babinski Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 (edited) I'm trying to learn how to retexture armors in skyrim using photoshop. I've notived that most mods uploaded have three texture files. for example, helmet.dds helmet_m.dds and helmet_n.dds. what are these files and how do i create them. most tutorials i've read about retexturing only involved one dds file. I don't know which one to edit and what to do with the other two. and if i plan to create a new item, how do i make these three dds files from one design? please help! Edited February 5, 2012 by babinski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghosu Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 (edited) http://666kb.com/i/c0zr4c2p9um8p89vj.jpg .dds = Texture itself, the skin - this is the image you have to edit. _n.dds = normal map, responsible for the 3D effect including details...you have to download the nvidia DDS plugin for GIMP or Photoshop to save/edit dds files and create the normal map: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxFaT5gviy4 http://developer.nvidia.com/nvidia-texture-tools-adobe-photoshop http://code.google.com/p/gimp-normalmap/downloads/detail?name=gimp-normalmap-win32-1.2.2.zip _m.dds = specular map, responsible for light reaction/reflection. In fact it's just a greyscale image of your dds, dark areas = less reflection/dark, white areas = more reflection/bright. Can be done in image editor as well, just desaturate it and brighten/darken the areas as you wish. In Photoshop the leveling option (CTRL+L) works fine as well. There are ways to create the maps in Autodesk software like Mudbox or zBrush - but very expensive stuff, there are tools available as well like Crazybump. But the Gimp/Photoshop version works fine for beginners if you take your time. That was the topic of my last tutorial BUT it is in german ^^ greetings Edited February 5, 2012 by ghosu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babinski Posted February 6, 2012 Author Share Posted February 6, 2012 great, this is exactly what i need. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghogiel Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 (edited) _m.dds = specular map, Except it's not. It's an environment mask map, it masks the effect of the environment map. It'll have zero effect if you aren't using the environment map shader. kinda rough idea how how the _m map affects things http://forums.nexusmods.com/index.php?/topic/457148-graphics-modding/page__view__findpost__p__3936796 Specular maps are stored in the normal maps alpha channel. Edited February 6, 2012 by Ghogiel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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