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newbie question, how to shine textures?

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 WindraSkywalker
01-15-2009, 2:07 AM
#1
Hi everyone I'm really sorry for the stupid question but I can't get my armored robes to be shiny, i've tried using the alpha channels in photoshop but it won't work:confused:,, does it involve using txi files? i don't have a clue...maybe i did something wrong...

please any help would be appreciated, thanks alot!
 DarthParametric
01-15-2009, 4:10 AM
#2
You've only done the first step. The texture's alpha channel just makes the non-white areas transparent (the level of transparency is dictated by the shade of grey - white being fully opaque, black being fully transparent). In order to get "shininess" you need an environment map. This is what shows through the transparency. In order to use one, make a text file with the same name as the texture but with the extension TXI. Edit the file in Notepad/Wordpad and add the line

envmaptexture CM_baremetal

and save it. Put it the Override folder alongside the texture/s. There are several environment maps, but CM_baremetal is probably the one most commonly used.
 LeatherValkyrie
01-15-2009, 4:56 PM
#3
You've only done the first step. The texture's alpha channel just makes the non-white areas transparent (the level of transparency is dictated by the shade of grey - white being fully opaque, black being fully transparent). In order to get "shininess" you need an environment map. This is what shows through the transparency. In order to use one, make a text file with the same name as the texture but with the extension TXI. Edit the file in Notepad/Wordpad and add the line

envmaptexture CM_baremetal

and save it. Put it the Override folder alongside the texture/s. There are several environment maps, but CM_baremetal is probably the one most commonly used.

Thank you! This answers my questions about the patterned robe mod... I'm gonna try this so my robes are no longer transparent. :D
 LeatherValkyrie
01-15-2009, 5:10 PM
#4
Damn it. Nothing. The robes are still transparent.
 WindraSkywalker
01-15-2009, 10:19 PM
#5
Thanks alot darth parametric it works! here's the screenshot, but i wonder why the 'shine' effects look horrible in the dark?


http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/277/screenie2qu3.th.jpg)
 LeatherValkyrie
01-15-2009, 10:45 PM
#6
Thanks alot darth parametric it works! here's the screenshot, but i wonder why the 'shine' effects look horrible in the dark?


http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/277/screenie2qu3.th.jpg)

I don't think your thumbnail pic is working... Can't enlarge when clicking on.

The shine effect in the dark? Well... doesn't there have to be a light source for an object to reflect the light?
 DarthParametric
01-16-2009, 1:54 AM
#7
I don't think your thumbnail pic is working... Can't enlarge when clicking on.Here's the link to the larger image - http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/277/screenie2qu3.jpg) - but it's still a little small to make much out.

The shine effect in the dark? Well... doesn't there have to be a light source for an object to reflect the light?Hard to tell much given the image size and the lighting. I know from personal experience that environment map effects tend to show up poorly in screenshots. Still, looks to me like you need to up the opacity of your alpha layer a tad if you are going for a metal effect.
 WindraSkywalker
01-16-2009, 9:03 PM
#8
Well I lowered the opacity on purpose so it wouldn't be too shiny and the textures would be more visible. It looks ok in game but yeah it doesn't show in screenshots.

here's a bigger screen, sorry for the small one

[img=http://img398.imageshack.us/img398/6577/28888719fn4.th.jpg]) (http://img398.imageshack.us/my.php?image=28888719fn4.jpg)
 darth-me
02-03-2009, 1:58 PM
#9
Hi.
Does anyone have any idea what I would put in a .txi file to make hair "glossy", or if this is even a sensible idea? thanks.
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