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BC Forums => BC Modding => Topic started by: FourChan on March 20, 2009, 09:04:25 PM

Title: Custom Created back drops
Post by: 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.
Title: Re: Custom Created back drops
Post by: CJLarkin on March 20, 2009, 10:14:02 PM
Make sure they have their respective Alphas.
Title: Re: Custom Created back drops
Post by: FourChan on March 21, 2009, 12:57:57 AM
How's that done? Lol, sorry i'm new to editing the backgrounds.
Title: Re: Custom Created back drops
Post by: CJLarkin 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)
Title: Re: Custom Created back drops
Post by: MLeo 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.
Title: Re: Custom Created back drops
Post by: Dalek 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. :D
Title: Re: Custom Created back drops
Post by: FourChan 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?
Title: Re: Custom Created back drops
Post by: MLeo on March 21, 2009, 12:42:09 PM
I believe only for Photoshop/GIMP, or are you in BC?
Title: Re: Custom Created back drops
Post by: FourChan on March 21, 2009, 12:44:37 PM
Just in photoshop. Is it okay that the .tga looks red when the alpha is applied?
Title: Re: Custom Created back drops
Post by: MLeo 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.
Title: Re: Custom Created back drops
Post by: FourChan 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.
Title: Re: Custom Created back drops
Post by: Vortex on March 21, 2009, 07:39:49 PM
Could be that you have the Red Channel showing instead of Alpha.
Title: Re: Custom Created back drops
Post by: MarkyD 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)
Title: Re: Custom Created back drops
Post by: FourChan 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?
Title: Re: Custom Created back drops
Post by: FourChan 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.
Title: Re: Custom Created back drops
Post by: MLeo on March 24, 2009, 06:58:03 PM
Black tends to be transparent/dark and white being opaque/bright.
Title: Re: Custom Created back drops
Post by: FourChan 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.
Title: Re: Custom Created back drops
Post by: MLeo 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.
Title: Re: Custom Created back drops
Post by: FourChan 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.
Title: Re: Custom Created back drops
Post by: FourChan 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.
Title: Re: Custom Created back drops
Post by: moed on March 25, 2009, 12:56:38 AM
That last pic looks like something from Freelancer.

Good work so far.
Title: Re: Custom Created back drops
Post by: FourChan on March 29, 2009, 03:49:48 PM
Question, good is there anyway to upload a .tga on here so people can look at it?
Title: Re: Custom Created back drops
Post by: teleguy on March 30, 2009, 10:35:37 AM
Well, depending on what you want to do with it you can either zip it or convert it to .jpg.