tga problem

ViPER · Post by **ViPER** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 11:22 am

i modified the flagtop tga, I changed it from gold to silver and cut in my tags and in doing so the black background edge mask appears on the model.

Is there something i can do to repair this?

Post by **jv_map** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 11:27 am

Hmm did you ruin the alpha channel?

ViPER · Post by **ViPER** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 5:28 pm

what's an alpha channel ? Can I fix it ?

Post by **jv_map** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 5:58 pm

An alpha channel is an additional channel that can be added to some image formats, for example tga. It is a fourth channel next to the normal red, green and blue channels. Whether or not it can be restored depends on what program you used to modify the texture. Photoshop doesn't save alpha channels unless you tick a checkbox in the save dialog. So if you still have the psd you're probably in the clear

ViPER · Post by **ViPER** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 9:15 pm

Thanks JV,

I use infranview 3.98 and found 2 options regarding alpha channel and tga.

Show alpha transparent color and

Apply Alpha blending effect between images

I checked both and did a test.

I pulled the original flagtop, installed it in my mod and viewed it as fine.

I then took it out, opened it and saved it. put it back and it was damaged.

maybe i need a different program for working with tga - i use infranview and paint. in my test, i opened it in infranview as a tga and saved it as a tga.

At0miC · Post by **At0miC** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 10:11 pm

You cant do this with paint. You need a more advanced program like photoshop or paint shop pro. With this, you can use the original alpha channel or you can make your own one. It's easy to explain how to do both, but first tell us if you got such a program. If not, I would love to do it for you mate.

ViPER · Post by **ViPER** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 10:40 pm

Thanks Atomic, I don't have those programs, but I want to be able to do this as I am getting into it. I just need the right tools first. When i get them ill get back to this.

"Give us the tools, and we will finish the Job!" Churchill

ViPER · Post by **ViPER** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 12:11 am

well, I have this thing by Arcsoft called PhotoStudio - I don't see anything in it regarding alpha channel - however.

I looked at the tga with it and where my infranview saw a black background - photoStudio sees a white background, or I can set it to checkerboard. It Also has layering capabilities and transparent background stuff.

will this work ?

hmmm when I use the photostudio saved image the edge is now white.... and not transparent. Either i am missing something or still need better tools. lol

EDIT** How about GIMP ? looks good?

http://www.thefreecountry.com/utilities ... ting.shtml

and check this out

http://www.shipbrook.com/jeff/skintut/index.html

bdbodger · Post by **bdbodger** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 5:25 am

gimp is good for a free program has a slight learning curve compared to something like photoshop but has lots of plugins and can probably do everything photoshop can .

ViPER · Post by **ViPER** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 6:05 am

If its free it works for me ! lol Ill take time to learn it. I was at least able to finish the job here. Im not exactley sure what I did..... but its done!

Thanks ALL.

Post by **jv_map** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 7:30 am

Looking neat

Ophisâ„¢ · Post by **Ophisâ„¢** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 12:45 pm

impressive