Sub skinning tutorial

[runningdeer]

ichso...well I opened NSS_balao_O01.dds texture and found the parts of the tower to place numbers/images...but when I view in-game whatever I've placed there is transparent, like the file is when I add something to it.

I've tried "add new layer" to the transparent NSS_[bla]_O01.dds texture but then parts of the tower in-game are blacked out.

I'm close to getting it right but I'm currently at a loss. If you can understand where I'm coming from could you please instruct me just a bit more?

Thank you for your time.

[ichso]

Hi runningdeer,
I also searched this issue on these boards and someone wrote that you can use the ..._O01.dds files to add numbers facing in the desired way but those files don't do any actual texturing but only show the areas to be textures (or something like this).

So you basically only can add white numbers because you only can leave out parts of those files by marking them with your number and those parts will be left untextured and will appear white in the game (or was it black?). So they are only really useful when the contrast to the rest of the hull is good enough.

I think it is okay when you use it for numbers as those aren't that detailed anyway. I didn't try it myself because soon after I read this I decided to go with a emblem and paint scheme only

EDIT: Here's a skin that actually uses numbers on the bow of the sub and they even show up correctly in the game. You might use this for comparison.
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=133038

[runningdeer]

Ok...thanks again for your time ichso. I did find a skinning tutorial here at subsim by CaptainCox: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=109862&highlight=CaptainCox

It isnt geared towards applying numbers or images, but mainly how to create, save and make jsgme ready skins (coloring), from the games submarine files.

Anyway...I'll keep trying to find the solution. Then I can make some really nice skins. If not for others, for myself.

[runningdeer]

Hi all. Although I have not solved the problem of numbers/images mirroring and facing backward on one side of the sub, I have found some good tutorials for skinning. Below are some helpful tutorials for wanna-be skinners like myself:

(video...watch in HD for clarity)

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=109862& highlight=CaptainCox

They were done by CaptainCox.

[ichso]

A little update from my side.

I had the best modding tool (S3d, of course) at hand and didn't use it.
I would test my half finished sub sinks by loading them in the game and finding the correct positions of where to put details of the texture as described above is also as tedious as it is unnecessary.

Take S3D, open the [install dir]\data\submarines\[sub_name]\[sub_name].dat with it and open the branch of the root node for this model in the list view on the left. Then you will find, in the main window, a uv map preview that you can view and even save in as .png file in any desired resolution. Take 2048x2048 for example and include it as a new layer in your current skin you're working on, as a seperate layer.
Then you will see where your painting and texturizing will be used on the 3D-model.

Like this:


Also, the S3D contains of a 3D model preview, so no running the game to test your work anymore until it is finished!

I just though I share my newest *cough* "wisdom" *cough*.

Such an obvious solution, and I was doing all my skins the hard way all the time ...

[runningdeer]

Originally Posted by ichso

Also, the S3D contains of a 3D model preview, so no running the game to test your work anymore until it is finished!

I just though I share my newest *cough* "wisdom" *cough*.

Such an obvious solution, and I was doing all my skins the hard way all the time ...

Wow...this is terrific! And the preview will be very very nice...I got really freakin' good at loading skins then starting the game, etc, to see my work, but ugh...what a pain.

Thank you so much .

This will be my first time using S3d.