if it uses the tga file instead since the dds file won't be there. It's a little clucky to test this way, but at least you'll know.

Thanks I'll give that a try.

Peabody