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MSTS Engine And Livery Skinning

512 to 1024

Started by sswgp60 11 posts 7 min read

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sswgp60Member since Jul-12-02 · 90 posts

Is there a way to convert a engine with 512 texture to 1024?
Thanks Aaron.
AARON SSWGP60@HOTMAIL.COM

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RE: 512 to 1024, UP6767, Sep-19-04, 07:54 PM, (1) RE: 512 to 1024, pwillard, Sep-19-04, 08:09 PM, (2) RE: 512 to 1024, scottb613, Sep-19-04, 08:37 PM, (3) RE: 512 to 1024, sswgp60, Sep-19-04, 09:43 PM, (4) RE: 512 to 1024, pwillard, Sep-19-04, 11:42 PM, (5) RE: 512 to 1024, sswgp60, Sep-20-04, 00:26 AM, (6) RE: 512 to 1024, Swissie, Sep-20-04, 05:20 PM, (7) RE: 512 to 1024, sswgp60, Sep-20-04, 08:17 PM, (8) RE: 512 to 1024, Swissie, Sep-21-04, 05:27 PM, (9) RE: 512 to 1024, goldenpig, Sep-21-04, 06:45 PM, (10)

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pwillardCharter Member · 1728 posts

RE: 512 to 1024

512 to 1024 – image 1


Please ingore previous post.Yes, you can resize it. PSP or Photoshop can do this as well as many other pixel tools. You will really need to get TGAtool2 to work with ACE files though.The problem is... if you "start" with 512x512 and go to 1024x1024 resolution, your image quality will not improve since it will take 1 pixel and make it equal to 4 pixels... Same Detail... just more pixels. It will be up to you to make use of the additional pixels to get the detail you really want... so I hope you are wanting to redo the bitmap from scratch.MSTS does not care what size the ACE file is, really. As long as it's a multiple: 32x32, 64x64, 128x128, 256x256, 512x512 and 1024x1024. You can change resolutions all you want. This is good news for people having trouble with 1024x1024 textures... all you have to do is resise the ACE files (with the help of TGAtool2) and you are done... no other special actions required.Pete Willard
512 to 1024 – image 2
http://www.trainsimstuff.com

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scottb613Member since Apr-13-03 · 259 posts

RE: 512 to 1024

Hey Aaron...Great timing on your question... Actually the Southern Rs1 I just posted a few shot of - I did exactly that... The original skins that came with Dick Cowen's BRITKIT Rs1 had all 512x512 textures... I increased them to 1024x1024 just how Pete so clearly pointed out above... Once the resolution was increased - the textures all blurred and needed to be redone - hence the reason for increasing the resolution... Every line on the skin really needs to be deleted and redrawn... It can be a bit tedious - however - if your computer can handle the resolution - it is well worth the effort...Good luck...Regards,
Scott

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sswgp60Member since Jul-12-02 · 90 posts

RE: 512 to 1024

Thanks for all your help everybody, but really just dont understand just how to increase them to 1024x1024. I do have TGAtool2.
Thanks
AARON SSWGP60@HOTMAIL.COM

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pwillardCharter Member · 1728 posts

RE: 512 to 1024

512 to 1024 – image 3


Sorry...TGATOOL2 is the way you convert the ACE format bitmaps into an industry standard format (Like BMP or TGA)Tools like Paint$hop Pro, Photo$hop or even the free IRFANVIEW can RESIZE images... http://www.irfanview.com/You will need something like the first two I mentioned to actually EDIT pixels...If you want free... you can try "TheGimp" for Windows.Sorry, I just cannot recommend using MSPAINT.Pete Willard
512 to 1024 – image 4
http://www.trainsimstuff.com

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sswgp60Member since Jul-12-02 · 90 posts

RE: 512 to 1024

LAST EDITED ON Sep-20-04 AT 00:27 AM (EDT)

Thanks for help, I turned the image to a 1024x1024 then I saved it as an ACE file, but when I reloaded the texture it goes back to being 512x512. How do you save your 1024x1024 texture to the engine?
I do have "TGAtool2".ThanksAARON SSWGP60@HOTMAIL.COM

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SwissieMember since Sep-27-02 · 1249 posts

RE: 512 to 1024

LAST EDITED ON Sep-20-04 AT 05:33 PM (EDT)

Hi Aaron,1) Start TGAtool2 or better get TGAtool2A from the start(latest version, available in the download file for AceIt, here in the file library)2) Load the .ace texture you want to convert.3) Save as .tga file to a folder of your choice.4) Open that .tga file in the graphics editing software of your choice and budget (PaintShopPro, Photoshop, Photoshop light, whatever). 5) Resample (not just resize) the 512x512 .tga to 1024x1024 pixels for best results. Resizing means that the graphics program just turns a single black pixel in a 512 texture into four black pixels in the new 1024 texture, resampling means that the program has a look at the colors of the neighbours to the black pixel, and interpolates matching colors for a finer "transition effect" that it applies to the new pixels being created. 6) Save .tga, then start restoring blurred lines etc. and adding more detail.7) Save again and again...8) When finished with the larger .tga, re-start TGAtool2(A). Load the revised .tga file, export it to the folder of the engine (make sure to export with alpha channel if the texture has a mask for see-through windows etc.), prompting yes to overwriting the existing file (which you have backed-up before, to be on the safe side.9) That should do it. Tipp: Also look at the FAQ section, link at the bottom of this page, and read through the various topics related to repainting. The steps to export textures from .ace to .tga and back are the same as if you made a repaint from scratch.Regarding adding details: As stated above, fine lines etc. will look blurred after the resampling, as the graphics program just interpolated the missing pixels. So the basic job after resampling really translates into re-drawing all the fine lines, adding lettering, etc. With a bit of expertise on using graphics programs, you'll get the hang of it quickly. Make use of the filler tools, experiment a bit with the settings of the tools, use copy/paste for details that repeat all over, save often in order to be able to revert to a recent status when you made a mistake. Using all the tools wisely I'd say you should be able to re-draw the details on the resampled textures of a geep in about a day's work, if you're fairly new to working with these types of programs, take your time to read the manual and do some experimenting first, then plan a weekend or even an extended three-day weekend just to slowly work through fine-tuning the details. Don't be surprised if the larger texture slows your system, especially if your graphics card is not top-notch. Converting from a 512 to a 1024 texture increases the workload on the card by a factor 4...Lukas a.k.a SwissieEdit - Forgot to mention the obvious: Have a close look at an existing high-resolution, high detail skin and see how its author created some of the effects: How the lines need to be drawn to give a 3d effect to the seems on the doors, how a weathering effect was done etc. Look and learn, is the motto.

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goldenpigCharter Member · 337 posts

RE: 512 to 1024

512 to 1024 – image 5

It's better to *rez an image down than rezzing it up. If you do rez the texture up I strongly recommend going back in to the texture and cleaning up all the blurring and distortion that will undoubtedly occur when the image is scaled up... =|GoldenPig
visit me at www.dannybeck.com
www.mapleleaftracks.com*rez = a fancy word for resizing

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