** Tutorial ** - Texturing models in milkshape

    Well, If we are going to texture a model with &quot;native freelancer&quot; textures we have first to extract them... before we can use or modify them. This has been done before in other tutorials but I will go over it here. You will need the UTF editor, (its in the downloads section if you dont have it), and a compatible graphics program - I use photoshop7 - plus, and I strongly recommend this - a very good tutorial called: ´Kasdias Texture Guide´ that provides the necessary plug-ins for photoshop 7 ....... and gives you a step by step process for it..... also in the downloads section.... The plug-ins are very important..... For some reason - and I dont know why - all the freelancer .mat files files I have found so far list textures as .tga but they are in fact .dds so they need to be saved as .dds, then opened with photoshop7 (or any graphics program that supports .tga and dds formats). Open a new file in photoshop 7: 512 x 512 or 256 x 256 - then open and select the largest square in the .dds file, then copy and paste into the new file and save as tga. Some of the freelancer files are only 128 x 128 but when you paste ps7 will literally show you if your new file is the wrong size. For instance the textures used in the above model are: Grille02 - Bretonian 256 x 256 Pipes1 - Bretonian 256 x 256 Kusari1b - modified Kusari 256 x 256 Brglass1 - sampled Kusari canopy colour 128 x 128 Weaponplate2 - freelancer general equipment texture 128 x 128 Wraith3 - modified Kusari with added layers 512 x 512 Wraith3-1 - modified layered Kusari (wraith3) 512 x 512 I prefer to use larger textures for larger area´s and vice versa... one thing you can do is do all your textures larger, then reduce them in size once you have decided how they look, so your mat file is smaller... This seems to work better for individual files rather than a single composite file. One advantage I find is that if a single texture is NOT right or not done correctly then only the section textured in that texture is missing in game rather than the whole thing, making the job of tracking a fault much easier. following are pictures of the tex´s in ps7 i´ll be back later to apply them.. <img src=´http://members.optusnet.com.au/~audioele/mypic82.JPG ´> <img src=´http://members.optusnet.com.au/~audioele/mypic83.JPG ´> <img src=´http://members.optusnet.com.au/~audioele/mypic84.JPG ´> Back soon. Harrier. <img src=´http://members.optusnet.com.au/~audioele/mypic76.jpg ´> Retreat[![! ---- I´m too badly messed up now[![!

    [img=http://members.optusnet.com.au/~audioele/mypic121.jpg] Retreat[!][!] ---- I`m too badly messed up now[!][!]

    sodrak, Thanks for finding that .... the above link is to Kasdias Texture Guide. I guess I could have looked... but was in a hurry....... Hope to be back later to add some more..... also I may edit the header to include links to the models I uploded plus a link to the texture guide..... thanx again sodrak.... I appreciate your efforts Harrier <img src=´http://members.optusnet.com.au/~audioele/mypic76.jpg ´> Retreat[![! ---- I´m too badly messed up now[![!

    [img=http://members.optusnet.com.au/~audioele/mypic121.jpg] Retreat[!][!] ---- I`m too badly messed up now[!][!]

    i dont know if this has been asked in this thread on page 2 (i only had time to skim pgs. 1 and 3), but where can i get milkshape? my understanding is that the trial version is free for 30 days, but i cant remember where i saw a download link. could someone please help me out? i like the tutorial. oh, and how do i add smiley´s? html coding? what? -Stupidity breeds Stupidity- -One by one, the penguins are stealing my sanity-

    -Stupidity breeds Stupidity- -One by one, the penguins are stealing my sanity-

    Welcome Harrier. Have you seen the icon library I´m putting together? Check it out-<A href=´http://www.lancersreactor.org/t/forum/topic.asp?topic_id=25450&amp;forum_id=18&amp;Topic_Title=Ship+Icons+available+to+view&amp;forum_title=Freelancer+General+Editing+Forum&amp;cat_title=Freelancer+Editing&amp;M=False´ Target=_Blank>Here</a> and these are the ones that don´t have icon available -<A href=´http://www.lancersreactor.org/t/forum/topic.asp?topic_id=25493&amp;forum_id=18&amp;Topic_Title=Ships+Listed+Do+Not+have+Icon+available&amp;forum_title=Freelancer+General+Editing+Forum&amp;cat_title=Freelancer+Editing&amp;M=False´ Target=_Blank>Here</a> Voucher try - <A href=´http://www.swissquake.ch/chumbalum-soft/ms3d/download.html´ Target=_Blank>Here for Milkshape</a>

    thanks. im downloading now. -Stupidity breeds Stupidity- -One by one, the penguins are stealing my sanity-

    -Stupidity breeds Stupidity- -One by one, the penguins are stealing my sanity-

    sodrak, great stuff..... very good work. Any chance you could do some for our (epsilon mod) ship pack? I was simply going to use the standard freelancer icons but you have intrigued me with your collection.... I will provide any files you need and naturally give you credit..... Harrier. <img src=´http://members.optusnet.com.au/~audioele/mypic76.jpg ´> Retreat[![! ---- I´m too badly messed up now[![! Edited by - Harrier on 25-10-2003 04:30:57

    [img=http://members.optusnet.com.au/~audioele/mypic121.jpg] Retreat[!][!] ---- I`m too badly messed up now[!][!]

