Newby Question about making skins

[-ammo-]

What software do you guys find the best and/or easiest to use when making custom skins?

Paintshop, Photoshop, gimp, something other?

TIA

Ammo

[Greebo]

I use Paintshop Pro personally. I have experimented with Gimp and Photoshop but it would have taken a long time to learn the programs' interfaces to the same level and they didn't seem to offer any advantage to using Paintshop to make it worth the bother. That's the thing really, any graphics program that supports layers is good enough to skin with. The most important thing is getting to know how to use all its features.

One specific disadvantage that put me off the cheaper version of Photoshop was that it did not support grouping layers. My skins often have up to 100 layers, so this would have been a pain to manage.

[GhostCDB]

I use Adobe PhotoshopCS6, have been using Photoshop for some time now so I am used to it.

[Dragon Tamer]

I use GIMP, it's free and the only one of the bunch that actually runs on the computer I use for skinning. It doesn't mention layer grouping as Greebo suggested (if it does, i haven't found it yet). My personal favorite feature is that it supports open source software. Anyone can make a filter or plug in for it, and I have personally added quite a few to my program because the yield better results than doing something by hand. Greebo mentioned his skins use up to 100 layers which IMO is insane. My first skin used 5 layers, the one I'm working on now is up to 13 and I just add more when I need them.

Basically, if the software supports a layered image and includes the ability to change the image mode to indexed when finished, then you should be good. The ones that Greebo mentioned are the most popular 3 if I remember correctly.

[Devil 505]

I use gimp 2.6. I found the changes for newer versions to make it unusable for skinning, because of changes to the way files are saved.

On the subject of layers, the ability to adjust on the fly individual items on a skin is critical. More layers may not equal a better skin, but you severely handicap yourself by limiting your use of them. If you want to be taken seriously as a skinner, you must learn that using layers is the key to making a quality skin.

There is a wealth of information in this very forum on making skins, with loads of advice from some of the best skinners. If there is a particular skin you like, fly it offline and record the film. Then use the film viewer to study what it is about the skin that you like. Learn from everybody: even the mediocre skinners will have an aspect of their ability better than what "you" can do.

Good luck and be sure to show your work.

[Krusty]

Devil, can you comment about how GIMP saves files in versions after 2.6? What does it do that's bad?

I have 2.6 and it's been a while so I was thinking of looking for a newer version to check it out. Now you make me not so sure that's a good idea.

[Devil 505]

Bear with me as this is probably not exactly as it happens, only the way I see the process. And I haven't dealt with 2.8 since February.

Normally in 2.6, when I save an in progress file, I keep it in .psd format. If I want to see it in game, I'll resave it as a .bmp, then reload the .bmp and select indexed mode then save again. This leaves me with two files in the gimp folder: a .psd with all my layers, and a .bmp ready to be dropped into the skins folder in AH.

With 2.8, You no longer have a .psd, but new gimp format. These files are the only files which gimp will open from the "Open" command. Likewise these are the only files that can be saved via "Save" or "Save as". To make a .bmp you must use a new "Export" command and "Import" to load a .bmp. Sounds simple enough, even if a little more cumbersome than necessary, but here is the big problem: exported .bmp do not display properly in game! There a 2 main issues: first, the bitmap is shifted about 100 to 150 pixels to the right; second, the colors do not display in the correct shades, by a large margin. For example, my RLM 02 that I've been using on my Emils is instead the color of pea soup when in AH.

Had I not found a download for Gimp 2.6, I would have given up on skinning until finding a free version of another software.

[Krusty]

Thanks for the heads-up.