Author Topic: HTC, Question..... (Read 565 times)

NUTTZ · « **on:** October 21, 2002, 06:35:46 PM »

I was wondering if this is working right, or if this is just the way it is?

I redid the .Bmp for the trees saved both the .bmp and the _a .bmp to the correct folder. I get some clipping errors. heres a sample image.

I added the "wings" to the tree and they don't show up. The editor will ONLY change whats within your _a.bmp. Any change outside of the original white within the greyscale cannot be altered. Is this hard coded or should i be able to completely change the _a.Bmp?

Thanks

NUTTZ

Dux · « **Reply #1 on:** October 21, 2002, 10:26:51 PM »

Hi Nuttz,
I've had success with custom _a.bmp's... but I found that I had to save them as Greyscale (not Indexed) to get them to work.

NUTTZ · « **Reply #2 on:** October 22, 2002, 01:14:37 AM »

wanna explain what you are saying?

NUTTZ

Quote

Originally posted by Dux
Hi Nuttz,
I've had success with custom _a.bmp's... but I found that I had to save them as Greyscale (not Indexed) to get them to work.

Wlfgng · « **Reply #3 on:** October 22, 2002, 09:10:41 AM »

same here. I use photoshop and had to change the 'mode' from indexed color (or RGB) to greyscale.
It's an option in photoshop just like saving indexed or RGB.. redundant but I'm trying to prove a point.

I don't know what the similar command in Corel is.

Now I can clip just about anything.
fyi the greyscale saves as a 65kb file if that helps.

jonnyb · « **Reply #4 on:** October 22, 2002, 10:04:22 AM »

Not to hijack this thread, but it leads directly into what I'm attempting. I'm creating a "metallic" skin for the p51b. I accomplished it using photoshop 7.0. It uses alpha channels, guassian blurs and some indirect lighting sources to be "shiny". If I make the P51BSID_a.bmp and place it in the texsrc folder along with the P51BSID.bmp and compile the terrain, will I get the desired effects?

I guess the question is, can I create custom alphas for textures that didn't have them originally?

detch01 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 22, 2002, 12:27:49 PM »

JonnyB, if I understand your question correctly - AH will draw your bmp as you saved it but I think reflectivity is probably hard coded into the game so you'll likely only get the normal shadows, highlights on the overall shape without any added sharpness or reflectivity on your plane.

Cheers,

jonnyb · « **Reply #6 on:** October 22, 2002, 12:38:11 PM »

Yeah, the light sources are indeed coded into the game. I just used the render->light effects filter in photoshop to generate the "metallic" look of the skin. It makes it look shiny. However, I haven't attempted to compile it into the terrain yet -- mostly because I finished it at like 1am and had to get up for work this morning

. When I initially compiled the first attempt into the terrain, I ended up with a "night fighter" version...the wings were pure black, with the insignia on them. Very cool, but not what I was going for...I think I read somewhere this is a result of incorrectly downsampling to 256 colors.

I'm very new at this, and learning as I go...heck, I just figured out layering

.

NUTTZ · « **Reply #7 on:** October 22, 2002, 07:51:38 PM »

yes, I'm saving both files to make the trees. CG008 and the "alpha" CG008_a, The "alpha is saved as a greyscale. My problem is.... Any change i make in the "alpha" file greyscale, Past the white in the default file doesn't show up. I HAVE to stay within the default white or it is cropped off at a 45 degree angle. I'll post a screen shot of what i am talking about after I watch "band of brothers"

Corel works just like PSP, only better IMO:)

Also If HTC would be happy enought to embrace us In this Forum.... Is the Alpha file Important on the voids or city/VH base that the objects lay on?

Reason i ask is the "shine" you get when placing these objects. I did some test and I noticed the Alpha scales the .BMP to a smaller resolution than without it. try saving the object without the apha and you'll see what i am talking about. I redid the ROAD and placed the outside edges to be the same as the tile it was laid on and the alpha seams to scale down the .BMP. If I don't used the apha it Matches the tile better.

Question is, MUST the alpha be made? I found some ( not all) objects I created will serve my needs better without the alpha file.

NUTTZ

Quote

Originally posted by Wlfgng
same here. I use photoshop and had to change the 'mode' from indexed color (or RGB) to greyscale.
It's an option in photoshop just like saving indexed or RGB.. redundant but I'm trying to prove a point.

I don't know what the similar command in Corel is.

Now I can clip just about anything.
fyi the greyscale saves as a 65kb file if that helps.