Cab ace files - newbie question

Hi,I figured I'd turn my hand to skinning a cab but am stumped - how do you convert a 1024 by 768 tga image into an ace file ?Everytime I've tried doing this with MakeAce it objects that it isn't a square texture ( e.g. 512 by 512 )?I've also tried doing this with Tga Tool 2 but it isn't saving the image out when exported, which makes me think I'm doing something boneheaded ?Apologies if this question has been asked before, I had a search through the forum but no luck.Cheers,M.

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RE: Cab ace files - newbie question, MartinW, Apr-19-03, 08:13 AM, (1) RE: Cab ace files - newbie question, Kip, Apr-19-03, 10:09 PM, (2) RE: Cab ace files - newbie question, wdq4587, Apr-19-03, 10:54 PM, (3) RE: Cab ace files - newbie question, Kip, Apr-20-03, 04:32 AM, (4) RE: Cab ace files - newbie question, wdq4587, Apr-20-03, 08:48 AM, (5) RE: Cab ace files - newbie question, Kip, Apr-20-03, 03:00 PM, (6) RE: Cab ace files - newbie question, wdq4587, Apr-20-03, 09:24 PM, (7) RE: Cab ace files - newbie question, wdq4587, Apr-22-03, 09:03 PM, (8) RE: Cab ace files - newbie question, Mudpup, Apr-24-03, 08:12 AM, (9)

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You need at least the second version of MakeAce in order to create ACE files that are non-square.
The original MakeAce that came with TS will only do square textures up to 512x512. The later versions (one released as a tools update and the most recent as part of the Patch) will handle things like 1024x768.TgaTool2 uses your MakeAce to export ACE files so unless you have one of the newer versions installed (and the same version selected in the TgaTool2 options) you won`t get a successful export with non-standard size images.

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This is using Photoshop6
Try this...Take the 1024x768 image and expand the canvas to 1024x1024 so that the new extra canvas is below the cab picture. Now you should have a "empty" block under the cabview. The image itself is still 1024x768. Select this new area with a selection tool and painted black. Keeping it selected, save selection by adding it to the alpha channel. Save the image, usually in 32bit TGA. Now using TGATOOLS2, click on the box below and for width type in 1024 and height 768. Process it and you're done. You'll have a 1024x768 32bit cab view ace file. If you don't understand ...sorry. I only know photoshop.Kip

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>Try this...Take the 1024x768 image and expand the canvas to
>1024x1024 ....No! No! No!
Don't change cabview .ace resolution!You need upgrade to MSTS 1.2 or 1.1.
I am using MakeAceWin to convert.
Choose "Use ZLib compression" and
"Create bitmap (for cab backgrounds and controls)"
That's enough.Normally I am only using TGATool2 convert .ace to .tga.
For 512 and below normal convert, I am using TView to convert it to DXT1 ace format.
TView is made by same author of TGATools, and give good picture quality on DXT1 compress than makeace.For all other 1024 or alpha or trans, I am using MakeAceWin convert.I guess the no compress or lose-less compressed ace files will re-compress when load inoto video card memory as texture. (In my video card I found it's quality is bad than DXT1 compressed texture). So you'd better compress it first. Even DXT1 are not good than DXT5. And for same reason, avoid use Alpha channel. Avoid use 1024X1024 texture (For it can not be DXT1 compressed and Mip Level).

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Hmmm...we must do things different. Depending on ones' system 1024x1024 works fine. Granted...the ace files can be large. I use 1024x1024 image size for detail, however I do use smaller image sizes for "smaller" things.Kip

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>I use 1024x1024 image size for detail, Resize from 1024x768 to 1024x1024 can not give you more detail. Only reduce quality! On 1024x148 play mode, 1024x1024 can also not improve detail. If you use a large resoultion source resize to 1024x1024, on 1600x1200 play mode, I don't think 1024 vs 768 detail change can be noticed. Unless you have a 24" screen.

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I very much disagree. After I converted much of my stock from 512x512 to 1024x1024 resolution, there was a significant differance on how it was "presented" it within the sim. Lines, certain shapes were better defined as was "paint" shadows, better definition of lines on logo's, etc.Now...my answer before didn't really say 1024x1024 has better detail than 1024x768, I tried my best (and obviously failed) to explain how to "cut" a 1024x768 out of a 1024x1024. Changing a cab view from 1024x768 to 1024x1024 will definitly "skew" the image within the sim...that I do know. TGA2 likes square images to work from. I merely wanted to convey that if you have, let's say a 800x600 image, you cannot convert it right in TGA2, it will either be "stretched" or "lopped" off. If you take a 800x600 image and set (in PS for me) in a 1024x1024 (canvas size) image and save, now you have a 1024x1024 image size that has a 800x600 picture within it. Go into TGA2 and set the proper files (ACE, TGA, BMP,etc) then check the "Create bitmap" box and enter 800x600. TGA cuts the "unwanted" portion of the 1024x1024 image and leaves you with a 800x600 image ACE file. This is handy to know if you were to make splash screens and load maps for routes which use 800x600 images.
I think there has been an misunderstanding on what I meant just by reading your answer to the post. I apparently did not "explain" well enough. Though I believe (perhaps) our methods still ends with the same results.Kip

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>After I converted much of my stock from 512x512 to 1024x1024
>resolution, there was a significant differance on how it was
>"presented" it within the sim. Lines, certain shapes were
>better defined as was "paint" shadows, better definition of
>lines on logo's, etc. I also notice that. It seems video card are not perfect. Because they don't make bicubic resize at real time. But for it's cost. I suspect it should be. The best way is you do it at 1024 resolution first. >Now...my answer before didn't really say 1024x1024 has
>better detail than 1024x768, I tried my best (and obviously
>failed) to explain how to "cut" a 1024x768 out of a
>1024x1024. Changing a cab view from 1024x768 to 1024x1024
>will definitly "skew" the image within the sim...that I do
>know. TGA2 likes square images to work from. I merely wanted
>to convey that if you have, let's say a 800x600 image, you
>cannot convert it right in TGA2, it will either be
>"stretched" or "lopped" off. If you take a 800x600 image and
>set (in PS for me) in a 1024x1024 (canvas size) image and
>save, now you have a 1024x1024 image size that has a 800x600
>picture within it. Go into TGA2 and set the proper files
>(ACE, TGA, BMP,etc) then check the "Create bitmap" box and
>enter 800x600. TGA cuts the "unwanted" portion of the
>1024x1024 image and leaves you with a 800x600 image ACE
>file. This is handy to know if you were to make splash
>screens and load maps for routes which use 800x600 images.
>I think there has been an misunderstanding on what I meant
>just by reading your answer to the post. I apparently did
>not "explain" well enough. Though I believe (perhaps) our
>methods still ends with the same results. That's why I don't use TGATools to convert format.
Just use MakeaceWin, you will not have such problem.
Don't need resize or change canvas size for convert.

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I forgot somethings.If you sharp your texture, may be you will found you don't need resize from 512 to 1024 (In my test it give a good result). Such resize will take too many video card buffer and reduce FPS. If you are a 3D modeler. I think use more 512 texture files but avoid use 1024 texture is a better choice.

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Thanks guys.I got hold of the newer version of MakeAce and all worked just fine.
Cheers,
M.

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