Repainting

Post by **Warll** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 11:06 pm

Burlington_Northern_3140 wrote:Thank you lowell I will import files and remember to import the transparency with it next time and snoopy55, I will read up on how to use gimp so I can create new transparencies for my repaint. If I can't figure out how to use gimp I will ask.

Wait! This very well may be an opportunity for a second person to use my 'easy' tutorial on Alpha'ing in GIMP. http://warll2.deviantart.com/art/Adding ... P-65950507

Burlington_Northern_3140 · Post by **Burlington_Northern_3140** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 11:07 pm

Snoopy 55 the file you loaded to the forum did not load with colors in nifskope which ment no transparencies would show. I looked through the tutorials at gimp.org and did not see anything on making alfas. How do you make an alfa for the png?

Burlington_Northern_3140 · Post by **Burlington_Northern_3140** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 11:10 pm

Oh sorry warll, I didn't see your post.

Burlington_Northern_3140 · Post by **Burlington_Northern_3140** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 11:30 pm

I have changed the white background on the WESTERN PACIFIC to a transparency.

Burlington_Northern_3140 · Post by **Burlington_Northern_3140** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 11:44 pm

when I try to create an alfa for the diff the the create new alfa chanel button is grayed out.

snoopy55 · Post by **snoopy55** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 11:47 pm

I just downloaded the files and clicked on the NIF file and it loaded fine. You need to right-click on the file, go down to 'Open with', click on 'Choose Program...' and select NifSkope. Be sure that 'Always use the selected.....' is checked. Then you need to click on the NIF or the KFM file to open them. NifSkope is funny in how it loads. If I open it then choose a NIF file, it will show a white image most of the time.

Here is some more assistance which I just found and plan to go thru myself......

http://forums.tutorialized.com/gimp-66/

http://www.talkaboutgraphics.com/group/ ... apps.gimp/

A quick way to get all or most of it in simple things like these decals is this:

Open DDS in GIMP

Go to Colors, Color to Alpha (near bottom)

If the 'From:' box is the color you want to change, click 'OK'

If not, move the box off of what you are working on and click on the colored box, move that one out of the way if needed and click on the eyedropper on the main GIMP screen. Then click on the eyedropper in the 'color to alpha' box. now click on the color you want to change to alpha. Click Ok, then click OK on the last box. Sometimes this does not remove all of the color chosen and you have to do Warlls little eraser trick.

Burlington_Northern_3140 · Post by **Burlington_Northern_3140** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 1:17 am

Here is the engine so far. Everything is complete except for the diff transparency and the number decal.

Burlington_Northern_3140 · Post by **Burlington_Northern_3140** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 3:46 am

I can't seem to create the transparency after about two hours of trying, even with the GP7 building block. What do you think might be happening? Have you ever had a re-occuring problem with creating an alfa that was a simple mistake? maybe I just forgot one small step.

snoopy55 · Post by **snoopy55** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 3:55 am

If the 'Alpha' is grayed out it means there is already one there. Take the eraser to it.

I'll look over your upload and let you know what I find......

OK, simple thing. Do the 'Color to Alpha' thing. If you have a problem, you can PM me a phone number and I'll walk you thru it if need be.

I did it and it came out fine.

But do the important thing and change the names of the files in and out of the NIFs and KFM......

Burlington_Northern_3140 · Post by **Burlington_Northern_3140** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 10:53 pm

I just created a back up of thee original png and added a alfa to the png still in the file succesfully, but all of the original color is gone and only the new color is left. How could I fix this?

Lowell · Post by **Lowell** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 11:46 pm

Burlington_Northern_3140 wrote:I can't seem to create the transparency after about two hours of trying.

I looked at your model and it looks fine. The numbers on the side might need to be a tad more bold as the orange background washes out the gold numbers...or change the numbers to black or white, maybe they might stand out more. But the model appears to look fine.

Some times as you work sections you may need to merge the visable layers before you paint anouther layer on top of anouther...maybe you just needed to save the work, then move on to the next edit...just a guess.

Looks good...let me know if you need any help and I can look at it and see what you need next if you like.

snoopy55 · Post by **snoopy55** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 1:05 am

Burlington_Northern_3140 wrote:I just created a back up of thee original png and added a alfa to the png still in the file succesfully, but all of the original color is gone and only the new color is left. How could I fix this?

Are you looking at it with NifSkope or just opening the PNG file? What you see is not always what you get....

Burlington_Northern_3140 · Post by **Burlington_Northern_3140** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 10:07 pm

I am looking in nifskope.

snoopy55 · Post by **snoopy55** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 10:58 pm

Try putting the original side decal on the engine and see what that looks like. Also, either post a screen shot or a zip of the file you're having trouble with.

Burlington_Northern_3140 · Post by **Burlington_Northern_3140** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 12:28 am

I don't have the original decal and I just put the backup of the original paint back, but here is the file.