Hello, and two questions.

[AdvocateOfGod]

Hey guys I'm new here so I'm sure I'll be flamed for being such an annoying n00b at this. But anyways, hi my name is Matthew and I want to join this little online community we have going on here. I am currently making a map that is identical to the normal wc3, but there will be several additional races (trust me it will be nice). Triggers give me problems but I'm making progress.
Why post this in Skins? Well I guess I'm an artist and I just started my first skin. I will have posts of it and another one probably soon.
But I have a question, for the druid of the claw model- I extracted, converted to .TGA, opened in Paint Shop, Edited, Saved uncompressed as .BLP and imported into WE. I changed the path name to exactly that of the default DOTC. When I place the unit, he is like half invisible and half bad colors. I don't get what i did wrong, I could use some help.
Also, I noticed his little bear head "backpack" isn't a texture. Is there anyway to remove that so you can see his back?
Thanks a bunch guys.

 

[Kimbo]

you would need to model the head out, psp has a nasty prob with alpha channels.
You will either need to redo the alpha or cnp your skin image onto another extract skin of the same type that still hold its alpha(the defualt skin, not a custom one).

Or make sure that your converter is right, sometimes they can be funny..and play up.

 

[AdvocateOfGod]

So you think I should... Paste the PSP image in Photoshop as a new layer and flatten it down on the original blp with the alpha channel supposedly still in tact on Photoshop?
Also, when I load up the images, should I post them in this thread? Not a new one?
Actually if you want to rip me apart and tell me where I'm screwing up and how my image size is too big etc... I guess i can give a sneak peek of my dragon I started (my second skin). Yes, I will probably change the eye color. Yes, the jaw isn't finished. And yes, I don't know really how to use Photoshop and PSP all that well so I do things in a very primitive way at the moment.
Anyways, here's a imageshack JPG: http://img250.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bronzedragon1ue1.jpg

 

[Kimbo]

Rip you apart?
no, still use psp. But you can use photoshop too if you want.
And that skin is lovly, If your going to show off and ask for advice on your skin then you can make a new one or post it here.

But i may give advice, your doing the process wrong. Dont work one area at one time. Do it all at once step by step so it keeps the balance makes you feel less "gooodd..this is taking ages!!" sorta thing.

 

[Deathbringer]

Actually I can answer this problem, whenever you save something as a TGA it has a nasty habit most of the time of flipping your skin upside down, thus moving the alpha channel areas into skin areas and vice versa, making your skin look.. odd/cutup/ranthroughapapershredder

Just flip it vertically once before exporting it =D

 

[AdvocateOfGod]

Interesting, I will try the flip today and see how it fares. Thanks a bundle BTW. Yea werewolf, seriously the head alone took 4+ hours. I don't really know how to add textures or filters that look realistic, so I had to draw everything by hand... "OH! I HAVE A GREAT IDEA! I'm going to draw scales... individually!" -_- Yea, that might have been a mistake lol but maybe the clone brush would work on some of the body.

 

[Kimbo]

you should make all the scales at the same time, its actually alot faster and less brain melting.
and dont use filters....thats just wrong.
Freehand is good since it gives control and you gain experience(that sounds odd...) alot faster.

 

[AdvocateOfGod]

Well I tried flipping the image, yea it just came out worse. Basically the model becomes flat primary colors as well as it have a lot of transparent parts. Werewulf could you explain to me how I fix the alpha channel and such? I don't really get it- I'm new to this.

 

[Kimbo]

open your skin, select the whole image and copy it.

then export a druid skin, paste your copy over it, save and convert to blp.