Logo Basics

MrScott2007 · Post by **MrScott2007** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 2:40 pm

I was wondering if anybody could explain the basics of logo creation. I have many nice logos I created for RRT3, I'd like to do the same with Railroads!
I see there are 2 seperate files for each logo. What are these files for?

d53642 · Post by **d53642** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 2:42 pm

Logos are 128x128
they must be saved in dds format. If your logos are smaller than 128 just create a new image at 128x128. Stretching a small image can make it look crappy.

Daryl

MrScott2007 · Post by **MrScott2007** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 2:47 pm

Thanks,
I have a dds file converter and Paint shop pro, but before I start this project I'm wondering why there are 2 file for each logo.

Gackbeard · Post by **Gackbeard** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 1:47 am

MrScott2007 wrote:Thanks,
I have a dds file converter and Paint shop pro, but before I start this project I'm wondering why there are 2 file for each logo.

One file (the diffuse map or DIFF) contains the actual logo, the other (the specular map or SPEC) is essentially a grayscale version of the same logo that controls its specularity, or how shiny it is.

MrScott2007 · Post by **MrScott2007** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 2:01 am

Ah, I see. I guess where I'm getting lost at is the background. What has to be done to the logo so the background of the picture dosen't show on the train. I imagine that this is some pretty basic stuff for some people. For some reason it just not clicking for me!

Gackbeard · Post by **Gackbeard** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 2:06 am

MrScott2007 wrote:Ah, I see. I guess where I'm getting lost at is the background. What has to be done to the logo so the background of the picture dosen't show on the train. I imagine that this is some pretty basic stuff for some people. For some reason it just not clicking for me!

Okay, what you need to do there is create an alpha channel in your diffuse map. Alpha Channels are just a black and white layer of an image, that tells the graphics engine which parts of the image are transparent and which are opaque. Google "create alpha channel" and the name of your paint program (assuming you're using one that supports them) and you should find more detailed help.

rupertlittlebear · Post by **rupertlittlebear** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 3:46 am

PiratesFan wrote:Yeah we were still Cutlass Isle then and Wolf I have to agree that needs some polishing to say the least.

Maybe, but it remains the best tutorial I've seen on this topic.
Bisides the concepts are foreign to anybody who needs to read it.

MrScott2007 · Post by **MrScott2007** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 3:32 pm

Well after spending a day try to create alpha channels, I found that PSP8 will not save alpha channels no matter what file type I save them in. I must be doing something wrong but I don't know what!

Wolfwood · Post by **Wolfwood** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 4:27 pm

Hmm... Take another look at my guide above. Basically, you make two separate images - one is the main image and another is the alpha channel - and you save them as separate images and then combine them in the dxtbmp or other such program...

Personally, I never used the alpha channel creator tools in PSP - I merely edited the original picture and saved it separately and used it as the alpha channel.

MrScott2007 · Post by **MrScott2007** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 4:58 pm

I did read that, but for some reason I never tried it. Once my alpha channel burnout goes away, I'll give that a try!

Thanks!

MrScott2007 · Post by **MrScott2007** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 6:23 pm

Boy, I can't believe it...it worked the first time I tried it! Thanks Wolfwood. Sometime I feel sooo stupid!

MrScott2007 · Post by **MrScott2007** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 9:56 pm

I'm busting them out now. I'm working on eastern rr logos...So far I have Lehigh Valley, New York Central, Erie, Reading, Canadian National, Canadian Pacific, Pennsy and New York Ontario & Western. When I'm done I should have a pack of about 30.

eilelwen · Post by **eilelwen** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 2:41 am

you and me should combine our pack, I have about 44 or more in mine no reason to duplicate them

Brad · Post by **Brad** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 7:59 am

True that.

MrScott2007 · Post by **MrScott2007** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 5:19 pm

eilelwen wrote:you and me should combine our pack, I have about 44 or more in mine no reason to duplicate them

Yes, I'm trying not to make the same logos that are in your pack. (with few exceptions) The few that are duplicated are different color & size.