Cannot Reskin RSC F40PH

[Marleyman]

Just trying to open the textures and I get this:

fp40.jpg

RWtools and MWGraphics display that and RSBin tool just will not open the texture at all and gives an unhandled exception error, whatever that is.

I hope some clever person has a work around for this otherwise repaints are not happening on this model.

[artimrj]

Look in the ES44 thread right below this. We figured it out a few days, maybe a week ago. You have to edit the file in RW Tools by changing INTERP to EXPLIC, then convert it and edit it.

[Hawk]

Look in the ES44 thread right below this. We figured it out a few days, maybe a week ago. You have to edit the file in RW Tools by changing INTERP to EXPLIC, then convert it and edit it.

Start with this post on page 12 of the thread Bob mentioned.

viewtopic.php?p=70898#p70898

[Marleyman]

Good catch clever dudes! Still can't skin it because it is a 'jigsaw' but I can at least work on it now.

Thanks.

[BNSF650]

I wonder why they are making all the new models like this?

[Bananarama]

My guess is to save space by compressing the texture to its limits.

[Marleyman]

Compression still has to be uncompressed by the game and that used CPU power, seems counter productive to me.

[BNSF650]

So none of the new models we cant repaint?

[buzz456]

I would think that all you have to do is find a way to decompress them

How bout this?
When you open the TgPCDX file of interest with RW_tools you see this in the 12th line from the top:
<Format d:type="cDeltaString">HC_IMAGE_FORMAT_COMPRESSED_INTERP_ALPHA</Format>
Change it to read this:
<Format d:type="cDeltaString">HC_IMAGE_FORMAT_COMPRESSED_EXPL_ALPHA</Format>
Then convert TgPCDX to .dds, you'll see it works!

[hermit9153]

It works as advertised, here's proof!

[imnew]

Great job " cracking the code " guys ! Now unleash the repaint gurus at these puppies. !

[Marleyman]

don't hold your breath for the reskins, the maps are like jigsaws and getting even a straight line to match up across the whole side of the Loco is a challenge.

Here is an map, just for a laugh I think there are 16 of those panels that I have numbered that need to be painted and matched individually....

f40.JPG

And the way the texture (look at the yellow and pink) for the side of the Loco is like 'teeth' will mean keeping straight lines is not easy. I have no idea where the Silver below the yellow is yet.

[hermit9153]

Not easy indeed, but not impossible! I've had these 'issues' many times with MS FSX repaints. In one particular case a tiny part on a texture sheet even needed to be mirrored and flipped!
My way, make a load (like in lots) of 100 x 100 pixel checkerboards where each checker is 5x5 pixels. They should each have a differnt color combination (see example) You then paste these (different colors for each) on parts you cannot identify on the texture sheet to see in a RW4 screenshot where they end up. A long process but once it's done it's done... The guys at RSC have to get up real early to keep me from obtaining what I want and I want those new locos repainted!

[Derek]

It certainly was not done to prevent any repainting. It was just the way the artist worked.

regards

Derek

[artimrj]

It certainly was not done to prevent any repainting. It was just the way the artist worked.

regards

Derek

Actually that explains it very well Derek. Not many could do anything with my work on my day job as I have my own techniques for carving granite. Only ones who can immitate are the ones I taught. Every artist does things different or their way.