[Tutorial] How to mod Skins

[=THE_TROOPER=]

This very easy tutorial will help you understanding how to create your own custom skins for liijzn.

What you need:
Adobe Photoshop or GIMP (freeware).

EDIT: also Paint.net ( getpaint.net ) freeware

A min knowledge of photoshop/gimp

DDS Plugin for photoshop http://farcry.filefront.com/file/Adobe_Photoshop_DDS_Plugin;37136

DDS plugin for GIMP
http://registry.gimp.org/node/70

(for PS CS5, 32-bit.)
Throw the plugin file in C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS5\Plug-ins\

Free/opensource/creativecommons textures. (much better if you want to make it pubblic)
http://www.marcchehab.org/frozenmist/index.php

(I'm not explaining how to use gimp cause i'm pretty new to it but as far as I've seen it's very similar to photoshop so it should be almost the same)

1) Open a dds file with photoshop (eg the rocket launcher)
\live\legions\data\shapes\weapons\rocketlauncher\rocketLauncher.dds

here it is in all his beauty :|

look for a cool metal/rusty/something picture like this

http://www.marcchehab.org/frozenmist/metal/admin_001.jpg

increase the contrast to stupid levels to something like this
(image-->adjustment-->curves)

then hit control A
control C
switch to the rl dds and hit control V
change the size to 20-40% of the original
(modify-->transform-->scale)

you should have something like this

DUPLICATE YOUR BASE LAYER!!!! (and hide it)

with the lazo cut out a piece you want to skin from the duplicated layer.
Drag around, control C, control V.

(you have 4 layers now, the base (hidden), the duplicated base, the cutted off piece, the metal)

(Duplicate your metal/rusty/dirty layer if you want to use it again l8r.)

move the metal on top of the cutted-off piece

now the trick

on the layer panel, control + click in the preview, this should select all the edges of this layer
now invert the selection (selection-->invert)

select the metal layer and hit CANC to delete everything out of the cutted off piece edges

change the metal layer to "multiply" (or something else just try)

Save as psd for further modification
save as DDS.

done.

congratulations, you've just spotted your rocket launcher
\o/

forgive me for my english.
I should go to sleep, it's 10 in the morning :|
Happy new year

 

[BestCharmie]

Hey one more tip. You can do this with Paint.NET (getpaint.net)

 

[masterluso]

Nice guide, and thanks for the link to the texture place... google can't do much.

Also, I've found that instead of getting a .dds plugin, you can save it as a .png file and change the file extension to .dds. In case anyone is too lazy to download the plugin.

 

[IzRaPiDz]

sticky?

 

[Daphinicus]

Ask and ye shall receive.

 

[xShAuNx--]

i cant open the files.. ive downloaded the plugin and it still doesnt work? help please?

dont matter guys i got it btw trooper theres also an nvidia plugin for adobe which works very well to.

 

[xShAuNx--]

damn now i cant save the file.. it says it must be saved as a copy

 

[Hawk]

Edit; I cant seem to install the dds plugin for CS5 extended

 

[=THE_TROOPER=]

Sometimes happens that you can't save as DDS.

Fix:
1) save your pdf ( DO IT!!!!)
2) right click on a layer and look for something like "Unique layer" or "Merge all layers" or "one layer", I don't know how is it in the engl version of PH.
3) Save as DDS
4) remember to don't save the pdf or you'll lose all your layers

 

[w00tyou]

I just have a problems with my dds plug ins not working.

 

[Daphinicus]

I just have a problems with my dds plug ins not working.

Yeah, it's a finicky little thing. I run Photoshop in 64-bit, and the dds plugin flatly refuses to work for me. Whatchya gonna do.

 

[masterluso]

Whatchya gonna do.

Irfanview batch file conversion to .png, edit, rename. Mod made, no plugin required.

 

[Daphinicus]

Irfanview batch file conversion to .png, edit, rename. Mod made, no plugin required.

Ooooh.

 

[chattyloid]

sweet thx ive made a dark armor xD

 

[Synista]

Is DDS plugin needed for Paint.NET also?

 

[masterluso]

Is DDS plugin needed for Paint.NET also?

I don't use paint.NET, but I thought it was just a GIMP variant. Try saving something as a .dds, and if it doesn't work, you need a plugin.

 

[blabla12]

How do I install the plugin

 

[LunarSolstice]

How I installed plugin?
(for Photoshop CS5 Extended)

Edit: nvm, I got it. Add the following to the OP please.
Throw the plugin file in C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS5\Plug-ins\File Formats for PS CS5, 32-bit."

 

[TwistedShadow]

Ohh... Whats canc ?

 

[poiuyt580]

How I installed plugin?
(for Photoshop CS5 Extended)

Edit: nvm, I got it. Add the following to the OP please.
Throw the plugin file in C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS5\Plug-ins\File Formats for PS CS5, 32-bit."

For some reason this doesn't work with 64 bit. Could someone confirm this for me?
Edit: After a bit of searching, it seems plugin only works with 32bit version. Strangely, I have both the 64bit and 32bit version installed on my computer, yet I only downloaded the 64 bit trial.