[MOD] A question about Alpha Channels / Modding Planes (originally posted by FlyingSaucer99)

[TG-55Panthercules]

This has been copied from the old RoF forums, originally posted by FlyingSaucer99:

 

So i was wondering, seeing some old mods here on ROF...

 

Some modders have been changing the alpha channels of some planes for some time here, converting them into other types (like the DFW in a Type C Recon Plane from 1915 or the Eindecker in a Morane G/H). 

 

My question is: seeing thiss, has anyone tried to convert the Nieuport 17 into a 21? The only difference would be to remove the lower part of the engine protection. 

 

I'm asking this question more as a curious one, because I don't know if this part of the plane can be modified/has alpha channels that can be modded. 

 

Can someone with more knowledge on the subject than me clarify this?

 

 

Panthercules, on 05 Feb 2022 - 12:23, said:

 

Out of curiosity I just gave it a whirl - not much luck.  It's pretty easy to tweak the alpha channel to make the outside of the lower engine covering/cowling disappear, but it only seems to work from some angles - from other angles, it still shows the inner surface of this portion of the cowling.  I tried a few tricks to remove this inner portion, but they didn't work.  With enough time and effort, it might be possible to improve on this result.

 

 

Alin_Alexandru, on 05 Feb 2022 - 22:37, said:

 

Yeah, as Panthercules said, you need to remove both the outside and the inside of the cowling with the outside being the easy part. But nothing that can't be done with some trial and error. Here's the alpha channel for the "Nieuport 21" and some screenshots in the game (don't mind the skin, I just tested it with some random skin I had at hand).

 

 

 

 

 

 

FlyingSaucer99, on 06 Feb 2022 - 18:00, said:

 

Thxs guys. You are both awesome!!!

 

I don't know about you, but for me this project looks very promising. Who said that after so many years, we would have a new plane to fly in the RoF   .

 

Another question: This trick would work in GBR version of the N17? Because if I'm not mistaken, most of the N21's had the Foster mounting.

 

And better!!! Looking carefully at it, this version, with the synchronized machine gun, it is looking like an SSW!!! So, could we consider that we would have two new planes to fly?  

 

 

Alin_Alexandru, on 06 Feb 2022 - 19:30, said:

 

I don't have the British N17 but as far as I know, all 3 Nieuports (the British, French and Russian) have the same alpha channel and skin setup so a skin for one should work on the others as well. 

 

 

Well spotted, indeed the N17 with the synchronized gun and this alpha channel looks like the Siemens-Schuckert.  

 

 

FlyingSaucer99, on 07 Feb 2022 - 18:06, said:

 

So, looking forward to it!!! I'll wait for you to finish the template, because I already have an arsenal of skin requests ready to go. 

 

While we're talking about alpha channels, let me ask smt: I always wanted to know, why A1_Phoenix never released this project really, it would be a stunning hack for the Re8-Be2 (well, it is better than just a  reskin).

 

All of his other projects were made available to us, except this one! Kind of sad .

 

 

Alin_Alexandru, on 08 Feb 2022 - 12:30, said:

 

Well there's no need for a template, the alpha channel is done and that's what's needed. So go ahead and list the requests and I'll see what I can do  

 

And yeah, it seems like he just didn't release it, but it looks like he finished the edit.

 

 

FlyingSaucer99, on 08 Feb 2022 - 19:08, said:

 

So, it's already there. Once again, thxs guys for everything.

 

I was even thinking, what would you guys think of transforming the Pflaz D.XII into an Aviatik (Berg) D.I ? They kind resemble each other...

 

The big change that would have to be made would be to change the rudder format (actually reshape it, cutting it and making it more square). Really, this one, I have no idea if can be done.