Skin noob here

[Joni]

Hi folks!

 

I am getting into the world of modifying skins and would like to put some markings on an F-15C, like my name below the canopy and my country's flag.

 

I notice that the skin im trying to modify (390th Fighter SQN) has the pilot's name rectangle in the alpha channel (no idea what it does) of the DECAL.dds

 

Im using DXTBMP to convert it to bmp and then open it with photoshop cs3 but have no idea how to modify that channel.

 

I need help :doh:

[Joni]

anyone?

[PorcoRosso86]

When you open your image with photoshop, you can see the channels on right.

Red, blue, green and alpha

You just need to select the proper channel (alpha) and modify only this.

Also, small advice, if you got adobe phoshop you can download the Nvida plugins, that permit to save and open the .DDS files directly from photoshop.

[Joni]

I see, interesting. The thing is that I only see the RGB channels but not the alpha. The alpha I can only see it in DXTBMP but editing is not possible.

 

Any advise?

[PorcoRosso86]

I see, interesting. The thing is that I only see the RGB channels but not the alpha. The alpha I can only see it in DXTBMP but editing is not possible.

 

Any advise?

 

Honestly idk, my first idea is that DXTBMP erase the alpha channel, when you convert the file.

Alpha channel should appear correctly when you open the file with photoshop

[Joni]

That could be it, yes. So I'd need to open it directly with photoshop.

 

Im too noob at this, is the nvidia plugin free?

[PorcoRosso86]

Yes, and very easy to install: is a easy installer

You can download here: https://developer.nvidia.com/nvidia-texture-tools-adobe-photoshop

You only need to put the right path where adobe photoshop is installed

[Joni]

so no photoshop can open dds at stock?

[PorcoRosso86]

I don't know if the last release can, but normally no

[Home Fries]

The DDS plug-in for Photoshop is a free download.

 

Also here's the gouge on the DDS formats so you can save them properly:

• DXT1 - no alpha channel (like BMP)
  
• DXT3 - discrete alpha channel (for harder borders like patches and line art)
  
• DXT5 - smooth alpha channel (for softer borders like explosion textures)
  

Edited June 12, 2017 by Home Fries