Photoshop Elements 12

[II/JG17_HerrMurf]

Anyone using this for skinning? I couldn't get the .dds file to open so I did a bunch of web research. It looks like some have been able to download the 32 bit .dds plugin but I haven't had any success from the Adobe site. When I go to the plugins folder it appears there is a 64 bit .dds plugin but if I drag and drop a template I get the (+) symbol which says it recognizes a file but then get the message that it is not supported.

 

I'm a little hesitant to copy/past a plugin from a download site and bypass the official Adobe site though it looks simple enough from YouTube tutorials.

 

I did a bit of art through college and I'd like to try my hand at skinning though my digital knowledge is limited.

[II/JG17_HerrMurf]

S<rew it. I went with Gimp. Downloaded the .dds and got an image to play with in less than five minutes.

[DetCord12B]

I used Gimp ages ago. It's actually what I started with. Now I'm doing work professionally in the game development and aviation world (livery design/adverts) with Photoshop. I don't think I could ever go back, honestly. The workflow, layer mang, sorting, palettes, EoU, content creation, all of it is just terrible in Gimp. Granted, its free and you get what you do or do not pay for. Still, if I were you, I'd just lay down the 20 bones and month go with CC.

 

Edit - There might be some discounts about as well. 

Edited January 21, 2017 by detcord12b

[=WH=PangolinWranglin]

 

 

lay down the 20 bones and month

I think that's my barrier to PS. I use the free version of CS2 available from adobe's site but I want the new version since I used on school computers.  

[Original_Uwe]

That's the conclusion I'm coming to.

I didn't want to shell out any cash when gimp was free, but photoshop is the standard and I want to give it a shot, if only for having more easily organized templates.

Hell I skin more than I fly the sim, so it would be 20 bucks well spent.

[BOO]

My Tuppence

 

There are a lot of VERY talented artists. There are a lot of very grateful recipients. If the artist likes skinning and recipient likes the artists work the cost could be covered by an optional  donate button like Detcord has. - 20 dollars should be achievable

 

What are the advantages? -  

 

the artist gets appreciation and the tools to create without being out of pocket 

 

the recipients get skins produced with better "stuff"

 

the artist establishment has a better option to share layers/knowledge amongst them in a standard format

 

Oh and...

 

I (for suggesting it here - its been mooted elsewhere but here counts more AFAIK ) am given all the wonderful base layers produced for incorporation in my templates to save my RSI :-) 

 

Regards

 

BOO

[Legioneod]

Photoshop CC is only 9 bucks a month not 20. The 20 dollar package just gives you a little extra stuff that you really don't need.

 

https://creative.adobe.com/plans?single_app=photoshop The $9 package gives you everything you need.

Edited February 2, 2017 by Legioneod

[Original_Uwe]

Ok so Ive got photoshop 2017 cc downloaded and its QUITE a change, but Im liking it.

Oh my god...I had no idea the amount of detail I was missing out on using gimp!

 

I need the .dds plugin though, and I cant find the download, can someone point me in the right direction?

Edited February 2, 2017 by 1./JG54_Uwe

[Legioneod]

Ok so Ive got photoshop 2017 cc downloaded and its QUITE a change, but Im liking it.

Oh my god...I had no idea the amount of detail I was missing out on using gimp!

 

I need the .dds plugin though, and I cant find the download, can someone point me in the right direction?

I'm in the same boat. The one I downloaded doesn't work and I can't seem to find another.

[DetCord12B]

My Tuppence

 

There are a lot of VERY talented artists. There are a lot of very grateful recipients. If the artist likes skinning and recipient likes the artists work the cost could be covered by an optional  donate button like Detcord has. - 20 dollars should be achievable

 

What are the advantages? -  

 

the artist gets appreciation and the tools to create without being out of pocket 

 

the recipients get skins produced with better "stuff"

 

the artist establishment has a better option to share layers/knowledge amongst them in a standard format

 

Oh and...

 

I (for suggesting it here - its been mooted elsewhere but here counts more AFAIK ) am given all the wonderful base layers produced for incorporation in my templates to save my RSI :-) 

 

Regards

 

BOO

 

Whoa mate, I'm not asking for donations. I simply have a partnership with them like many other professionals do. From time to time I can call in that partnership with regards to discounts or extended trials. It simply depends upon Adobe and whether or not its applicable.

 

I think that's my barrier to PS. I use the free version of CS2 available from adobe's site but I want the new version since I used on school computers.  

 

Just remember that PS cost on average of $1300 for a license a few years ago. While $9-19 via a monthly subscription might appear to be a ripoff, you are getting constant updates and upgrades to the platform as long as you use it. Food for thought on that.

