A few Simple PS questions for skins

Hostile · 06-20-2004, 09:56 PM

Before anyone beheads me, I usually use Corel PhotoPaint. But seeing as Generals DDS files can only be opened and saved in PS. Here I am. I am trying to do a simple thing. I opened a generals skin and added an object on the skin to change it abit. Well when I view the model in W3D viewr the object I placed is not there. Do I need to add it to the background instead of as a new layer? How do I combine layers in PS? Corel is easy as shit to do. Click layers and combine. PS has no option like that (PS7 BYW) The background layer is locked, how do I unlock a layer in PS?

Kelso · 06-20-2004, 11:06 PM

Background layer will always be locked in that file format. If you need to get rid of it, make a copy of it, then delete the original, then you can manipulate the copied background. As for 'combining' layers there are tons of simple ways to do it. If you simply want to merge a layer with the one below it, click on the top layer and press ctrl+e. If you want to merge all the layers in the image goto Layers->Flatten. If you want to merge all the layers below the current one selected then do Layers->Merge Down.

Pestilence · 06-20-2004, 11:47 PM

How are you savong the Image for use ingame. you dont need to flatten the image or merge layers for it all to show how you want it, just make sure that every layer with everything you want to show is showing when you save the image.
if your trying to save as a new .dds make sure your saveing it either as the same name as the original skin that you are trying to replace or reapply the new skin in Gmax if your giving the skin a unique name.

Pestilence · 06-20-2004, 11:47 PM

How are you saveing the Image for use ingame. you dont need to flatten the image or merge layers for it all to show how you want it, just make sure that every layer with everything you want to show is showing when you save the image.
if your trying to save as a new .dds make sure your saveing it either as the same name as the original skin that you are trying to replace or reapply the new skin in Gmax if your giving the skin a unique name.

Hostile · 06-21-2004, 12:24 AM

Holy, shit. I just learned more in 3 paragraphs than I learned in my last 3 classes!

1) background layer will always be locked, copy and delete original.
2) Merging layers, (control E, Layers=>Flatten)
3) Modify, rename, then reapply skin. Already mapped to the same size image.

I have been resaving as the original skin and keeping an old copy handy if I need to start over. I added a layer of my faction decal over the USA decal on the skin. But when saved as dds The new object did not show up. In fact part of it appeared somewhere else. Now I now by looking at it cause there was only one place where the USA decal was. How about them bananas?

Straxovich · 06-21-2004, 01:14 AM

PS is the best for making skins.

i harldy ever merge layers hey... cos once they are merged they are impossible to edit. my last skin had 47 layers. i merged a few on that baby cos it's just impossible to navagate 47 layers.

coolfile · 06-21-2004, 07:44 AM

convert .dds file to .tga file via a freeware, XnView. then it can be modified in most of graphics editors.
btw, .tga file is supported by the w3d viewer and ingame.

smurfbizkit · 06-21-2004, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Straxovich

PS is the best for making skins.

i harldy ever merge layers hey... cos once they are merged they are impossible to edit. my last skin had 47 layers. i merged a few on that baby cos it's just impossible to navagate 47 layers.

I don't ever merge like that. I just make a new layer at the top and use the "apply image" option (its listed under one of the things at the top)...and it makes a layer what is compliled of everything shown.

47 layers is nothing :P I used to make ones with 100's of layers...untill I decided that it would be nice to actually be able to go back and edit it again, so now I work with about 20-30 a skin.

Hostile · 06-21-2004, 11:35 AM

When I look at some skins, they have a proportionally smaller version off to the right. It keeps getting smaller into infinity. What is the reason for this and if I delete the smaller ones will it effect the skin. If one is differant than the other will that mess it up. Are they mips? cause that's another question. What is a mip and do they bite?

smurfbizkit · 06-21-2004, 05:27 PM

Yea those are the mip maps. When you load a dds it gives you the option to view them, or not to view them. You can edit the smaller ones, so they are different from each other (I've done that to a minor extent in blitz2).

Mip maps are set to change depending on the size of it ingame, ie the biggest one will be used when you're fully zoomed in....and it uses smaller ones depending on how far you zoom out. They are also known to give herpes...so handle them with thick gloves.