LE A request for guidance/advice - Winter Roadmap for Skyrim

[UnmeiX]

I've seen this requested time and time again, and I think it's time I tried my hand at this. I know the -idea- of what I need to do here. What I want to know, is... Will my imagined method work?

 

Here's the idea. A Quality World Map - With Roads has been out for quite some time, and almost since it has, there's been the need for a world map to accomodate the -winter- climate overhauls. I use Climates of Tamriel with Seasons of Skyrim - Winter, so I'm in need of a new map, and I want roads. So that's the plan... A Quality Winter Map.. With roads.

 

If I can get the author's permission, I may be able to expedite this process considerably.. If the technique I have in mind -can- do the job.

 

So now the technique. What I'd like to -try- doing... Is loading the .DDS files of A Quality World Map in Photoshop, and selecting matching pixels from the blank high quality map textures used by the author*.. If these can be deleted, leaving a transparent texture containing -only- the roads that can then be laid over the winter map textures created with Oscape.. Creating our winter map, with the desired roads. Not only this, but releasing -only- the roads (if I can get ahold of scrivener for permission) would enable mod creators to easily generate new map files with Oscape and apply the roads, updating maps for other mods like Seasons of Skyrim - Summer or Immersive Settlements or the varied Winterhold Destruction mods. Even Helgen Reborn, once you've completed the quest, could have a map patch for -after- Helgen is rebuilt.

 

Does anyone see an issue with this idea? (I've never worked with DDS files in Photoshop before, but I'd imagine this is doable in this fashion, right?)

 

*These came from HQ3DMap. I know I'll need to credit them both, possibly needing permissions (though since I'll be creating new textures, I may only need to credit; I think AQWM's author would have made this long ago if he had an easy way.)

 

Thanks in advance, this will be my first mod if it pans out.

 

TL;DR? Can "select matching pixels" be used in Photoshop with DDS files? Also, can a DDS file (such as Skyrim map textures) be saved with transparent areas, to be pasted onto complete textures? Trying to create a winter map with roads.

 

Edit: After much playing in Photoshop with the landscape textures, I've copied the roads over to a winter map. Due to much waiting, no apparent interest and no response/permission from the authors, it will never see release.

Edited April 5, 2014 by UnmeiX