Author Topic: Custom Created back drops (Read 4105 times)

FourChan · « **on:** March 20, 2009, 09:04:25 PM »

I hope this is in the right area, if not MLeo or Jimmy move it.

I am trying to create custom back drops in the game for ships and stuff to take some pictures of, I read some of the threads where it states that they have to be .tga and square sized like 256x256. Now when I done this with all 3 resolution settings, High, Medium and Low it still creates a huge white square in the background. I was wondering if anyone has any tips or can help me with this.

CJLarkin · « **Reply #1 on:** March 20, 2009, 10:14:02 PM »

Make sure they have their respective Alphas.

FourChan · « **Reply #2 on:** March 21, 2009, 12:57:57 AM »

How's that done? Lol, sorry i'm new to editing the backgrounds.

CJLarkin · « **Reply #3 on:** March 21, 2009, 01:01:57 AM »

Lol, basically add an Alpha Channel to each Texture, and make sure the white areas are only on the parts you want visible.]

If you're using Photoshop, you can create a new Channel by clicking on the Channels tab (next to Layers)

MLeo · « **Reply #4 on:** March 21, 2009, 08:49:50 AM »

The only scripting aspect is with making the system use the new backdrop.

But I would say you have already figured that out, right? So I'll move this to Modding, where they should be able to help you out with alpha channels.

Dalek · « **Reply #5 on:** March 21, 2009, 08:55:25 AM »

If I ever make a background already in a system, I just put the texture I want on top of the original and make a back up of the original.

If you want to put a new background into a system with no backgrounds already, I'll be in the car.

FourChan · « **Reply #6 on:** March 21, 2009, 12:29:36 PM »

Alright, I think I can do it now. lol. I was replacing the background on the QuickBattle background which was treknebula7 I believe.

Update: When I change the Alpha, the .tga turns red, supposed to do that?

MLeo · « **Reply #7 on:** March 21, 2009, 12:42:09 PM »

I believe only for Photoshop/GIMP, or are you in BC?

FourChan · « **Reply #8 on:** March 21, 2009, 12:44:37 PM »

Just in photoshop. Is it okay that the .tga looks red when the alpha is applied?

MLeo · « **Reply #9 on:** March 21, 2009, 12:48:22 PM »

Save it as a different file and load that up in BC, the only real way to find out.

But I believe it's supposed to do that.

FourChan · « **Reply #10 on:** March 21, 2009, 12:49:23 PM »

Alright, I shall do that and post the results later lol, cause for now I'm stepping out.

Vortex · « **Reply #11 on:** March 21, 2009, 07:39:49 PM »

Could be that you have the Red Channel showing instead of Alpha.

MarkyD · « **Reply #12 on:** March 22, 2009, 07:51:37 AM »

In photoshop it does that, to show you what you are editing if i remember, been a while since i played with alphas mind 8)

FourChan · « **Reply #13 on:** March 22, 2009, 06:54:13 PM »

So I edited it, saved it with the alphas on, even though it shows it being red and it should work?

an update to my thread, I have a high resolution image that I plan on making into a custom back drop. So I add an alpha channel to that and resize it to the correct size right?

FourChan · « **Reply #14 on:** March 24, 2009, 06:44:30 PM »

Sorry to double post, just bumping this thread up so someone can answer me lol, On the Alpha Channel when I first create it, it's black, so Bridge Commander uses a White Alpha Channel instead of the black? If someone has a change for me to email them the .tga to peek at and see if i'm doing it right, message me a email address. Thanks.

MLeo · « **Reply #15 on:** March 24, 2009, 06:58:03 PM »

Black tends to be transparent/dark and white being opaque/bright.

FourChan · « **Reply #16 on:** March 24, 2009, 07:01:20 PM »

I think I got it, how's this look? Though the image seems too large for the background.

MLeo · « **Reply #17 on:** March 24, 2009, 07:03:09 PM »

It seems a bit too bright, what alpha value did you use?

Remember, you can change the denser areas of the nebula to use a higher alpha than the rest.

FourChan · « **Reply #18 on:** March 24, 2009, 07:48:01 PM »

I used a normal white alpha. Also what's the best size to use? The image I put in there was 1024x1024, should it be half that size? Also it seems a bit blurry in the background.

FourChan · « **Reply #19 on:** March 24, 2009, 08:07:08 PM »

Nevermind, I found the secret -snicker- Instead of having the image size 1024x1024 he kept the original image size for like high resolution and what not, then he put the other image inside at a smaller resolution so it looks better. Like below.

News:

Author Topic: Custom Created back drops (Read 4105 times)