Texture Troubles

[Legacy_Alleyslink]

               

I am using GIMP 2.8 and when I export files as TGA I am given two options, a checkbox to turn on/off RLE compression and a drop down menu called "Origin" with the options either Top Left or Bottom Left, but I don't have options for setting color depth.

 

I know TGA must be saved with no compression and color depth of 24 for NWN. The TGA I make will show up in game, but if I run the TGA through the DDS utility the texture gets all screwed up and causes crashes of the toolset.

 

I also found a GIMP plug-in which allows me to save directly to DDS, but those files are not compatible with NWN.

 

My questions are these. What program do you use to make textures for NWN? If GIMP 2.8 how do you export them so they work properly for NWN? Do you know of a better (free) program than GIMP 2.8 for making NWN textures?

 

I had started using custom textures, and only found out through extensive trial and error that it was my textures which were causing my models to become corrupted. For simplicity, I have reverted to using standard resource textures, and my model problems disappeared. But I have a few textures which are not standard resources which I need, they are saved as XCF (GIMP) files and if some awesome person just wanted to save them as TGA and DDS files I would love them forever, seriously only nine textures.

 

It is the same old quandary, feed a man fish or teach him how to fish for himself. I will be grateful for either sort of assistance.

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Rolo Kipp]

               

<acting very...>

 

The TGAs for NwN can be either 24bit (no alpha channel - flatten the image in GIMP) or 32bit (with alpha channel, used for reflection or transparency).

 

If you are saving the TGA files in 24bit, try giving them an empty alpha channel and converting to DDS. Alternately, if you are saving them in RGBA (32bit) TGA format, try flattening them before you convert.

 

I always uncheck compression and leave origin at default. The DDS converter can not handle RLE compression.

 

FWiW, I don't have issues with my DDS conversions :-/

 

<...bi-nary>

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Tarot Redhand]

               

I always save tga as 32 bit to account for transparency (aka alpha). Never, ever save with rle, NwN doesn't like them. Try paint.net as an alternative. Of the free ones it has the most filters available (called effects).

 

TR

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Alleyslink]

               

@Rolo Kipp, I think I see what you are saying. The color depth is defined automatically depending on the existence of an Alpha Channel. 24 without, 32 with. I will work with the empty Alpha channel. Tilesets are not one skill, but 100 wrapped in 1.

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Mickey Mouse paid me an inspirational; visit.

 

If I make my TGAs, then put them in a hak, then export them with NWN Explorer then use those new files in the DDS conversion it seems to circumvent the odd behaviors with my models. I am sure any difficulties I am experiencing originate from my fumbling computer skills.

 

Thanks all for the advice and help, which I still can use Tarot Redhand.

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Zwerkules]

               

If I make my TGAs, then put them in a hak, then export them with NWN Explorer then use those new files in the DDS conversion it seems to circumvent the odd behaviors with my models. I am sure any difficulties I am experiencing originate from my fumbling computer skills.

 

 

You can still make textures using Gimp, just leave the origin setting at default and turn off RLE. If you save them that way, you can use the DDS tool to covert the TGAs to DDSs without problems.