How to edit CAS files?

[SSJVegetaTrunks]

I downloaded GIMP in order to paint and edit the models for units, but whenever I try to open the unit file (a CAS file) with GIMP, it says that it is an unknown file type.

[GiantMonkeyMan]

GIMP is for skinning... you need 3dsmax for modelling but it isn't free and is actually quite expensive, you'll have to settle for skinning i suppose

[SSJVegetaTrunks]

Thank you, but what's the difference, between modelling and skinning, and how do I skin?

[Vuk]

What files do you open with GIMP? DDS?
I downloaded GIMP and I can't open any of the files in the DATA folder with it.
I'd like to be an attribute to my team, instead of just coordinating it and doing small jobs like unit attributes and balancing. Please help.

[spirit_of_rob]

the texture files are in models_unit/textures folder (after you have extracted them) and they are .tga.dds files dunno how Gimp works i u se photoshop.

As for the orginal poster yes you needd 3ds max with teh import/export script by vercingetorix to edit the models themselves Gimp is simply for the textures theres plenty of tutorials on both odeling and skinning around

[GiantMonkeyMan]

@ssj:
modelling is altering the 3D mesh that makes up the unit, skinning is changing the texture layer that goes on that 3D mesh... to skin check out some of the photoshop tutorials in the Scriptorium since they are very similar to how GIMP works


@vuk:
GIMP can edit .tga and with a plug-in .dds image files... skins are .dds format and are hidden in the pack files which you have to unpack using vercengetorix's unpacker program... there are also several image files such as loading screens (that aren't packed) or unit cards (that are packed) that are just .tga files that you can edit

hope i could help and someone correct me if i'm wrong
GMM

[SSJVegetaTrunks]

So that's what that unpacking thing is...

[Caius]

Vercingetorix XPAK tool, and Vercingetorix CAS extractor to use them in 3ds max

[SSJVegetaTrunks]

Also, thank you so much for answering my questions! And where can I find that unpacking thing? I looked around, but haven't managed to find it yet.

[Caius]

There is a sticky thread in the Scriptorium.Check it.

[Motep]

First, you download xpak.zip
Then, you open xpak.zip with winzip
Open your explorer
Go to the hard-drive you installed RTW to (either c:\ or d:\)
Go to the program files of that drive
Go to the Activision folder
Then, Go to the Rome - Total War file
Go to data file
Go to packs
Select from the winzip window both xpax.exe and xpak.bat
Drag these files to the Rome -Total War\data\packs folder you have opened
Double click xpak.bat
Then you wait for it to finish what it needs to do, and whamo, you are done!

[SSJVegetaTrunks]

Thanks, I did that. Now where can I get a DDS plugin?

Sorry for all the questions, and thanks to everyone that answered!

[Motep]

That I do not know...sorry.

[GiantMonkeyMan]

http://registry.gimp.org/plugin?id=4816

that's a lnk to the .dds plug-in

[Vuk]

Thanks all! I'm at school now, so I can't test it out, but it sounds like it should work. If I have anymore questions I'll just post them here ;).

[SSJVegetaTrunks]

Ok, I downloaded it, but it won't actually open the image! It doesn't show the error anymore, it just freezes the loading screen. I think in the readme it said I had to download something else too if I don't already have it, could that be the problem, and if so, where can I download the other thing I need?

[Vuk]

I extracted the pack, but now I got a problem. First, how do I repack them once I've made the changes I want. Secondly, I did it to EB, and it unpacked the vanilla skins. Where are the EB skins? (They are not in the main directory). Please help! Thanks,
Vuk

[svramjus]

I,ve got 3d - Max and can import cas files but how do i edit it, could you please explain. or any alternate resource in the web to learn 3d max.

[Roman_Man#3]

i have links for this as well.

this is for modelling units:

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=39733

and this is for opening the actual model in 3ds max:

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=51379