Alpha maps

[t0mm06]

Hi, quick question, what do i have to save the dds files to get the alpha maps to work, i've pretty much change the iron armour alpha to white and its no more shinny, i've tried changing the alpha in the _n files and making a _em file that some things have. none of this is working, and then i see that with the dds photshop plug in you can change how you save it (no alpha, 1 bit alpha, explicit alpha, interpolated alpha ect) and none of them seem to work. any help?/ am i just being thick?

[MonsterMonkey]

DXT5 interpolated alpha for the base texture (.dds) same compression for the environment map, clear zone will shine, dark zone won't, what i do is that i desaturate the base texture also called "color map" and i paint darker wich i dant want to reflect and then i save it and add the "m" before the extension .dds. (m.dds)

 

DXT3 explicit alpha for the Normal map, notice that original normals from "Texture.bsa" have been made from the 3d model if you try to make your normal from the base texture with the filter "normal map" in photoshop you 'll see that it is flat, what i do is that i copy and paste it over the original normal map (the one from the bsa) it makes a new layer.

Then i use (for this new layer) the blending option "overlay" you will see it mix it with the background but you have still your layer and background.

After that i'm free to erase what i dont want to appear from the normal map layer i made, then flatten and save (n.dds)

 

That works for me.

 

I know you didn't ask for all this tips but i like to share, hope it helps

[Simomax]

Have a look at this, it may help: http://www.skyrimnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=4092