Skin problem

[6./ZG26_Loke]

I seem to got a problem when I convert to dds file. Like a layer were placed over the skin, except on a few parts. Like the top of the fuselage, air intake and at the exhaust pipes.

Any idea what causes this?

[JGr2/J5_W0LF-]

sounds like an alpha layer issue, can anyone chime in on this?

[6./ZG26_5tuka]

It can be anything. It's difficult to tell without knowing which program you use and what your layered skin file looks like.

Edited November 14, 2015 by Stab/JG26_5tuka

[6./ZG26_Loke]

I use Photoshop CS3 to create the skin.

To convert (save) it to a dds file, I use GIMP 2.8 on my Ubuntu which is the only way I could get it to work before. Save it as BC3 / DX5 after Merging visible layers to the bottom layer.

This is far from the first skin I made this way. Long time since I did it last, yes.

[SvAF/F19_Klunk]

i have no clue how gimp deal with the alphachannel... alpha is user for grade of reflection of the fuselage.. I seem to recall 50% grey is the most "shiny". cant u export the skin from cs to dds?

 

to me too it seems to be an alpha channel issue.... can u take a screen on the alphachannel from cs Loke? tab "channel" and let us see if the greys looks like they should

 

it also looks like u have an issue with pixelization of the weathering around gear and wing edge.. the egde ofe the weatherings area seems very pixelated and... a litte bit dark?

Edited November 14, 2015 by SvAF/F19_Klunk

[6./ZG26_Loke]

Just found out that the problem already occurs when I open the file in GIMP. Hmmm!

No Klunk, I can't.
I have installed Nvidia's DDS plugin which I got from here https://developer.nvidia.com/nvidia-texture-tools-adobe-photoshop, but I still do not get the option to save as dds. Which I find very strange.

Edited November 14, 2015 by SvAF/F19_Loke

[SvAF/F19_Klunk]

Just found out that the problem already occurs when I open the file in GIMP. Hmmm!

No Klunk, I can't.

I have installed Nvidia's DDS plugin which I got from here https://developer.nvidia.com/nvidia-texture-tools-adobe-photoshop, but I still do not get the option to save as dds. Which I find very strange.

hmm yeah strange as it clearly stats that it supports cs3.

i have never worked with gimp so difficult to say whats wrong

[6./ZG26_5tuka]

Gimp handles Alpha channels just as well as Photoshop, the only difference really is the interface. The DDS plugin works fine as well for me, maybe an error when exporting it with PS?

 

Did you try to open the final dds file in PS? Can you show us the alpha layer texture?

[9./JG27golani79]

Can you check if you have the following folder with a file in it:

 

C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS6 (64 Bit)\Plug-ins\File Formats

 

For me the file is called dds64 (possible that it has another name for you - don´t know if there already was a 64bit version of CS3).

 

And if you in Photoshop check your filter menu - do you have an entry named NVIDIA Tools?

If so the plugin should be installed correctly and you should normally be able to directly save as .dds from within Photoshop.

If not maybe you can try to uninstall and reinstall the plugin again - maybe something went wrong.

 

You shouldn´t have to go the extra mile over another tool for saving as .dds if you have Photoshop with the NVIDIA Plugins.

[6./ZG26_Loke]

@ 9./JG27golani79, I will get back to you on that later, as I'm not on my Win7 right now.

 

@ Stab/JG26_5tuka. No not tried to open it in PS, yet!

The Alpha channel layer, is this the right I posted? From GIMP.

[6./ZG26_Loke]

I believe I found the problem with not being able to save as dds files in Photoshop.

As you Golani suggested checked out to see if I had the files needed. I did find a dds64.8bi, but nothing within the program called Nvidia under filter.

Well my Win7 is a 64bit system, but CS3 is 32bit. So I tried to install the 32bit version instead, and now there is a Nvidia option under filter, and I can now open dds files in Photoshop .
Next step will be to save a file as a dds file.

[unreasonable]

There is a detailed explanation of the steps needed to convert a RoF skin into a dds using GIMP in this thread (at the top of the thread). AFAIK it should be no different for BoS - except that some skin templates come with a darkening layer, in the thread it is explained how to use brightness/contrast to prevent the skin from looking too bright: they do the same thing.

 

I know this process works fine for RoF skins: you may want to check to see if you are missing a step compared to the recommended process: if not, I am out of my depth....

 

 

http://riseofflight.com/forum/topic/37740-another-guide-skinning-gimp/?hl=%2Bskinning+%2Btutorial&do=findComment&comment=575907

Edited November 16, 2015 by unreasonable

[6./ZG26_Loke]

S! unreasonable.

 

Yes I know, and I have used it that way before with out problems. Still wondering why it makes this error.
Well any way, I now got it to work fine in Photoshop even with saving to dds format, so I'm pretty happy and can now continue with my skinning

[9./JG27golani79]

Nice to hear

 

Have fun texturing!