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#2949579 - 01/29/10 07:20 PM Re: ROF Skinning: Templates, Training and Info ***** [Re: Dart]  
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 24,712
Dart Offline
Measured in Llamathrusts
Dart  Offline
Measured in Llamathrusts
Lifer

Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 24,712
Alabaster, AL USA
This is just too darned useful to let slip away.

For the cheap at heart (no photoshop), the .dds conversion to .bmp tool I use is DXTbmp.

Direct link to app: http://www.btinternet.com/~mnwright/programs/dxtbmp.htm, but be sure to look at the whole of the site, http://fly.to/mwgfx/ as it has a lot of useful stuff.

From the .bmp file, I use GIMP (which is no-cost) to tinker with skins and then DXTbmp to put it back into .dds.

While not perfect - I get some pixellation here and there - it is definately "gooder enough" for my tastes.


The opinions of this poster are largely based on facts and portray a possible version of the actual events.

More dumb stuff at http://www.darts-page.com

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Inline advert (2nd and 3rd post)

#2949739 - 01/29/10 11:45 PM Re: ROF Skinning: Templates, Training and Info [Re: Dart]  
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 36
PJ666_Reverend Offline
Junior Member
PJ666_Reverend  Offline
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 36
S! Folks,

Thanks for the help so far. There's a couple of questions I still have (and I'm sorry if they've already been covered and I missed it).

1. What's up with the void downloads linked on the ROF main site? I try to download by following the directions, but it keeps wanted me to install some kind of software, but since I can't read or speak Russian, I can't figure out what's going on. Didn't Jason say he'd get that fixed? Or was he going to host them elsewhere (if so where)?

2. I am using Photoshop CS4 with the DDS plugin. I have problem that the skins display so extremely dark that I can barely see what I'm editing.

Masaq's excellent tutorial video shows what I'm talking about. The details of the skin in the dark areas are very, very hard to see.

I could lighten them by adjusting the bright/contrast of the image file of course, but then I figure they'd display super bright in game. Is there a way I could brighten the view without changing the brightness of the actual image file? Without resorting to maxing out the hardware brightness settings on my monitor (and yes, my monitor displays other games and graphics at an acceptable brightness)?

Any insights are appreciated.

Last edited by PJ666_Reverend; 02/01/10 06:32 PM.
#2949795 - 01/30/10 01:59 AM Re: ROF Skinning: Templates, Training and Info [Re: PJ666_Reverend]  
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 630
SC/JG_Oesau Offline
Member
SC/JG_Oesau  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 630
Sydney, Australia
Remove some of the layers listed under "advanced" in the PSD file such as "Weathering" and see if that lightens it up for you.


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#2949878 - 01/30/10 05:26 AM Re: ROF Skinning: Templates, Training and Info [Re: SC/JG_Oesau]  
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 36
PJ666_Reverend Offline
Junior Member
PJ666_Reverend  Offline
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 36
Thanks for the suggestion Oesau. Unfortunately I'm working off non layered DDS files (making them into my own PSDs as necessary), since I don't know where to get the templates (due to the the shady Russian web installer weirdness when trying to download from the ROF site).

#2949885 - 01/30/10 06:02 AM Re: ROF Skinning: Templates, Training and Info [Re: PJ666_Reverend]  
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,257
777 Studios - Jason Offline
Senior Member
777 Studios - Jason  Offline
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,257
Southern California or Moscow

#2949887 - 01/30/10 06:06 AM Re: ROF Skinning: Templates, Training and Info [Re: 777 Studios - Jason]  
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 36
PJ666_Reverend Offline
Junior Member
PJ666_Reverend  Offline
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 36
Fantastic! Thanks Jason, that's exactly what I was looking for, I just didn't know if you'd posted them because I couldn't find them. But now the links are in this sticky thread!

