[Retsof]

I've been making some stuff, like nameplates and anims (only 1 frame, but they need to be anims to work.)  and frankly, 8-bit pcx files are pathetic.  Problem is, Freespace 2 dosen't like anything else.  Any way to fix this?

[blowfish]

As for nameplates, FS2_Open supports DDS and TGA (dds preferable), which should do transparency fine.  As for anims, I think for things like CBAnims you are stuck with ANI files for the moment, though I heard a new format based on JPG was in development.  Effects n' stuff can use the new EFF format though.

[Retsof]

Well, how do other people get the anims in such good detail, you can barely tell what you're looking at in mine.

[chief1983]

What are you saving your pcx files with?  Various photo editors have vastly different pcx capabilities.

[Topgun]

why don't you use .dds?

[Retsof]

I am using Microsoft Photo Editor to save with, because it is the only one I have that will specify as 8-bit.  Also, I don't think I have anything that will save as dds, in fact, my computer doesn't recognise them.

[Topgun]

http://developer.nvidia.com/object/nv_texture_tools.html
this will convert files to dds. http://pagesperso-orange.fr/pierre.g/xnview/enhome.html
this will open dds.
http://gimp-win.sourceforge.net/stable.html
this is what you should use for image editing. it's complicated but better then anything else thats free.

[chief1983]

I also like Paint.NET with the DDS plugin.  http://www.getpaint.net/

I think DDS is implemented with the main app now, if not it's on the forums, just search the Plugins section for DDS.

It also does PCX fairly well.  You also might want to look at The Gimp.  It's a more featureful graphics editing app, and free too.  It does pcx, and there is a DDS plugin at http://registry.gimp.org/plugin?id=4816, although I don't know how good that one is.  The Paint.NET DDS support is pretty good though from what I've seen.

[Topgun]

paint.net is simpler but not as versatile.

[chief1983]

paint.net is simpler but not as versatile.

Isn't that pretty much stating the inverse of 'more featureful'? 

[shiv]

Paint.NET is powerfull and allow you to create awesome graphics. It also allow you to save in dds format.

[nubbles526]

Paint.NET is powerfull and allow you to create awesome graphics. It also allow you to save in dds format.

Next time shiv, please tell me before hand.

[chief1983]

I still suggest experimenting, each DDS plugin is different and will have varying quality depending on the situation.  Use what works best.

Edit:  There's also GimpShop, if you're unsatisfied with the number of Gimp tutorials out there.  It modifies Gimp to look like Photoshop and have a similar menu terminology.  Still works with all Gimp plugins.  It just lags behind the standard Gimp in development.

[Wanderer]

Just do not use DDS files for anything else than for the 'final product'. That is during the editing keep the image in TGA or some such better format. I would probably just use nvdxt for converting images to DDS format.