problem creating spell effect dds for display on target actor

[JediStudley]

I'm adding a dds texture for a spell effect and have a problem where the graphic displays in the head area as planned, but it's then repeated elsewhere on the body.

 

when i use a 512x512 with colors and color to alpha used with transparencies, the image is displayed as planned AND on the hand and leg as well (all on same side)

when I turn it to black and white (shades of grey), the image is displayed as planned AND on the right hand (not on leg anymore).

 

What am I missing? I'd like to use color, but I don't think that's the problem.

 

As a quick local test, I dropped my graphic into the same name location as a similar graphic used by better vampires. Is there something in the object besides the file name? BV by the way does not display any graphic on the hand or leg when run with the DDS it comes with.

 

I appreciate any help as I'm new to this aspect of modding and I'm using this to learn more about it.

 

BTW: I'm saving the file as 32bit color, 512x512 size, using transparency and color to alpha (picked skin tones as alpha)

 

Thanks!

[JediStudley]

I've done a bit of digging and think these are the solutions:

 

1) the test case in BetterVampires. BV uses a spell effect to apply the visible 'marks' defined in a dds. It also has the same problem, but is less noticeable because of the graphic size and placement.

 

2) the use of spell effects, *I suspect* is applied to the entire actor...that is head and body meshes. which is why it is repeated on head mesh once and a couple of times on the body.

 

3) the more proper way to handle something like this is to use an approach similar to actor scars. this means a nif, dds, and (I believe) mapping with tri. I'm just starting with making models.

 

4) the 512x512 vs. the 2048x2048 sizes do not matter. the smaller size is better because, it looks close enough and is smaller :-)

 

5) the use of color was not an issue, it just made it more noticeable.

 

some useful resources I've found that were informative:

 

https://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/357286119114614234/

"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbeg5MevJL0" (I had to put quotes around it or the entire video was inserted here)

Edited December 30, 2018 by JediStudley

[JediStudley]

BV is not using spells for the visual effect but is using an effect shader directly. I believe it will work just like the spell approach.