Railworks America

I am having trouble using Paint Shop Pro 7 for repaints that contain an alpha channel. As per instructions, I've installed the DDS utilities and can create tga files with alpha channels, but not DDS files. I use DXTBmp to edit DXT1 files with a single alpha, but it won't work with DXT3. I've tried a number of potential solutions from the internet, but no success.

Do any of you use PSP7 with DXT3 files? If so, would you be willing to help me get on the "right track?" I've done a number of repaints for Railworks and would like to do some with alpha, but I'm stuck. Thanks in advance for your help.

Another question, do any of you use the latest version of PSP? If so, does it handle DXT3 files?

Merry Christmas,
Harry

Harry
Is it worth you trying the trial version of PaintShop Pro X4 Ultimate? http://www.corel.com/corel/product/inde ... ageCode=en Full version and works for 30 days!
I used to use both PSP and & Photoshop and I know at one stage I used to save the PSP file (easier to work with) as a .psd file (photoshop) and then somehow convert that to DXT3 like this: http://wiki.tesnexus.com/index.php/Cust ... t_Shop_Pro. I have stopped using PSP for a couple of years I think my last version was X2 and that was a quantum leap over ver 7.
Sorry if this is no help to you.
PeterH

I use PSP7 all the time and have used it for years. I don't think your problem is psp but your DXTbmp. Do you have the latest version? Version # 4.00.96? You should be able to open and save the files as DXT1, DXT3, DXT5 32 bit 555, 888 etc. with or without alpha. Have you tried the save as option?

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the responses. I did download and try out the latest version of PSP. It is pretty different from PSP7. I also upgraded my DXTBmp and DLL files to the latest version. Good news, now it handles the DXT3 files better, but it still does not help me edit alpha channels.

I have edited and used new roadnames for Michael Stephan's passenger cars, but am unable to edit and save the road names from Dick Cowan. Although the edits look correct in DXTBmp, they save as solid color panels with no lettering. Still working on that project.

I can also edit freight cars and plan to redo some of my pre-TSX models. Thanks for your help.

Harry

Harry
I guess that you have seen this: http://ofp.toadlife.net/downloads/tutor ... s_psp.html
pH

I've seen that tutorial, but I've been leaving out the last step, "Restoring the Background." Will give that another try. What do you use to convert the TGA back to DDS? I presume you can convert the DDS back to TGPCX with RW Tools.

Harry

Harry
I've been using the photoshop method but I only have mixed success - still in "L" mode.
pH

DXTBmp will work with dds or tga. Again use your "save as" function and open with.