Question about gloss

[Burns]

I've done gloss maps based on this thread (http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...gloss+tutorial)

Now, in the end I need a dds.tga file and a tga file. I get what the first one does, but Im not sure about the second file. Right now I've saved a version of that file for every unit that Ive made gloss maps for. But do I really need it for every unit, or on the contrary will only one of these files (with only the faction name in the file name) be enough to work for all units in that faction roster?

[professorspatula]

You need both the tga.dds and .tga version of the gloss file. Each unit needs its own gloss file depending on the model. If several units use the same model, you can probably get away with one set of gloss files for the model. Also, other factions can use the same gloss file.

I struggle to explain this everytime I try, but when saving and naming your gloss files, the gloss file will apply to any texture that has the same name and also anything after the first underscore _ .

For example, a unit texture called: swordsman_gaul.tga.dds requires a gloss file called: swordsman_gloss.tga.dds (and a .tga version). If you have another texture for another faction, eg: swordsman_spain.tga.dds, it will also work with the same set of gloss files. The gloss file applies to any texture called swordsman_somethingelse.tga.dds . If you however use another underscore for your texture name eg: swordsman_gaul_new.tga.dds, the gloss file won't work. Anything after the first underscore is like a wildcard, it works with the given gloss file, but use another underscore and the gloss card name needs to be changed to work. Confused? It's simple really.

I don't know if that helps, hopefully it does.

[wlesmana]

Also, the TGA file you'll need to accompany the dds gloss file can be anything. For some reason, when the game checker go through it, it look for a TGA file. But when rendering the model in-game, it used the dds file.

I personally use a tiny no image TGA file for all the TGA files. They're just there for the name.

[Burns]

Ahh, thanks for the answer.