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tga problem
Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 11:22 am
by ViPER
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?

Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 11:27 am
by jv_map
Hmm did you ruin the alpha channel?

Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 5:28 pm
by ViPER

what's an alpha channel ? Can I fix it ?
Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 5:58 pm
by jv_map
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

Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 9:15 pm
by ViPER
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.
Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 10:11 pm
by At0miC
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.
Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 10:40 pm
by ViPER
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
Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 12:11 am
by ViPER
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
Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 5:25 am
by bdbodger
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 .
Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 6:05 am
by ViPER
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.

Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 7:30 am
by jv_map
Looking neat

Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 12:45 pm
by Ophisâ„¢
impressive