Re-paints with transparent windows?

If I have a trial version of PSP 8 and TGAtool2, can I re-skin or do a simple renumber of a loco with alpha channels and retain the transparent windows? If so, is there also a tutorial on this.Thank you
Pete

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RE: Re-paints with transparent windows?, dpabrams, Jun-24-03, 01:28 PM, (1) RE: Re-paints with transparent windows?, pwillard, Jun-24-03, 01:48 PM, (2) RE: Re-paints with transparent windows?, cyberjim, Jun-24-03, 01:51 PM, (3) RE: Re-paints with transparent windows?, dadbill, Jun-24-03, 02:46 PM, (4) RE: Re-paints with transparent windows?, dpabrams, Jun-24-03, 04:46 PM, (5) RE: Re-paints with transparent windows?, dpabrams, Jun-24-03, 05:04 PM, (6) RE: Re-paints with transparent windows?, cyberjim, Jun-24-03, 07:46 PM, (8) RE: Re-paints with transparent windows?, sooner, Jun-24-03, 06:05 PM, (7) RE: Re-paints with transparent windows?, dpabrams, Jun-24-03, 08:40 PM, (9) RE: Re-paints with transparent windows?, cyberjim, Jun-24-03, 09:04 PM, (10) RE: Re-paints with transparent windows?, sooner, Jun-25-03, 00:33 AM, (11) RE: Re-paints with transparent windows?, cyberjim, Jun-25-03, 00:44 AM, (12) RE: Re-paints with transparent windows?, CMO, Jun-25-03, 07:12 PM, (13)

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OK,
I can load an ACE into PSP8 to edit it. Essentially I clone a number and "re-number" the loco in PSP. Next I reload the edited loco back into TgaTool2 and the ACE shows the changes in TgaTool2. I then save the edited ACE. When I attempt to reload the edited ACE in TgaTool2, I get error messages "Access violation at address..........". Does it matter that the loco is a Dekosoft loco?Please HelpPete

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PSP seems to have a bug re: TGA files and Alpha Channels. Reported to me by HAWK who says JASC Software confirms it.

Pete Willard
http://www.trainsimstuff.com

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Well, your close to doing it Pete. when you reload from PSP whether its a Bitmap, TGA or an Alpha channel, don't save--instead--click export Ace no alpha if you have no alpha channel--or click Ace with alpha if you do have an alpha in the alpha window with the bitmap or tga in the main window. This works for me using any bitmaps or TGA's at 512x512 or smaller.
If you are using 1024x1024 textures, you have to use Makeacewin located in your main train simulator folder.the procedure for 1024's is load you bitmap or tga in TGAtool2, create an alpha, send to PSP, edit alpha for windows, import back to TGAtool2, save as a tga somewhere on your harddrive, open makeacewin, load tga in the source line 1, browse to target folder with the export line 2 and name the ace to correspond with the ace entry in your engine or car shape file, check 1bit alpha box if you have an alpha with the tga, check box that says create bitmap for cabview and controls, then check the 2 boxes below that and type in 1024 in both entry lines. That will clamp the output to 1024x024.
It took me a while to figure this all out, but once you get the hang of it and know the procedure or process, its pretty easy.
Hope this helps you out, Jim

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I'm not responding to dispute anyone's help, but I have found the problem with the TGATOOL method is you cannot edit the alpha channel. It sends the image to the paint program as a bmp while it (TGATOOL) holds onto the alpha. I only use this method for 'quick and dirtys'.
I simply use TGATOOL as a translater for completed TGA files to ace files, or ace files to tga where I can work on them in PSP. Once I create layers, I save them as psp files.
I use PSP7 exclusively for everything. I don't worry about saving anything in different formats. I perform a 'Save As Copy' as a TGA. To eliviate any errors, in the 'Save As Copy' box, select 'options', then select '24 bits', 'uncompressed', and you should have no problems.
I do use Makeacewin for 1024x1024 textures.
That's the method I use.

db
Ceeanoh Shops

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Bill and Jim,
I appreciate the input but this task seems daunting. It seems like a lot of trouble just for a re-number and some weathered effects.Do I have the right tools do do this? Or better yet can I acquire the skills? My goal is to simply take one locomotive, re-number it, weather it and make 2 or more locos, where once there was one. I can create all the new eng. files and folders etc., with ease but this repainting seems to a bitch. Do you suppose I could call one of you for a little turoring? Email if you can help.Thanks
Pete

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I can be reached at dpabrams123@attbi.com

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Pete, you got mail--Jim

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Until you're up to speed using more sophisticated tools, just use MS Paint if all you're looking to do is re-number: copy and re-name the .s, .sd and .eng files, open your .ace file with tgatool2, send to MS Paint, edit, save, export ... that's it. You can manufacture a bunch of different numbers from the ones that come with the car or loco: turn a 6 upside down to make a 9, flip and modify a 2 into a 5 or 7. An 8 is easy to make over into a 0 and vice versa. With just 1, 2 and 3, in minutes you can make 121, 122, 123, 131, 132, 133 ... a quick and dirty, poor man's method. As for weathering, copy and adapt the tricks the original skinner used, to give your renumber a little variety.

bud

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Bud,
I have done this numerous times with MS Paint. The problem is the transparency of the windows is lost.Pete

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Hey Pete, Here's the simple way for 512x512 textures and smaller.
1.Load your ace you want to repaint or change numbers on in TGAtool2
2.click export as Bitmap No Alpha to a folder of your choice.
3.Do your number change or repaint with PSP or whatever you have
4.Save your work in the bitmap
5.Reload original ace file in TGAtool2--from step 1
6.Click image and select send alpha to editor
7.Minimize editor to the taskbar
8.Use tgatool2 to load your bitmap of your rnumber or repaint.
9.Below empty alpha window-click create alpha channel
10.Maximize your image editor and click file, save and minimize again to taskbar
11. click image in TGAtool2 and select reload alpha from editor
12. Now click export ace with alpha and name your file and point it to your engine or car folder in the trainset folder.
And that should do it.
Make sure you have option window on right side under alpha window set to standard makeace and check the box for file compression. Comprssing the ace files will save a bunch of hard drive space.
this procedure covers file bitmap and tga file sizes of 512x512 and smaller. If you need any further help, just PM me and I'll help you out again, Jim

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I think I know what you're talking about - .ace files that have an alpha channel that loads alongside them in tgatool2? On these, are you saving and exporting the alpha channel separately after you've edited, saved and exported the .ace file?

bud

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Sooner, I bwelieve he's trying to export a 1024 ace which tgatool2 can't do--ya gotta use makeacewin for the big ones. Jim

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I do not believe Paint Shop Pro 8 handles masks and alpha files the way it used to in PSP7. Is that the problem?

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