    Sorry I havent done anything on this for a while - but I have been a little busy on the mod and ship pack.... pack almost ready, mod getting there. Will be back soon.... Harrier <img src=´http://members.optusnet.com.au/~audioele/mypic76.jpg ´> Retreat[![! ---- I´m too badly messed up now[![!

    [img=http://members.optusnet.com.au/~audioele/mypic121.jpg] Retreat[!][!] ---- I`m too badly messed up now[!][!]

    hello all, I have finished and uploaded the ship pack should be available soon provided there are no problems. I have edited the title of this thread ...... so that if there are any questions on mats and textures ... I can try to answer them as best I can... There has been none posted for some time... so I guess everyone has it down pat. If there is a requirement on creating or editing mat files or textures I will do a detailed tutorial in this thread. <img src=smilies/icon_smile.gif width=15 height=15 border=0 align=middle> Harrier <img src=´http://members.optusnet.com.au/~audioele/mypic76.jpg ´> Retreat[![! ---- I´m too badly messed up now[![!

    [img=http://members.optusnet.com.au/~audioele/mypic121.jpg] Retreat[!][!] ---- I`m too badly messed up now[!][!]

    Imagine, You are more than welcome.....many thanks... you may not remember but long ago .. (well a couple of months ago), you helped me. It´s nice to return the favour..... <img src=smilies/icon_smile_big.gif width=15 height=15 border=0 align=middle> Like you I check the post on a regular basis and I couldnt find it - lo and behold it´s been made a sticky .. thanx admins... much appreciated. <img src=smilies/icon_smile.gif width=15 height=15 border=0 align=middle> Harrier. <img src=´http://members.optusnet.com.au/~audioele/mypic76.jpg ´> Retreat[![! ---- I´m too badly messed up now[![!

    [img=http://members.optusnet.com.au/~audioele/mypic121.jpg] Retreat[!][!] ---- I`m too badly messed up now[!][!]

    I suggest using Lithium Unwrap - the best program for texturing out there... It is very simple and supports practicly every model format out there(3ds, lum, obj, ms3d...etc...) You basicly make a render of your ship looking at it from the top, left/right, botom, fron and back.(NOTE: if the ship is symetrical, then you need only half of it, since you can mirror the Uv mapping). Edit that Render in Photoshop and add detail.. Then the program will devide your model into views from sides(depending on which poly is best percived from which side, but will retain the ship´s shape!)so you can easily just drag&amp;drop(allso stretch and rotate..to fit) your model top view to your texture part showin the fighter from the top...etc... - Escfalowne Worshiper - Pasionate modder and modeler

    TrashMan of the HLP Forums -Escaflowne Worshiper -Pasionate modeler

    Got the ship mesh and everything. I could use a touch of help. Do i need to use photoshop to texture? i don´t have photoshop nor could i buy it at this point. Is there a way to create the mat file using only the UTF editor and milkshaper? i textured the ship in milkshaper and renamed a .mat file from the ghost and threw it in the ship folder, everything works except when i use the external view i just see a mass of weapons...the ship doesnt show up, its rather invisable. Basicly i just want to end up seeing my ship, even with a black texture, though i need a alternate route then photoshop

    Harrier, i´m new at texturing, read through your guide, but is there a way i can reach you in email? i have a couple questions, and would love to know if you can help. i seem to be stuck bad with a texture problem in Milkshape (textures not showing up, just the texture´s base color...) so if you would, please email me at damm_yankee@hotmail.com Thanks! and thanks for the great tutorial! Baene

    Firewing, That looks liKe a really interesting program... Where do you get it..? <img src=smilies/icon_smile_tongue.gif width=15 height=15 border=0 align=middle> <img src=smilies/icon_smile_big.gif width=15 height=15 border=0 align=middle>.. I looked at the link and read the tutorial now I´d like to know more.. Shade, You can use any program that allows you to save in tga or dds.. you could even do them in any paint program and with a good converter.. make the texes you want... remember to invert all .tga textures on your model so they display correctly... Beane, I am happy to help.. drop me an email.... the addy in the profile will find me.. I Will be back with more later I have been very busy on the latest mod ... now back to modelling/modding.. <img src=smilies/icon_smile.gif width=15 height=15 border=0 align=middle> Harrier <img src=´http://members.optusnet.com.au/~audioele/mypic102.jpg ´> Retreat[![! ---- I´m too badly messed up now[![! Edited by - Harrier on 2/18/2004 9:19:57 PM

    [img=http://members.optusnet.com.au/~audioele/mypic121.jpg] Retreat[!][!] ---- I`m too badly messed up now[!][!]