What the heck is this?!?

[j4k3]

Editing units are FUN!

OK, so thanks to you guys I now know how to edit weapons (i.e., make them shorter or longer or whatever) and today I just learned how to ADD or give a weapon/armor to a unit! I'm getting hooked on this... I gotta play more R:TW and stop editing stuff!!!

What are these gray things around the shield? Is this what the "alpha" stuff is about? How do I get rid of it?

http://img129.exs.cx/img129/5549/alpha1ry.th.jpg (http://img129.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img129&image=alpha1ry.jpg)

Thanks!

[j4k3]

I've done it!

http://img141.exs.cx/img141/6328/done8lj.th.jpg (http://img141.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img141&image=done8lj.jpg)

However, there's another problem. Look at the encircled back view of the shields. They have those ugly black marks. How do I get rid of it?

http://img141.exs.cx/img141/5060/problem7fe.th.jpg (http://img141.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img141&image=problem7fe.jpg)

MANY thanks.

[hoggy]

you'll need to edit the texture with an art package by the look of it.

If the texture for the back of the shield doesn't have the black mark on it then it could be a distortion that occurs when your UV sets aren't separated into different elements.

or... it could just be that the wrong uvs from your texture are applied to the back of the shield (which would make sense as the front seems to have a rounded alpha)

[j4k3]

Sorry hoggy but I have absolutely NO IDEA what you mean! I need to edit the texture with an art package? What do you mean? Where do I get this art package? How do I use it?

More clarification please? Thanks.

[hoggy]

Have you got a copy of 3Ds Max to edit the shields, models etc? Max references textures but these are editted by art packages: Have you got Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro? You need a 2D art package like that to edit textures.

If you only have Max check this:
- Select your shield. Go into poly mode and select just the polygons on the back of the shield. In the drop down modifier list on the right go to Unwrap UV. Then in the right hand column press the big Edit button. This should bring up the UV edit window showing the texture applied to the polys and the outline and UVs. You can edit these in here. Do me a screenshot of that window if you get stuck as this may not be the problem.

[j4k3]

hoggy, I have a full copy of 3DS Max 7 and Photoshop 7. I used Max to give the Mirmillo the Velite's shield and used Photoshop to make the edges of the shield transparent (using alphas).

A few questions regarding your reply:

1. How do I go into poly mode so I can select just the polygons on the back of the shield? Total newbie here, man. Sorry.

2. I got to the "Edit UVWs" window but I'm clueless what to do next. Is that the back of the shield (see screenshot)? If not, where is it? If it is, then, how do I edit it? I can't just alpha it out otherwise it'll become transparent, right? Do I just color it or something?

http://img112.exs.cx/img112/2009/show7qd.th.jpg (http://img112.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img112&image=show7qd.jpg)

hoggy, again, many many MANY thanks for all the help!

[hoggy]

Yup, It looks like all you need to do is edit the texture in photoshop. If you don't want it to be black I'd say do a search on the net for a wooden texture (google image search) and cut and paste it onto the black area in your texture in photoshop. Once you've saved it it shouldappear right in game with no need to edit the model.

[hoggy]

Hi J4K3, I can't reply to your PM as you're inbox is full.here's my reply:

What's happened there (see PM) is that a unit can only have one texture. So when you gave the Triarii's shield to the mirmillo it still uses the mirmillo's texture (you can see the shield has part of the mirmillo's skirt on it). In the UV window I mentioned earlier you have to select and move the new shield's UVs to the shield texture for the mirmillo or edit the texture to show the new shield.