Post by sagittariusmoon on Jan 11, 2016 6:07:37 GMT 1
Starting up the initial thread for this, so we can begin discussing. Because of my life schedule this will be the easiest way to communicate. Will post what I believe helpful and help research when we get stuck on something, if I have time.
NOTICE:: My knowledge of transparency is limited, not Expert. IF you know a better way to do something, feel free to Nicely, post your version of doing things. In other words have some modesty.
So, to start, you do not have to do a, new layer, for the eraser work, but the file will have to be set to your alpha state and the nif have the appropriate designations. Meaning an NiAlphaProperty. You will see below the video a pic of what is being referred to. I am sure most people stumbling across this forum, are already aware you need this for transparency in Skryim. A few may have no idea and need to know, so I am including the info.
Now, if you are going to do defined transparency with black background and hand painting or inverted, specialized copies of the original work in black and white, etc... you will need to use the New Layer option and set a layer mask on the original texture map layer, Not the new layer.
Here is a video link to a Great tutorial for beginners. I learned a lot from Nightasy on how to mod. Hope others do to. Just remember the point is to learn how to mod, not critic what material he chooses to create. For the most part, to each their own.
Next is a screenshot of an Apachiisky hair file. For the settings on the nif and if you look, I highlighted in yellow boxes, where your attention needs to be. Specifically on the file name for this one, as Apachiisky hair has Two nif files for most of the hairstyles, if not all. If you have questions about why Apachii has this, you Need to ask them. Their reasons could be different than what I am posting below.
Two nifs for one hairstyle is not out of the question and is common in other video games. It offers Two different texturing works to be combined for one hair effect. This is very useful for transparency and multicolored hair say (red long layer and black short layer). Makes texture painting very easy to have separate texture maps for two different colors or transparencies.
You can even use one version for a near solid and then scale the other version a little and change the transparency to be more sheer. Causing an illusion of strands or see through tufts of hair.. Say on a bear or other animal. Now, from what I can tell, Skryim just uses normal masks and painted transparency, not two layers of hair for different effects.
Now, if you are using an animal for the hair project, you Do Not need the entire animal mesh twice. You just need to duplicate the hair panels, which will not harm the texture map, Unless, you 'convert' the copied parts into a new mesh or convertible poly, for whatever reasons. Meaning don't do that. Just copy the parts you want and delete everything you do not need. Use those parts as a second NIF and layer it with the original.
Eraser settings: You can use selection tools and trace an area you want to make slightly or very transparent. Once you have it in the selection box, circle or hand traced outline, you use the eraser to adjust transparency. Test out your Strength settings on the eraser to find the transparency you are looking for. This works on armour too, not just hair.
Second eraser option:: by hand, use your paint brush options on your eraser and "erase paint" on the mesh you are wanting to give certain transparencies. Again, the eraser strength will determine the effect of the transparency. 100% for gone and very low settings of 5 or under for "mostly there".
Ok, anyone may add to this thread if they have further helpful suggestions. You can ask me a question and if I do not know an answer, will be straight forward and tell you I haven't a clue. However, it is likely that I will do research, "When" I have free time.
NOTICE:: My knowledge of transparency is limited, not Expert. IF you know a better way to do something, feel free to Nicely, post your version of doing things. In other words have some modesty.
So, to start, you do not have to do a, new layer, for the eraser work, but the file will have to be set to your alpha state and the nif have the appropriate designations. Meaning an NiAlphaProperty. You will see below the video a pic of what is being referred to. I am sure most people stumbling across this forum, are already aware you need this for transparency in Skryim. A few may have no idea and need to know, so I am including the info.
Now, if you are going to do defined transparency with black background and hand painting or inverted, specialized copies of the original work in black and white, etc... you will need to use the New Layer option and set a layer mask on the original texture map layer, Not the new layer.
Here is a video link to a Great tutorial for beginners. I learned a lot from Nightasy on how to mod. Hope others do to. Just remember the point is to learn how to mod, not critic what material he chooses to create. For the most part, to each their own.
Next is a screenshot of an Apachiisky hair file. For the settings on the nif and if you look, I highlighted in yellow boxes, where your attention needs to be. Specifically on the file name for this one, as Apachiisky hair has Two nif files for most of the hairstyles, if not all. If you have questions about why Apachii has this, you Need to ask them. Their reasons could be different than what I am posting below.
Two nifs for one hairstyle is not out of the question and is common in other video games. It offers Two different texturing works to be combined for one hair effect. This is very useful for transparency and multicolored hair say (red long layer and black short layer). Makes texture painting very easy to have separate texture maps for two different colors or transparencies.
You can even use one version for a near solid and then scale the other version a little and change the transparency to be more sheer. Causing an illusion of strands or see through tufts of hair.. Say on a bear or other animal. Now, from what I can tell, Skryim just uses normal masks and painted transparency, not two layers of hair for different effects.
Now, if you are using an animal for the hair project, you Do Not need the entire animal mesh twice. You just need to duplicate the hair panels, which will not harm the texture map, Unless, you 'convert' the copied parts into a new mesh or convertible poly, for whatever reasons. Meaning don't do that. Just copy the parts you want and delete everything you do not need. Use those parts as a second NIF and layer it with the original.
Eraser settings: You can use selection tools and trace an area you want to make slightly or very transparent. Once you have it in the selection box, circle or hand traced outline, you use the eraser to adjust transparency. Test out your Strength settings on the eraser to find the transparency you are looking for. This works on armour too, not just hair.
Second eraser option:: by hand, use your paint brush options on your eraser and "erase paint" on the mesh you are wanting to give certain transparencies. Again, the eraser strength will determine the effect of the transparency. 100% for gone and very low settings of 5 or under for "mostly there".
Ok, anyone may add to this thread if they have further helpful suggestions. You can ask me a question and if I do not know an answer, will be straight forward and tell you I haven't a clue. However, it is likely that I will do research, "When" I have free time.