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Skinning Tutorial; Created By [SiN]Kamikaze
Topic Started: 16th April 2008 - 07:44 AM (93 Views)
KamikazeHD
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I am gonna teach you kids how to skin, note that I learned most of this on my own so there may be a better way to do something but this is what I do. :D

Things needed:
XCC Utilities
Paint.net
Things recommended:
GIMP

I recommend GIMP because Paint.net has a limited assortment of tools, if you really want to make good skins I suggest using GIMP also, if you want basic skins just use Paint.net.

Basic skinning
After downloading XCC Utilities install it and launch XCC Mixer. Browse for the Renegade\Data directory, find the file called always.dat and double click on it. It should open a large expanse of files. I stole this next thing from Jelly because I don't want to write the same thing if they all ready did. ><

Always.dat holds several different file's, namely:

*.dds = Main skin file's;
*.mp3 = OST music;
*.txt/ *.ini = Configuration file's;
*.tga = Secondary skin file's;
*.w3d = Models;
*.wav = audio file's.

As a skinner we will mainly use the *.dds file's. A lot of these will have prefixes, some of these are:
- c_*
These are most of the character skins, due to the inconsistency of the Westwood programmers not all character skin file's will have a c_ prefix.
- f_*
These are the first person model skins for the weapons. The 'gm_' file's are the gun model skins, 'hm_' file's are the hand models and the 'cm' file is the pistol clip skin.
- hud_*
All these file's have something to do with the hud one way or another. Most of them are pickup icons for items you picked up.
The main you'll want to be using is the 'hud_main.dds' this is the file for the accuall hud.
- p_*
These are the skin file's for the power up never coded into renegade :'(, The only files used here are the 'p_armor.dds' and the 'p_health(1/2/3).dds'.
- v_*
Vehicle's, easily put. all GDI vehicles will start with 'p_gdi_' and all Nod will start with 'p_nod_'
One thing you'll have to know though is that the apache and orca are NOT in the always.dat but in the always2.dat
orca = v_gdi_orca_m.dds
apache = v_nod_apache.dds
- w_*
Everything to do with the third person models of the weapons will have this prefix.
Third person weapons include the 'dropped' c4, even when you are in first person view.

Well not all file's will have one of these prefixes there are some more, but these are the basic one's.
Others would be:
- d_* = Bullet hole's;
- hnd_* = Hand of Nod file's;
- ob_* = Obelisk file's;
- pog_* = Objective image's;
- pwr_* = Power plant;
- ref_*= Refinery;
- shp_* = The ship from level 11.

As for the rest of the file's I suggest you just check 'em out and remember that these are 2D file's for 3D objects.

After you find the file you want to edit right click on it and click extract and save the file to wherever. Make sure it is a .dds because that is the files we are editing.
Next launch Paint.net assuming you already installed it like a smart person would. :P
Click open and find your file you extracted. It should bring up a crazy looking picture that looks like the character or vehicle unfolded and laid flat. D:
Edit the picture however you want using the various things in Paint.net. If you don't know how to do that I can't help you there... (I can't give you artistic skill or guarantee your skin will be as good as mine :wink: )
When you finish editing click save as. Keep the same name that you found it with in the always.dat and make sure the format is .dds.
Click save and it will bring up a window.

Make it read this:
Settings
DXT1 (Opaque/1bit Alpha) NOTE if your skin turns out being black or invisible try changing the setting to DXT5 (Interpolated Alpha)
Compressor Type
Range fit (Fast/LQ) (I used this because it loads the skins the fastest but you can use high quality if you like)
Error Metric
Perceptual
Additional Options
CHECK Generate Mip Maps
Then click ok, it should save the file to wherever you put it. Then stick that file in Renegade\Date and run the game. It should have worked! Your very own skin.

Advanced Skinning
This is what I do, when you have your file opened in Paint.net copy the picture and transfer that to GIMP edit as you will there then save it to a .jpg. Open the .jpg in Paint.net and save it as the .dds file like you did above. :giggle:

Hope this helps you kids figure this out and make awesome skins! :D
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"I choose to live and to lie, kill and give and to die, learn and love and to do what it takes to step through."
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[SiN]Kuzco
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Topic Pinned.
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2GLOCK9S
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Nice job but which XCC tool do i open it with. it doesnt work for me.
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Purchase Teh Best Skins at Pimp My Ren!
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[SiN]EliteLazer
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Awesome ty kamikaze
We should lock this soo if people need it they can just go to this section and look
at it.




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[SiN]Kuzco
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[SiN
 
EliteLazer,Apr 16 2008, 11:37 AM] We should lock this soo if people need it they can just go to this section and look
at it.

This topic will be left open so if people need help, they can request it here.
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[SiN]EliteLazer
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Ok fair emough :)




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[SiN]Bullet
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Nice, good job Kami, except when you save your skin in .dds format dont you need to download a plugin so the graphics software can edit, and save .dds files?
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KamikazeHD
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Bullet
Apr 16 2008, 03:39 PM
Nice, good job Kami, except when you save your skin in .dds format dont you need to download a plugin so the graphics software can edit, and save .dds files?

Paint.net 3.10 and up has a built in .dds loader and saver. :giggle:
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"I choose to live and to lie, kill and give and to die, learn and love and to do what it takes to step through."
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2GLOCK9S
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ive figured it out. thx kami :D
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[SiN]Bullet
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[SiN
 
Kamikaze,Apr 17 2008, 07:12 AM]
Bullet
Apr 16 2008, 03:39 PM
Nice, good job Kami, except when you save your skin in .dds format dont you need to download a plugin so the graphics software can edit, and save .dds files?

Paint.net 3.10 and up has a built in .dds loader and saver. :giggle:

Well now ive learnt something today :D
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