#2949888 - 01/30/10 06:14 AM Re: ROF Skinning: Templates, Training and Info [Re: PJ666_Reverend]  
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 36
PJ666_Reverend Offline
Junior Member
PJ666_Reverend  Offline
Junior Member

Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 36
Ok, I'm playing with the Dr.I PSD and found that turning off the "LEVELS" layer in the Advanced Users folder is solving my brightness issues (turning off "SHADOWS" and "WEATHERING" layers also help when I need max visibility).

I just gotta remember to turn the layers back on before I flatten and go DDS.

Thanks again Jason and Oesau, I am now a happy skinner!

Last edited by PJ666_Reverend; 01/30/10 06:25 AM.
#2950852 - 02/01/10 01:16 PM Re: ROF Skinning: Templates, Training and Info [Re: PJ666_Reverend]  
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 157
BigDuke66 Offline
Member
BigDuke66  Offline
Member

Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 157
Anyone able to make a guide/Video for Gimp users?


"Das Fliegen ist das Leben wert!"
#2951937 - 02/03/10 03:34 AM Re: ROF Skinning: Templates, Training and Info [Re: Masaq]  
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 26,556
wheelsup_cavu Offline
Lifer
wheelsup_cavu  Offline
Lifer

Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 26,556
Corona, California
Originally Posted By: Masaq
Skinning tutorial now watchable. It's been processing for three hours now and it's still working on it - full HD-level quality will be the end result, however.


Cool Tutorial Masaq. thumbsup


Wheels


(Post # 3100)


Cheers wave
Wheelsup_cavu

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#2963576 - 02/20/10 02:45 AM Re: ROF Skinning: Templates, Training and Info [Re: PJ666_Reverend]  
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 33
Blazingstar Offline
Junior Member
Blazingstar  Offline
Junior Member

Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 33
Hello,
I thought I'd add a bit of information here that I just learned the hard way.

The nVidia DDS Photoshop pluging does not work for the 64 bit version of Photoshop CS4 frown

After some searching, I was able to find that nVidia Command Line Tools are a viable workaround.

The Wiki for the Tools is HERE.

Not nearly as convenient but better than nothing.

If someone as a better solution, please share.
Cheers!

Last edited by Blazingstar; 02/20/10 03:02 AM.
#2974036 - 03/10/10 06:47 PM Re: ROF Skinning: Templates, Training and Info [Re: Masaq]  
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 65
-=FA=-RaVen Offline
Junior Member
-=FA=-RaVen  Offline
Junior Member

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 65
Originally Posted By: Masaq

What you do is this:

Use "unGTP.exe" - available at www.RoF-tools.de

Got a direct link to the download I cant find it there
thanks in advance
RaVe

#2979914 - 03/20/10 11:06 PM Re: ROF Skinning: Templates, Training and Info [Re: PJ666_Reverend]  
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,686
rabu Offline
Member
rabu  Offline
Member

Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,686
California, USA
Hi, Masaq, everyone:

A few suggestions: When you open the file, select to open it with NO mipmaps.. you don't need them. When you are finished editing, save to dds and in the dds dialogue window, choose the "generate mipmaps" and save with the same number and type as the original dds file you edited. (no need to go though all the canvas sizing, copying and scaling, etc).

If you're handy with a mouse as a brush, just create a layer and paint right over the parts you want to change choosing multiply, hardlight, or over layer properties to get the effect you want, along with the layer transparency and color adjustments to the layer you can get some really good results. You also don't have to stay right inside of the edges unless they overlap onto another plane part, so exact selections are really unnecessary in most cases.

Have fun

Last edited by rabu; 03/20/10 11:08 PM.

rabu ...[|8~'

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#2980341 - 03/21/10 08:31 PM Re: ROF Skinning: Templates, Training and Info [Re: 2GvSAP_Mohawk]  
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 921
BlueRaven Offline
Flight Instructor
BlueRaven  Offline
Flight Instructor
Member

Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 921
Oklahoma
Does the D7 template work for both D7 models?


bananadancebananadancebananadancebananadance attack ar15 bananadancebananadancebananadancebananadance
God damned bananas!!!
#2980859 - 03/22/10 04:51 PM Re: ROF Skinning: Templates, Training and Info [Re: BlueRaven]  
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 117
Musicman Offline
Member
Musicman  Offline
Member

Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 117
Originally Posted By: BlueRaven
Does the D7 template work for both D7 models?


