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Author Topic: Freespace 2 Mediavps Alpha Textures  (Read 2792 times)

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Offline ShivanEmperor

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Freespace 2 Mediavps Alpha Textures
on: June 21, 2011, 05:56:46 am
After converting the DDS effects textures from the latest version of Mediavps, I discovered that certain textures, such as sun, shockwave, warp, shield, and weapons textures, did not have any transparency around them as I had expected, instead being replaced with pure black.

Does anyone happen to know how or where I can get all of these textures with the appropriate alpha effects around them rather than simple black? I could use Paintshop to make all the black parts transparent myself, but that would take forever.

Whatever information you can provide to me on this subject would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
====Freespace v.s. Star Wars Part Five Now Online!====

The ShivanEmperor is back! And now... he has returned... with a will... to conquer... the Hard Light Productions Fan Fiction Forum!

Part One: http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,54863.0.html

Part Two: http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,54969.0.html

Part Three: http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,55041.0.html

Part Four: http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,55234.0.html

Part Five: http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,55384.0.html

Part Six: http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,57798.0.html
 

Offline Dragon

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Re: Freespace 2 Mediavps Alpha Textures
Reply #1 on: June 21, 2011, 06:49:50 am
Just use a function "replace color with Alpha" (at least, in GIMP there's such function) and choose black.
That's about how FS does this (well, not really, but the effect is very similar).
  

Offline The E

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Re: Freespace 2 Mediavps Alpha Textures
Reply #2 on: June 21, 2011, 06:59:59 am
Note that these effects have no alpha channel on purpose, as they are additively blended into a scene.
If I'm just aching this can't go on
I came from chasing dreams to feel alone
There must be changes, miss to feel strong
I really need lifе to touch me
--Evergrey, Where August Mourns
 

Offline ShivanEmperor

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Re: Freespace 2 Mediavps Alpha Textures
Reply #3 on: June 21, 2011, 08:33:41 am
Thank you for the replies. I have been considering them.

However, please be advised that the best paint program I am currently using is Corel Paint Shop Pro.
====Freespace v.s. Star Wars Part Five Now Online!====

The ShivanEmperor is back! And now... he has returned... with a will... to conquer... the Hard Light Productions Fan Fiction Forum!

Part One: http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,54863.0.html

Part Two: http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,54969.0.html

Part Three: http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,55041.0.html

Part Four: http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,55234.0.html

Part Five: http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,55384.0.html

Part Six: http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,57798.0.html
 

Offline General Battuta

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Re: Freespace 2 Mediavps Alpha Textures
Reply #4 on: June 21, 2011, 09:22:07 am
GIMP is free!
 

Offline Rodo

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Re: Freespace 2 Mediavps Alpha Textures
Reply #5 on: June 21, 2011, 09:47:50 am
GIMP is good, I use it.

Granted, you don't get to see so much of my work around here but I can say it's a trusty and handy tool, and as bat said it's free.
el hombre vicio...
 

Offline Jadehawk

  • 29
Re: Freespace 2 Mediavps Alpha Textures
Reply #6 on: June 21, 2011, 02:15:26 pm
I have used Paint Shop Pro 9, X, X2, and X3 and this is all I use and there is a way to replace Black with Alpha channel but it's been awhile since  did the procedure. Once I get home, I'll do some testing and will try to see if I remember how I did it. If I do, I'll post here. However, I did find the proper procedure online long ago so try typing in Google:  MAKING PAINT SHOP PRO ALPHA CHANNELS. There are two I remember of, but one was more extensive and worked good.
Hope this helps!
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Offline ShivanEmperor

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Re: Freespace 2 Mediavps Alpha Textures
Reply #7 on: June 25, 2011, 03:59:07 am
Greetings, and thank you all for the replies. Apologies for providing a late reply of my own. I have been quite occupied recently.

Nevertheless, I have been considering your suggestions, and they seem to be most adequate. Thank you for all your suggestions and all your usefull help.
====Freespace v.s. Star Wars Part Five Now Online!====

The ShivanEmperor is back! And now... he has returned... with a will... to conquer... the Hard Light Productions Fan Fiction Forum!

Part One: http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,54863.0.html

Part Two: http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,54969.0.html

Part Three: http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,55041.0.html

Part Four: http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,55234.0.html

Part Five: http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,55384.0.html

Part Six: http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,57798.0.html
 

Offline jr2

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Re: Freespace 2 Mediavps Alpha Textures
Reply #8 on: June 25, 2011, 02:56:46 pm
Paint.NET any good?
 

Offline The E

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Re: Freespace 2 Mediavps Alpha Textures
Reply #9 on: June 25, 2011, 03:04:13 pm
Paint.net is very good indeed. It has one of the best DDS support I have seen in an image manipulator.
If I'm just aching this can't go on
I came from chasing dreams to feel alone
There must be changes, miss to feel strong
I really need lifе to touch me
--Evergrey, Where August Mourns
 

Offline Woolie Wool

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Re: Freespace 2 Mediavps Alpha Textures
Reply #10 on: July 03, 2011, 06:15:06 pm
Quote from: ShivanEmperor on June 21, 2011, 05:56:46 am
After converting the DDS effects textures from the latest version of Mediavps, I discovered that certain textures, such as sun, shockwave, warp, shield, and weapons textures, did not have any transparency around them as I had expected, instead being replaced with pure black.

Does anyone happen to know how or where I can get all of these textures with the appropriate alpha effects around them rather than simple black? I could use Paintshop to make all the black parts transparent myself, but that would take forever.

Whatever information you can provide to me on this subject would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Don't do it! They are not supposed to have any alpha channel, FreeSpace blends them additively. FreeSpace's alpha handling for effects is ugly as sin and causes dark borders around the effect when it appears over a light background such as a nebula or an illuminated ship. They don't need an alpha channel and shouldn't have one.
16:46   Quanto   ****, a mosquito somehow managed to bite the side of my palm
16:46   Quanto   it itches like hell
16:46   Woolie   !8ball does Quanto have malaria
16:46   BotenAnna   Woolie: The outlook is good.
16:47   Quanto   D:

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Offline PL_Harpoon

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Re: Freespace 2 Mediavps Alpha Textures
Reply #11 on: July 07, 2011, 04:37:38 am
For DDS with alpha, I make a .png file and then convert them using DDS Converter 2.
no.one
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