Need Help retexturing a .dds file with transparency layers

[Deleted53139156User]

Ok so I'm pretty sure the issue is the _n .dds texture... looks freaking inverted to what I am used to seeing. No idea how the base recolor doesn't have streaks but it definitely has the hard edges in the same places.

 

There are two ways I know of to fix this without trying to fix the _n.dds file.

 

1.) Open the original hair color

2.) recolor it how you wish, then add a new layer under it make it a solid color similar to your hair recolor example wine is 722F37 hex.

3.) Merge it down to a single layer.

4.) Export as BC2/DXT3 and tell it to generate mip maps.

This won't look as good in places though where the strands are trying to be emulated through alpha.

 

Or the likely better way apply a slight guassian blur after you recolor it.

Filters > Blur > Guassian Blur > 1.5 Size X and Y values. (You could try others if you wanted) Then export as BC2/DXT3 and tell it to generate mip maps.

 

Those are both hatchet fixes as I am not texture artist but the second one had no streaks in nifskope when I tested and still had strands somewhat.

Edited March 30, 2019 by Guest

[wildgravity]

yeah, this is the strangest texture file I have ever worked with, and Ive never dealt with anything like this in recoloring textures, I have gotten it to work before, even in this session of working with the texture, but I cant remember what I did, and I couldnt make the changes stick. I seem to have a memory of pssibly applying a layer mask and merging the layers but even that doesnt seem right. I'll work with what youve suggested here and follow up if i eventually have success. Thank you for looking at the files for me.

[wildgravity]

Ok so I'm pretty sure the issue is the _n .dds texture... looks freaking inverted to what I am used to seeing. No idea how the base recolor doesn't have streaks but it definitely has the hard edges in the same places.

 

There are two ways I know of to fix this without trying to fix the _n.dds file.

 

1.) Open the original hair color

2.) recolor it how you wish, then add a new layer under it make it a solid color similar to your hair recolor example wine is 722F37 hex.

3.) Merge it down to a single layer.

4.) Export as BC2/DXT3 and tell it to generate mip maps.

This won't look as good in places though where the strands are trying to be emulated through alpha.

 

Or the likely better way apply a slight guassian blur after you recolor it.

Filters > Blur > Guassian Blur > 1.5 Size X and Y values. (You could try others if you wanted) Then export as BC2/DXT3 and tell it to generate mip maps.

 

Those are both hatchet fixes as I am not texture artist but the second one had no streaks in nifskope when I tested and still had strands somewhat.

Okay so I am very excited to follow up with you because I tried your hatchet fix

1) Opened the .dds file in gimp

2.) recolored it how I wanted

3.) created new Bottom layer, colored it a dark shade of my chosen color

4.) merged those bad boys into one texture,

5.) Then export as BC2/DXT3 and tell it to generate mip maps.

 

No more white streaks. I havent looked at it in game or in the geck yet but this is certainly taken me into a promising direction, and I couldnt have done it without your patience and support. Than you so much!

[wildgravity]

!!!OMG I FIGURED IT OUT!!!!

I figured out how to maintain the transparency of the texture after exporting the file!! NO hard edges!! just after I had success with your hatchet fix. I created a new layer, one that was transparent, RATHER then one that had solid color, and i merged them together like I had before. That rendered the the transparency e f f e c t i v e. It had some initial glossiness that looked like plastic (probably that wonky _n.dds file.) so in nifskope i replaced one of my _n.dds files with the _s.dds file. NO MORE GLOSSINESS

Im weeping.

this means so much. If theres ever anyway i can return the favor, just let me know!!