Read my post over here. Scroll near bottom. I tried to show the difference with some pictures.
Link:
http://riseofflight.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=6055&start=30

#2980929 - 03/22/10 06:39 PM Re: ROF Skinning: Templates, Training and Info [Re: Musicman]  
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 921
BlueRaven Offline
Flight Instructor
BlueRaven  Offline
Flight Instructor
Member

Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 921
Oklahoma
Originally Posted By: Musicman
Originally Posted By: BlueRaven
Does the D7 template work for both D7 models?


Read my post over here. Scroll near bottom. I tried to show the difference with some pictures.
Link:
http://riseofflight.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=6055&start=30


Awesome, thanks. I like the looks better with the cowling on, so I can just use the standard D7 skin to achieve that look.


bananadancebananadancebananadancebananadance attack ar15 bananadancebananadancebananadancebananadance
God damned bananas!!!
#3014465 - 05/19/10 01:41 PM Re: ROF Skinning: Templates, Training and Info [Re: BlueRaven]  
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,257
777 Studios - Jason Offline
Senior Member
777 Studios - Jason  Offline
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,257
Southern California or Moscow
The missing templates will be uploaded within the next 24 hours. God willing.

Jason

#3018308 - 05/25/10 06:20 AM Re: ROF Skinning: Templates, Training and Info [Re: rabu]  
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 42
LLv26_Pihi Offline
Junior Member
LLv26_Pihi  Offline
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 42
Finland
Somehow i can not convert skins back to same size, i use DXTBmb for convert them.(editor is CorelPhoto Paint X4)
Can someone point me what is correct type of DDS-file?(i look from ROF-skins file, but those are "only" dds not like DDS-DXT1 etc. which they are DXTBmb....)

Edit:

The correct answer is DDS-DXT5 with alpha. All clear!

Last edited by LLv26_Pihi; 05/25/10 07:19 PM.

Want to take part of LLv26 flight training?
contact: pihi@lentolaivue26.org(please no spam)

Flying Red armys target, propably full of holes....
#3110033 - 10/08/10 06:50 AM Re: ROF Skinning: Templates, Training and Info [Re: 777 Studios - Jason]  
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,179
WWBrian Offline
Member
WWBrian  Offline
Member

Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,179
I suppose it's too early to ask for the 2 new Sopwith templates?

...I need something to do while waiting the next few hours for the update.

smile


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#3110501 - 10/08/10 06:37 PM Re: ROF Skinning: Templates, Training and Info [Re: 777 Studios - Jason]  
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,196
Chef Offline
Member
Chef  Offline
Member

Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,196
North Carolina
Oh if you need something to do I have a number of Jasta 30 Albatross DIII/DVa and Fokker D7 skins I'd love to get done but I don't think I have the artistic talent to competently do them.


The road less traveled is filled with fewer needy people.
#3111332 - 10/09/10 04:50 PM Re: ROF Skinning: Templates, Training and Info [Re: 777 Studios - Jason]  
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 43
DxyFlyr Offline
Junior Member
DxyFlyr  Offline
Junior Member

Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 43
Mississippi
I finally sat down and figured out the process of getting a skin edited and showing up in the game, but, I'm lacking some finer points. Can someone tell me where in the process my edited skin loses it's specular lighting effects?

I can take a default skin, add a small detail on the fuselage, convert the file back, load it up in the game and the cowling doesn't sparkle like before even though I didn't touch that part of the skin.

I'm using Paint Shop Pro X3 and converting with the DTXBmp deal. What am I missing?


------------------

Never mind! A little digging and I found some Alpha channel info. Good stuff; all sorted.

Last edited by DxyFlyr; 10/10/10 03:18 AM.

-dxy
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