Merging Alpha layer with final skin how with Photoshop CS2???

[Rjel]

I've read the threads concerning working with the Alpha layer, even looking at the RoF forum trying to get a handle on the how to. However, I'm just not getting it. I either end up with a not quite opaque skin or one than is nearly a flat gray.

 

I'm working with a finalized skin, merged down to a single .psd layer. I've saved the Alpha channel as a layer after deleting the RGB channels. I've converted it using Dxtbmp to a DXT5 DDS file and gotten it into the game. But again, it's either opaque or flat gray. I've messed with the blending option for the Alpha layer both up and down the slider. Same results. I've tried converting the skin layer with Dxtbmp separately then added the alpha and merged them and I've tried to process them together with the same outcome.

 

What step am I missing?

[TG-55Panthercules]

If you're using PhotoShop why do you need to be doing all that converting and saving as a layer and such?  Is there something a lot more limiting about CS2 than CS4 (which I use)?  With CS4, you just leave the alpha channel alone (or work on it as the alpha channel if you want to tweak it - no need to turn it into a layer or to convert it with anything).  Then you just flatten your image and (assuming you've installed the nVidia .dds plug-in) just save it down in PhotoShop as a .dds file with the right settings - a very simple process which works very well.  Never used CS2 though, so maybe it doesn't handle things quite as nicely as CS4 does.

[Zargos]

May be this tutoriel could help you :

http://www.unbound-frogs.org/zsf/Tutoriels/PDF/150827%20-%20TutoZSF%20-%20Skins%20BOS.pdf

I'm sorry it's in French but Google Translate should bring you somme help as well ...

Edited December 23, 2017 by UF_Zargos

[Rjel]

Thx for the replies. I'll give it another go. The previous method I was following was what I thought I'd read here in a couple of different threads as the method to be used. Maybe I misunderstood.

[Rjel]

We'll I've finally had some success getting the Alpha layer merged with my skins so that they are showing up in the game correctly. What a frustrating day getting a handle on this. I finally gave up and went Christmas shopping for a few hours. And I don't enjoy Christmas shopping all that much.

 

Thx again to TG-55Panthercules and UF_Zargos for your help.

[9./JG27golani79]

edit: misread - can be deleted

Edited December 24, 2017 by 9./JG27golani79