Alpha Skins - Errors

[Vraciu]

Well, I finally was able to fly my skins in the Alpha to see how they will respond to the new graphics features.

I noticed one error that is not my doing, namely the main wheel is bleeding through the gear door. 

The bottom of the rudder is also flashing even though the bump map settings are for it to be dull/flat.

The other issues are how the game is rendering my skins.   It is making my panel lines and rivets look screwy.   Can anyone tell me what has changed that is causing this?   In the current game version none of these mistakes are present as best I can tell.  (I may be running my graphics slightly higher in the Alpha, but I think it is one of the new Bump settings that's causing it--I just don't know which one.)

Any help is appreciated.

[Vraciu]

Here's what it looks like in the viewer with ALL LIGHTING selected.   Something is washing out the airplane completely.

[Saxman]

Here's what it looks like in the viewer with ALL LIGHTING selected.   Something is washing out the airplane completely.

If it's anything like the current version, I'd say something is screwy with your specular map or material.

[Vraciu]

If it's anything like the current version, I'd say something is screwy with your specular map or material.

Here's how it looks in the old viewer with everything on.

I know the new engine has added some things to the Bump settings but I don't know exactly what.

[Skuzzy]

There are a lot of changes to the Alpha skins (file names have changed.  Use of normal maps, instead of bump maps...).  Greebo and HiTech have a thread about it in the Alpha forum.

http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,375706.0.html

[Saxman]

There are a lot of changes to the Alpha skins (file names have changed.  Use of normal maps, instead of bump maps...).  Greebo and HiTech have a thread about it in the Alpha forum.

http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,375706.0.html

Still limited to 256-color BMP, or is AH FINALLY moving to RGB DDS files?

[Skuzzy]

DDS is a lossy texture compression format.  You risk loosing details in the texture.  It is also not supported by all video drivers.

All textures use some type of compression format, with other parameters dictating the format.

I take it you are not happy with the look of the skins in AH3?

Greebo posted a sample of one of his skins.

What is it you are not happy with?

[Saxman]

I'm just saying it's strange to see a game still using 256-color bitmaps. The change to the new engine seemed like the perfect time to make the switch to RGB (I'm trying to remember any other game I've done textures for since the mid-2000s that was still using 256-color).

[Skuzzy]

Most of the true color of any object is going to be derived from the lighting of the object.  The base color is actually a small component of the overall image.

Why quadruple the size of something when there is no perceivable benefit?

Full color textures are being used in AH3, where it makes sense.

I'll ask again.  Is there something you do not like about the new skin Greebo posted?  Where do you see any visual deficiencies?

[Vraciu]

There are a lot of changes to the Alpha skins (file names have changed.  Use of normal maps, instead of bump maps...).  Greebo and HiTech have a thread about it in the Alpha forum.

http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,375706.0.html

I will check it out.

Will you port the old skins to the new version or will we have to resubmit?   Mine look a little screwy in the Alpha now.

[Skuzzy]

We will convert all the AH2 skins to AH3, when it is time to do so.

[Vraciu]

We will convert all the AH2 skins to AH3, when it is time to do so.

Okay, so the way they look now is not final I take it.   Guess I will wait and see.  Better get my updates in before you switch! 

[hitech]

Vraciu, First I don't see what issue you are reporting in the jpgs. Can you explain further

2nd I do not know if these are skins we have shipped with the version or something you are working with.

If it with the skins we shiped, which one?

If they are yours can you please post the source files.

Other then the wheel bug which is simply a z fight or shadow issue.

HiTech

[Greebo]

If you didn't paint them onto the skin the "washed out" areas around the rivets would appear to be where the bump map is creating highlights on the skin. I am assuming you have either created a bump map or are using the default one. As HT said without the source files we are just guessing.

The highlight under the rudder may or may not be a bug that is built into the skin but as I haven't skinned a P-51 I'm not that familiar with it. I have noticed something similar on various AH aircraft that have one or two odd-looking highlights in specific places when bump mapping is turned on.

[Vraciu]

Vraciu, First I don't see what issue you are reporting in the jpgs. Can you explain further

2nd I do not know if these are skins we have shipped with the version or something you are working with.

If it with the skins we shiped, which one?

If they are yours can you please post the source files.

Other then the wheel bug which is simply a z fight or shadow issue.

HiTech

It is the 52FG/4FS P-51D Skin I submitted.   I can post the files if you like unless it is easier for you to look at them since you already have 'em.