Has anyone made any Thomas & Friends Characters?

[prairie4566]

Have you given your Toad a new name, or just used the original model?

If you've renamed it, make sure you rename all the other files as well, eg. .s, .sd etc. and open them in Notepad and rename the original names.

[eddierools]

My Toad is a repaint, using Paint Tool (The tool that comes with a computer). I used a GWR Toad Brake Van I found on http://www.train-sim.com

[eddierools]

The parts that are supposed to be transparent isnt transparent. Any tips?

[mousepound64]

It's probably because of the way you saved your ace texture file. When you export the ace file, you want to make sure you save it with alpha, otherwise if you select no alpha, the alpha channels will no longer exist in the texture file!

[sillyevan27]

At least its the right colour, apparently theres an orange 9F and yellow 'Claude Hamilton' too

David

David... you have no idead how BAD Molly (the yellow Claude Hamilton) looks. There's an alternate face picture on SiF that's just disgustingly ugly.

To save any wasted work, I have to point out that my Russell model would not be available for Thomas reskins!
Kevin

Still have had enough of all them reskins, eh Kevin? Ah well, life goes on.

Here's a couple tips for you (eddierools)...
-- Mousepound is probably right. When saving the ace you need to make sure it definately has the alpha included in the save option. The alpha allows portions to be transparent on the model.
-- Don't be too worried if your first reskining attempts are bad or are sloppy. After doing a couple, you'll learn more and gain more experience. Remember, you can always come back to it and redo the skin if you don't like the first go

And of course... the most important tip...
** Make sure you ask the author of the model you're reskinning if you may upload it (assuming that's what you plan to do with the reskin) **
If the reskins are for your own personal use, you can usually reskin anything. But if you plan to upload stuff to UKtrainsim or any other site, you need to ask the original author for consent before you do anything. The consequences aren't good


*Edit*
From the "Thomas & Friends: Donald & Douglas Mega Pack for MSTS" thread... Suddenly I've been upgraded to "sillyevan64"? I didn't upload that pack, eddierools. And practically all of my MSTS stuff was lost when I had to reinstall my Operating System over the winter break... so I can't help you.

[eddierools]

I'm going to make trains based on my friends and family! Cool huh? P.S. I tried that, and it still wasn't transparent! Any more tips?[/b]

[eddierools]

Sorry sillyevan27, I got your name wrong .......................................

[mousepound64]

I'm going to make trains based on my friends and family! Cool huh? P.S. I tried that, and it still wasn't transparent! Any more tips?[/b]

Generally, if your texture file has no alpha, then it will either show just white, or no image on the right of the screen in TGA Tool.
To recover or recreate it, click the create alpha template, press yes, and edit the alpha channel.
Sometimes, I just use a shortcut by copying the alpha channel in the original texture, then pasting it onto the alpha channel on the new texture without the alpha put in. Be sure to select new alpha template before pasting!

But sillyevan 64....
that sounds more like a name mix with mine and Evan's!

[eddierools]

I'm animal654's train supplier, he makes alot of Thomas & Friends MSTS episodes on youtube! Right now, he is working on the Thomas & The Magic Railroad MSTS Movie! I'm making him Splatter & Dodge at the moment! If you would like them, just post!

[rwaceyw]

Can't help but see some copyright infringement there!

You can't pass your reskins onto other people without the original authors permission.

David

[richard222]

Why not download a 30 day trial of Paint Shop Pro X

Then a trial of something else eg Macromedia Fireworks

Then a trial of something else....

[eddierools]

Why don't we edit the Settle - Carlisle Route to make it the Island of Sodor, it has alot of of the things Sodor Island has, all we need to do is add some TTTE Trains, Rollingstock, Cars, Buses, Buildings, Brendam Docks, Ffarquar Quarry, Gordon's Hill, Henry's Tunnel, and add Crankyto Brendam Docks. It is so simple! The only custom things you would need to make are Cranky, Henry's Tunnel, Gordon's Hill, Brendam Docks, and Ffarquar Quarry. Everything else would be on UKTS and train-sim! Carlisle could be Knapford, Settle could be Ffarquar, and so on! Cool idea, huh?

[chrisj94]

ermm....I`ll pass thanks...

[JonathonAG]

Why don't we edit the Settle - Carlisle Route to make it the Island of Sodor, it has alot of of the things Sodor Island has, all we need to do is add some TTTE Trains, Rollingstock, Cars, Buses, Buildings, Brendam Docks, Ffarquar Quarry, Gordon's Hill, Henry's Tunnel, and add Crankyto Brendam Docks. It is so simple! The only custom things you would need to make are Cranky, Henry's Tunnel, Gordon's Hill, Brendam Docks, and Ffarquar Quarry. Everything else would be on UKTS and train-sim! Carlisle could be Knapford, Settle could be Ffarquar, and so on! Cool idea, huh?

Yes.....so simple

Ok, this is coming from a ex-believer in this whole "I can make Sodor" thing. Many of us have tried, and failed, I am in that category. And it is never simple, Sodor isd such a big scale project that it's hopeless.....there's only been one attempt and getting so close to completion....that fate interviened and wiped it from the hardrive of the creator. It's just fate that it isn't made.......and never mess with fate

Now something small scale.....such as Thomas' branch only....would be a lot easier and a lot more sensible

[Easilyconfused]

OK - after that unpleasant little outburst (now put somewhere safe) I am going to unlock the thread in a few minutes.

Keep it civilised folks.

Regards

John