Corel Draw 8

jdtech · Post by **jdtech** » Mon Mar 24, 2003 9:37 pm

Right I have Corel Draw 8 can I use it to skin locomotives? It can't open .ace files (let alone .gif files!) can I extract or import .ace into .bmp or .jpg? I would like to try at least skinning without using and buying PaintShop Pro 7!

garethep · Post by **garethep** » Mon Mar 24, 2003 9:58 pm

If you download TGAtool you can convert ace files to Bmp's to ace files and use any paint package to do the texturing. (although MS paint is probably a bit limited).

Hope this helps

Gareth

jdtech · Post by **jdtech** » Tue Mar 25, 2003 7:22 am

Where can I get it?

garethep · Post by **garethep** » Tue Mar 25, 2003 7:56 am

Try:

http://www.mnwright.btinternet.co.uk/index.htm

good luck

gareth

jdtech · Post by **jdtech** » Tue Mar 25, 2003 6:53 pm

I downloaded it and created a new verision of the Corris Brakevan perfectly! When I made a Blanche skin I couldn' get the cab window to be see through, it was just a Grey Screen! I've tried paint and to no success and I'm going to try PSP7 trial next! I hope it worrks

rwaceyw · Post by **rwaceyw** » Tue Mar 25, 2003 6:57 pm

good move...that can give you ALPHA CHANNELS ( see through parts )

garethep · Post by **garethep** » Tue Mar 25, 2003 7:18 pm

TGA tool can create its own alpha channels either blank or using the colour image as a template these can then be sent to your paint program for editing then reloaded. However PSP should be much better than Paint for many other reasons so give it a go.

Gareth

jdtech · Post by **jdtech** » Tue Mar 25, 2003 8:42 pm

I'm really upset, nothing I do with either PSP7, Corel Photoshop or MS Paint can get rid of those STUPID grey panels. It is as if transparecncy is not there!

jdtech · Post by **jdtech** » Tue Mar 25, 2003 8:50 pm

sorry pic removed

rwaceyw · Post by **rwaceyw** » Tue Mar 25, 2003 9:28 pm

Send it me..its quite complicated..but i'll o it for u

garethep · Post by **garethep** » Tue Mar 25, 2003 10:37 pm

first open you texture in tgatool

if you havent already done so go to the 'prefs' menu then locate editing program (you only do this the first time)

click create alpha template

choose yes

a greyscale version of your texture will appear in the top right of tgatool
right click on the greyscale image select send to editor.

your selected editing program will now appear with the alpha channel image.

edit the image black = see through white = solid grey = translucent

SAVE THE IMAGE DO NOT EDIT THE FILENAME

in tgatool right click on the alpha image (top right) and select reload after edit.

save your texture as a .tga file then export as a .ace file select the ace(alpha) option on the export menu

fire up MSTS and drive

let me know if this helps apologies if this is teaching you to suck eggs

gareth

jdtech · Post by **jdtech** » Wed Mar 26, 2003 7:33 am

thanks for the help Gareth but your plan didn't work. Me and mty Dad had a look at the tgatools2 help file, it told us what we needed and I now have a blue Earl of Merioneth!
Is it all right Kevin if I can use your locos as private (my own not uploaded) reskins
Becuase they are so good!

to

garethep · Post by **garethep** » Wed Mar 26, 2003 10:32 am

sorry that it didnt work but i'm glad that you have got it sorted any chance of a creenshot or two?

Gareth

kevmt · Post by **kevmt** » Wed Mar 26, 2003 10:42 am

John,
As I have already said in an e-mail to you. I have no problems with you doing reskins for your own use at all but I do reserve the "public reskinning rights" (if that makes sense) of Ffestiniog/WHr stock for myself.

Kevin

jdtech · Post by **jdtech** » Wed Mar 26, 2003 5:47 pm

No. I don't understand!

Does it mean? I can repaint your locos FR/WHR/TR but I cannot upload them? If so that is fine!

OK?