How to edit texture?

[spinspider]

I know how to extract textures with toolset and all that but, is there a guide anywhere as to how to edit the texture files in a graphics program? I want to edit all the leather armors and add sleeves and pants, but I open up the texture files and it's just a big mess of... bits and pieces. How do I know what is what so I don't screw it up? :sad:

[spinspider]

Anyone? :sad:

[DarkeWolf]

You've now stumbled upon the reason why I haven't ever released any texture file mods. :rolleyes:

They're pretty much just a jumbled up mess, in most cases. :yucky:

 

Most of the textures are originally created by "painting" them onto the mesh, during creation. Then when exported, the 3d program turns them into a 2d "picture" type file.

I know that some of the more expensive 3d progs have the option for painting them directly on the mesh, but I dont know if Blender does or not. But if so, that would be your best bet. Loading it up in a 3d prog and then painting it directly onto the model.

 

Edit- I found a forum that had a post about some progs that can do this. http://www.blitzbasic.com/Community/posts.php?topic=40316

[spinspider]

THank you so much!!! :biggrin:

[spinspider]

But wait, how do I intall the blender? The instructions aren't very clear about this. What is a "working folder"? What does that mean? Where would that be located??

[DarkeWolf]

a working folder could have a couple of meanings. 1) It could be a folder on any available drive. 2) It could be a folder where your projects are stored. IE- a "job" or "projects" folder.

 

Now, I shoulda mentioned this before, but I'm really sorry.... I forgot. :sad:

You're probly gonna need to look up some tutorials for the 3d programs, in order to figure out how to use them to paint the textures and UV maps (if they dont already have them). And for blender, you're gonna need the blender script for importing the meshes in. Just go to the mods section and type in "blender" it'll come up :wink:

 

BTW- if you get the hang of this, I'll throw you a BIG fat congratulations and tell your BF to give you a big wet one, for the accomplishment :wink:

[spinspider]

:wub:

 

but wait, how do I extract the DA armour meshes with toolset? :sad:

[Firinneach]

Editing in blender or other software programs is not beginner easy.

 

If you're using blender I assume you've also downloaded the script by NewByPower which is needed to import/export dragon age mesh files into blender?

It can be found here:

http://social.bioware.com/project/899/

 

It's been so long for me I don't remember the steps to install it, but there is a walkthrough included I think (again, not necessarily beginner friendly).

 

Extracting mesh files from the toolset is the same as extracting texture files.

The file with the mesh files is usually found here on your computer:

computer--->program files (maybe program filesx86)-->dragon age-->packages--core-->data-->modelmeshdata

[spinspider]

Thank you!!!!!! yay :smile:

 

But in Blender, can the texture actually be edited in Blender? I know how to import it but how do you actually overlay the texture over the model?<br>

[Firinneach]

I'm sure there's a better way to do it, but here's the only method I know:

 

--When you have the mesh open in blender, go into edit mode so that you are looking at the vertices of the mesh.

 

--Select the vertices you want to assign to the texture file (either hold shift down and select one vertice at a time, or hit the "B" key twice to get a tool to select numerous vertices at once)

 

--Now we need to go to UV/Image editor. To get there first find the icon that looks like a tic tac toe board to the far left of your mid-screen toolbar (left of where you choose edit/sculpt mode, etc). When you click it you get a drop down menu, one of the options of which is UV/Image editor. Go there.

 

--Once there, select “image”, then “open” and find the texture file you want to use.

 

You should notice that whichever vertices you selected are now sitting on top of the texture file you opened.

 

--At this point you can move or resize the vertice around so they are sitting on top of the section of the texture file you want them to use.

 

--I talk a bit about how to resize/move them in this tutorial about thirteen steps down:

http://www.dragonagenexus.com/articles/article.php?id=42

 

By the way, all this is only needed if you want to add/subtract/edit the shape of a mesh (like adding sleeves). If at some point you decide all you want to do is reskin (re-colour) a texture file, then you don't have to worry about blender, or meshes or any of this other stuff.