Dear Krusty...

[nasty]

I read you tutorial and tried to make my own skin... but I cant figure it out.

Can you please explain how to make a spit9 skin in GIMP because Im all set up but I just cant make it work... I dont know what Im doing wrong.

Thanks

[Jayhawk]

Where are you stuck, how far do you get?

[nasty]

to the whole new folder for the plane skin project titled "plane_1" for me its spit9_1

I got to there but he only talks about and shows Photo shop but not GIMP like what I have... so im stuck

[Krusty]

GIMP has most of the functionality that photoshop has. My PS is an older version (5.1) so GIMP actually can do some things my PS cannot, such as word art and defomations, etc.

However, the same general functionality is there.

You have a polygon select tool. You have a paint bucket tool. You have a brush tool.

You can add multiple layers. You can change the color more.


The difference is only where the menu or the toolbar is.

The steps are still the same: Set up the directory, get the default files, open the default files, add layers on top, in those layers create your own skin piece by piece, and then flatten the end product and save it out as 256-color (8bit) BMP.

I didn't want to create a guide to the software, as much as a guide to the overall process. There's so much subjectivity and creativity when using a graphics program. You have 10 people do a task, they could do it 10 different ways (and every one of them be right in doing so) and get the same end result. I didn't want to get into how to use the software. I leave that up to the person creating the skin.


I would say play around, get familiar with the software. Then as you go through the tutorial I typed up, just think "Okay, he says this, how do I do that in GIMP? Where is that tool?"

[nasty]

you say flatten do you mean "intersect with selection?"


and I want to do this one thing to make my skin but the tool used to do it wont work it say it wont work on indexed layers...

[RTHolmes]

Editing the bitmaps:
Now you must edit the files. You start with a bitmap, and you must eventually end up with a bitmap, but there are many steps in between. It is imperative that you work with layers. You simply cannot create any decent-looking skin without layers.

First the format: Your default files are ready for use in the game. They are 8-bit (256-color). Naturally this limits your color choices. You need to convert the file to RGB mode (millions of colors), then edit, and when you have enough progress that you wish to preview it, you export it or convert it back and "Save as..." an 8-bit bitmap.

I say "save as" because you should not save the 8-bit files over any file name you have been using for the RGB editing. Once you save as 8-bit you lose all layers and all your detailed color options, and you must start over from a previously saved file to recreate your lost work.

Create a layered file. In Photoshop (which I will use as an example because it is the software I use) I open the 8-bit bitmap, convert it to a RGB Mode file, and save the file as a PSD format with a new name. I will often use part of the default name. I will add a number or a letter after this. The numbers are major changes. The letters are often for minor changes, where I change all the colors on some layers, or combine certain layers into one, but want to be able to get the original layers at a later time (just in case). Here is an example of a hurricane skin I was working on:

etc.

flattening happens when you export your layered GIMP file as a .bmp file.

its all in the tutorial

[nasty]

can i save it as 16 bit?

[Krusty]

You can, but don't. Save the working files as layered files (I forget the default GIMP extension). When you want to preview the work, you MUST have it at 8-bit. The game can only read 8-bit files.

[nasty]

You can, but don't. Save the working files as layered files (I forget the default GIMP extension). When you want to preview the work, you MUST have it at 8-bit. The game can only read 8-bit files.

I can only save it as a 16 24 or 32 bit...

[Krusty]

You didn't read the tutorial too closely, then.  I believe I mention you have to change the color mode to 256 color indexed first, THEN save it.

It's a procedure... You have to edit in RGB color mode (millions), when you reach a point you want, save the file, change mode to indexed (256 color), export the file, then either UNDO that index so you get back to RGB, or close the file and open the one you just saved seconds before you indexed it.

End result, you do this little dance any time you want to export your work to check it in game, but oyu have to be careful not to lose your work. If you index a file it flattens all layers. So, you can't just go back to RGB mode afterwards. Why? All your layers are now GONE! So you either use the undo history or you save hte file right before doing that, then go back to that saved file.

Hope that helps!

[RTHolmes]

ive done gunsights in GIMP and it is a bit of a faff testing them in AH.

the best way is to save your working file with all the layers etc as a native GIMP .xcf file. Then when you want to test it out, Save a Copy as a .bmp file (select the Flatten Layers option when you export, the default 24-bit is fine). Then open the .bmp file in GIMP, Image -> Mode -> Indexed (this turns it into an 8-bit .bmp), save it and its ready to test or use in AH.

[nasty]

I can not save it like that in GIMP so I went into Microsoft Paint with the same file and saved it as a 256 color Bit...

But all I did was put a new layer on and deepend the colors and that kind of stuff...i did flatten the new layer but i still can not view it...

[Krusty]

Never use paint. It screws colors up in the save process.

You cannot save to 8-bit because the mode you are in is full RGB mode. This mode will not give you that option because it cannot accomodate the colors. You have to follow the steps.

Save the file before doing any of this.



Go here. Flatten the file. Go back here, in the MODE menu choose indexed.



This is your indexed image dialog box. Make sure you choose a dithering method. Now you have an 8-bit image. Now you need to save it.



Click SAVE AS...



Make sure you choose BITMAP as the type, give it a file name. Gimp has a bad habit of leaving the old file extension on the name AFTER you choose another type. So be sure you change the extension to .BMP if it still says .XCF or whatever.

Go find the file in windows explorer. Right click on it, go to properties. On the details tab it should tell you 8-bit or 256 colors. I think GIMP automatically detects your bit depth being worked with and saves as that. Since you already indexed it comes out 256-color.


You have exported an 8-bit file. The steps are the same: Flatten, change mode, save as. You just have to find those commands in the program you are using.

[nasty]

I did everything you said but I still can not view it...I dont know if it is a 8-bit or not...

[Krusty]

Oi.....


Can you find the file you saved? The BMP?

Right click on it in windows. Go to properties. This page has some tabs at the top. Go to the details tab. You may have to check or uncheck the "advanced" button, but look at the part where it lists the resolution horizontal, the vertical, and then the color depth.