Re-skining?

[trainzfourever]

Hi. I have tried to re-skin some roling stock and locomotives but when I save the files is says that I have to save it in a 2-D format I say O.K. and save them any way, and when I enter trainz and look at the locomotive it is the same as before. I think the program that I am using is to "dumb". (Microsoft Digital Image Photo Suite Anniversary Addition) If so can some one point me towards a free program. I know that if I look on the forum there are other questions like mine but I dont under stand them. So I think I need a "Re-skining For Idiots guide." I am running trs2006.


Thanks

 

[johnwhelan]

Try

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Trainz/Basic_Reskinning_for_beginners

Cheerio John

 

[Marrickville]

I found the best reskinning method is to clone the original so you don't have to worry about downloading it again if you stuff it up. Then open in explorer, find the image you want to re-skin, convert the tga. file to a .bmp file (i use Adobe Photoshop for this). Then I open the .bmp file in Paint, play around with it until i'm happy, and then once finished I just convert the file back to a .tga file and commit.

This doesn't work for all assets, but i've got at least 50 re-skins of Aussie content, and i've only been re-skinning for the last 8 months.

It takes a bit of time and lot of patience, but that seems to be the case with every aspect of Trainz!!!

!!! If you have reskinned someone else's asset, always ask the assets author for permission before trying to upload it to the DLS!!!

If anyone knows a better method for re-skinning TRS2006 content, i'd be happy hear!!!

 

[Bill69]

If you are using Photoshop why change the TGA file to a BMP? Photoshop will read and write TGA files.

Bill69

 

[Marrickville]

I use paint as I am still learning how to use photoshop, as i'm no computer whiz & I believe in the KISS method (Keep It Simple Stupid), and what's more simple than using Paint???

And i've had some great results with it too, re-skinned Natvander's NSW SFS cars, and the NSW CityRail Endeavour's into the new colour scheme. I'm considering getting permission to upload them too. I've only been a Trainz junkie for the last four years mind you, and this was my first time posting on the forum. Too busy downloading, route-building and driving myself insane!!!!:udrool:

 

[pfx]

Try using GIMP (it's free). I'm an idiot and I've managed to get to grips with it.

 

[PerRock]

paint.net is another free favorite around here.

For conversion from tga to bmp (apparently jpg works as well) use Irfranview.

peter

 

[airtime]

I found the best reskinning method is to clone the original so you don't have to worry about downloading it again if you stuff it up. Then open in explorer, find the image you want to re-skin, convert the tga. file to a .bmp file (i use Adobe Photoshop for this). Then I open the .bmp file in Paint, play around with it until i'm happy, and then once finished I just convert the file back to a .tga file and commit.

I totally agree with this method, I use Irfanview, and this way does work, but just remember to change the Kuid number of the item you have reskinned to say like your date of birth, for example todays date kuid:30042010:1, this then becomes a new item, while you keep your origional item intact and untouched,

also

you can add more reskinned items this way, just change the last number as follows...

Item 1 - kuid:30042010:1
Item 2 - kuid:30042010:2
Item 3 - kuid:30042010:3
Item 4 - kuid:30042010:4

if your kuid number matches someone elses, then do it this way...

Item 1 - kuid:30042010:30042010:1

Just add your date of birth twice, followed by the reskin number,

Hope this helps

Joe Airtime

 

[paulhobbs]

I totally agree with this method, I use Irfanview, and this way does work, but just remember to change the Kuid number of the item you have reskinned to say like your date of birth, for example todays date kuid:30042010:1, this then becomes a new item, while you keep your origional item intact and untouched,

Are you nuts? Why invent a kuid number when you've been allocated one? How the hell are you going to ensure it doesn't clash with something else?

Paul

 

[pfx]

Are you nuts? Why invent a kuid number when you've been allocated one? How the hell are you going to ensure it doesn't clash with something else?

Paul

I agree with you there Paul. I always work with the KUID that I'm given when I create a clone. Why change it?

Same as converting a tga to bmp and back again seems mad. By using GIMP, I open the files as a tga, edit the file and save the file as a tga, all in the one program. I will admit that I'm unfamiliar with other graphics programs but as this works for an eejit like me, I'll stick with it.

 

[tardis626]

I agree with Nick (sorry couldn't resist that (For those who don't understand it's a UK Election Joke/ Quote))

Seriously- I agree with Paul, why change the KUID when you can just use your own?

I am a big fan of Paint.NET, It does everything you want and is free.


Phil

 

[PerRock]

the only time I generate my own (not thru CMP) is when I'm making a bunch of variations of an item where I will then generate a KUID with CMP, and then just add 1 to the number of the next 'clone;' (ie change KUID:123:4567 to KUID:123:4568) however you still run the risk of using an already used KUID. I find its a bit faster when working with large amounts of stuff.

peter