Route Meta File Creation

[Kevin99]

Hello Folks,

Trying to make a route metafile and will install this using RW Tools. My problem is creating the format of the image specified. I use Paint.net and can create a file 256x128 in DDS format and save. The snag is I cannot save this in DXT1 at 6 Mips
Anybody used Paint.net and if so can you advise as to whether you can save a file of this format using this software. If there is an alternative format that can be used, if so what?? . if not possible can anybody advise as the best option for me

Many Thanks
Kevin99

[Irishrailguy]

Hi Kev,

I don't do much in this area of TS, but do you know if you can use an .ace file to do the same in RWTools? If so then I'd suggest using .ace files instead by converting your current format to .ace with Ben Laws' ToAce tool. DDS formats are tricky to work with, I've had nothing but trouble trying to get them to work in TS given all the different encoding methods. If you still need to use a DDS though I'd suggest trying out GIMP instead, it's generally better supported for the various file formats.

Kev

[Kevin99]

Kev

Thanks for your reply I have made an ACE File OK but cannot see how to get this into my splash screen ? These files are a complete fog to me

All the best

Kevin99

[Yamsi]

On the occasions I have a tinker with image files I use a combination of RWTools, DXTBmp from Martin Wright (http://www.mwgfx.co.uk/) and PaintShopPro. The use of DXTBmp allows the saving of images in a variety of formats, with or without Alpha Channels (& it's free). I don't know if this would work with the default paint application as I use a payware job.

Using RWTools to select the image to be worked on, this is opened via DXTBmp & sent to PaintShopPro for editing. Save in PSP, then update DXTBmp then select save option, be it with/without alpha as various DDS formats, then in RWTools recompose file back into Railworks format. Once you've done it once it's easy.

Yamsi

[Irishrailguy]

On the occasions I have a tinker with image files I use a combination of RWTools, DXTBmp from Martin Wright (http://www.mwgfx.co.uk/) and PaintShopPro. The use of DXTBmp allows the saving of images in a variety of formats, with or without Alpha Channels (& it's free). I don't know if this would work with the default paint application as I use a payware job.

Using RWTools to select the image to be worked on, this is opened via DXTBmp & sent to PaintShopPro for editing. Save in PSP, then update DXTBmp then select save option, be it with/without alpha as various DDS formats, then in RWTools recompose file back into Railworks format. Once you've done it once it's easy.

Yamsi

I'd actually second that Kev, completely forgot about DXTBmp as I haven't used it in a while but it does indeed open and save most formats that are out there. Give it a go and see how it works out with DDS files...

Kev