[BOO]

Whoa mate, I'm not asking for donations. I simply have a partnership with them like many other professionals do. From time to time I can call in that partnership with regards to discounts or extended trials. It simply depends upon Adobe and whether or not its applicable.

 

 

Just remember that PS cost on average of $1300 for a license a few years ago. While $9-19 via a monthly subscription might appear to be a ripoff, you are getting constant updates and upgrades to the platform as long as you use it. Food for thought on that.

Never said you were - i was pointing out that those who wish can support artists if the artist had this feature. A quid here, 50p there soon adds up to covering the 20 dollar per month cost of the Adobe package. . Thats all i was saying

[DetCord12B]

Never said you were - i was pointing out that those who wish can support artists if the artist had this feature. A quid here, 50p there soon adds up to covering the 20 dollar per month cost of the Adobe package. . Thats all i was saying

 

Ah, trackin' mate. The guys that make these templates, I'm all for tossing them a few bones. They're doing it in their free time and it takes a incredible amount of work to do so. I think if people really understood what Lothar, ICDP, BHH and others put into this they'd do it as well.

[unreasonable]

S<rew it. I went with Gimp. Downloaded the .dds and got an image to play with in less than five minutes.

 

I have used Gimp for RoF skins for movie making.  With the layer process it is easy(ish) to add markings and insignia, or change basic colours of camo schemes.  It is free, but it is very horrible.

 

Getting the colour brightness right and comparable to other PS made skins is tricky.  Editing alpha layers is almost impossible - have to use another program for that. It always hides the particular tool you want to change.

 

I stick with it since every time I have used it to make skins for a movie I have thought - "Right, that is the last time".

 

There are so many really good skinners producing outstanding stuff for this game that anything ambitious would be pointless, for me at least. But with Gimp you can add victory markings to a default or custom skin, for instance, which is hardly worth paying a subscription for.

Edited February 4, 2017 by unreasonable

[BOO]

 

 

Getting the colour brightness right and comparable to other PS made skins is tricky.  Editing alpha layers is almost impossible - have to use another program for that. It always hides the particular tool you want to change.

 

 

 

How so? 

[DetCord12B]

If you really wanna use Gimp, which I highly suggest you don't, your best best would be to save as a BMP and convert to DDS. 

 

http://www.mwgfx.co.uk/programs/dxtbmp.htm

[BOO]

I use Adobe for my work (although not as an artist). Its incredible. 

 

However, lets not write off gimp as its a good starting place for those wanting to get into skinning. Personally, i dont really feel any limitations crucify me and ive never struggled getting the results i wanted (alphas included). This is not to say PS doesnt do some things better just to say gimp doesnt do them at all badly. 

 

Neither program has a magic button for attention to detail which, at the end of the day, makes or breaks most skins. 

 

Regards

 

BOO

[unreasonable]

How so? 

 

How so what?

[BOO]

Hey Unreasonable - i meant how do you find editing the alpha impossible? 

 

I copy each of the elements or layers and make them greyscale and adjust the black/white value as i think per 5kuka's Turorial then compress them once im happy into one. I was curious as you how you did them and what i was missing out on. 

 

Regards

 

BOO

[unreasonable]

@BOO The only time I have tried to edit alpha layers I could not even find them in GIMP. Yes obviously I am an idiot.  

 

So I used a program called DXTBmp instead. Much easier to import the altered base file from GIMP and change alpha channel in DXTBmp, then re-export to GIMP for final production.

 

I have not done anything very sophisticated, but I did want to make certain plane and vehicle parts completely transparent for reasons connected to film making. This I was able to do fairly easily once some kind person had taught me the DXTBmp trick.  

 

I just find GIMP incredibly non-intuitive and difficult with totally obtuse default settings. Of course, if you use it a lot you get into the swing of it. My problem is that I use it to do something specific I need, then might not touch it again for weeks or months. I really only make skins etc when I need something special for a movie.

[BOO]

Ah gotcha- because ive never used PS i just assumed that there was only one alpha for most templates. I will admit the alphas on thing like the E7 baffled me (im a 6 inch brush and a bucket of turmps kinda painter :-)).

 

Because it interests me i think i will get elements although i am fearing the relearning curve as the stuff i use it it for in my work is more "forensic" than artistic and very limited in terms of what i do.   

 

Regards

 

BOO

[II/JG17_HerrMurf]

Don't get elements. I could not find a .dds plugin for elements. It's the reason I am playing in GIMP now. Get the full subscription version if you go PS.

[Original_Uwe]

Don't get elements. I could not find a .dds plugin for elements. It's the reason I am playing in GIMP now. Get the full subscription version if you go PS.

Best subscription I've had in a looooooong time.

For as much as I play in skinning the $10 a month is totally worth it.