Greetings all!

I am rather new to modding, so I would appreciate it if anyone can answer the following questions:

1. I'm trying to use GIMP for skinning, however I can't seem to access the sourceforge.net d/l page for GTK+ runtime environment 2.6.8 needed to install GIMP (Link). (http://www.download.com/GTK-Runtime-Environment/3000-2192_4-10418753.html) Is that the latest version? And are there (free) alternatives to GIMP that I can use?

2. What can I use to extract models so I can see how skins look on them? I'm having trouble making textures cos I don't know which part of the texture corresponds to which part of the anatomy.

3. Why do some mods come packed with model files when those are already in-game? For example, there are several armour mods that have xxx.mdl and .mdl files, but these look exactly the same as the PMBxx models in-game. Is this a quirk of the mod author, or just common practice?

4. Is it just me or does Malak not have any weapon flourish sound effects in KoTOR1? What sound file should that be?

Thanks in advance!

Welcome on forum.
1. Use links from official page (http://gimp-win.sourceforge.net/stable.html)
2. Easy way is to load models in gmax and have a look on uvw map. Also have a look on those tutorials (http://www.lucasforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=595)
3. Some models are modifyed, other are brand new (custom lightsaber hilts) or just repalced original models with another to avoid problems with old saves game.

Thank you very much, oldflash! :) I'd like to take this opportunity to say that I find your mods to be of very high quality, and I enjoy using them very much.

For question #2, does that mean that if I do not have Gmax, I will have no choice but to "work in the dark"? *gasp*

So nobody can answer question #4? How come Malak's weapon flourish does not produce any sound fx for me? I sure hope it's not my files that are corrupted...

And... a new question! What exactly is a .txi file? I know it refers to the envmap textures used in-game, so that a skin will show the correct reflections. But how do I create / change / save a .txi file?

Help is much appreciated!

You need MDLops to extract the .mdl,and .mdx,alternatly you can also double click a .mdl file in Kotor Tool and it will convert the binary model to ascii which can be imported into gmax or 3dsmax with NWmax plug-in.

I've never noticed Malak not having any flourish sounds.

A .txi file is simply texture information for a skin so that the game will know what shaders and the like to use on the masked areas(Alpha channel) of your skin. the .txi file itself is simply a a text file. you can edit and create them with notepad. When you save the file either save it as myfile.txi or as a .txt and then rename it to .txi .

...For question #2, does that mean that if I do not have Gmax, I will have no choice but to "work in the dark"? *gasp*

Just a suggestion: take photoshop free tryout and put this plugin (http://nwvault.ign.com/fms/Download.php?id=19854) which allow you to import uvw map from ascii mdl direct on photoshop. Sometimes is not working but when it's work is doing verry good job and no need for gmax.

A .txi file is simply texture information for a skin so that the game will know what shaders and the like to use on the masked areas(Alpha channel) of your skin. the .txi file itself is simply a a text file. you can edit and create them with notepad. When you save the file either save it as myfile.txi or as a .txt and then rename it to .txi .

Ahh, that seems easy enough, thanks very much T7! You are another modder whose work fills my Override folder, and I am looking forward to your next weapon mod for K1!

Thanks for your suggestion as well, oldflash, although I'm not sure if I will get PS. I've been trying out GIMP and it's quite a nifty program. As practice, I've tried "blind" re-skinning of Malak, to make his armour look like Darth Vader's. I think the result isn't too bad, but other textures are going to require more work...

http://img356.imageshack.us/full.php?image=kotor0000a7at.jpg)

I'm attempting a mod that requires skins for N_DarthBand and PFBJ models, and I've got my work cut out for me. Does anyone have the skinmaps for those?